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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
International Yoga Day 2025: How Yoga can guide people towards sustainable living in a climate crisis
For centuries, many have described Yoga as the union of the body, mind and soul. But in today's context, that union must extend beyond the self. This is the time of climate disruption, when biodiversity is vanishing before our eyes and our generation is burdened by ecological grief, and this is when Yoga might be able to come out as our saviour by transcending its meaning of being a personal practice and instead becoming a planetary ethic. Balance is an important keyword to Yoga, but how balanced really is our world, where glaciers are melting as we practice breathing exercises in an air-conditioned room? The principles of Yoga have always been seamlessly aligned with sustainability, because how do we perform an asana (yogic posture) and forget what we are standing on? This alignment becomes clearer when we return to the foundational philosophy of the practice. Patanjali's eightfold path—Ashtanga Yoga outlines a way of living while being mindful of our current ecological reality. When each limb of Ashtanga Yoga is understood and practiced fully, it serves as a guide for planetary responsibility. In popular practice, the first two limbs - Yama and Niyama- are skipped over, but they are where sustainability actually begins. Yama highlights the relationship with the world, consisting of principles like Ahimsa (non-violence): Does what I choose to buy, eat or use harm another life—human or not? And Aparigraha (non-hoarding) which in a world obsessed with accumulation—of wealth and material feels extremely necessary given the urgency of time we are living in. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo All of these values play out every day in our daily lives, in what we use, what we waste, what we carry, and what we let go of—this is why they are far from abstract. Niyama focuses on the inner self with principles like Shaucha, usually translated as cleanliness. It asks us to keep our surroundings, along with ourselves, pure. Tapas, also known as austerity or self-discipline is extremely important to live consciously in a world immersed in the culture of convenience, and Santosha or contentment, reminds us to be happy in what little we have and push back against the constant desire for more. Next comes Asana, or postures—this is the limb most people are reminded of when they think of Yoga. But these postures themselves are a reflection of nature and not isolated exercises. When we stretch into Vrikshasana, we take inspiration from the vrikshas (trees), standing tall, steady, and rooted. When we do Padmasana, the lotus pose, we are reminded to remain clear and bloom even amidst mud or filth just as a lotus does. This is incredibly ironic. We attempt to shape ourselves into nature's forms while on the mat, but forget what we are becoming the moment we step off of it. If we want to become like the trees, we can't be the ones cutting them down. Another limb is Pranayama. It teaches us to observe energy as a flow. Inhale, pause, exhale, pause—this reflects how nature works. Breath is the most direct link between humans and the environment. Every inhalation draws oxygen from plants, and every exhalation releases carbon dioxide, which plants use to sustain life. Pranayama highlights this cycle, this interdependence between humanity and nature. T hen comes Pratyahara—the withdrawal of the self from external distractions. This means stepping away from noise. The noise of endless consumption. This is the ability to pause and notice what's enough. Dharana and Dhyana—concentration and meditation—train us in attention. Focus is a form of care. Meditation, when rooted in awareness, creates space for empathy—for forests, oceans, and everything we share this planet with. When you truly pay attention, the Earth is impossible to ignore. The final limb is Samadhi or transcendence. This is a union and also losing. Letting of the illusion that separated the self and the world. This means recognizing that the soil we stand on, the air we breathe and the water we drink are extensions of the same material that sustains us. This means, we are one with nature and nature is one with us. The eightfold path is more than ancient wisdom needed to be admired, it serves as a guide for real sustainable living. This Yoga Day, we don't need to stretch further—we need to return closer. To nature. Because if truly understood, Yoga doesn't just align the spine, it aligns us back with the Earth. By: Shubhanshi Chakraborty, Sustainability expert and a young Author One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Thousands gather at Hyderabad's parks and open grounds to mark International Yoga Day
On Saturday (June 21, 2025) morning, the city of Hyderabad woke to a calm yet spirited scene as thousands of residents made their way to parks and open grounds, with yoga mats in hand and dressed in comfortable attire, to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. From young children to senior citizens, people across all age groups gathered as early as 5 a.m. in neighbourhood parks to perform yoga. The State-level celebration, jointly organised by the AYUSH and Health Departments, was held at the Gachibowli Stadium and drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 participants. The event served as a focal point for the day's observances, with government officials, students, and others participating in large numbers. Among those in attendance were Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha, Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari, Sports Authority chairman Shiva Sena Reddy, and Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao. All of them joined the participants in performing yoga asanas. Homage to Maharishi Patanjali Speaking at the gathering, the Health Minister described yoga as 'one of India's greatest gifts to the world.' He paid homage to Maharishi Patanjali, whose teachings on Ashtanga Yoga form the basis of contemporary yoga practice. 'Yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise,' he said. 'It is a holistic science that brings balance to the body, mind, and spirit.' The Minister stressed the role of yoga in addressing the modern epidemic of lifestyle-related diseases. 'In today's fast-paced world, ailments like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and kidney disorders have become alarmingly common. Even the wealthiest individuals are struggling to attain peace of mind. Yoga offers a natural and effective solution to these problems,' he said. The minister also outlined the State government's ongoing efforts to institutionalise and expand the practice of yoga across the State. 'Several initiatives have been launched in the past year, including the appointment of 630 yoga instructors, with recruitment underway for an additional 264. Daily yoga sessions are now being conducted at health sub-centres, and more than five lakh individuals have been trained in yoga during the past year alone. Efforts are also being made to integrate yoga into the education system and higher studies. The government has initiated yoga instruction in schools and colleges, and recently introduced a Postgraduate course in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences,' he added.
United News of India
8 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
Telangana celebrates International Yoga Day with grand event at Gachibowli Stadium
Hyderabad, June 21 (UNI) The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated in a grand manner at the GMC Balayogi Sports Stadium in Gachibowli on Saturday morning. The event was jointly organised by the Department of AYUSH and the Telangana Medical and Health Department. The programme commenced with a yoga photo exhibition from 0620 to 0630 hours, followed by a virtual address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi broadcast on LED screens from 0630 to 0700 hours. A 45-minute mass yoga session was then held from 0700 to 0745 hours. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha, Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari, Sports Authority Chairman Shivsena Reddy, Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, along with several officials and students, participated in the celebrations. In total, more than 5,000 individuals performed yoga during the event. Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha said that yoga is a profound gift India has offered to the world. He emphasised remembering Maharishi Patanjali, the revered guru who systematised the ancient practice, and highlighted the significance of Ashtanga Yoga, which he described as the foundation of modern yoga. "Yoga is not just a physical exercise—it is a holistic practice that unites the body, mind, and soul," the minister said. "In today's fast-paced world, lifestyle-related ailments like blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and kidney issues are increasing. Yoga offers the best solution for these problems." He urged everyone to incorporate yoga into their daily lives, stating that all it requires is determination and a good teacher. "Regular yoga practice enhances mental clarity, physical strength, and concentration." Minister Rajanarsimha also outlined the government's efforts under Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's leadership to promote yoga across the state. These include the appointment of 630 yoga instructors, with another 264 appointments in progress, and the daily conduct of yoga sessions in health sub-centres. "In the past year alone, we have introduced yoga to 5 lakh new individuals. We are also encouraging yoga education in schools and colleges and are launching postgraduate courses in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences. More initiatives will soon be rolled out to bring yoga closer to the people," he added. UNI VV ARN
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
The Transformative Power of Yog Nidra in Sports
In the high-stakes world of competitive sports, athletes are always searching for ways to gain an edge—whether through advanced physical training, cutting-edge nutrition, or innovative mental conditioning . Among the most powerful tools emerging in sports psychology is Yog Nidra , an ancient yogic practice of conscious deep sleep. This technique is rapidly gaining recognition for its ability to enhance athletic performance and personal well-being, offering benefits that extend far beyond the playing field. Yog Nidra, often described as 'yogic sleep,' is a state of deep relaxation where the practitioner remains fully conscious. Unlike ordinary sleep, which can be restless or filled with dreams, Yog Nidra provides profound rest and restoration at the physical, mental, and emotional levels. Rooted in the classical tradition, Yog Nidra is considered a technique of pratyahara, the fifth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. Pratyahara refers to the withdrawal of the senses from external distractions, allowing the practitioner to turn inward and cultivate deep awareness and inner peace. For athletes, this practice offers unique benefits: Enhanced Recovery: Intense training and competition place significant physical and mental demands on athletes. Yog Nidra accelerates recovery by reducing stress hormones and promoting deep rest, allowing athletes to train harder and more consistently. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best X-Ray Diffractometers Mexico (See The List) X-Ray Diffraction | Search Ads Undo Mental Clarity and Focus: The practice helps athletes clear mental clutter, sharpen concentration, and stay present—qualities that are essential during high-pressure matches. By training the mind to remain calm and focused, Yog Nidra supports peak performance under stress. Emotional Resilience : Sports are as much about handling setbacks as they are about celebrating victories. Yog Nidra equips athletes with tools to manage anxiety, frustration, and self-doubt, fostering a mindset of resilience and positivity. Improved Sleep Quality : Many athletes struggle with sleep, especially before major events. Regular Yog Nidra practice improves sleep quality, ensuring athletes are well-rested and ready to perform. Recent scientific studies have validated the efficacy of Yog Nidra for both physical and mental health. Research conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR), Hyderabad, inspired by Anandmurti Gurumaa, demonstrated that regular Yog Nidra practice leads to significant improvements in blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants also experienced reductions in harmful biochemical markers like cortisol and triglycerides, while beneficial substances like adiponectin increased. Importantly, Yog Nidra has no negative side effects—making it a safe and natural intervention for athletes and non-athletes alike. The integration of Yog Nidra into sports training reflects a broader shift in athletic development—one that recognizes the critical importance of mental and emotional well-being alongside physical conditioning. Coaches and athletes worldwide are increasingly adopting mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques to enhance performance and overall quality of life. Yog Nidra, with its roots in ancient yoga and now supported by scientific evidence, offers a structured, evidence-based approach to achieving inner calm, focus, and resilience. Authored by: Anandmurti Gurumaa Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
