The Second International Day for Yoga

Yoga which is about self-acceptance and self-discovery is a 5,000 year old legacy from India. Yoga, it is said integrates mind, body and soul. With the efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who himself is a Yoga Enthusiast, the United Nations (UN) decided to celebrate 21st of June each year as International Day for Yoga.

Last year, the first International Yoga Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm world over. The proposal to celebrate International Yoga Day had received support from 175 nations, including USA, Canada and China co-sponsored the resolution. This is the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA Resolution of such nature.

The first International Day of yoga was observed world over on June 21, 2015. The ministry of AYUSH made the necessary arrangements in India. About 35985 people, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a large number of dignitaries from 84 nations, performed 21 Yoga asanas (postures) for 35 minutes at Rajpath in New Delhi. The day devoted to Yoga was observed by millions across the world. NCC cadets entered in Limca Book of Records for the ‘Largest Yoga performance simultaneously by a single uniformed youth organisation’ at multiple venues on International Day of Yoga.

The event at Rajpath established two Guinness world records awarded to Ministry of Ayush received by Ayush Minister Shripad Yesso Naik:

• Largest Yoga Class (35985 people)
• Nationalities Participating (84 nations)

Continuing from last year’s celebrations for Yoga the Government plans to organise massive event to celebrate the Second International Yoga Day on 21 June, 2016. Ministry of AYUSH will conduct following activities to celebrate the Second International Day of Yoga. Chandigarh to host International Yoga Day event this year.

This year International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st June, 2016 will be different from the previous year. There will be more participation of yoga enthusiasts, better coverage and better dissemination of Yoga in the remote of the remotest area across the globe. The highlights will be health, happiness and harmony through the celebration of International Day of Yoga on June 21. This year, some Yoga poses such as Yogic Sukshma Vyayam, Asanas, Pranayama and Institutional Yoga Practices have been added in the revised edition of Common Yoga Protocol. The Government of India has published Hindi and English booklets of Common Yoga Protocol, which are having simple yoga poses, Yogic Sukshma Vyayam, yogasanas, pranayama and meditation. One can download such booklets Free from MDNIY. The total duration of Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) will be of 45 +15 minutes. Forty five minutes cover Yoga of CYP while 15 minutes will cover Institutional Yoga practices e.g. Pranayama, Yoga Nidra, Dhyana, Satsang, etc.

Common Yoga Protocol on International Day of Yoga

On June 21st, 2016 on the eve of IDY, following yoga practices will be practiced by the yoga enthusiasts all over the world.

1. Prayer in any Meditative Posture with Namaskara Mudra and ending with Yoga Mudrasana. It is of 2 minutes duration.
   OM… OM… OM…
   Sanghachhadhwam samvadadhwam
   Sam vo manaamsi jaanataam
   Devaa bhaagamyathaa poorve
   Samjaanaanaa upaasate
   OM  Shantih  Shantih  Shantih
2. Sadilaja / Chaalan Kriyas/ Loosening Practices:   It included the yogic Sukshma Vyayam such as (Neck, Shoulders, Trunk and Knees movements). It is of 6 minutes duration.
3. Yogasana (Yoga Postures): It is the biggest section of the yoga schedule. It comprises Standing postures, Sitting postures, Prone lying postures and Supine lying postures of yoga. It is of 18 minutes.
   1. Standing Postures
      1. Tadasana (Palm tree pose)
      2. Vrikshasana (Tree pose)
      3. Pada-hastasana / Uttaanasana (Arm leg pose)
      4. Ardha Chakrasana (Half Wheel pose)
      5. Trikonasana (Triangle pose)
   2. Sitting Postures
      1. Bhadrasana/ Baddha konasan (Butterfly pose)
      2. Vajrasana/Veerasana (Thunderbolt pose)
      3. Ushtrasana (Camel pose)
      4. Shashankasan (Snake pose)
      5. Utthana Mandukasana (Stretched frog pose)
      6. Marichyasana / Vakrasana  (Spinal twist pose)
   3. Prone Lying Postures
      1. Makarasana (Crocodile pose)
      2. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
      3. Shalabhasana (Locust pose)
   4. Supine Lying Postures
      1. Setubandhasana (Bridge Pose)
      2. Utthana Padasana (Raised Feet pose)
      3. Ardha Halasana (Half Plough pose)
      4. Pavanamuktasana (Frog Pose)
      5. Shavasana (Corpse pose)
4. Kapaalabhaati/Frontal brain cleansing exercise (3 cycles of 40 strokes each). It is needed that each cycle will be followed by deep breathing. It will be of 3 minutes.
5. Pranayama: The following Pranayama will be practiced. The duration of breathing exercises will be 6 minutes.
   1. Nadi Shodhana / AnulomaViloma Pranayama (5 rounds )
   2. Sheetali Pranayama (5 rounds )
   3. Bhramari Pranayama (5 rounds)
6. Dhyana/Meditation in any Meditative Posture (eyes closed) and hands in Jnana / Gyana Mudra: It is of 8 minutes.
   The Session will end with a Sankalpa of 2 minutes.
   I commit myself to always be in a balanced state of mind. It is in this state that my highest self-development reaches its greatest possibility. I commit to do my duty to self, family, at work, to society, and to the world, for the promotion of peace, health and harmony.
7. Shaanti  Paatha will also be chanted.
   Hame apne man ko hamesha santulit rakhana hai,
   Isi main hi hamaraa atma vikas samaaya hai.
   Main apne kartavya khud ke prati, kutumb ki prati, kaam,
   samaj aur vishwa ke prati, shanti, anand
   aur swasthya ke prachar ke liye baddh hun
   OM
   Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah,
   Sarve Santu Nirāmayah
   Sarve Bhadrani Paśyantu,
   Maa kascit Duhkha Bhāgbhavet
   Shantih Shantih Shantih