World is a Yoga Mat A perspective from an Art Of Living Teacher

World is a Yoga Mat A perspective from an Art Of Living Teacher

December 2015

The  celebration of International  Yoga Day on 21st of June by 192 countries simultaneously was nothing short of a miracle and is akin to a cultural conquest of this ancient Indian tradition. The fact that United Nation has endorsed the project –  mission Yoga makes it sustainable .  The west  and several countries in Far East have adopted Yoga almost as a way of life.

In a lighter vain  one may say that , India spent Rs200 crores on the International Yoga Day , but the  Chinese would make $1,000 million manufacturing Yoga mats . It makes tremendous business sense in promoting Yoga.

However , any project can be sustainable if it is financed  ,  packaged, marketed   and promoted properly . This should not be a mere photo -op session  for celebrities and politicians . The government has set itself an ambitious goal of creating an infrastructure where it would be setting up Yoga centres across the country right down to the village level  and plans to employ almost 6 lac Yoga instructors .

The Associated Chambers Of Commerce ( ASSOCHAM)    understood tremendous business potential in promoting Yoga. The commerce lobby stated that  ”  the  increased  focus on Yoga by the government  , coupled with growing awareness about traditional Indian ways of dealing with stress in corporate sector has improved opportunities in yoga training with commensurate demand for trainers set to grow by 30 to 35% in a couple of years.”

Several allopaths  and hospitals are convinced that practice of Yoga , Pranayama and Meditation can  help in the  treatment of cardiac ailments, cancers, diabetes , obesity and blood pressure. In this direction  HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar the founder of Art Of Living  in his interview to CNN IBN  aptly  put it that man  has  to either reduce his wants and desires( unlikely), increase his time span in  a day( not possible) or reduce his stress levels . And practice of Yoga   positively helps in reduction of stress levels, much as the Cassandras of doubt and prophets of doom may feel otherwise.

Fortunately , Government Of India and Corporate Sector have realised  the palliative benefits of Yoga to increase  productivity . But in the government the  odd Babu  or bureaucrat  acts like a road block . The Government should reconsider  restarting   the  Government Executive Programme   with the Art Of Living   thereby  spreading  the awareness and benefits of Yoga , Sudarshan Kriya( a unique breathing technique)  , Pranayama and Meditation among its employees . Around 1 crore government employees ( both Central and State governments)  can be imparted this training . Once the employees receive this training , their family members too would take up Art Of Living Programmes . Similarly the defence forces  and public sector need to take up the programme  to cope with pressures of modern living.  This will  increase productivity and  efficiency of  the employees.

The Corporate Sector need to park money as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility to promote Yoga and  its associated  practices . This will ensure healthy living  of the employees only to increase productivity . It was heartening to learn that  a corporate employee opined that  come what may , he practices  sun salutations everyday without fail  despite a  hectic schedule. Abhyasa ( practice ) is so essential in Yoga . Regular practice of Yoga , with measured diet  and meditation , provides good health and that glow on one’s face.

The next target are schools , colleges and universities to promote  Yoga as a way of  healthy living . Perhaps today';s young generation feel that only pumping of iron and acquiring a six pack ab promotes fitness and” health”. But the human body is much more than its physical self , it is  a complex aggregate of mind , body and soul. More toxins are released through breath control that sweating on a treadmill.

Though a lot needs to be done  ,  a broad  road map has been laid . However how focused , committed   government  and private sector are remains to be seen . I am optimistic  and hope that government does not fritter away the immense popularity the event has generated . There would be definitely an odd Babu in the corridors of power and a recalcitrant corporate employee who would act as a stumbling block. It is a challenge to change their mindset .

Sage Patanjali  in his Sutras  has identified  two areas to achieve Yoga( union) , namely Abhyasa ( Practice) and Vairagya ( Dispassion) . These qualities are paramount for  our government, country and the world at large to  live and experience Yoga on a sustainable basis.

Salutations to my Guru ( HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar )