ROLE & IMPORTANCE OF YOGA IN THE PRESENT WORLD
An insightful article on “Roll & Importance of YOGA in the present world” has been authored by Mr.Tapan Kumar Das, who is associated with MIES Institute for Last 5 Years as a Skill Development Officer. Yoga is an ancient practice originating in India that combines physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and disciplined living. In the modern world, where people face increasing stress, sedentary lifestyles, and lifestyle-related health problems, yoga has become an important means of maintaining physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise; it is a holistic approach to well-being. Its emphasis on physical fitness, breathing, concentration, and mindfulness makes it particularly relevant to modern society.
Regular and appropriate practice of yoga, combined with a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and necessary medical care, can contribute significantly to a healthier and more balanced life. MIES Institute is a renowned coaching centre for Govt. Job exams in West Bengal. Thousands of students appeared in Govt. service exam from MIES every year and got Government service maximum of them. MIES is the most popular institute among Government Job aspirants because of their specialty in School Service, WBCS, PSC, SSC, BANK, RAIL, Primary and Upper Primary TET etc exams. Students are giving huge number of Class Test, Model Test, and Mock Test and also Practice huge number of Online Test through MIES App in their course curriculum. MIES is a pioneer institute of West Bengal Civil Service coaching in West Bengal.
INTRODUCTION OF ROLE & IMPORTANCE OF YOGA IN THE PRESENT WORLD
Yoga means to join or unite, referring to the harmonization of body, mind and spirit to achieve liberation. Its genesis traces back over 5000 years to the Indus-Saraswati Civilization in Ancient India. Born form the inner inquiries of the sages, the system evolved through the Vedas, Upanishads and patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
2. ORIGIN OF THE LINGUISTIC MEANING, GENESIS & EVOLUTION OF YOGA
The word ‘Yoga’ stems from the Sanskrit root ’Yuj’ which means “to Yoke”, “to join” or “to uniting of individual consciousness” with the universal consciousness, bringing harmony to person’s physical and mental states. The first written mentions of yoga appear in the Rig Veda, the oldest sacred Texts of India-Ancient priests used songs and mantras to chanel cosmic energy. In the Upanishadic period sages internalized the early rituals into philosophical inquiry, focusing on self-knowledge and wisdom, as highlighted in the Bhagavad Gita . Sage like patanjali codified the practice into the famous eight-limbed path (Ahastanga) in the Yoga Sutras, providing a systematic approach to meditation, morals and physical discipline. Thereafter starting in the late 19th centuries, masters brought Yoga to the west, evolving it into the globally recognized blend of physical postures (asanas), breath work & meditation.
3. IS YOGA A SCIENCE ?
Yes, Yoga is a science as it is considered a subtle internal or inner Science and an experimental methodology focused an systematic self-observation, lifestyle harmony and the realization of unity within human consciousness.
= It is related to modern fields like neuroscience, anatomy & psychology which functions as an inner science of human energy & perception & achieves the deep integration of mind & body.
= Yoga as a science, it operates as a systematic technology using precise methods like postures, breath & meditation as tested through direct internal observation rather than external lab instruments.
= It also aligns with movement mechanics, musculoskeletal aligment & isometric conditioning what is known as Anatomy & physiology.
= Yoga postures and breathing affect organs, blood flow & the nervous system. It also explores mental habits, emotional regulation and stress relief through meditation. It also measures mindfulness and meditation change brain structure and activity.
= Yoga does the integration of mind & body & spirit. Yoga by its step-by-step practices can test and observe result in the human body & mind. Yoga is of empirical nature as the ancient and modern practitioners use direct inner experience rather than blunt belief. Yoga brings harmony to physical health and emotional stability & work as one whole system.
Yoga is one whole system to integrate human body, mind and soul spirits, as well as bring mental relief and calmness through its meditation techniques & process. It also makes humans sharper and keen in self observation & self introspection to ensure sustainance of inner peace & mental stability.
4. THE PHILOSOPHY OF YOGA
At is core, Yoga is not just excuse, but a path to overcome suffering, balance the senses and reach self-reflection or ‘noksha’. Many modern practiceoners and historians view Yoga as a deeply transformative, holistic way of life rather than just a physical routine. From its earliest beginnings, Yoga was seen not as a technique but as complete way of life-a practical system for living with awareness, balance and purpose, both internally and in the world. The aim of yoga is self-realization, to overcome all limits of sufferings leading to the “state of liberation”.
5. HOW YOGA HAS BEEN GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED BY THE UNO & POPULARIZED, AND EMBRACED WORLDWIDE.
Yoga’s global recognition means the ancient Indian disciplined as a universal, non-religious practice for physical fitness, mental clarity, and holistic wellness. It represents a shift from localized spiritual tradition to an internationally recognized tool for combating lifestyle diseases and stress.
6. YOGA’S MILESTONE OF GLOBAL RECOGNITION.
= United Nations proclamation.
Following a proposal by India, the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, with a record 175 member states endorsing the resolution.
= UNESCO inscribed Yoga on the Representative list of its intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
= The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for Yoga as a primary preventive measure against sedentary lifestyles and non-communicable diseases.
7. CULTURAL AND PRACTICAL IMPACT OF YOGA.
Today modern Yoga transcends borders allowing people of all ages, cultures and fitness levels to harmonize their mind and body. This has become a cornerstone of global wellness, used to reduce chronic pain, improve flexibility and manage mental health. This globally spreaded Yoga highlights India’s cultural experts, uniting millions through shared values of mindfulness and inner place.
The United Nations notes that Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, offering a holistic approach to health. The ministry of Ayush highlights Yoga as an integrative practice that complements modern medicine.
Yoga and modern medicine are both based on rational principles and have been found to complement each other to offer a complete and holistic modern of health.
8. WHAT HINDUISM SPEAKS ABOUT YOGA.
Hinduism speaks of different methods or paths to reach God, of them four are considered to be major paths— 1) Bhakti Yoga – to path of devotion 2) Jnana Yoga – the path of rational inquiry 3) Raja Yoga – The path of mental concentration, and 4) Karma Yoga – the path of right action. Yoga is a Sanskrit word which means Yoke —“the connecting link between the spiritual aspirant and god”. According to Hinduism all people are put into four proud categories such as 1) the emotional person 2) the rational person 3) mediptive person and 4) the habitually overactive person. Bhakti Yoga is suitable for the emotional person, Jnana Yoga is suitable for the meditative person & Karma Yoga is prescribed for the person naturally inclined toward activity.
9. Can Yoga Education be made mandatorily or strictly introduced in Schools from primary to secondary level in the Education System of India.
Yoga education is already integrated into the primary level curriculum in India. According to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Yoga is recognized as an essential, fundamental part of the School curriculum to ensure holistic physical and mental development. However, introducing it as a strictly enforced, formal subject is balanced against State Authority & pedagogical guideline as follows. Education is on the concurrent list, meaning individual States & Union Territories largely regulate their own syllabi. Therefore, the decision to mandate it rests primarily with State Governments., under the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), Yoga is an integral component of the mandatory Health & Physical Education (HPE) curriculum. Pre primary class (1-5), the (NCF) advises that Yoga school be taught informal, engaging ways rather that through rigid, formal exercise, which are typically introduced from class 6 onward. Which the Supreme Court of India dismissed a plea to make Yoga, a strictly compulsory, fundamental right across all schools, it was noted that the state has an obligation to provide health facilities, which includes incorporating Yoga into children’s physical education. For schools affiliated with the Central Board of secondary Education (CBSE) Health & Physical Education (including Yoga) is a mandatory subject area for classes 1through 10.
10. PERSPECTIVE ON COMPULSORY YOGA EDUCATION.
Opinions are mixed on making Yoga mandatory at such a young age, proponents believe it helps build discipline and manage stress.
Critics, however, raise concerns about physical initiations, the lack of trained instructors, and the need for an inclusive, secular approach.
11. MYSTERIES OF YOGA
If we trace back nto the dim past to know about Yoga, we can find that, from the very ancient times the general mass of the people in all countries has associated religion with mysteries, miracles and supernatural phenomena.
In early days people believed that evil spirits were the cause of all diseases, and priests were often summoned to exercise the devil. Even today there are persons everywhere who will seek the help of Priests, Sanyasins, or Yogis for cure of physical ailments. This practice is common not only among ignorant, but extends to the educated classes. Even rationalists and those who are proud of their practical wisdom sometimes fall back on the super natural remedies as a last report, when all other efforts have failed. That means all those uncial tic false beliefs of mysteries, … the past in cause of advancement of human scientific evolution & achievements could not stand as perennial truth. Some persons go to Himalayas search of Yogis & mchetric, & come back terribly disappointed if they could not meet even one who performed miracles,. A few of those miracle hunters, after repeated failures turn bitter & try to make tupes of others.
Here comes the true idea is the ultimate reality or the Supreme self. Yoga therefore, accepts the life situation as we find it & suggests methods by which we can transcend human emotions through the Science of Yoga. Thus human straggles for happness can be advantageous but that too perennially eludes his grasp.
12. THE METHODS OF YOGA ACCORDING TO HINDU SANATAN DHARMA PREACHED BY SRI KRISHNA IN GITA.
The methods by which humans can attain endless joy is truly possible turning all their emotions towards the supreme reality—in words, they can attain union with god through devotion & is called Bhakti Yoga. The methods of discrimination by which we can realize our identity with the ultimate existence is called Jnayoga or the Scince of wisdom. The art of detachment by which we can govern all our activities so that we may not be entangled in it, is called Karma Yoga or the science of work. Finally, the methods by which we can control the mind itself, which is the course of all our misery is called Raja Yoga. It is therefore, be proved that there is no more mystery in Yoga than what is embedded in the very existence of the universe. It will be found that the art & Science of Yoga, both are intrinsically simple & clear, the goal being union with the ultimate reality or freedom from bondage.
13. SRI KRISHNA TEACHES IN THE GITA
Yoga is not for him who eats too much, nor for him who eats too little. It is not for him who sleeps too much, nor for him who sleeps too little. But yoga is for him who is temperate in his food and recreation, temperate in his exertion at work, temperate in sleep & waking, he is lit for Yoga and Yoga puts an end to all his sorrows.
Basically, the disciplines of Yoga practice depends on the disciplines for building character as both are non-different, and in oneness of the two discipline essential to become a perfect Yogi. When the disciplined mind rests in self alone, free from longing for objects, then is one said to have attained Yoga. A materially haphazard and clotic life with an indiscipline characters is never fit for Yoga. But a well regulated life ennobles every rank of life which brings lower, wisdom and the ideal qualities & disciplines in one life. Disciplines of life is more precious than life itself, for it is out of that discilin life derives values, formulate the renews of human character, greet delight & nobility in life. Therefore all yogis, great teaches laid more emphasis on practice then on never the critical knowledge.
14. YOGA – TRADITIONALLY IN INDIAN RELIGIOUS WAY
Yoga, in the Vedic antiquity, expressed as an unshakable faith, as per thr Indian religious tradition, in the one truth that achievable & realizing through any one of the different paths that surely leading to the same goal, the ultimate, the eternal god, the infinite of the total freedom. They are four in number & ways nicely eleborated and explained in the Gita.
i) Karma-Yoga – (arising out of the ‘willing’ strand)
ii) Bhakti – Yoga (of the ‘feeling’ strand )
iii) Raja- Yoga ( of the ‘psychic’ strand )
iv) Jnana – Yoga ( of the ‘thinking’ strand )
Any yogic aspirant seeker for achieving their individual goal upon realizing through their chosen path of Yoga, is quite fairly possible, is an even proven truth. If one chive deep into the Divine and be ever in tune with the infinite.
15. YOGA PROVIDES MAJOR BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS AND THE INDIAN SOCIETY AS WHOLE
Yoga provides major benefits to individuals and society, specifically health, mental peace, and social unity. It help people grow strong bodies, calm their minds, and build as peaceful, connected community.
A. Benefits for individuals
a) Physical health :- Yoga makes muscles flexible, improves breathing & keeps the heart healthy.
b) Mental calmness :- It lowers stress, clears the mind & brings daily happiness.
c) Better focals:- Yoga sharpens memory and helps people pay better attention.
B. Benefits for Indian society
a) Cultural pride.:- Yoga shanes Indian’s ancient heritage and traditions with the whole world.
b) Healthier public:- It lowers the cost of healthier by keeping families active & well.
C) Social Harmony.:- Yoga brings people together through groups classes & shrewd values of peace.
16. CONCLUSION OF ROLE & IMPORTANCE OF YOGA IN THE PRESENT WORLD
Yoga is a holistic practice for uniting the mind, body and breath to ensure peace, purity & restrainedness in all activation of life. Yoga is an essential path or means for living life ideally and it provides a proven, balanced antidote to modern, sedentary, and high-stress life styles of every individual men & women irrespective of their religious & faiths, it should followed as an over accepted reality inevitable to practice in every individual man & woman. Yoga is one whole system to integrate human body, mind and soul spirit as well as bring mental relief and calmness through its meditation techniques & process. It also makes humans sharper and keen in self-observation & self-introspection to ensure sustainance of inner peace & mental stability.
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