The eternal wisdom of Yoga: A self-purification journey

Yoga, a profound legacy of India's ancient Rishi-Munis, continues to be a guiding light for seekers of health, peace, and inner transformation.

- SHARDA BHATI

Rooted in spiritual insight and natural discipline, yoga was developed as a sacred practice to unite the body, mind, and soul. Alongside yoga, naturopathy, a system that heals through nature, offers a powerful complement. Together, these time-honored traditions provide holistic well-being in an increasingly stressful and fragmented world.

June 21st marks International Yoga Day, a global celebration of this ancient science. Recognized by the United Nations in 2014, the day is a reminder of yoga's universal relevance and its power to heal, uplift, and transform.

THE INNER CHURNING OF YOGA In yogic tradition, the practice of yoga is seen as a continuous inner churning—a symbolic journey of self-purification. Just as the mythical ocean was churned to reveal divine treasures, yoga churns the inner self, revealing physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual insight.

In the ancient story of Samudra Manthan, Mount Mandara served as the churning rod and the serpent Vasuki as the rope, held by both gods and demons—representing dualities such as positive and negative energies. Similarly, in yoga practice, the navel becomes the center of this churning, and our breath acts as the tool. Each controlled breath in pranayama helps balance these energies and leads to a deeper sense of awareness and strength.