World Yoga Day: Yoga’s challenge on the global stage

Source– The post is based on the article “World Yoga Day: Yoga’s challenge on the global stage” published in “The Indian Express” on 21st June 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Indian culture, GS 2 – Health related issues

Relevance- Issues related to alternate system of medicine

News – This year the International Day of Yoga is being celebrated at the UN headquarters in New York with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.

How has International Yoga Day contributed to the success of Yoga at a global level?

Yoga is now a global phenomenon. Yoga has transcended geographical boundaries to reach people across the world.

192 countries, including 44 Islamic countries, celebrated the first IDY in 2015. This reveals its popularity.

According to an informal assessment, over 400 million people participated in the 2022 IDY celebrations.

The WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH and major yoga institutions, has developed a new mobile app (mYoga) to educate people about the therapeutic benefits of yoga. Therefore, no one can dismiss yoga now.

The WHO has now initiated the process of developing a benchmark document for standards in yoga training.

It has also helped to promote research in yoga. Many countries have incorporated yoga into their healthcare systems.

It has popularised yoga asanas as probable components of a competitive sport. For the first time, yoga asanas have been included as a sport in Khelo India as well as the National Games.

What is the contribution of the Indian government for yoga?

The ICCR and the Ministry of External Affairs with the support of AYUSH ministry have been promoting yoga.

Since 2018, the ICCR has been organising an annual international conference aimed at creating a sound understanding of the holistic nature of yoga.

After IDY 2015, the Government of India established 150 Swami Vivekanand District Yoga Health Centres and 1,25,000 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres. Yoga therapy has become popular for post-Covid rehabilitation.

The department of AYUSH in collaboration with NIMHANS and S-VYASA University has developed a Tele Yoga Advisory. Six central universities have started full-fledged departments of yoga.

Over 30% of private, state and deemed universities have started either a certificate, diploma or UG/PG programmes in yoga, since 2015.

India has established National Yogasana Sport Federation and World Yogasana Federation. These are going to standardise and introduce yogasana-based competitions at national and international levels.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has also initiated the process of creating standards for yoga accessories.

What are other examples of success related to yoga?

Yoga has also facilitated the creation of start-ups focused on yoga accessories and yoga services.

The global yoga industry revenues have crossed $100 billion. Yoga-based start-ups are expected to increase significantly in the next one decade.

Meditation-based mobile applications, specialised yoga mats, specialty yoga therapy and integrative medicine centres within conventional medical hospitals also have gone up substantially.

Vivekananda Health Global, a chain of integrative medicine clinics that began as a startup in Bengaluru, has gone global with branches in China, South Korea, Singapore and the US.