PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Experts suggested that rather than practising yoga solely on International Yoga Day, people should incorporate it into their daily routines for enduring benefits. On June 21, International Yoga Day is observed across the country with numerous organisations, NGOs and government institutions hosting commemorative events. However, it has been noted that many tend to practise yoga only on this particular day, leaving it out of their everyday life. Experts emphasised that regular yoga practice can help reduce the prevalence of various health issues, such as depression and obesity, which have alarmingly surged in recent years.
Yogacharya and a volunteer at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh, Ganga Nandini expressed her appreciation for the initiatives taken by the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in particular, to help International Yoga Day become a vibrant event across the world. She, however, said that while people practise yoga on International Yoga Day enthusiastically they often do not continue this practice regularly. “This is not disappointing at all; rather, it is a positive sign that they are planting the seeds of yoga in their life which will eventually flourish. This occasion serves as a motivation for many to engage with yoga. Nonetheless, they should aim to incorporate yoga into their daily life rather than limiting it to just one day,” she said.
Nandini further pointed out that the cases of depression and obesity among other health issues have been surging worryingly over the years. “Practising yoga can help reduce the rates as it is beneficial for both the body and mind. Yoga can be practised any time, but it is most effective when it is practised on an empty stomach. Therefore, morning is the ideal time. If it is not possible people should practise at least two to three hours after eating,” she said.
A yoga expert from Patanjali, Radhika Nagrath said that dedicating just 20 minutes each day to yoga can yield long-term mental and emotional benefits. “Doing it on a single day cannot effectively address respiratory issues. But engaging in yoga for 20 minutes daily can alleviate various ailments. The 12 poses of Surya Namaskar, combined with Pranayama and Kapalabhati, can significantly strengthen the musculoskeletal system and provide additional advantages to practitioners,” she said, adding that yoga if rightly done would help people remain free from mental depression which has been afflicting an increasing number of people across the world.
