Tapping into an inner life force

The recently held International Day of Yoga symbolises the global impact of this ancient Indian practice. Over the last few months, I have been writing about the numerous benefits of yoga, diving into the rationale, the physiological advantages and the depth that this ancient practice has. I have cited case studies on how patients have managed diseases ranging from joint pain to cancer using yogic practices. There is an increasing desire to learn and understand how the application of yoga can benefit the masses. The Indian government backed initiative to collaborate with the United Nations to globally promote yoga and yogic sciences has created a global stage on which people can discuss and explore new possibilities. This year has seen epic and inspiring images of hundreds and thousands of people practicing yoga together all over the world. Whether it was the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, among the thousands in the centre of Delhi or a group of a few hundred Peruvian Art of Living yoga teachers on Mount Machu Picchu, the International Day of Yoga (IDY) has demonstrated the reach that yoga has globally. Since the introduction of International Day of Yoga, the practice has had a profound impact on society. It continuously reminds its practitioners that the aim is to unite the physical with the emotional and spiritual, giving meaning and greater understanding to all three facets. Yoga is generally performed in a quiet and peaceful environment and encourages the practitioner to direct his/her awareness inwards, or towards gaining awareness of the effects the action is having on the body and mind. This observation leads to a very true and intimate experience of the limitations as well as the potential within the body. This increases the level of awareness in the individual, which carries on in their day to day activity resulting in them making more informed decisions and choices. Better posture, better health, greater peace of mind are all by-products of the practice, which in principle raises one's energy levels. Productivity, success and all things related to progress come from energy. Anyone whose energy levels are low, depleted or under duress has little chance of success in their endeavours. Yoga as a practice enables you to tap directly into your innate life force energy through a combination of breathing and postures. One of the broader advantages of IDY is the awareness brought to Ayurveda, Vedic scriptures and the ancient practice of meditation and pranayama, which all complement Hatha Yoga allowing students to delve deeper into the wisdom of Patanjali, bringing about greater self-knowledge. Yoga is perhaps the most comprehensive form of exercise I have ever come across; its global acceptance has brought about a multi-billion-dollar industry which is transforming society at the grassroots level.

Keerti Mathur is an associate at the Gait and Posture Centre at Harley Street in London and has been practicing Osteopathy for 10 years. He is part of the Art of Living faculty and a keen musician. Under the guidance of Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Keerti worked to set up India's first school of Osteopathic medicine in Sri Sri University Orissa.