What does International Day of Yoga mean to you?

Today is the International Day of Yoga. Let it be a day to remember that Yoga is for everyone and holds no boundaries.

Let it be a day to celebrate, to raise awareness of what yoga is and what it isn’t. A day to share and remember why we incorporate these wonderful practices into our daily lives and how they support our health and well-being.

Different branches of Yoga

Over the last decade or so, the popularity of Yoga has exploded. It’s beautiful to see how we are all drawn to different styles of Yoga and Yoga Asana and how you may be drawn to a different branch of yoga or a mix of different aspects.

You could be someone who enjoys a weekly yoga class or two, or you’re a true Karma Yogi and loves to volunteer. Maybe you practice meditation to support your mental wellbeing, or your Yoga is a sadhana of mantra and kirtan. The important thing is to find the Yoga for you.

The Yoga Chakra

In the system of Yoga of our tradition, the Bihar School of Yoga, we focus on ‘six yogas.’ Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga. These are collectively known as the Yoga Chakra, (wheel).

The first three Yogas represent the external Yoga practices to harmonise body, vital energy, mind, and psyche (spirit), enabling you to connect and understand your own nature. From there, they lead to the remaining three yogas (Karma, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga) the internal Yogas.

“To practice and to live these Yogas fully is the vision of yoga as seen by Swami Sivananada and Swami Satyananda*” It is a holistic system of yoga that touches all aspects of everyday life.

For Ram and me, the International Day of Yoga, is a reminder of how beneficial this science and living a ‘yogic lifestyle’ has been in supporting us in our day-to-day life.

In fact, it is Yoga that brought us both together!

Namo Narayan

Hari Om Tat Sat

Jai Ho!

* What is Yoga, June, 2021 @Bihar School of Yoga