International Yoga Day – Yoga for Humanity on 21.06.2022 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wyra

The International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on 21st June following its resolution by the United Nations General Assembly 11th December 2014 in which 177 nations co-sponsored it. The proposed date is the longest day of the year in the mass northern hemisphere (shortest in the southern hemisphere) with special significance in many parts of the world. From the perspective of yoga, the summer solstice marks the transition to Dakshinayana. The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on 21st June 2015 and since its inception is being celebrated across the world. Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition which personifies the unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfilment, harmony between man and nature as well as a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourself, the world and the nature around us. It helps to change our lifestyle by creating consciousness to benefit our wellbeing. It is not about exercising but to discover the sense of oneness with ourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness can help in physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of individual which in turn helps in developing better communities. Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word 'yoke' or 'union' consisting of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India and aim to control (yoke) and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness-consciousness untouched by the mind (Chitta) and mundane suffering (Duḥkha). But the modern day yoga denotes a modern form of Hatha yoga and a posture-based physical fitness, stress-relief and relaxation techniques consisting largely of the asanas which differ from traditional yoga that mainly focuses on meditation and release from worldly attachments. It was introduced by gurus from India after the success of Swami Vivekananda's adaptation of yoga without asanas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. International Yoga Day, 2022 observed on 21st June with the theme "Yoga for Humanity" is very much relevant for our present-day times still dealing with the aftermath of COVID 19 pandemic. This COVID 19 is not just a physical crisis but has also left lasting impacts on mental health causing psychological suffering, depression and anxiety. Involving ourself in yoga not only benefits the mind and body but also instils the sense of love and compassion towards one another. The theme was selected with the aim to inspire the yoga community for global development. International Yoga Day, 2021 was participated by Dr. J. Hemantha Kumar, Programme Coordinator, Dr Jessie Suneetha. W, Dr. V. Chaitanya, Dr K. Ravi Kumar non-teaching staff, casual labour and students at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wyra.