International yoga day
Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
It is the Indian Prime Minister, Mr.Narendra modi who came up with the idea of celebrating International Yoga Day. By this way, he wanted to share this holistic approach of living that originated in india with the whole wide world. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) liked the proposal and 21 st June was recognized as the International Yoga Day. It was celebrated for the first time in the year 2015.
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. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action ... a holistic approach that is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”
But yoga is more than a physical activity. In the words of one of its most famous practitioners, the late B. K. S. Iyengar, “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”
Mahym Narmyradova,
the 1st year student of the Faculty of International Journalism
of
the Insititute of the International Relations
of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.