UNESCO - declares Yoga a human treasure

                


In an article in Yoga Rahasya information was given on how special this declaration is for India and Yoga.

It was December 2nd, 2016 when UNESCO declared YOGA a human treasure. The official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said, "In a diplomatic triumph for India, the Inter- Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed Yoga in UNESCO's Representative List as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity."


There is very rigorous criteria set out to have this designation. Here is a link to the pdf laying out the criteria if you would like to have a read. https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/00031-EN.pdf


The links below are just a few online articles in newspapers after the declaration was made. If you do a search you can find many more.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/yoga-in-unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage-list-116120101359_1.html



http://www.rediff.com/news/report/yoga-enters-unescos-list-of-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity/20161201.htm


This declaration says that yoga is "based on unifying the mind with the body and soul to allow for greater mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing." 

Also, that Yoga is, "practiced by the young and old without discriminating against gender, class or religion and has also become popular in other parts of the world."


It was at UNESCO on December 11th, 2014 that it was decreed that June 21st would become International Yoga Day. The first celebration of this was June 21, 2015 after the announcement was made by the Prime Minister of India - Narendra Modi.

Iyengar Yoga from what I understand played a large part in helping make this declaration happen.  This achievement helps ensure that the purity and integrity of yoga is protected.


I will be offering a yoga class by donation on June 21, 2017 at the Christopher Lake Nature Area - Circle of Life. Proceeds will go to promoting  youth yoga classes. If you are able to attend please let me know.

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.blogspot.complnyogastudio@gmail.com