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Yoga is the union of body, mind, and soul. Can dedicating just one day out of 365 be enough to celebrate or experience this profound union? The answer, I believe, is a resounding no.
As we approach the 10th International Yoga Day on June 21, 2024, it's a fitting time to reflect on the significance of this day and the enduring practice of yoga. This day was first proposed by Shri Narendra Modi in his UN address in September 2014, and on December 11, 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution with unprecedented support from 177 nations. Since then, June 21, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, has been celebrated globally as International Yoga Day.
Did you know that yoga dates back much further than a decade? Nearly 5000 years ago, Sage Patanjali, one of the great seers, compiled the main principles of yoga in the form of 196 sutras – the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. Traditionally, yoga is a process of gaining mastery over the mind. Sage Patanjali outlined how to tame the mind through these ancient scriptures. Yoga is a skilful, subtle, and conscious process for accelerating growth in its entirety.
In the 21st century, where everyone is pursuing success and materialistic goals, yoga offers solace for the restless mind and a boon for the sick. We all know how yoga benefits us physically by enhancing our strength and flexibility. It also significantly improves our cognitive abilities and resilience, contributing to overall well-being. However, yoga's true essence lies in its ability to unify our body, mind, and soul, promoting a holistic approach to health.
A Daily Practice
While International Yoga Day is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a global community to celebrate yoga, it's crucial to remember that yoga should be practiced daily.
As Sage Patanjali mentions in the Yoga Sutras:
“सा तु दीर्घ काला नैरन्तर्य सत्कारा सेवितो दृढभूमिः”
This sutra emphasizes that your practice must be long-term, uninterrupted, unbroken, and full of devotion. Consistency and dedication are essential. Regular, focused practice yields the best results. Think of it like tending to a garden: you nourish the soil, plant the seeds, water them, and patiently care for them daily. Over time, the seeds grow into plants, eventually bearing fruit. This is how yoga practice works. With consistent, daily effort, it gradually offers benefits across all layers of human dimensions – physical, mental, emotional, physiological, and spiritual.
Consistency is key to any progress, whether it's physical strength and flexibility, mental clarity, or emotional balance.
In yoga, this continuous practice is known as “abhyasa.” If you begin with asanas (physical postures) on this Yoga Day, commit to practicing daily. Honor your body with consistent practice.
Set aside 30 minutes to one hour from your daily routine for your overall well-being. This way, you work not only on your body but also on your mind. Yoga practices enhance physical health and improve mental clarity and focus. To achieve better memory and concentration, you must master your mind and maintain your practice consistently and continuously.
“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently.”
–Marie Forleo
This Yoga Day, don't just practice for one day. Commit to practicing daily for the next 21 days. In the Indian calendar, this year's celebration also coincides with Jyestha Purnima, symbolizing fullness, abundance, and prosperity.
Let's Begin the Journey with Commitment
Prioritize It
Create a routine and stick to your promised time duration. Whether traveling, at home, or even when you're sick, prioritize your health and wellness. Make sure your practice time is at the top of your to-do list.
Do What You Can
You don't have to perform rigorous postures every time you're on the mat. Practice breath awareness, do some stretches, or even rest in child's pose. All of these count as yoga.
Embrace the Journey
Regardless of your progress, embrace your true self. Some days you might not feel like practicing, and that’s okay. Come to the mat and do what you can. Avoid self-criticism. Remember, not all days are the same.
Consistency and continuity in practice are essential. Embrace consistency; it's a game changer. Adopt and absorb it with abundance and harmony.
About the Author: Deepti is a Holistic Yoga Coach and Wellness Educator, specializing in Therapy Yoga, Pre and Postnatal Yoga, and Women’s Health. She teaches yoga both online and offline. A Spiritual seeker, an avid traveller, coffee lover, and compassionate woman, she believes yoga may not solve all your life’s problems, but it gives you strength when nothing else can.
Find out more on our website www.yoglogue.in or
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