View: Yoga to the rescue in unbalanced times

Ever since Covid-19, life has not been the same. Prolonged lockdowns have led to uncertainties and anxieties. Which is why it’s important for all of us to maintain both calmness of mind and fitness of body. Yoga is an effective tool for this very double-purpose. Today, on the International Day of Yoga, we can underline the important role yoga can play in this holistic development of an individual.

Yoga means to join or unite, and seeks to bring about a harmonious union of mind and body. It is a science that emphasises balance, poise, grace, equanimity, peace and harmony. During his proposal to the United Nations in 2014 to adopt an International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had summed up the import of yoga as an ‘invaluable gift’ of ancient Indian tradition, which ‘embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature’.Subsequently, June 21 was declared by UN as the International Day of Yoga.

While pointing out that insufficient physical activity is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes, the World Health Organisation (WHO) mentions yoga as means to improve health in its ‘Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030: More Active People for a Healthier World' (bit.ly/3hGKqXe).

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