WHAT CELEBRITIES AND EXPERTS SAY ABOUT INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY

This year witnesses a very special Yoga Day. As the world fights a global pandemic, the benefits of yoga for physical and mental strength stand at the forefront. Everyone from Hollywood to Haridwar are turning to yoga to recoup, re-energise & revive themselves and find purpose in life once again. To commemorate this year’s International Yoga Day, JYOTHI VENKATESH shares quotes from some leading experts & opinion leaders within the world of fitness, health & sports.

Sarvesh Shashi, Founder, Sarva & Diva Yoga

 “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self & to the self – Bhagwat Gita. Yoga is something that is in your being if you allow it to penetrate, it’s in everything you do, be it eating, sleeping, laughing or working out which is why it is defined as a practice that connects your mind, body & soul, Yoga is actually nothing but a way of life! Whilst being an archaic form of Indian fitness, yoga has managed to evolve over the years reminding people time and again of the long lasting benefits it has on the physical and mental state of our bodies. It is a matter of pride to see a traditional Indian form of fitness being adopted so beautifully across every corner of the world. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a fit, healthy & happy International Yoga Day.”

Malaika Arora, Co-founder, SARVA & Diva Yoga

“Yoga has been a part of my life for years now, both for physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. The time that we’re in now, we need positivity today more than ever before and yoga is a great way to achieve that.  As a globally adopted practice today, our aim is to let more people transform their lives through yoga.”

Shikhar Dhawan, Cricketer and Investor, SARVA

“Yoga has helped me a lot, as a sportsperson as well as an individual. It’s helped me be more focused, recover faster from my sports injuries and remain calm and centered during my matches. I think it's an understatement to say that yoga goes beyond its tangible benefits.  The potential of yoga in helping everyone come out of this pandemic and any other future events as healthier and fitter individuals is immense. I am extremely happy to be associated with SARVA, India’s fastest growing yoga-based wellness ecosystem”.

Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI)

“At the outset, we must understand the difference between ‘yog’ and ‘yoga’. The word ‘yoga’ comes from a Sanskrit term that means union. It refers to combining the body, mind, and day-to-day challenges of life into a single experience rather than keeping them separate. The word ‘yog’ on the other hand refers to a state of mind that is in the present. It is about being in the ‘now’ and losing oneself in the moment. For instance, when we are with a childhood friend, we are not aware of how time has lapsed. This state can be referred to as the yogic state. In the COVID-19 era, yoga has assumed even more importance. A regular practice can help boost our immunity, strengthen our respiratory health and also reduce stress.

Ashish Rawat, Founder, Yoga 

“Yoga is a holistic workout to improve both physical and mental health. This year marks a very special International Yoga Day, while the world suffers both physically and mentally, yoga has been the catalyst bringing communities together to heal collectively. Being fit is an important aspect of human life and consciously investing one's time towards yoga is known to benefit a person for years to follow. So I urge you all to pull out those yoga mats and spend some quality time with yourself.”