By Samina Sharma

I have been practicing yoga for many years. From my experience, yoga is not just about touching our toes or doing physical exercises like asanas. It is much more than that. Yoga is a lifestyle and a spiritual practice that helps us cultivate peace of mind, discipline, focus, and emotional balance. It is a path to living life meaningfully and joyfully.

International Yoga Day is observed every year on June 21 to raise awareness about the importance of yoga and to inspire people to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Yoga is not just a physical exercise — it is a holistic practice that connects the body, mind, and soul. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, which means “to join” or “to unite.” Yoga helps us achieve harmony between the body, mind, and our inner self, bringing mental clarity and emotional stability. In today’s world, where stress, anxiety, and unhealthy habits are common, yoga offers a simple yet powerful solution.

As the great yogi Swami Vivekananda said, “Yoga not only brightens the mind, it awakens the soul.” Many people think yoga is only for June 21 — but yoga is not a one-day event. It is a way of living. Even a simple 20–25 minutes of yoga every morning can bring amazing benefits. We don’t need expensive equipment or a large space. A quiet place and genuine dedication are enough. Sadly, today’s generation — from children to the elderly — suffers from physical, mental, and emotional issues. Yoga can be a powerful solution for all these problems. But we must remember: yoga is not just about physical postures (asanas). It includes our thoughts, our food, our behavior, our discipline, and how we live each moment of our lives. By integrating yoga into our lifestyle, we can learn to live with more strength, balance, peace, and health. Let’s embrace yoga — not just as a practice, but as a path to live life meaningfully and joyfully.

Since I started practicing yoga personally, I have experienced deep changes — not just in my body, but in my mindset as well. It has helped me stay calm, reduce stress, and feel more energetic and focused throughout the day. And one thing I’ve truly learned is that we don’t need to wait for June 21 to do yoga. Yoga is not a one-day event. It is something we should include in our daily routine, like brushing our teeth or eating food. Just 15–30 minutes of simple yoga every morning can bring great benefits to our lifestyle. It keeps the body active, the mind fresh, and the soul at peace

A Yoga teacher & Naturopathy Practitioner, Samina lives in Kohalpur, Banke, Nepal and is studying in Swami Vivekananda University Banglore, India.