The Power of Yoga; Transforming Self & Society

As we celebrate International Yoga Day, we are reminded of the profound impact that yoga can have on both the individual and society as a whole. Yoga is more than just a physical practice; it is a holistic approach to life that cultivates unity, inner peace, and self-awareness.

By embracing yoga, we can transform ourselves and our communities, leading to a more harmonious and compassionate world. Here is how yoga can benefit Self, Society and Unity

Yoga for Self

Yoga offers numerous benefits for the individual, including reduced stress, improved physical health, and increased mental clarity. Through regular practice, we can develop a greater understanding of ourselves, our values, and our place in the world.

A 2019 NCCIH (National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health,U.S) funded study with 227 participants compared yoga classes with general wellness classes as additions to a conventional once-weekly counseling program.

The people in the yoga group were 37 percent more likely to have quit smoking by the end of the 8-week program. A 2018 evaluation of 13 studies (more than 1,300 participants) of yoga for menopause symptoms found that yoga reduced physical symptoms such as hot flashes as well as psychological symptoms such as anxiety or depression.

Yoga for Society

As we cultivate inner peace and self-awareness through yoga, we become more empathetic and compassionate towards others. This, in turn, fosters a sense of community and social responsibility. For instance, yoga has been used in prisons to help inmates develop self-awareness and emotional regulation, leading to reduced recidivism rates.

A study conducted by the Teaching Department at the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, found that a 6-month yoga program significantly reduced stress and aggression, and improved physical and psychological health, as well as overall well-being, among 37 Tihar Jail inmates (27 males and 10 females).

Yoga for Unity

Yoga has the power to unite people across cultures, ages, and backgrounds, transcending our differences and connecting us on a deeper level. This is evident in yoga events like Yoga for Peace and Yoga for Humanity, which bring together people from diverse backgrounds to promote global unity and harmony. In recognition of yoga's unifying power, the United Nations declared June 21st as International Yoga Day, organizing annual events to promote yoga globally.

This initiative was first proposed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 2014 UN address, and it received widespread support, with 177 nations co-sponsoring the related resolution in the United Nations General Assembly, passing unanimously.

As a result, the first International Yoga Day was celebrated successfully on June 21, 2015, across the world, including in major cities like New York, Paris, Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and New Delhi. The Indian government's Ayush Ministry organizes International Yoga Day events across the country and promotes yoga worldwide.

World Health Organization, WHO promotes yoga as a healthy practice and collaborates with the Indian government to promote yoga globally. The spiritual organization like Art of Living and Brahmakumaris collaborates with the Ayush Ministry to organize yoga events across India and abroad.Patanjali, Isha Yoga Centre collaborates with the Ayush Ministry to organize yoga events across India.

Additionally, organizations like the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres and the International Yoga Federation promote yoga globally and organize events to bring people together.

Through these efforts, yoga has become a symbol of global unity, promoting peace, harmony, and well-being for all. By embracing yoga, we can come together and celebrate our shared humanity, regardless of our cultural, social, or economic backgrounds.

Yoga has the power to change our lives and the world around us. By practicing yoga, we can find inner peace, understand ourselves better, and care for others more deeply.

As we celebrate International Yoga Day, let's share the benefits of yoga with others and work together towards a more peaceful and united world. This year's theme, 'Yoga for Self and Society', reminds us that yoga can bring us closer to ourselves and to each other, creating a brighter future for all.

Article by




Dr. Smitha Shine