Compiled by
Vishal Bhidu
As the 9th International Yoga Day is celebrated in India and across the globe on June 21, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC) spearheaded a slew of activities culminating into a grand celebration around the same time as in India. This year’s theme, “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” formed part of the Yoga Ocean Ring that was showcased on Wednesday, June 21 at the Indian Naval Vessels/ Bases, and Ports/ Vessels of friendly countries where in Mauritius it was held onboard the CGS Barracuda.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in a landmark event at the United Nations asserted that yoga is universal and unifying with its origins in India while making a plea for its globally acclaimed practice in bringing humankind closer and improving the planet’s health. The PM told: “Yoga comes from India and it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free from copyrights, free from patents, and free from royalty payments. Yoga is unifying; it is for everyone, for all ethnicities, for all faiths, for all cultures. Yoga is truly universal.”
In his address, Head of State in Mauritius His Excellency Prithivirajsingh Roopun emphasized efforts undertaken to popularize the practice of yoga across the island while urging everyone to explore and avail of its benefits by regular practice. “It is a way of living with an emphasis on ethical living while also aligning with the principle of Yoga for the Welfare of All as One World-One Family,” he said.
On her part, the Indian High Commissioner Her Excellency Nandini K Singla expressed her happiness with the growing interest on the local shores for yoga which is part of the primary school curriculum with some 550 teachers trained in Yoga protocol. She added that currently, 2 000 participants are enrolled in Yoga courses at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture in Phoenix coupled with 325 students practicing Yoga in four schools.
Speaking in context of the International Yoga Day, Teacher for Indian Culture (TIC) Sowmya ND who supervised the process of yoga emphasized: “Unlike other forms of exercise or therapy where the presence of an external authority or instructor guides the process, yoga plays an empowering role in enabling individuals to charter their growth and well-being.”
She added that yoga helps to ensure that various physiological processes in the body can be positively influenced through asanas designed to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
Key Therapeutic Yoga Benefits:
Physical Fitness: Yoga helps youngsters improve their physical fitness by increasing flexibility, strength, and endurance. Through various poses and movements, yoga enhances body awareness and coordination, improving overall physical health.
Stress Reduction: Youngsters often experience stress due to academic pressure, social challenges, and other factors. Yoga teaches relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness, which can help reduce stress levels and promote a sense of calm and well-being.
Emotional Regulation: Yoga encourages emotional awareness and regulation. By practicing mindfulness and connecting with their bodies, youngsters learn to manage their emotions effectively, developing self-control, resilience, and a positive mindset.
Concentration and Focus: Yoga involves focusing the mind on the present moment and maintaining concentration during different poses. Regular yoga practice can improve youngsters’ attention span, concentration, and focus, leading to enhanced academic performance and productivity.
Body Image and Self-Confidence: Young people often face body image issues and a lack of self-confidence. Yoga fosters self-acceptance and body positivity by emphasizing self-care, self-love, and appreciation for one’s unique abilities and qualities.
Improved Sleep Patterns: Many youngsters struggle with sleep-related problems, such as insomnia or disrupted sleep. Yoga’s relaxation techniques and stress reduction effects can help regulate sleep patterns and promote better sleep quality.
Posture and Alignment: With prolonged hours of sitting and sedentary lifestyles, youngsters may develop poor posture habits. Yoga improves posture, alignment, and overall body awareness, which can prevent or alleviate issues like back pain and muscle imbalances.
Social and Emotional Skills: Yoga classes often involve group activities and partner poses, fostering social interactions and cooperation. This can help youngsters develop social skills, empathy, and teamwork, improving their overall emotional intelligence.
Body-Mind Connection: Yoga emphasizes the connection between the body and mind. Through the practice of yoga, youngsters learn to listen to their bodies, respect their limits, and develop a harmonious relationship with themselves, promoting self-care and self-awareness.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Engaging in yoga at a young age promotes a healthy lifestyle and a lifelong habit of physical activity. It encourages youngsters to make conscious choices about their well-being, including nutrition, exercise, and self-care practices.
(Courtesy: Organizer Magazine/Sowmya ND)
