The 9th edition of the International Day of Yoga was celebrated at Amrita Vidyalayam, Bhubaneswar in complete unison with the country and the globe. More than five hundred students, teachers and non-teaching staff of the school participated in the yoga practice with all enthusiasm and joy.
The celebration started by taking blessings from Amma for the occasion. A brief introduction to Yoga, one of the greatest gifts of India to the world, and the theme of the year, ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam‘ or Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of ‘One World, One Family‘, was given. The theme emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. The yoga teacher of the school, Mr. Ajit Rana spoke about the relevance of yoga in everyday life in his brief introduction to the function. The students and the teachers, under the guidance of the yoga instructor of the school, performed Suryanamaskar and various postures such as, vrikshasana, ustrasana, bhujangasana, trikonasana, savasana, etc. After the practice of the postures, the students also practiced pranayama breathing techniques. To feel the meditative and healing power of yoga, there was a brief chanting of the sacred Omkar for a few minutes followed by deep silence.
“Yoga is not only a physical exercise where the person twists, turns, stretches, and breathes, but is also a complex exercise linked to the betterment of the overall metabolism of humans. By mastering the various postures of yoga, one can develop a healthy mind, soul, and a beautiful heart. Through the regular practice of yoga, one can enhance immunity and flexibility as well. With better immunity, you can lead a better and disease-free life“, said Kumari Anshika, a student of Class XII, during the yoga session.
The session ended with shanti mantra, the prayer that bring joy and peace from within, and deepens a sense of connection between the individual’s inner consciousness and the external world.
