Each year, International Yoga Day arrives on June 21st, bringing with it a global celebration of India’s ancient and profound gift to the world. From serene mountaintops in the Himalayas to bustling city parks in New York, millions roll out their mats in reverence to what they believe is yoga. Yet, beneath the graceful stretches and synchronized breaths lies a science so deep, so spiritually vast, that most only scratch the surface.
The time has come to reclaim the true essence of yog, which lies not merely in a set of physical postures, but in a sacred science that harmonizes body, mind, and soul. This International Yoga Day, let us undertake this inner journey of self-discovery, transformation, and unity as that is where the real celebration begins.
More Than Just Postures
Interestingly, the term "yoga," as popularly used, does not exist in the Vedic scriptures. The original Sanskrit word is “yog,” which means “to unite.”
But unite what?
In the spiritual context, yog signifies the union of the jīvātmā (individual soul) with the Paramātmā (Supreme Soul).
The Garuda Purān beautifully defines it:
saṁyogo yoga ityukto jīvātmā paramātmanoḥ
“The union of the individual soul with God is yog.”
In contrast, modern interpretations often reduce yog to a fitness regimen—a way to lose weight, tone muscles, or de-stress. While these are certainly the by-products of yog, the goal is far more exalted.
Yog is a rational and time-tested discipline that empowers seekers to conquer the turbulent mind, purify the heart, and redirect their consciousness towards God. As Saint Augustine once said: “Our heart is restless, O Lord! And it shall continue to remain restless until it comes to rest in Thee.” True yog calms that restlessness by stilling the mind and elevating the soul.
Thus, it is not about aligning the body; it is about aligning the mind with the Divine. Without this inward turn, the spiritual hunger of the soul remains unaddressed. When yog is reduced to a workout routine, it may tone the body but leaves the soul yearning for something deeper, transcendental—something eternal.
Today, many yoga studios focus almost exclusively on the physical aspect of yog. The inner dimension—especially the role of thoughts our mind generates—remains largely unexplored. However, Vedic scriptures have, for millennia, emphasized the power of thoughts.
Every thought we think leaves an imprint on our subtle body. Over time, these impressions influence our physical health, emotional state, and spiritual evolution. If the mind is neglected, then any science for the nourishment and evolution of the personality will be incomplete and only partially effective. True peace begins with purifying the thoughts in our mind. As long as the mind is clouded by vices like anger, greed, lust, or envy, outer harmony remains elusive. Thus, inner purification is the very heart of spiritual practice—the essence of authentic yog.
Yogic View of Holistic Health
While nurturing the mind has utmost significance, the body is not to be ignored. It is the vehicle through which we practice yog. Even the Bhagavad Gita underscores the importance of balance and moderation:
nātyaśhnatastu yogo’sti na chaikāntam anaśhnataḥ na chāti-svapna-śhīlasya jāgrato naiva chārjuna ~ Verse 6.16
“O Arjun, those who eat too much or too little, sleep too much or too little, cannot attain success in Yog.”
Yog advocates for balance—not merely in postures, but in lifestyle. The World Health Organization defines health as “complete physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being,” advocating that wholeness encompasses the inner and outer dimensions of life. This view resonates deeply with the Vedic approach to life. The yogic tradition recognizes that our personality operates on multiple levels. Yogic practices are designed to harmonize all these layers.
The outermost is the annamaya kosh, the physical sheath. To strengthen it, there are asanas. Unlike exercises that work only on the muscles, yogasanas work on the organs, nerves, and glands, and alter the electro-chemical activity in the nervous system. They increase the oxygen in the blood, control bodily temperature, and regulate metabolism. Deeper within is the prānamaya kosh, the vital energy sheath. To nourish this layer, the ancient rishis gave us prānāyām. These are specific breathing techniques that regulate our life-force energy. In fact, prānāyām is considered even more beneficial than physical postures. Beyond these, is the manomaya kosh, the mental sheath. Yog particularly deep dives into this realm of thoughts, emotions, and desires. This is where true healing begins.
The Yoga Vasistha recounts a telling episode.
When Bhagavan Ram toured Ayodhya, He was disheartened to see many of the citizens suffering from ailments. Moved by compassion, He approached Maharshi Vasistha and inquired about the root cause of disease. The sage’s reply was enlightening: “All disease begins in the mind.” The mind has an undeniable influence on the body. Through mere thoughts, we can raise or lower our heartbeat and blood pressure. We can induce healing or generate disease.
Disruptive, unwholesome thoughts disturb the manomaya kosh, this disturbance then seeps into the prānamaya kosh and eventually manifests as illness in the physical body. Hence, to celebrate yog truly, we must also care for our mental hygiene. That is why meditation—the art of focusing and stilling the mind—is an essential component of yog.
The physical postures of yog, called āsanas, have gained immense popularity, and rightly so. Modern science now acknowledges that a good health regimen must include stretching, cardio, balance, and inversions—all of which are naturally embedded in yogāsanas. Yet their true power lies not just in toning muscles but in releasing knots: both physical and mental. For instance, emotional stress can manifest as physical tension in the neck, face, or spine. Yogāsanas help untangle these knots, restoring smooth energy flow. When āsanas are practiced alongside prānāyām and meditation, they purify not only the channels of the body but also the mind, leading to inner calm and joy. This is why yogāsanas are effective in treating chronic illnesses like asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, and even diabetes—conditions that modern medicine often struggles to cure holistically.
From Viyog to Yog: A Return to Wholeness
As we explore the depths of yog, we begin to understand the profound shift it offers—from a life of separation and suffering to one of unity and wholeness. For in essence, it is a journey back to our true nature.
In our current state of material consciousness, we are in viyog: disunion or separation (the opposite of yog or union). We have turned our backs to the Divine, forgetting our spiritual identity. This forgetfulness, compounded over lifetimes, has led us to identify with the body, which is only a a temporary vessel composed of blood, mucus, and bone. In this bodily conception, we engage in bhog—indulgence in material pleasures. And the consequence of bhog is rog—disease, imbalance, and suffering.
What then is the solution?
To reverse the process. To move from viyog back to yog. To turn inward, purify the mind, and once again unite with the Divine. This turning inward, this spiritual homecoming, is the true purpose of yog.
Inspired by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, the organization JKYog was established to spread the true vision of yog—not just for the body, but also for the mind and soul. Its mission is to help people adopt these time-tested techniques in their daily life—as a lifestyle. Even a short daily practice, if done sincerely, can lead to profound transformation. The techniques of āsanas, prānāyām, subtle body relaxation, and meditation, when practiced together, harmonize the entire human mechanism: body, senses, mind, intellect, and soul.
What Makes Jagadguru Kripalu Yog Unique?
Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog blends both material and spiritual techniques from the eternal sciences of the Vedic scriptures. It is a complete system of yog, including five Vedic disciplines for mind-management and exemplary physical health. These five disciplines are:
- Radhey Shyam Yogasanas
- Radhey Naam Pranayam
- Subtle Body Relaxation
- Roop Dhyān, or Meditation on the form of God
- Science of Proper Diet
Yogic techniques have been practiced in India for millennia. However, the role of the mind, which is the basis of elevation and degradation of a person, was not emphasized.
In Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog, each of its five sciences is practiced with focus on purifying and elevating the mind with the help of spiritual techniques. When the mind is purified and imbued with divine consciousness, it gives a deep satisfaction and experience of bliss at the level of the soul. If practiced sincerely, JKYog system of Yog leads to the harmonization of the mind-body-soul, a feeling of wellbeing from within, and the attainment of true Yog, or union of the individual soul with God.
Founded by Swami Mukundananda, Prem Yoga Academy serves as a vibrant hub for the yoga community worldwide. The academy provides a platform for yoga teachers and practitioners to deepen their understanding of JKYog system of Yog.
Conclusion: A Meaningful Celebration
So how should we truly celebrate International Yoga Day?
By honoring the full depth of yog—as a divine science that heals the body, calms the mind, and elevates the soul. By going beyond the postures and embracing the principles. By remembering that yog is not something we do for an hour a day, but a state of being—a continuous journey towards union with the Supreme.
Let us not settle for fragments when we have access to the complete science. On this International Yoga Day, let us resolve to awaken the ancient wisdom within us. Let us move from viyog to yog—from separation to union, and from restlessness to inner peace and divine love.
Because the real celebration of Yoga Day… begins within.
Take the Next Step on Your Yogic Journey
Read illuminating books by Swami Mukundananda:
● Yoga for the Body, Mind & Soul, a comprehensive treatise on Yoga, Mediation, and Pranayam.
● Science of Healthy Diet combines Vedic wisdom with modern scientific knowledge to help you achieve optimal health and well-being.
Become a Certified Yoga Teacher: Join the JKYog Prem Yoga Teacher Training, which combines Bhakti, Gyan, and Karma Yog to foster holistic health and instil divine love in the heart to serve humanity through devotion.
Join the Family Camp: Immerse yourself in the eye-opening spiritual discourses by Swami Mukundananda, along with meditation sessions, kirtans and more at Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas from 4th to 10th July. Let the devotional atmosphere awaken a deep connection with the Divine. Register here.
Resources
● Yoga Week Message | Swami Mukundananda | JKYog India
● International Day of Yoga | Yoga for Joyful Living - Special Address by Swami Mukundananda
● What Can Yoga do for Your Body? | Holistic Health with Yoga | International Yoga Day
● Spiritual Dialectics by Swami Mukundananda