Organized by the Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga.
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word Yoga means union, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness to attain health, wellbeing, and peace of mind. The Swasthavritta department of Kundapur Rural Ayurveda college has been instrumental in organizing a Virtual Yoga Video competition to commemorate the International Day of Yoga. The program aimed at popularizing the practice of Yoga in people all around the globe through these platforms.
The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually on 21st June since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General assembly in 2014. The idea of an International Day of Yoga was first proposed by the current Prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on 27th September 2014. He stated “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world, and nature. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.” Following this initial proposal. The UN adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Day OF Yoga” in 2014. June 21st is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere known worldwide as the Summer Solstice. The Summer solstice holds importance in the yogic culture as it is considered to be the day when Shiva the Adiguru imparted and transmitted the Science of Yoga to the Saptharishis who later glorified it to all parts of the world.
The 7th International Day of Yoga is celebrated amidst the Covid- 19 pandemics with the theme “Yoga for Wellbeing”. Riding upon the same lines the Ayush ministry has conducted several programs on the theme “Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family” by the AYUSH department to impart its significance globally. The message of Yoga in promoting both the physical and mental wellbeing of humanity has never been more relevant than in these testing times of the Covid 19 pandemic. A growing trend of people around the world embracing Yoga to stay healthy, rejuvenated, and to fight social isolation, depression has been witnessed during the pandemic.
In this regard, the Kundapura Rural Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital’s department of Swasthavritta and Yoga had organized a Yogasana Video competition virtually with the theme “Yoga at home”. More than 100 students participated in the competition virtually by sending 3-minute videos of Yogasanas performed by children in the age group of 5 years to 16 years. The Judging committee had in it
–Dr. Srinivas Rao, Professor, Department of Shareera Rachana, KRAMCH -Dr. Rajesh Chandran, Assistant Proffesor , Department of Swasthvritta and Yoga, KRAMCH. -Mr.Yogaraju Yoga master and instructor of Udupi District.
The Judging panel comprised of experts in the field who scrutinized and validated each of the videos and selected the best of the lot to be awarded the prizes. E certificates were issued for all the participants. The Yogasanas were performed with exceptional talent and fervor that has instigated a new sense of healthy living among the children.
Furthermore, all the staff of the Kundapura Rural Ayurveda College and Hospital also performed a variety of yogasanas to commemorate the 7th International Day of Yoga. Winding up the activities we finally concluded the events on a note to practice Yoga not only on the 21st of June but on every day of the year for better health and a tranquil mind. Beyond its immediate effect on physical health practice of yoga daily helps one harness our emotions and addresses the mental dimension of our lives. This in turn controls our stress response instills a sense of calm and controls our responsiveness to day-to-day activities. In a nutshell, this Yoga Day has helped reach yoga to the masses and made it an integral part of their day-to-day routines