In Frames: International Yoga Day: Breathe, bend, belong
The United Nations' recognition of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga has brought global attention and a boost to the ancient Indian lifestyle practice that focuses on breathing, flexibility and strength. The origins of yoga can be traced back to thousands of years, and it holds an important place in modern lifestyles.
Yoga is one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy and, just as the remaining five, focuses on attaining self-realisation through its unique teachings for the control of mind and body.
This year's International Day of Yoga, observed last week, advocated the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', underlining that personal wellness and the health of the planet are linked. While people all over the country took to their mats in celebration of this wellness routine, the philosophy echoed around the world. The lawns of the United Nations headquarters in New York were lined with colourful mats with over 1,200 practising yoga together.
Terming yoga a 'pause button' that the world needs in times of instability and uncertainty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi put forward the idea of yoga for humanity, where inner peace becomes a global policy.
Although primarily a practice of health and well-being, the International Day of Yoga also turned a platform for social media spotlight with participants being keen to take their activities online.
The UN resolution in 2014 that adopted June 21 as the International Day of Yoga had noted the 'importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health'. The World Health Organization has urged its member states to help their citizens get over physical inactivity, which is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
Recognising the importance of yoga as a tool to battle physical inactivity and encourage mental stimulation as well as relaxation is one of the key missions of the International Day of Yoga and the trend visible across many countries suggests that awareness is catching on.
Into the inner mind: Women wearing traditional Nauvari saris perform yoga at the Gateway of India in Mumbai on the occasion of International Day of Yoga on June 21.
Geared up: Running late for a session, tribal students from the Paderu area hurry along to the Yogandhra 2025 event in Visakhapatnam.
Coming together: An aerial view of the Yoga Day celebrations along Beach Road in Visakhapatnam.
Navigating mindfully: About 500 personnel from the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, and other forces take part in the Yoga Day event at the INS Adyar naval base in Chennai.
Quiet moment: Student Police Cadets perform yoga at Government Girls High School in Thripunithura in Kerala.
Shoring up energy: The Marine Drive in Mumbai offers a picturesque venue for a yoga session.
Fun footwork: The Telangana Chamber of Events Industry members perform zumba as part of Yoga Day celebrations in Hyderabad.
Screen distraction: A girl takes a peek at her mobile phone during Yogandhra 2025 celebrations in Visakhapatnam.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Ayurveda gets the spotlight in new documentary, The Double Helix of Life
A powerful new documentary on Ayurveda—Ayurveda: The Double Helix of Life—just had its grand premiere in New Delhi. Clocking in at 90 minutes and shot in English, the film dives deep into how this ancient Indian system of medicine might just be the answer to some of modern healthcare's biggest challenges. The premiere took place at the Film Division Theatre. Union Minister of State for AYUSH and Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, and AYUSH Secretary Rajesh Kotecha were there to do the honors, alongside a lineup of dignitaries from the health and wellness space. The film, produced by Dr. A.V. Anoop under AVA Productions in collaboration with the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI), is directed by Vinod Mankara. Attendees included major voices in the Ayurvedic and medical world—Dr. P Ramkumar (AMMOI President), E.T. Neelakandan Moos (AMMOI Treasurer), Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya (Director General of CCRAS), Padma Shri Vaidya Balendu Prakash, Sanjay Shrivastava of Maharishi Ayurveda , and Promod Sharma from Baidyanath. So, what's the big message? That Ayurveda isn't just about herbal powders and yoga poses—it's a holistic, preventive approach backed by actual research. The film busts common myths that Ayurveda is all belief and no science, and instead shows how it's supported by over a thousand peer-reviewed studies, modern lab testing, and real-world case stories. With chronic illnesses like diabetes, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases draining healthcare systems across the U.S., Germany, and Switzerland, The Double Helix of Life argues that Ayurveda offers something mainstream medicine often lacks—prevention. And when it's supported by evidence, it's not just effective—it's cost-efficient and low on side effects too. 'Ayurveda gives us tools to not just treat, but prevent disease,' says Dr. A.V. Anoop. 'It's time to shift from managing symptoms to addressing root causes.' Director Vinod Mankara adds, 'This film isn't just about looking back at tradition—it's about looking ahead. Ayurveda is already included in wellness insurance in countries like Germany and Switzerland. In India, it's part of the Ayushman Bharat mission. It can really ease the pressure on our public health system.'
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Vinod Kambli refused part-time job, took 700 pounds from his father, spent it with friends: 'He never cared about money'
Vinod Kambli, whose deteriorating health left the entire Indian cricket fraternity worried, has been able to get his life back on track after receiving BCCI's aid and having successfully recovered from an infection that got him hospitalised a couple of months ago. It was in December last year that Kambli's appearance at the unveiling of the Ramakant Achrekar memorial sparked health concerns. The former India batter, whose career took a turn for the worse after a promising start in the early 1990s, remained in the news for the next 60-odd days due to health issues. In an interview. Kambli revealed that he had collapsed and was diagnosed with a urinary infection, and just when he seemed to have recovered from it, he was hospitalised again due to a relapse. Vinod Kambli failed to manage his finances(AFP) Thankfully, Kambli has stayed good this year, but his condition always reopens the biggest 'what if' in Indian cricket. One of the biggest missed opportunities in Indian cricket, Kambli remains its biggest mystery. If only he had handled his distractions well, Kambli could have been a legend. But not everything falls as planned. Kambli always had promise; of course, we know it. But did you know, even before Kambli broke into the Indian team, the news of his talent spread to different shores. When his childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar made history by signing on with Yorkshire, Kambli was already in England, playing for a local club, where he made friends. More than 30 years later, those friends are worried about Kambli and wonder what went wrong. "As a South Asian, Sachin joining Yorkshire was big news. I'll tell you what was better, he brought along with him his friend Vinod Kambli, who played in our league. I've never-ever met a person who hits the ball as hard as he used to," Kambli's friend Nasa Hussain told The Indian Express. "He just ran down the track and hits the first ball for six, and you think, 'well okay'. Young man from India, never seen before, never heard of before, and he just comes and smashes it. Subsequently, he went on to score two double-hundreds against England. That was some talent. In today's day and age, that guy would have been a multi-millionaire." Solly Adam, the man responsible for Tendulkar's contract, was like a father figure to Kambli. So when money was tough – Kambli used to earn 25 pounds for a day – the left-handed batter was suggested by his friends that it won't be a bad idea to take up a part-time gig. But Kambli turned it down, exuding confidence in his cricket abilities. After a solid season, Kambli had earned a total of 700 pounds, which was handed over to his father. But handling wealth was never the youngster's cup of tea. When Kambli spent 700 pounds with his friends "One day we were sitting, 10 cricketers. All of them had part-time jobs except for Vinod and Sachin. So a cricketer from Mumbai asked Vinod – 'Since you only earn 25 pound a match, why don't you work at one of Solly's places? Kambli didn't think for a minute, pat came his reply: 'I and Sachin will make money playing Test cricket, I don't want to divert my attention doing part-time jobs.' That was exceptional, what confidence. He was very young, far from being a Test batsman but he had the confidence," Solly told IE. "Vinod, when he returned to India, took all the money from his father and spent it with his friends … Vinod never cared about money, nor did he have any respect for commodities," Solly had written in his book.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
How to make coconut oil at home for bald patch treatment
(Image Credits: Pinterest) Coconut oil is the unsung hero of Indian households and plays a crucial role in promoting hair growth, making our strands shine, and keeping our scalp healthy. Given its significance and versatility, it can also be applied on the body, as it is a good moisturising agent, and it is used as a cooking oil as well because of its brimming nutritional properties. It is extensively used in South Indian cuisine, giving a distinctive taste and aroma. But quite nothing can beat the benefits it provides to the hair, a rather potent solution to deal with bald patches, coconut oil is perhaps one of the cheapest potions to use for hair regrowth. Coconut oil for treating bald patches Coconut oil is a natural remedy for hair loss and bald patches and has been used for centuries in India. It primarily improves the quality of hair and focuses on scalp health, rather than directly regrowing hair. From nourishing the scalp to reducing breakage, it indirectly supports hair growth and helps to fill the embarrassing bald patch. Rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that deeply moisturise the strands and scalp, coconut oil promotes overall hair health and works like magic. (Image Credits: Pinterest) Step-by-step guide: How to make virgin coconut oil at home Step 1: Begin by extracting the flesh from the coconuts, and grate it finely after collection. Step 2: Squeeze the coconut flesh with your hands using a muslin cloth and extract the coconut milk. Place a big bowl underneath the cloth and gradually collect the liquid. 5 ways to use coconut oil in your make-up routine Step 3: Add a small amount of hot water next to facilitate the process and ensure you have extracted all the milk. Step 4: Strain it again using a muslin cloth and eliminate all the raw impurities. Step 5: Now, place the coconut milk in a brass vessel and heat it over a low flame. Cook it for 3 hours, but ensure that it remains on a low flame only. Step 6: Keep stirring the coconut milk and refrain from burning it, as coconut milk has a delicate texture. Step 7: As the milk becomes concentrated and turns brown in colour, remove it from the burner and let it cool. Step 8: Place it on a clean muslin cloth and then squeeze the oil from it. Collect it in a bowl or transfer it to a bottle. (Image Credits: Pinterest) You can use this coconut oil for 8 months and keep the container tightly sealed, keeping it away from sunlight and other contaminants. Apply this homemade hair oil twice a week and fill in that bald patch!
