It is a perfect embodiment of peace, harmony and progress from India, says in this article written by Ambassador Sanjiv Ranjan, representative of that country in Colombia and Ecuador
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Yoga is an Indian tradition that dates back more than 5,000 years, in turn, combining physical, mental and spiritual activities to achieve harmony of both body and mind.
This year, when humanity faces the coronavirus pandemic, which requires isolation and social distancing, Yoga becomes one of the main allies to maintain health, raise immunity and improve the mental attitude against the ravages that daily reports on social networks and the media about this disease.
Yoga is an invaluable gift from the ancient tradition of India. It embodies the unity of the mind and the body; thought and action; moderation and satisfaction; harmony between man and nature. A holistic approach to health and wellness. It is not about exercising, but discovering the sense of unity with yourself, the world and nature.
Yoga is a symbol of universal aspiration for health and well-being. It is a perfect embodiment of peace, harmony and progress, originating from India. Doing our daily activities with diligence and full awareness is also Yoga. Disease free, a path to wellness is your path. The remarkable teaching that this discipline imparts is to see others as equal to us. It makes us better people in thoughts, actions, knowledge and devotion. It causes the unity between mind, body and intellect. It makes us understand ourselves and chart a path to build a constructive bond with society at large. A connection of unity with our families, with the society in which we live, with human beings, with the nature with which we share this beautiful planet. Therefore, Yoga is a journey from “me” to “us”.
In 2015 he recorded two Guinness world records, one for 35,985 people who practiced in a single Yoga session in the same place and the other for most nationalities participating in a Yoga class. The event was recognized and celebrated in 170 countries.
In 2020 we celebrated the sixth International Yoga Day, recognized by the UN since 2015. The theme of this year’s edition was “GharGhar me Yog” (in English, Yoga at home) intended to spread the message of “Yoga at home and Yoga with the family ”. It means the importance of staying at home and practicing this discipline with the family while observing social distancing. Staying home will keep you away from the contagious Covid-19 virus and help keep you and your family in good health. One simply cannot say “No to Yoga” during the health crisis facing the world.
This practice is also so powerful with humanity that it can keep infections, ailments and diseases at bay. It has the potential to improve immunity and fight disease. The powerful combination of Yoga with Ayurveda can provide a solution in terms of preventing deadly diseases like coronavirus. The relevance of this, therefore, increases when the world struggles to find answers to the coronavirus and staggers amidst a lifestyle interrupted by isolation, quarantine, social estrangement, and indoor living.
The Indian Embassy in Bogotá, with the support of the Ayush Ministry of the Government of India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, brought a Yoga package to the peoples of Colombia and Ecuador through powerful digital media.
We have collaborated with various institutions in India, Colombia and Ecuador, which are dedicated to spreading the message of Yoga, with more than 25 programs that include conferences, workshops, practice sessions on various topics and included presentations by 37 experts, practitioners and researchers from this practice.
As a unique initiative this year, we have created a digital portal to provide a window for people in Colombia and Ecuador to all information related to Yoga.
Today various forms of Yoga are practiced and their success, as well as the number of followers is increasing worldwide. The celebration of this day serves to raise awareness among the population about the benefits of this ancient practice.
The reason is that yoga improves productivity, health and this lowers government spending on medical treatment and infrastructure. It is a better way of living, in balance with the environment, physically balanced and contributes to preserving the environment where we live. With Yoga we have heard the transformation in different parts of the world.
* Indian Ambassador to Colombia and Ecuador
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