Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2023

Part one - Program Report

Silver Hills Public School celebrated International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2023.  A one hour long practice cum exhibition of Yoga by the students of grade 9 was the highlight of the program. Students performed more than ten Asanas including Pranayama, Balasana, Tadasana and Veerabhadrasana. Breathing exercises and meditation were also held as part of the program.

 Rev Fr Augustine K Mathew, Manager of Silver Hills institutions appreciated the Principal and staff for conducting the program.

SHPS  Principal Rev Father Mathew Kalapurayil CMI inaugurated the program. In his inaugural speech, Father urged the students to embrace the message of Yoga in their daily life. He remarked that practicing Yoga will ensure a perfect balance of mind, body and the soul. It helps us to attain peace and joy - Father pointed out.

Staff secretary Ms Chithra P, Yoga and Dance instructor Ms Kavitha Satish gave leadership to the program.

 Part -2
A word about Yoga
(Prepared by Ms Chithra P)

Yoga is a Sanskrit word translated as “yoke” or “union.” To yoke means to bind together; or to unite. Its aim is to yoke or create a union of the body, mind, soul, and universal consciousness. This process of uniting the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of ourselves is what allows yogis to experience deep states of freedom, peace and self-realization.

Yoga has become a global phenomenon over the last several decades. What started out thousands of years ago in the East as a meditative practice has now evolved into a modern life style to remain healthy both physically and mentally. People from all walks of life can practice and receive the benefits of yoga. United Nations has declared 21st June as ‘International Day of Yoga’ (IDY). It has been a worldwide celebration for the last 8 years and has effectively facilitated the global dissemination of the significance of practising Yoga for overall health and well-being and enduring sustainable lifestyle.

The theme for this year is ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. The domestic tagline for IDY 2023 is ‘Har Aangan Yog’ being propagated to bring Yoga to every household at the grassroot level.

 We at Silver Hills also are contributing our part to this international event by practising a special yoga session. Asanas chosen by include the following:

 We begin with the yoga sloka  - asathoma satgamaya which means
Om,
Lead me from the unreal to the real,
Lead me from darkness to light,
Lead me from death to immortality.
May peace be, may peace be, may peace be.

1. Slow Stretching Yoga Asana For Neck: Neck rotation
To start with yoga asanas, one should get started with the basic exercises first like slow neck stretches. It is recommended to perform few repetitions of this yogic slow neck stretches as it eases the neck tension and strain.

2. Chest breathing: Stretch and strengthen your chest muscles to find better opening for the blood flow which supplies oxygen rich blood to your cells

3. Shoulder breathing: Stretch and strengthen your shoulder muscles and ease the tension on your triceps.

4. Bhastrika: Bhastrika Pranayama is the process of rapid inhalation and exhalation which gives a boost to the body and hence is aptly called the yogic breath of fire.

5. Balasana or child pose: Balasana is the returning and resting posture of the body’s lost energy, which gives the body rest and freshness. During the practice of this asana, relief is found in the spinal cord or spinal column.

6. Tadasana – The Mountain Pose: Practising this yoga asana regularly every morning gives a good massage to our hands, back, spine and whole body. This is the most recommended yoga asana for increasing height as well.

7. Standing Forward Fold Pose (Uttanasana Yoga): Uttanasana is a forward bending pose which relieves us from stress and anxiety. By binding the hands, it also allows the arms to stretch and tighten the shoulders to relax. It also brings some blood back to the brain while giving a great stretch to the legs.

8. Urdhwa hasthasana or crescent moon side bend is an excellent exercise to build strength, increase mobility, and improve flexibility. It builds stamina and endurance, improve concentration and memory, and enhance immunity and energy levels.

9. Vrikshasana or the tree pose: This pose leaves you in a state of rejuvenation. It stretches the legs, back and  arms, and invigorates you. It brings balance and equilibrium to your mind and helps improve concentration.

10. Veerabhadrasana (Warrior Pose): Strengthens and tones the arms, legs and lower back. Improves balance in the body, helps increase stamina.

11. Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama literally means cleaning of nerves. “Nadi” means “Nerves” and “Shudhi” means “Cleaning” or “Purification”. Excellent breathing technique to calm and center the mind. Releases accumulated stress in the mind and body effectively and helps to relax.
And with that we come to an end of this yoga session. We hope and expect that this wonderful  feeling of calmness, well being , mental clarity and stress reduction be a part of your life and promote success in every sphere of life.

Let's conclude by stating that Yogasanas are not exercises. They are very subtle processes of manipulating your energy in a certain direction. An asana is a posture that which takes you on to a higher dimension or higher perception of life. When you do your asanas, you explore the nature of your body and your mind.