Today, June 21, the International Day of Yoga is celebrated all over the world. The date, set by the UN General Assembly in 2014, was not chosen by chance - it is the longest day of the year (the day of the summer solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere of our planet. Yoga - what is it? A culture? A sport? Religion? Vidhu Peethambaran Nair, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Turkmenistan, told Arzuw NEWS about India's national treasure:
- Can you please tell us a brief history of yoga? Who is its founding father?
- Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice, over 5,000 years old, that originated in India. The word "Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj", which means "to unite" or "to connect". According to Yoga scriptures, everything in the universe is a manifestation of the same quantum firmament, and one who experiences this unity of existence is considered a practitioner of Yoga and is called a Yogi.
In the Indian yogic teachings, God Shiva is considered the first yogi ("Adiyogi"). His vast knowledge of yoga is believed to have been orally transmitted by him to his disciples. The Indian sage Maharshi Patanjali, known as the "father of yoga," systematized and codified the existing yoga practices into a classic text called the Yoga Sutra. He provides the fundamental foundation upon which the modern yoga we see today is based.
- How is yoga different from stretching or other types of fitness?
- Yoga is a completely different concept from physical fitness exercises. Yoga harmonizes yourself with the world around you, uniting individual consciousness with universal consciousness. While other fitness exercises focus on the physical aspects of your body, yoga works on multiple levels of body, mind, emotions and energy, including awareness of every movement and breath of the body. Yoga gives you increased concentration, calmness, peace and contentment on a mental level leading to inner and outer harmony. It is unrivaled in its ability to relieve stress, improve concentration, find meaning in everyday life and broaden your horizons.
- What do the terms Namaste, Om, Hatha, Ujjayi pranayama mean in yoga?
- "Namaste" is a way of greeting practiced in India. The word "Namaste" has two parts: "namas" means "to bow to" / "to respect" and "te" means "to you". Literally the word means "to worship you". It has a spiritual connotation reflecting the belief that the divine / soul is the same in all human beings and hence any person who can be welcomed is worthy of respect.
"Om" or "Aum" is a sacred sound that signifies the essence of higher reality, representing the union of mind, body and spirit that is at the heart of Yoga. This sound is considered (in Hinduism - ed.) the first sound of the universe. It is a powerful root word that, when repeated, soothes and fills the mind and body with energy, and the vibrations created in the body bring various health benefits.
The word "Hatha" means "strength" and indicates physical postures. "Hatha" is derived from "Ha" which means "sun" and "Tha" which means "moon". It symbolizes the balance of masculine and feminine characteristics. Hatha yoga is the practice of establishing harmony between two qualities (strength and flexibility) in people.
"Ujjayi pranayama" or ocean breathing is a breathing technique that calms your mind by focusing on your breath. As you inhale, you should slightly squeeze your throat to maintain the lengthening of each breath cycle, creating a rushing/whispering sound. Each inhale and exhale is long, equal, deep and controlled. This oxygenates the body and thus energizes the body and promotes mental clarity and concentration.
- What is the purpose of sun salutation in yoga?
- It's called Surya Namaskar, one way of honoring the Sun, the ultimate source of energy for the Earth and its people, without which life here could not exist. It's a chain of about 12 poses, beautifully alternating with stretching movements. As the body moves quickly through the various poses, its energy pathways are cleared, strength and flexibility increase, joints are lubricated, and tension is released. It is excellent for maintaining cardiovascular health, weight loss, improving cognitive function and strengthening the immune system. "Surya Namaskar" is best done in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Is yoga a religion or a sport?
- Yoga does not adhere to or promote any particular religion, belief or community. It is a means for inner well-being and harmonious living. Anyone who practices yoga with passion can reap its benefits regardless of his/her faith, ethnicity or culture.
Yoga is also not a sport. Yoga requires serious physical activity, such as playing sports. It includes spiritual and philosophical aspects that are not usually part of any sporting activity. It is a healthy lifestyle with consciousness that has far-reaching benefits for people of all ages because of its healing properties. Its focus on comprehensive health, both individual and social, makes it a worthy practice for people of all religions, races and nationalities.
- Does flexibility increase the risk of injury?
- Flexibility is the ability to move muscles and joints throughout their full range of motion. It is an ability we are born with, but which diminishes with age as our lives become restricted and sedentary.
Yogic movements are performed slowly, controlled, without jerking and coordinated with breathing, which makes the body flexible and healthy. The risk of injury to muscles and ligaments during yoga is zero. In fact, stiff, inflexible and fatigued muscles are more prone to injury.
- What types of yoga are there?
- There are four "paths" of yoga:
- Raja yoga is the yoga of mind control, the path of meditation.
- Jnana (Gyana) Yoga is the yoga of knowledge, the path of intellect / wisdom.
- Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion, the path of love/emotion.
- Karma yoga is the yoga of action, the path of selfless service.
- What are the necessary factors that people should follow? Does the importance of proper nutrition, sleep and the best time to do yoga?
- Positive lifestyle practices to follow when practicing yoga include:
- Physical activity
- A balanced diet
- Healthy Sleep
- Recreation
The practice of yoga, along with a proper diet and good sleep, works wonders for a person's overall health.
The ideal time to practice yoga is in the morning before sunrise. But, given today's lifestyle, it is possible to practice yoga at a time that suits a person best. Since the key to accessing all of the many benefits of yoga is a consistent practice over time, you need to create a routine that fits your lifestyle and suits your schedule. This may change over time as your routine changes.
- In what cases and conditions is yoga not recommended for people?
- During illness, surgery, sprains or fractures it is recommended to refrain from practicing yoga. The patient may resume yoga practice after recovery and after consultation with specialists.
- What events were held in honor of "International Yoga Day" this year?
- In the current global pandemic situation, yoga has become a powerful tool to overcome the uncertainty and isolation of daily life and to maintain physical and mental well-being. During times of isolation in different countries, more and more people are turning to online yoga classes to regain balance and strength. This shows the growing importance of yoga in any such crisis situations.
The Embassy of India in Ashgabat organized the following events on the theme "Yoga for Health" as part of the "International Yoga Day (IDY) - 2021":
- On May 28, the Ashgabat International School hosted an IDY - 21 curtain-raising event with a yoga demonstration.
- A yoga session and quiz was held at the State Medical University in Ashgabat on May 31.
- On June 19, General Yoga Protocol sessions were held at the Embassy building to spread awareness about health through yoga.
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