This year, the International Day of Yoga celebrates the theme of humanity, highlighting the profound impact yoga can have on individual lives and communities.

Yoga, an age-old practice, offers a treasure trove of benefits to everyone, regardless of age, location, or financial situation. You don’t need trendy yoga tights or a fancy studio to experience its transformative power. Yoga encompasses movement, breathing, and mindfulness, but its teachings extend far beyond the mat, offering guidelines for living a meaningful and intentional life.

Central to these teachings are the 8 limbs of yoga, introduced by the sage Patanjali. The first limb, the Yamas, comprises five ethical disciplines that guide our interactions with the world. These include non-harm and non-violence towards oneself and all living beings, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, and sharing. The second limb, the Niyamas, directs our personal conduct through principles of cleanliness, contentment, perseverance, self-study, and heartfelt intention.

Patanjali didn’t prescribe how to interpret these guidelines; rather, he encouraged us to listen to our inner voices and make choices that resonate with our own values. The remaining six limbs focus on various aspects of yoga practice: Asanas (physical postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (union with the divine).

So, we can see that the study and practice of yoga offers far more than just physical benefits. However, when our bodies are in peak physical health, it enables us to experience the rest of life to the fullest.

Imagine a world where yoga is taught to every small child from the moment they could understand. A world where everyone possesses the knowledge and ability to calm or energise themselves, discover connections, or find guidance through the 8 limbs. Such an upbringing could fundamentally transform societies, fostering generations that are more mindful, compassionate, and resilient.

Yoga is a powerful tool for enhancing physical and mental well-being, benefiting individuals, communities, and entire nations. Recognising this, the World Health Organisation’s South East Asia region highlights yoga’s role in controlling four major non-communicable diseases: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

Practicing yoga offers immediate and long-term relief from stress and anxiety, and fosters emotional and potentially social well-being. It helps lower the heart rate and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing a state of relaxation that allows the body to heal and function optimally. When our sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the "fight or flight" response, is constantly engaged, processes like digestion are compromised. This system is crucial when facing immediate threats, but living in this state is not good for us. Regularly engaging in yoga, in whatever form suits you, helps shift the body back to the parasympathetic state, promoting relaxation and normal bodily functions.

This International Day of Yoga is a reminder of yoga’s universal benefits and its capacity to connect us with our inner selves and the world around us. By integrating yoga into our daily lives, we not only improve our health but also cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and harmony. This ancient practice remains a beacon of wisdom, guiding us towards a balanced, mindful, and compassionate existence.

For more information and to get started on your yoga journey you can download the apps "Headspace – Sleep and Meditation" or "Yoga for the Young at Heart", or visit the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga website.