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Yoga

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An ancient Indian discipline uniting body, breath and mind. The world marks International Day of Yoga on 21 June.

Where: All of IndiaWhen: Daily practice; International Day of Yoga on 21 JuneUNESCO heritage 2016

How it is performed

  1. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras describe eight limbs (ashtanga): yama (restraints), niyama (observances), asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawing the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption).
  2. A typical session starts with gentle loosening, moves through asanas such as Tadasana, Bhujangasana and Vajrasana, then pranayama such as Anulom-Vilom, and ends in quiet meditation.
  3. The Ministry of Ayush publishes a free Common Yoga Protocol for beginners.

Significance

Yoga means 'union'. It is a way of living, not only exercise. At India's proposal, the UN General Assembly declared 21 June the International Day of Yoga in December 2014, a resolution co-sponsored by a record 177 countries. UNESCO inscribed yoga as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.

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