International Yoga Day : Looking Beyond The Postures

This Column is to commemorate ‘International Day of YOGA (IDY)’, as proclaimed by the United Nations and observed every year on JUNE 21.

11th International Day of Yoga being celebrated June 20, 2025, at the United Nations, NY. PHOTO: Permanent Mission of India in New York.

Yoga! The word has now become omnipresent and is literally on everybody’s lips. It is truly remarkable how this ancient Indian wisdom has touched the hearts of people across the globe and transformed into a global movement. From iconic landmarks in world capitals to remote villages, from educational institutions and healthcare centers to corporate boardrooms, Yoga has become a universal language of well-being, harmony and inner empowerment. Its journey from the spiritual traditions of India to a worldwide phenomenon is perhaps one of the most inspiring examples of how an ancient idea can address the needs of the modern world.

Yoga as a method & practice has evolved over centuries since the time it was developed in ancient India. As on today for a seeker, there are so many forms & branches of Yoga to choose from & hence at times one gets confused as to which is the best one for me. However, from a practical point of view, Real Yoga is the one that does not merely give temporary health & happiness but the highest stage achieved through Yoga is the one where no behavioural ailments, mental tensions or worries exist. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that it is an ideal method of curing physical & psychological disorders for several births. Unfortunately, in many places Yoga is still viewed only as a set of physical postures or breathing exercises. While these certainly offer tremendous benefits to the body and mind, they represent only a small part of the vast spiritual science that Yoga truly is. The original objective of Yoga was not merely physical fitness but self-transformation. It aimed at helping an individual rise above limitations, discover inner strengths and establish a lasting connection with the Supreme Source of all power and wisdom.

Of all the Yoga techniques taught by various Yogi’s over centuries, Raj Yoga has been termed as the King of all Yoga. Before getting into practice of this unique method, it is essential for an aspirant to have a clear image of Supreme. Holy Gita say’s ‘An idea yogi is the one who has purity and chastity in thought, word and deed, who has knowledge & wisdom, whose mind is subdued and who remains constantly in soul-consciousness and yogic meditation, who has conquered temptation of senses, who has cast aside ego, lust, greed, anger, attachment etc…,who neither grieves for loss nor is jubilant for gain or success, in whose eyes all are equal, who is selfless & peaceful, whose diet is pure and in whose life there is austerity, who is upright, whose mind is in the highest region, who knows Almighty in His true essence, who performs all deeds while in Yoga with Supreme’.

These lofty ideals may appear difficult in today’s fast-paced world, yet they remain highly relevant. Modern society has achieved phenomenal progress in science and technology, but inner stability continues to elude millions. Raj Yoga provides a practical framework through which spiritual principles can be integrated into everyday living. It does not demand withdrawal from responsibilities; rather, it teaches the art of remaining spiritually aware while performing worldly duties with efficiency and detachment. So, to become an Ideal Yogi, one needs to first of all understand the nuances of definition that is mentioned above & then start his/her journey of achieving a stage of life liberation while leading a worldly life.

Yoga in actual sense means union or link. It is union of the self (soul) with supreme (almighty) for which there is a prerequisite that an aspirant needs to follow. He/she must understand a fact that we are soul and not body. All our physical & mental sufferings are a result of our failure to remain in soul consciousness which has today made our lives miserable. When a person begins to identify with the soul rather than the body, a profound shift takes place in perception. Differences that once appeared significant gradually lose their power, and values such as compassion, patience and respect emerge naturally. This change is not imposed from outside; it arises from an awakened understanding of one’s true identity. Such awareness empowers an individual to face life’s challenges with greater courage and emotional resilience.

As humanity prepares to celebrate International Yoga Day, perhaps the greatest tribute to Yoga would not be the number of people performing postures in a public gathering, but the number of individuals who resolve to bring greater peace, purity and positivity into their daily lives. The true success of Yoga lies not in records that are created for a day, but in the transformation that is sustained for a lifetime.