After much anticipation, the United Nations declared 21st June as International Day of Yoga on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal who is a yoga practitioner himself. 21st June is the longest day of the year and holds a special significance in many countries. More than 170 countries across the globe will mark the first International Day of Yoga this year with several events, workshops and gatherings.
Yoga is a practise for your body and mind with origins that lie in Indian history. It is not just a fitness trend but a way of life. Yoga in its full form includes physical exercise, breathing techniques and meditation. Every yoga posture has a different function. Most of them energise your body; some improve digestion and relieve stress while others are therapeutic for blood pressure and heart health. It can help you address several lifestyle diseases without resorting to medication. Through yoga postures and asanas you can guide your prana or life force in a positive way.(Yoga for Beginners: What I Learned From My First Yoga Class)
According to Zubin Atre, Founder, The Atre Yoga Studio, “Yoga offers multiple health benefits. It is instrumental in energy management. It keeps our energy levels up and balanced. It also helps in improving breath quality, lowering stress and cortisol levels, helping you maintain peace. Consequently, even your inter-personal relationships and communication improves. Physically, you feel more flexible, stronger and gain stamina. In a nutshell, you feel like a superhuman.”
In the video below, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev throws some light on directional movements of arms. Directional movement of the arms is the first part of Upa Yoga. When you lie in horizontal postures for few hours during sleep, the lubricating fluids in your joints tend to settle down and are not in circulation. When you wake up your body demands that you first lubricate your joints. Directional movement is a great way to do so. (Yoga for Weight Loss: 6 Ways to Get Back in Shape)
Watch the video to learn how to perform directional movement of the arms.