What is yoga?

• Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India.
• The word ‘yoga’ derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
• Though Yoga was believed to be practised since the pre-Vedic period, the great Sage Maharshi Patanjali systematized and codified (2nd century BCE) the then existing practices of Yoga, its meaning and its related knowledge through his Yoga Sutras.
• Yoga does not adhere to any particular religion, belief system or community.
• There are four broad classifications of Yoga: karma yoga, where we utilize the body; bhakti yoga, where we utilize the emotions; gyana yoga, where we utilize the mind and intellect; and kriya yoga, where we utilize the energy.
• Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

International Yoga Day

• Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.
• The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.
• The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.
• 2020 Yoga DayTheme: “Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home“