International Yoga Day 2021| Ishwar Sharma’s Journey

Yoga Day, also famous as World- Yoga Day or International Yoga Day, is an annual event with its roots in an Indian context and commemorated every year on June 21, 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conceived the idea of International Yoga Day, and he proposed the concept on September 27, 2014, during his speech at the UN General Assembly. India’s Ambassador, Ashok Kumar Mukerji introduced the resolution to adopt June 21 as the International Yoga Day.

The idea received support from 177 nations, the highest number of co-sponsors for any UN Resolution. Currently, countries ranging from Canada to the USA participate in this event.

Usually, the human spirit shines during any catastrophe. Even though this pandemic exhausted us physically and mentally, this Yoga Day is a great opportunity to bring us together emotionally and connecting us with each other through compassion.

Celebration Amidst the Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, it has become impossible for people to gather and celebrate the Yoga day. However, staying a small initiative could also be taken with the family members and do some asanas together. It will give you good health, but one can share happiness with family in these difficult times. Doing Yoga daily helps us fight the virus, as it will improve immunity and develops mental peace. Virtual Yoga sessions to mark the importance of this day around the world.

Importance of Yoga

• It promotes physical and mental health
• Yoga reduces stress and anxiety and makes one calm.
• Yoga has the potential to increase your spiritual health and social health
• There are Yoga asanas to improve your heart health and respiratory health
• Yoga helps prevent various kinds of diseases
• It promotes mental self-healing process
• Yoga boosts immunity and metabolism
• It aids in the weight loss journey
• Yoga increases flexibility and muscle strength.
• Yoga helps in reducing hypertension.

Origin and Significance of Yoga

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self” -Bhagavad Gita.

Yoga is not a religion. Its origins can be traced back over 5,000 years ago. It is more than just a form of exercise. It is a piece of art that unites body and mind. Yoga is a science of well-being, youthfulness, and integration of mind, body, and soul.

The word ‘Yoga’ in Sanskrit means to join or to unite. It signifies the union of body, awareness, and the quality of reacting quickly and positively.

Yoga is a spiritual and austere practice including breath control, simple meditation, and the acceptance of specific physical postures.

Yoga Prodigy Ishwar Sharma’s Journey

11 years old, Ishwar Sharma from London, England, started doing Yoga t the age of three. Trying to imitate his father while doing the Surya Namaskar evoked his passion. 

His struggle with ADHD propelled him to practice Yoga. His anxious mind found inner peace and calmness since practicing Yoga. The 10-year-old yoga prodigy is now a master in Yoga and an inspiration for others.

The young yoga expert is now helping thousands of children and adults to commence their Yoga journey. For Ishwar, his journey is a competition with himself. He constantly practices different yoga postures to boost his skills in the art of Yoga and endeavors to learn everything it has to offer.

Apart from Yoga, he can chant many ‘shlokas’ from the ‘Vedas’ and ‘Bhagavad Gita.’

Achievements

Ishwar has performed in many national and international events at just the tender age of four. Then, at the age of six, he entered a Yoga competition and won a gold medal. He gained popularity when he won the the ‘British Indian of the Year’ title in the year 2018. Ishwar Sharma has won a string of medals in both individual and artistic yoga. He represented Great Britain at the World Student Games 2018 in Winnipeg, Canada. He is a proud recipient of the prestigious Global Child Prodigy Awards 2020.

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