International Yoga Day, celebrations with Yoga expert, Trainer and freelancer Mr. Santosh Hiremath. International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 across the world. It was observed for the first time in 2015. The United Nations General Assembly proposed on December 11 and established June 21 as “International Yoga Day.” The date was assigned for the occasion as it is the longest day when the sun is out at its most compared to every other day of the year. With more than 10,000 years old an art of science originated from India and for the first time all 193 countries from the UN unanimously voted for accepting and making International Yoga day. 
Santosh states, “Yoga is a practice, Yoga alone enables the practitioner to come in union with himself and the universe. He experiences the world within and around himself, to touch the divine joy of all creation. So Yoga is nothing but a union.” Yoga is not a work-out it is a work-in, and it is the point of spiritual practice which happens unknowingly while practicing YOGA to make all teachable to open up our hearts and focus on our awareness so that YOU TOO WILL ONE DAY know what we already know and be who we already are.
Yogic exercises recharge the body with cosmic energy. The art of practicing yoga helps in controlling an individual’s mind, body and soul. It brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve a peaceful body and mind, it helps manage stress and anxiety and keeps you relaxing. It also helps in increasing flexibility, muscle strength and tone the body. It improves respiration, energy and vitality. It helps in mental relaxation and increases your awareness of the breath as a tool for relaxing the body.
Pranayama and Hata Yoga is an important part of any yoga practice. Some are slow and more focused on stretching others are fast and more of a workout. If you are looking to relieve stress, no one yoga style is superior, so pick one that meets your level of physical fitness.
He also states that, “Yoga should not be performed in a state of illness, acute pain in a hurry or in an acute stress condition. Avoid, during lower back pain, shoulder injury, pulled hamstrings and during carpal tunnel syndrome. Don’t perform yoga immediately after meals. Wait until 2 to 3 hours after a large meal. During illness, surgeries, or any sprains or fractures, one should refrain from Yoga Practice. They can resume yoga after consulting experts. Don’t do strenuous exercises after yoga. Don’t practice yoga in adverse and extreme weather conditions (too hot, too cold or humid). One should know their body and practice accordingly during their menses.”
International Yoga Day, celebrated all over the world to attain physical fitness and mental relaxation. Yoga is an attempt to integrate mind, body, and spirit. Practice yoga every day and check the glorious difference in oneself!
