Today is International Yoga Day, a day devoted to spread awareness of Yoga to masses.

Events will be held where people will come together in large numbers, taking leave from their regular chores, perform breathing exercises and some basic asana. Leaders and gurus will speak about how Yoga is helpful in maintaining a healthy life. Everyone will have a good day and picture & video snippets to share on media.

Is this enough?

The following mantra brings to fore the core essential of our philosophy, that is of peace and welfare for all, and not just limited to mankind, but also for animals and plants and other geographic features.

ॐ सर्वेशां स्वस्तिर्भवतु । may there be well-being in all,
सर्वेशां शान्तिर्भवतु । may there be peace in all,
सर्वेशां पुर्णंभवतु । may there be fulfillment in all,
सर्वेशां मङ्गलंभवतु । may there be auspiciousness in all,
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ Om, peace, peace, peace.

That is the philosophy of ‘yog’. It is not just an hour or so of twisting-bending-inverting, inhale positivity – exhale negativity supported with fancy yoga attire, branded mats, and blocks, and other accessories for curing diseases or achieving desired physical shape. It is not about reducing Kilograms and inches. ‘Yog’ is much more and much beyond these short term benefits.

Yog is a lifestyle, a certain way of perception and assimilation of and with the nature and its principles. Physical health is not the destination, rather it is the medium!

In the modern times of fanciful blends of Yog – beach yoga, aerial yoga, nude yoga, naked yoga, gay yoga, beer yoga and what not, time is ripe to comprehend the essentials of Yog and approach it in the holistic way it was meant to be.

Let us move beyond “yoga day” and move towards “Yog life”.

Love and Light!

Happy International Yoga Day