Yoga: India's ancient gift for a modern world in crisis

International Yoga Day is presented as a global tribute to India's ancient yoga tradition. The article says yoga's wider relevance lies in addressing mental strain, lifestyle disorders and social imbalance.

Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. These words capture the essence of what we celebrate on June 21, when the world observes International Yoga Day—not merely as an annual event, but as a global tribute to India’s ancient knowledge tradition that guided humanity toward balance of body, mind and soul.

Today, as the world grapples with rising stress, depression, lifestyle diseases, environmental imbalance and social fragmentation, India once again stands as a beacon of hope for humanity through yoga. This is an invaluable gift of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage—one that the global community is now embracing with genuine recognition.

Yoga emerged from India’s ancient Indian Knowledge System, with its principles systematically elaborated in the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Maharishi Patanjali’s YogaSutras—texts that form the foundational canon of this holistic knowledge tradition. In Indian thought, yoga is not merely physical exercise; it is a holistic way of living. Its purpose is to connect the individual to oneself, to society, to nature and ultimately to the highest consciousness.

The relevance of yoga has grown even more in the rush of modern life. Technology has made daily tasks easier, yet stress, anxiety and mental imbalance have surged alongside it. The severity of this crisis is stark: according to a comprehensive study by Harvard Medical School researchers published in The Lancet, one in two people worldwide will experience a mental disorder at least once in their lifetime. The World Health Organisation also considers mental health challenges to be a major global concern.

According to the organisation, around 359 million people worldwide are affected by anxiety disorders. In such a time, yoga has emerged as an effective medium for establishing balance between body and mind. Regular yoga practice not only strengthens physical health, but also plays an important role in the development of mental peace of mind, emotional stability, and a positive outlook.

The purpose of the Indian Knowledge System has always been the welfare of all creatures and nature. The summum bonum of Indian thought is"Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah" and "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya." Our ancient tradition aspired for maximum happiness for all, cultivating knowledge that serves the individual, society and the world together—yoga is its highest expression. Beyond physical health, yoga spreads happiness, wellbeing, and longevity without any medication. That's why it embodies the common belief in our tradition of Shatayu and Chirayu (long-life).

It also establishes a balance between humanity, society, and nature, awakening global welfare. Guided by "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) and "Loka Samast Sukhino Bhavantu" (let all beings be happy), yoga offers the world a path to peace, health, and harmony.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world realised the usefulness of Yoga. Yoga and pranayama helped millions of people maintain health and mental balance while people were confined to their homes and facing physical and mental challenges. This experience proved that yoga is not only a means of treatment of disease, but the basis of a healthy lifestyle.

The commencement of International Yoga Day is also a result of India's initiatives. India's resolution in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 received support from a record number of countries and June 21 was declared International Yoga Day. This was a significant achievement of India's cultural diplomacy. Perhaps for the first time, the world community has recognised an ancient Indian tradition on such a large scale. Today, yoga is being practised in almost all countries of the world. The number of yoga centres in the US, UK, France, Japan, Australia and many other countries is constantly increasing.

The greatest feature of yoga is its universality. Yoga is the science of human welfare. This is why people from different cultures, languages and lifestyles accepting it intuitively. The message of yoga also conveys the Indian spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', in which the entire humanity is considered one family.

Yoga has also been recognised as an important part of holistic education in the National Education Policy 2020. The objective of the policy is not only to ensure intellectual development, but also to ensure the physical, mental, emotional and moral development of the students. Yoga, meditation in schools and efforts to promote subjects related to Indian knowledge tradition are part of this broader approach. For today's younger generation, yoga is not only a means of health, but also a means of self-discipline, self-confidence and character building.

Itis also important that yoga is not limited to a one-day event. It is often seen that big events are organised on International Yoga Day,but after that yoga does not become a part of life. The real benefits of yoga can be realised only if it becomes a part of the daily routine. A few minutes of yoga practice every day can also bring positive changes in a person's life. A healthy body, a calm mind and a balanced life do not require any expensive means, only regular practice and resolution are required.

India today is moving towards the target of 'Developed India 2047'. As much as economic progress is essential in this journey, it is also necessary to build a healthy, self-confident and mentally empowered society. Yoga can play an important role in achieving this goal. Itis not only a matter of personal health, but also related to national productivity, social harmony and human resource development. International Yoga Day reminds us that India's ancient knowledge traditions still have the potential to give direction to humanity.

Yoga, which was once considered limited to Indian ashrams and gurukuls, has now taken the form of a global health movement. It is not only a matter of pride for India, but also a reminder of our cultural responsibility to adopt this priceless heritage of ours and pass it on to future generations. The real message of Yoga Day is that a healthy body, a calm mind and a balanced life are the cornerstones of a happy society and a prosperous nation. If we can make yoga a part of life rather than an event, not only will there be a change in individual life, but India will also be able to play its ancient role of guiding the world again.

(This article is written by Prof Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, National Council of Educational Research and Training)

- Ends