New Delhi, June 21 -- The Indian Defence Forces celebrated International Yoga Day with great enthusiasm. Several videos of Indian soldiers practicing yoga in uniform were shared online. Army jawans were spotted performing yoga in Pir Panjal, Leh, and Sikkim. This year's International Yoga Day theme is 'Yoga for Self & Society'.

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Indian Armed Forces Participate In International Yoga Day Celebrations - Appalachian News-Express

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Yoga teachers in San Diego are suing the city over its efforts to enforce an ordinance that places limitations on classes taking place at beaches and parks. Earlier this year, the city council approved an amendment to the ordinance that barred yoga classes consisting of four or more people unless the teachers have a permit, which are available only for select beaches and parks. The original regulation, approved in 2022, restricted activities of street vendors in public spaces.

Now, teachers are arguing that this violates their First Amendment rights. Its our right to assemble in a public park. We are just trying to share a practice, explained Steve Hubbard, one of the yoga instructors suing San Diego, in an interview with Yoga Journal.

Yoga teacher Amy Baack had been teaching yoga twice a week at Sunset Cliffs since 2021 until recently. On a Wednesday evening, I showed up to teach my class, and there were three park ranger trucks all parked out on the cliffs, she explained. They told me that we werent allowed to be there anymore.

Similarly, Hubbard was issued citations for teaching beach classes on May 18 and June 1. Ultimately, the two teachers joined together and filed a lawsuit against the city on June 3.

San Diego is one of many cities throughout the country that requires a permit for activities held in public spaces. The specific regulations and fees vary depending on the municipality and the number of attendees.

Hubbard had previously experienced conflict with the city related to leading classes on the beach without a permit. About 11 years ago, they gave me tickets for teaching here [on Pacific Beach] as well. Ive been doing this class for 17 years, and I went to court for those tickets, he said.

At the time, the city didnt allow more than 49 people to gather for a class in the park, said Hubbard. According to the San Diego Municipal Code, commercial permits must be obtained by those who are teaching yoga and fitness classes, although groups of fewer than 50 people who are not engaged in a commercial activity or service do not require a permit.

I told the judge I dont have the right to kick the 50th person out of the park, Hubbard said of the past situation. He agreed with us.

However, the recently amended ordinance brings a different set of regulations. A City of San Diego Parks and Recreation spokesperson told Yoga Journal that the concerns stemmed from increased business activity in the parks and on the beaches since the pandemic. The City saw a proliferation of businesses operating illegally in public spaces, attracting crowds of people and vehicles to areas that were not equipped to accommodate the influx. The situation also impeded access to beach and park areas for residents and visitors, said the spokesperson.

Like most coastal cities, San Diegos Municipal Code (SDMC) regulates commercial activities in City-owned areas to ensure parks, beaches, and public spaces remain safe and accessible to all people at all times, explained the spokesperson.

The SDMC defines commercial activities or services (which are listed together) as the performance of work for others or the provision of intangible items to a group of four persons or more at the same time that cannot be returned once they are provided. Yoga and fitness classes are listed as examples of services.

Baack and Hubbard dispute being lumped into the same category as a business owner or a street vendor. They say their classes are donation-based, free to anyone, and designed for inclusivity.

[Most yoga teachers] dont make much money, so I know what it is to still want to take a class and enjoy a beautiful experienceespecially in a park that we pay taxes for, says Baack. We pay to live in San Diego, to go to the beach. The point of San Diego is to be by the water.

Parisa Pease, ESQ, co-counsel on Hubbard and Baacks case, explained that those who make the least amount of money will be most affected by this new city ordinance. This effectively disproportionately harms the lowest income San Diegans who are denied access to these high-quality community-based classes aimed at improving physical and mental well-being. Not everyone can afford the exorbitant membership fees otherwise needed.

Bryan Pease, ESQ, co-counselor for Hubbard and Baacks case, said they will take legal steps to try to restore yoga in the park. We will be seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the City from preventing the practice of yoga in City parks while the case is pending, says Bryan Pease. Ultimately, winning the case will ensure that people can continue to teach and learn yoga in City parks for free or with optional donations.

In the interim, Hubbard has continued teaching classes via YouTube from his backyard. Sometimes a couple of his students will gather at his old teaching spot, unroll their yoga mats, and stream the class. The people in the park bring a speaker, and just one person goes on their phone and hooks it up to the speaker, he explained.

Baack was gifted space to teach. Jimmys American Tavernlent her its private marina in Point Loma to host her classes. Still, she hopes to return to her old spot with her regulars. Ive had a big loss of the number of students that Im getting, and I just miss everybody, says Baack.

The City of San Diego Parks and Recreation spokesperson says that one fitness teacher has already successfully acquired a permit to teach classes on the shoreline parks. According to The City of San Diego website, more than 60 park locations are available for these permits.

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San Diego Enforced Stricter Regulations on Beach Yoga Classes. These Teachers Are Suing the City. - Yoga Journal

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'Reversed Cancer, Dementia...' Ramdev On International Yoga Day - The Anniston Star

Ohio Universitys WellWorks is offering a six-week series of free outdoor yoga classes to employees and members of the community this summer. Yoga Under the Elms will take place on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the West Portico on College Green beginning July 9.

Were really excited to be able to offer a new yoga program completely free and open to anyone, said Jenn Bennett, executive director of OHIO Wellness and director of WellWorks Wellness Center. Our main goal with this series is to bring people together and get them moving over the summer. Outdoor yoga seemed like a natural fit for our beautiful campus, and I hope people will take advantage of this opportunity.

WellWorks membership and advance registration is not required. Those interested can show up at the West Portico on College Green and sign a waiver with a WellWorks staff member. Yoga mats will not be provided, please bring your own Yoga mat or towel.

Attendance at the entire series not necessary; attend one session or all six. All six sessions are free and open to everyone.

Class will be cancelled due to rain or inclement weather. Follow WellWorks onFacebook for class cancellation announcements.

Yoga Under the Elms

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OHIO employees, community members invited to free Yoga Under the Elms series beginning July 9 - Ohio University

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GroundSwell Surf Cafe opens at Seabrook Beach: Healthy eats and yoga - Seacoastonline.com

It also prevents injury and reduces the likelihood of sprains and strains by strengthening our ligaments and tendons, she adds. Plus, the movements promote good blood flow, which aids in muscle recovery and all-round healing.

Research published in 2016 in the International Journal of Yoga revealed that 10 weeks of yoga practice improved balance and flexibility in college athletes and may therefore enhance the athletic performances that require these characteristics.

Retired American football quarterback Tom Brady, American basketball player LeBron James, former British footballer Ryan Giggs and American tennis player Coco Gauff are among the elite athletes who have incorporated yoga in their training routines.

A study published in August 2020 in the medical journal JAMA Psychiatry found that yoga improves symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder, suggesting that the practice may be useful for people dealing with anxiety.

Chellaram has experienced such benefits first-hand. A relationship break-up in her twenties triggered a bout of melancholy and anxiety. She turned to Western psychiatry and was prescribed anti-anxiety medication, which helped, but soon she started feeling lethargic and unmotivated.

After just a few sessions, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I felt joyful again. I began practising sudarshan kriya daily and eventually weaned myself off my anti-anxiety medication. This technique is still integral to my daily yoga practice, Chellaram says.

Diva Chugani, a certified yoga teacher in Hong Kong, has clients who have overcome depression and anxiety with yoga.

They tell me that yoga cheers them up and makes them feel whole again, she says.

Chugani says yoga has helped improve the quality of life for many clients suffering from chronic pain.

In 2017, The American College of Physicians recommended yoga as a first-line treatment for lower back pain, ahead of pain medication.

For one, it gets you moving, and regular physical activity is known to keep the heart healthy.

By doing yoga for 30 minutes every other day for 16 weeks, people with afib were better able to manage their symptoms and reduce their number of afib episodes, according to the study.

Breathing is a core element of yoga, so practising yoga regularly can help you become more aware of your breathing and how it affects your mind and body. A study published in 2019 in the journal Psychiatry pointed out that deep breathing may help treat insomnia, as it reduces tension, assists with relaxation and improves sleep.

Melatonin helps control how and when we sleep.

Regular physical activity is known to help induce sleepiness and improve sleep quality. Doing gentle yoga in the evening hours may help you fall asleep faster and encourage a deeper state of relaxation.

Yoga can keep our brain healthy and young.

The researchers found that kundalini yoga, which focuses on breathwork and meditation more than physical poses, restored neural pathways, prevented brain matter decline and helped reverse signs of ageing and inflammation in the brain.

There is also evidence that doing yoga just once or twice a week boosts brain performance in ways that are similar to aerobic exercise. A review published in 2019 in the journal Brain Plasticity found that regular yoga practice may positively affect key areas of the brain that are responsible for memory and information processing as well as emotional regulation.

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6 yoga benefits backed by science, from pain relief to better sleep - South China Morning Post

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'Reversed Cancer, Dementia...' Ramdev On International Yoga Day - The Elkhart Truth

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Indian Armed Forces Participate In International Yoga Day Celebrations - The Elkhart Truth

ByZarafshan Shiraz, New Delhi

The International Day of Yoga or World Yoga Day is observed on June 21, every year, to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of practicing Yoga and encourage people around the world to adopt a healthier lifestyle. It serves as a reminder of the importance of physical and mental well-being and highlights the role of Yoga in achieving that balance.

On this day, various events, workshops and yoga sessions are organised worldwide, which aim to promote Yoga as a means to enhance physical fitness, relieve stress, improve mental health and foster a sense of peace and unity among individuals. The International Day of Yoga has witnessed widespread participation and support from people worldwide and has become a platform for promoting the practice of Yoga, raising awareness about its benefits and fostering a sense of unity and well-being among individuals across borders and cultures.

It has become an opportunity for people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to come together and embrace the practice of Yoga as a unifying force. Though the International Day of Yoga is observed on June 21 every year, Yoga is practiced and celebrated throughout the year by millions of people worldwide and as we mark the annual celebrations this Friday, here are some of the best SMS, images, WhatsApp messages, quotes, wishes and Facebook status to wish family and friends a Happy International Yoga Day:

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.

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Happy International Yoga Day 2024: 25 best SMS, images, WhatsApp messages, quotes, wishes, Facebook status to share - Hindustan Times

On the frontlines of the Ukraine war, the country's soldiers were seen rolling out their mats to participate in yoga, according to a report by The Times of India.

Claiming that yoga has helped him transform his life, the commander, aged 37, at the post of the 225th Separate Assault Brigade amongst the soldiers said, "Before the beginning of the full-scale war, back in 2014, I was drafted into infantry operations, and I hurt my spine."

According to TOI, he further said, "I started practicing yoga regularly in 2016. All my problems disappeared", adding that yoga helps with his responsibilities in the war.

The young commander also said, "I always try to do asanas, pranayama and I read the 'Hare Krishna Mahamantra'. It helps me have better control over my emotions and plan things in my duty."

The war-hit Ukraine is witnessing a rise in yoga awareness for better healing, wellness and recovery among its population.

With some special forces units of the Ukrainian Army including yoga in their training, several projects have been started to support the Ukrainian teachers who have been teaching yoga and to help those who have been dealing with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2021, a 'Healthy Ukraine' programme was started to encourage the ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice.

During 'Active Parks' - a project under the initiated programme - public parks were transformed into fitness clubs where instructors or teachers would organise and hold free yoga training classes.

According to TOI, Elena Siderska, who was accountable for boosting yoga in the project said, "The response for yoga was overwhelming. Active Parks now supports studios and clubs that work with trauma, PTSD and rehabilitation of soldiers."

According to the publication, a master of yoga and Elena's father, Andrii Siderskyi claimed that yoga's roots have been in his country for a long time saying, "Actually people in Ukraine came in contact with yoga as far back as the 19th century. But after the revolution of 1917 and the Ukrainian Republic, it was little bit lost. However, following the World War II, Kyiv, Odessa and Kharkiv became some of the main centres of yoga in the Soviet era."

Siderskyi also said, "We combined specific pranayama sequences with asana sequences that we found most effective for our conditions. I believe this saved thousands of lives and helped people recover quickly during Covid."

One person named Yullia Denisova who was helping injured Ukrainian comrades at four different rehabilitation centres and also works at the 'Fierce Calm', says, "Yoga nidra and pranayama have had huge benefits for war veterans dealing with sleep disorders, PTSD and those with amputation related problems."

According to the publication, while describing how the medieval practice helped a double amputee soldier, Denisova said, "Nazar was initially unsure about yoga. He said I have come to just watch. But session after session he got into it. Finally, after a session of yoga nidra, he fell into deep sleep. After he woke up, he said it was the best sleep he ever had."

She added, "I, as a Ukrainian, can't thank India enough for giving the world and keeping this wonderful ancient knowledge."

According to TOI, another person named Velaeria Samborskaya, who runs a crowd-funded project to encourage yoga for trauma-sensitive people in Ukraine, says, "We have seen affected soldiers being fearful of going near parks because they were injured in forested areas on the frontline. But after a few sessions of yoga, especially pranayama, they are able to overcome their mental trauma."

Samborsakaya also said, "In the first year of the war, we needed physical things, good housing, etc. After two years, we now need to deal with the mental repercussions of this war and what it is doing to our society. Yogic exercises, especially pranayama, are a huge boon for us now."

Published 22 June 2024, 09:14 IST

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Ukrainian soldiers put their faith in yoga for healing, wellness and recovery in frontline of war: Report - Deccan Herald