International Yoga Day Challenge

Ever since the United Nations proclaimed June 21^st as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, the popularity of yoga has grown exponentially.  Since this momentous day, millions of people around the world practice some form of yoga and benefit from it. Yoga is not a philosophy or ideology but a science and technology for self-transformation. Yoga is India’s gift to the world. If there is one thing that goes beyond religion, ethnicity, race, gender etc and has the potential to unite humanity as one big family, it is yoga.

The power of yoga is such that it brings holistic wellbeing – mental, physical and spiritual. Anyone can practice yoga and experience the benefits.  The word yoga means “Union”.  It has methods and tools that one can use to experience the entire universe as one energy.  Modern science is now saying that this universe is one energy.

Even 10 – 15 minutes of yoga daily is quite potent.  It can relieve stress, calm the mind, increase energy levels, enhance focus and productivity, give a sense of peace, tranquility, fulfillment and joy.  The benefits of yoga are tangible in our experience due to the positive changes we feel in our system within a few weeks of daily practice.

So, without further ado it is time for us to think of investing in our wellbeing by taking up yoga for 15 minutes daily.  Join the Yoga Challenge and learn simple and powerful tools for wellbeing and transformation available for free.  Click on this link International Day of Yoga 2024 | 21 Day Yoga Challenge (sadhguru.org) for more information.

Many different types of yoga have emerged to accommodate different tastes, lifestyles, fitness levels, goals and is available to people from all walks of life.  Below are a few to pique your curiosity.

• Vinyasa yoga involves moving smoothly from one asana to the next. Each movement is aligned with the breath.
• Ashtanga yoga is fast paced series of postures. It begins with simple postures and gets increasingly demanding as one gets to intermediate classes and above.
• Hatha Yoga is slower paced and focuses on holding poses for longer compared to the fast-paced Ashtanga yoga.
• Iyengar Yoga is known for its use of props – ropes, blocks etc. Poses are held for longer duration with an emphasis on alignment.
• Kundalini yoga has chanting, meditation and energy activation methods called Kriyas.
• Bikram yoga has hot yoga where practitioners do yoga in a hot environment.
• Power yoga is designed to increase the heart rate. It has difficult postures like inversions which is a better fit for intermediate to advanced yoga practitioners.

These styles above take time to explore and learn.  In a fast-paced environment that we live in having access to simple, yet powerful yoga that anyone can practice is more attractive.  Much of easy to do yoga is available online and one can learn and practice in the privacy of their home at a time convenient for them.   Click here – International Day of Yoga 2024 | 21 Day Yoga Challenge (sadhguru.org) to begin your journey toward wellbeing by investing just a few minutes every day.