New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia, Saima Wazed, said that Yoga provides a holistic stress-reduction approach in the stress-laden world, offering tools to overcome inner turmoil and restore balance and serenity. In a press release, Ms Wazed stated, “Yoga is more than just a form of exercise. Developing mind-body awareness enables resolving imbalances at their source for long-term well-being. Yoga also nurtures self-control, mindfulness, and experiential learning in self-awareness techniques, therapeutic approaches and assessment abilities.”
#Yoga cultivates self-discipline and mindfulness, benefiting both personal and professional lives.#YogaDay pic.twitter.com/SGBBS2F9mR
— World Health Organization South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) June 21, 2024
“In our stress-laden world, yoga provides a holistic stress-reduction approach, offering tools to overcome inner turmoil and restore balance and serenity,” she added.
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Highlight the benefits of Yoga, Saima Wazed stated that research highlights yoga’s mental and physical health benefits, which include stress reduction, anxiety relief via deep breathing and mindfulness, adjunct therapy for depression management, lower back pain relief by improving spinal flexibility and core strength, enhanced overall quality of life, stimulated brain function, memory and focus, heart disease prevention by managing risk factors such as hypertension and improved physical fitness, flexibility, strength, balance and weight management.
Saima Wazed said,
Whether for fitness, stress relief or holistic wellness, consistency is key when practising yoga’s versatile aspects. On this International Day of Yoga, let us commit to incorporating this ancient practice into our daily lives.
She stressed that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice originating in India. She stated that 2024 theme, ‘Yoga for Self and Society’, encapsulates yoga’s transformative essence – the unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfilment.
Saima Wazed said,
Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice originating in India. The Sanskrit word ‘yoga’ means ‘to unite,’ symbolizing the harmony between body and consciousness. Today, yoga is practised worldwide in various forms and continues to grow in popularity.
Also Read: How Can Women Improve Their Well-Being Through Yoga?
She added,
The 2024 theme, ‘Yoga for Self and Society’, encapsulates yoga’s transformative essence – the unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfilment. Mindful breathing, meditation, and gentle movement calm the nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and cultivate inner peace. Regular practise fosters mental well-being and emotional resilience.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Yoga on June 21. In December 2014, the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by India to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 which is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly. Since 2015, the International Day of Yoga has been celebrated across the globe, enhancing awareness about the multifaceted benefits of Yoga.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led celebrations of the 10th International Day of Yoga at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar on Friday.
Since 2015, the Prime Minister has led the International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations at various iconic locations, including Kartavya Path in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi, Lucknow, Mysuru and even the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Also Read: International Yoga Day: Bollywood Celebrities Swear By Yoga To Stay “Swasth”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
