Yoga is the Support of Life in Times of Global Crises

There are five major oceans on Earth: the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean (Northern Polar Ocean), and the Southern Ocean (Southern Polar Ocean). All these oceans not only play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Earth but also provide numerous types of services for human life. Unfortunately, today, all these oceans have fallen into the grip of severe pollution. Every year on June 8, ‘World Oceans Day’ is celebrated to raise public awareness about the importance of seas in human life, the cleanliness of oceans, and their protection. However, given the pace at which pollution is increasing in the oceans, this day has been reduced to a mere symbolic event. The theme for ‘World Oceans Day’ in In today’s fast-paced world, when stress, depression, anxiety, and the number of diseases are increasing day by day, yoga has emerged not only as a physical practice but as a path to mental and spiritual peace. In the year 2026, the 12th International Day of Yoga is being celebrated with the theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Aging’. This occasion conveys a message to the entire world that yoga is a universal solution for health, balance, and self-realization. Yoga is no longer just India’s cultural heritage, but it has been accepted globally as a comprehensive healthcare system. Observing Yoga Day on June 21 in more than 170 countries of the world is a clear indication that yoga has transcended the barriers of caste, religion, and nation to bind humanity into a single thread.
The regular practice of yoga disciplines not only the body but also the mind, intellect, and soul. Yoga is as simple as it is profound for keeping the body disease-free, controlling mental disorders, and maintaining the balance of energy. This ancient Indian knowledge system has established itself as a reliable therapeutic alternative even in today’s scientific era. When the proposal for Yoga Day was passed in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 in just 90 days with the support of 177 countries due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was clear that yoga had become the path to health and well-being for global humanity. Yoga has now taken the form of a global movement, the purpose of which is a healthy life, mental balance, and spiritual progress.
The methods of yoga postures (Asanas) and breath control (Pranayama) are the most natural and accessible systems for maintaining physical and mental health. This system, composed by ancient sages, is not limited to postures alone but is a science of balance in lifestyle. Modern science also now accepts that yoga is extremely useful in stress relief, blood pressure control, improving respiratory function, boosting immunity, and maintaining mental health. Various yoga postures like Bhujangasana, Sarvangasana, Tadasana, Halasana, Trikonasana, Dhanurasana, Makarasana, Mandukasana, Paschimottanasana, Pavanamuktasana, Naukasana, Gomukhasana, Ustrasana, Vishramasana, etc., not only provide physical strength but also assist in the smooth functioning of body organs.
• Bhujangasana: Practicing this increases lung capacity, strengthens the kidneys, and makes the spine flexible. This posture is effective in providing relief from stress and depression.
• Ustrasana: It activates the digestive system, reduces obesity, strengthens the heart, and relieves back pain.
• Sarvangasana: It brings mental freshness by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. It also helps in balancing the thyroid gland. This yoga posture is very useful in enhancing facial glow, hair health, and providing relief from wrinkles.
• Halasana: It stimulates the digestive system, is beneficial for diabetic patients, reduces weight, and relieves fatigue and anxiety.
• Trikonasana: It improves body balance, boosts immunity, reduces extra fat, and strengthens the muscles of the spine, neck, and legs.
• Tadasana: It helps in increasing the height of children, improves digestion, and strengthens the respiratory system.
• Dhanurasana: It strengthens the back and lower abdomen, helps fight kidney infections, and reduces stress.
• Padangusthasana: It cures problems like stress, depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure, while also improving the functioning of the kidneys and intestines.
Yoga is not limited to postures alone, but Pranayama carries equal importance in it. The respiratory system can be strengthened through Pranayama. Some of its main types include:
• Anulom-Vilom Pranayama: Purifies the body and maintains mental balance.
• Kapalbhati Pranayama: Improves blood circulation, strengthens nerves, and provides relief from breathing difficulties.
• Bhastrika Pranayama: Cures asthma, obesity, stress, and chest problems. It purifies the lungs and strengthens the heart.
• Bhramari Pranayama: Increases the power of meditation, provides mental peace, and reduces insomnia, high blood pressure, and anxiety.
• Ujjayi Pranayama: Beneficial in heart diseases, improves mental concentration, and generates warmth in the body.
• Udgeeth Pranayama: Highly helpful in increasing memory power, smoothly operating the nervous system, and relieving stress.
The main objective of all these practices is to prepare the body in such a way that it activates its internal immune system and makes itself capable of fighting diseases. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when the whole world was passing through a phase of fear, uncertainty, and shortage of oxygen, yoga sustained people mentally and physically. Especially during the second wave of Corona, when many people were seen struggling with respiratory failure, it was proven that lung strength and immunity could be increased through yoga practice. While today’s younger generation is trapped in a fast-paced lifestyle, yoga gives them a break. By connecting body, mind, and soul, it infuses stability, balance, and creative energy into life.
Yoga gurus also believe that yoga is not just a health practice but an art of living. It establishes a balance between body, mind, and soul. Yoga teaches us that life is not limited to material achievements alone, but inner happiness and mental balance are real success. Modern medical science now acknowledges the effects of yoga. In countries like America, Europe, Japan, and Australia, yoga is now being adopted from a therapeutic perspective. Yoga is being adopted as an auxiliary therapy, particularly in cases of mental illness, depression, high blood pressure, asthma, obesity, fatigue, lack of sleep, thyroid, diabetes, and even cancer. Not only this, yoga not only prevents diseases but also leads an individual toward becoming a better human being.
Self-discipline, restraint, tolerance, and peace develop through yoga. Only when an individual is calm and balanced from within can they bring peace and balance to society and the world. That is why yoga is not just a personal practice but a revolutionary change toward social and global health. Every individual should adopt yoga not only for their own health but for the betterment of the entirety of humanity. Today, the need is to not limit yoga merely to Yoga Day but to make it a part of our daily lives. By incorporating yoga into our lifestyle, we can not only stay away from diseases but can also reawaken our inner energy. Therefore, on this Yoga Day, let us all take a pledge to include yoga in the life of every individual in society, along with ourselves, and step forward toward a healthy, prosperous, and peaceful world.
—(The author is an educationist active in the field of teaching for more than 18 Years)