As the first light of June 21 filters through Goa’s coconut palms, it marks not just International Yoga Day, but also a deeper call to reconnect with a practice that has shaped India’s spiritual heritage for millennia. Having taught yoga across Goa for the past 25 years in schools, retreats, corporate offices, and village fields, I’ve witnessed how yoga transforms lives, bringing peace to stress, clarity to confusion, and strength to weakness.
Yoga is not merely a physical routine. It is a philosophy of life rooted in ancient Indian wisdom. Its message is universal: unity, balance, and harmony. This year’s theme, “Yoga for Self and Society,” feels especially timely as we face emotional turmoil, environmental crises, and social fragmentation. Yoga offers a timeless solution to modern challenges.
Just 20 minutes a day, some Surya Namaskars, mindful breathing, and stillness can:
· Reduce stress and anxiety
· Improve posture, flexibility, and immunity
· Promote emotional balance
· Aid in chronic pain relief
· Enhance focus and creativity
· Build a resilient mindset
As I often say in my classes, “In yoga, the body finds rhythm, the breath finds music, and the mind finds silence.”
Yoga welcomes everyone, children, professionals, elders regardless of age, body type, or background. In Goan schools, simple breathing and asana routines have helped students manage stress and improve focus. In workplaces, professionals report better clarity and emotional balance after just a few rounds of mindful breathing more effective than coffee or screens.
One of yoga’s greatest messages is this: peace is our nature. It teaches us to return to our inner calm amid fear and division. Rooted in Ahimsa (non-violence), yoga nurtures compassion in thought, word, and action, reminding us we are part of one shared humanity.
Each posture is more than a stretch, it carries a lesson. Tadasana teaches grounding, Vrikshasana teaches balance and Shavasana teaches surrender. Yoga is not about perfecting poses, but about self-acceptance. In the stillness of breath, we remember that we are part of nature, not separate from it. As Goa navigates environmental challenges, yoga can inspire a more conscious, compassionate way of life.
But the real challenge begins after Yoga Day. I urge every Goan to take a 21-day commitment. Start small; morning stretches, a few mindful breaths at night, or a moment of gratitude before meals. Even five minutes a day can bring lasting change.
Final message
After 25 years of teaching yoga in Goa, I’ve seen it transform the shy teenagers into confident speakers, angry professionals into gentle parents, and the anxious into calm souls. Yoga is India’s greatest gift to the world and as Goans, we should embrace it every day, not just once a year.
This Yoga Day, let it be more than a celebration. Let it be a commitment to your well-being, clarity, and inner peace. Roll out your mat, take a deep breath, and begin. The journey is yours.
(The author is a senior yoga instructor based in Goa and has been teaching yoga since 1999.)
