International Yoga Day 2024 Theme and Objective: Best Yoga Poses and Benefits

‘’In this century, we realise that Yoga has united the world’’- PM Narendra Modi

International Yoga Day is a day in recognition of Yoga, that is celebrated across the world every year on June 21, following its adoption by the United Nations Council in 2014. The initiative for "Yoga Day" was taken by India's Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji in his 2014 UN address. 

Origin of International Yoga Day

June 21 was proposed as the annual Day of Yoga by our PM Shri Narendra Modi ji since the day marks the ‘Summer Solstice’ making it the ‘longest day of the year’ in the Northern Hemisphere. Thereafter, on 11 December 2014, the U.N passed a resolution declaring June 21 as the ‘International Day of Yoga’ with the widespread global support received from 177 countries. On June 21, 2015, the first International Yoga Day was celebrated with enthusiasm across the world including New York, Paris, Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and New Delhi. 

Objectives And Theme Of International Yoga Day 2024

The theme for International Yoga Day 2024 is ‘Yoga For Women Empowerment’ signifying the importance of women’s health and holistic well-being and in promoting world peace and health. The popular Sanskrit phrase of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (one World as One Family) is the core message for International Yoga Day 2024, emphasising yoga's ability to bridge gaps across countries, cultures, race, gender and religious divides and in nurturing peace and harmony among all.

Benefits Of Practising Yoga

There are multiple benefits of practising yoga on a routine basis like sound mental, emotional, physical, spiritual health and overall well-being. Following are some benefits of yoga for an individual:

• It promotes happiness, enhanced energy levels, concentration, memory retention, self-confidence, and improved self esteem 

• On the physical aspect of the body, yoga postures enhance flexibility, tonality, and strength of the body while improving the blood flow and its pressure

• The musculature and bone structure gain strength with regular practice of yoga, and consequently, the body’s balance gets improved too 

• Yogic postures enhance skeletal-neuro-muscular coordination throughout the body thereby, promoting digestion

Popular Yoga Poses And Their Benefits

The word ‘Yoga’ basically means union of body and mind. Enlisted below are few ‘asanas’ or postures that harmoniously blend physical fitness with mental peace and stability :

• Sukhasana / Easy Pose: This posture improves in relaxing the body, reducing stress and fatigue
• Naukasana / Boat Pose: The Boat Pose posture enhances agility and stretchability of the muscles around the stomach and abdomen region. It aids in reducing gastric and digestion related problems
• Dhanurasana / Bow Pose: while this posture enhances the strength and flexibility of the back muscles, it also improves blood circulation, digestion and helps in shedding the extra calories
• Bhujangasana / Cobra Pose: Another popular posture which is immensely beneficial for spinal nerves, bone and lower back muscles. It is advised to patients suffering from arthritis and menstrual disorders as well
• Sarvangasana / Shoulder Pose: As the name suggests, this is an ‘’all body parts’’ asana that revitalises thyroid glands, improves metabolism and blood circulation in the body. Practising it has been found to reduce sleep disorders, depression, and stress too

Best Yoga Poses For Mental Health

• Sukhasana / Easy Pose: The classic posture helps to ward off insomnia, depression and mental stress and boosts confidence, vitality and clarity in mind 
• Downward Facing Dog Pose / Adho Mukha Svanasana: This asana helps in controlling blood pressure, reducing stress, enhancing flexibility in the neck, spine, back and abdominal region, strengthens arms, shoulders and legs and brings more focus and clarity in mind
• Sarvangasana / Shoulder Pose: As mentioned in the previous section, Shoulder pose has a calming effect on the emotional well being of an individual as it boosts clarity and alertness in the mind, alleviates sleep disorders and depression
• Balasana / Child’s Pose: It is one of the most comforting asanas that brings down stress, reinvigorates the body and provide deep rest to the mind
• Savasana / Corpse Pose: Although, the name of this posture invokes fear, this is a very relaxing and serene posture that calms down the chattering mind, lowers anxiety, stress and restores emotional well being

Best Yoga For Diabetic People

Listed below are some of the beneficial yoga asanas that have a profoundly positive impact on patients of Diabetes:

• Surya Namaskar / Sun Salutation: This posture is a salute to the Sun and is a harmonious blend of twelve linked postures which are practised in a synchronised sequence. It enhances blood circulation and optimises functioning of the insulin gland
• Vajrasana / ThunderBolt Pose: ThunderBolt posture stimulates organs such as liver, pancreas and kidneys and optimises insulin production 
• Sarvangasana / Shoulder Pose, Dhanurasana / Bow Pose and Bhujangasana / Cobra Pose: The aforementioned postures too have scientifically demonstrated an ability to reduce the blood glucose levels in patients suffering from Diabetes

Role Of Yoga In Stress Management

Yoga is an effortless and harmonious blend of an individual’s body, mind, and soul as per the yogic texts. While scientific research has proven that yoga not only stimulates the release of ‘Endorphins’ or feel-good hormones which are a significant factor in reinvigorating energy levels, mood and restoring the emotional wellbeing of an individual, the ancient yogic postures also boost the body’s endurance capability; restoring endocrine, metabolic, digestive, neuromuscular and cardiovascular functions across the body to nurture a holistic physical and mental health.

Popular Institutions That Teach Yoga

Enumerated below are India’s most coveted institutes, schools and universities that offer Yoga courses:

• University of Patanjali located in Haridwar
• Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, Dehradun
• Amity University in Noida
• University of Lucknow
• University of Rajasthan
• UPRTOU - Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University in Prayagraj

Connection Between Yoga And Health Insurance

Over the past few decades, the significance of mind-body intervention practices, alternative treatment, and role of yoga in boosting immunity, eliminating risk of critical illnesses and providing a sound health has increased manifold.  Below mentioned points help us to understand the interconnectedness between lower risk of diseases and reduced health insurance costs:

• Lower Risk / Likelihood Of Terminal Diseases- Cancer, kidney failure, heart failure etc can accost a patient, medical bill in lakhs. However, the chances of the same are minimised with the practice of yoga. An individual can always renew and avail their insurance plan later in life post-retirement
• Low Premium Cost– Routine practice of yoga ensures fitness and a robust health thus, lowering the premium amount to be paid while buying a health plan as compared to one who has greater health risks. Though, premium cost is subject to other factors too
• Availing No Claim Bonus- If the buyer of a health insurance plan is overall healthy and illness free, there is a lesser chance of the person claiming their plan thus, making them eligible for No Claim Bonus for each year, they do not make a claim 
• Wellness Discounts- Most insurance providers offer special wellness discounts and reward points on renewal to healthy buyers on certain pre-conditions. The purpose of this feature is to save cost incurred by the company in case of a claim request since a healthy buyer will be less likely to register a claim on their health policy
• Comprehensive Coverage- A fit and healthy buyer gets extensive coverage with minimum exclusion clauses in their health insurance plan. The coverages include in-patient hospitalisation, pre and post hospitalisation, domiciliary care, and treatment under AYUSH 

Health Insurance Companies Offering Yoga And Wellness Discounts/Alternative Treatment

AYUSH is an abbreviation used for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy which is a type of healthcare modality offering conventional and scientific treatment. Listed below are some of the top health insurance companies that offer coverage under AYUSH:

• Star Health Insurance
• Niva Bupa Health Insurance
• Reliance Health Insurance
• Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance
• Aditya Birla Capital Health Insurance
• HDFC ERGO Health Insurance
• Kotak Mahindra Health Insurance

If you have any queries regarding the above-mentioned health insurers covering AYUSH treatments, our dedicated Relationship Manager at InsuranceDekho, available 24*7 will be happy to help. Please free to connect with us via email or call: support@insurancedekho.com | +91-7551196989