Fourth international yoga day was celebrated on June 21, 2018, with the theme of "Yoga for Peace" at the Thamel Eco Resort premises in Kathmandu. This year’s event with the theme of peace as its main focus was jointly organized by the Nepal Yoga Association and Lions Club of Kathmandu Spiritual with participation from various interfaith communities from within Nepal and abroad.
This year’s event shows the large gathering and participation of people drawing from a cross-section of society who unanimously concluded that the benefits of Yoga in this age far transcended the personal health benefits, bringing about mental peace and inner happiness.
Speaking on the occasion, many Yoga Gurus highlighted the manifold benefits brought about by the practice of Yoga and Aasana. Demonstrating hundreds of Yoga Aasanas the Yoga Gurus appealed the audience to benefit from the practice of this ancient method tofbringing about the integration of mind, body, and soul.
21st June is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The first International Yoga Day was observed all over the world on June 21, 2015, to coincide this event with the celestial alignment of many a planets and galaxies.
Yoga is a simple ancient eastern philosophy and the word is originated from Sanskrit which means to join or unite - symbolizing the union of body and consciousness which seems more significant to the modern world we are living in.
Rig Veda - one of the most ancient Hindu scriptures mentions the importance of Yoga practice as follow:
"Yoga is an invaluable gift of an ancient tradition for all. It embodies the unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness within yourself, the world and nature."
"Some scriptures say that Shiva was the founder of yoga while Parvati was his first disciple. In the 6th Century BC, Buddha’s influence brought meditation to the fore. In Rig Veda, Yoga is the art of yoking yourself with the spiritual rays of the Dawn, the Uṣas, which is facilitated by Indra."
Yoga Guru, Dr. Chintamani Gautam and Dr. Subodha Simkhada taught to the participants at the hotel Thamel Eco Resort premises and celebrated the event marking the conclusion of forth international yoga day in Nepal.
On this very occasion, Mr. Mohan Lamsal, Managing Director at Makalu Adventure and President of Nepal Yoga Association, highlighted the manifold benefits of Yoga practice. Mr. Lamsal dwelt in length about the importance of integrating our mind, body, and spirit which are the direct benefits or daily Yoga practice. Mr. Lamsal also highlighted about the prospect of linking the Yoga and meditation in tourism sector so as to create greater awareness about the benefits of this ancient discipline and expressed his readiness to do anything that was required to integrate Yoga in Tourism sector which could benefit not only to the individuals but to the whole country from where the science of Yoga first emerged fourth.
