It’s International Yoga Day 2023 and we’re taking a pledge to get healthier this year. Will you join us on this yoga challenge? See you on the other side, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!
Declared by the United Nations in 2015, International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21 June every year. Also known as International Day of Yoga, the objective of this day is to emphasise and raise awareness about the positive effects of yoga on our overall well-being. Even though yoga has its origins in India, it has now become a global health phenomenon.
If you’ve been a yoga enthusiast for a while now, more power to you. Morning yoga that comprises surya namaskars and pranayam, doing simple yoga asanas in the evening, trying easy yoga postures over the weekend. As long as you have a routine that works for you.
But if you’ve been considering joining a yoga class or doing yoga at home, and aren’t sure how to get started, you’ve reached the right place. Happy International Yoga Day!
Also Read: World Meditation Day | Unlock inner peace with these 5 meditation apps
If you’ve joined a yoga studio, great. Else, you might enjoy performing your yoga moves outdoors: a park, your backyard, the terrace. Just make sure that the ground is even, or you might not be as stable and comfortable as you wish. If not outdoors, it is perfectly fine to do your asanas indoors.
There’s no “good” time as such. Poses done in the morning can relax you and simultaneously energise you for the rest of the day. Evening yoga is more soothing and promotes a healthy sleep cycle. For example, sun salutations are best done in the morning. If you can’t do them in the day, you can in the evening, but on an empty stomach. Understand your requirements, and practice accordingly, working around your other commitments.
The general rule before doing any kind of workout is to not have a heavy meal as it negatively affects your performance. The same is applicable in this case. Have a light snack before yoga, stay hydrated (don’t overdo), don’t have too much caffeine, and no alcohol.
It doesn’t hurt to be stylish, but remember that when performing yoga, comfort is key. Indulge in airy cotton clothing, nothing too tight or oversized, because either will hinder your movements.
Not at all! Go barefoot or wear yoga socks. Unlike aerobics or HIIT, you won’t be jumping, hence there’s no need for shoes.
For a beginner, yes. It will be helpful if an expert guides you initially. Once you are confident, you can look for an online class to continue the momentum and eventually, you can practice on your own. Find a yoga centre close to you. Driving long distances and getting stressed in traffic will defeat the purpose of yoga.
A good yoga mat, water bottle, towel, positive attitude, great energy, and maybe a fitness tracker. You can leave your phone in the car. Not everything needs to be chronicled on Instagram.
Harshit has been practising yoga for nearly three years now and Rubala is a beginner, with approximately three months under her belt. There is a massive difference in how long they have been doing yoga. But what’s common is that both of them swear by its benefits and urge everyone to practice it too.
“If you want to live your life to its fullest, you need to be healthy. Yoga can help you build a well-rounded lifestyle. Poses like surya namaskar, anulom vilom, shirshasan, bhujangasan, kapalbhati, and others, can aid you in getting stronger, fitter, and more peaceful.
Yoga fills me with great positive energy all day, helping me balance my personal and professional life better than ever before. I recommend yoga for everyone. Just take 45 minutes out of your daily time and you’re sorted.”
He even has some tips for beginners:
“I started yoga because it helps manage my PCOD symptoms. It’s only been three months, but I am already seeing a difference in my mental and physical health. I am a whole lot calmer now and I feel more energetic and active through the day. You don’t need to be a yoga guru; a little discipline and some basic poses can bring a huge change in your life.”
Being a beginner herself, Rubala shares her two cents with those looking to start yoga:
Now that you have all the information, make International Yoga Day a success by booking your first class. Leave a comment and let us know about your experience. And remember that you can’t learn all the 12 surya namaskar steps in a day. Give it time. You’ll love it!
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(This story has been put together by Storyweaver, Neha Dua)
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