India pushing to get yogasana recognised as Olympic sport

India pushing to get yogasana recognised as Olympic sport

Sub: History

Sec: Art and culture

Context: India is working towards getting yogasana recognised as an Olympic sport before India hosts the games possibly in 2036.

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• India aims to have yogasana recognized as an Olympic sport by 2036, aligning potentially with hosting the games.
• The Ayush ministry is working with the Sports ministry to launch a Yogasana Super League later this year.
• Yogasana has been distinguished from yoga’s spiritual aspects and recognized as a separate sport by the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry.
• It has already been integrated into various national sports events including Khelo India, university games, and school games.
• The Ayush ministry is developing an AI-based system to ensure accurate assessment of yogasana performances.
• Efforts are ongoing to explore yogasana practices in space and understand their benefits for astronauts’ physical and mental well-being.

Background of Yogasana Recognition:

• Yogasana is deeply rooted in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, focusing on physical postures and breath control for holistic health.
• Formal recognition by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as a competitive sport aims to modernize and introduce Yogasana into mainstream sports.

Inclusion in Khelo India and University Games:

• Yogasana will be introduced as a competitive discipline in Khelo India, a national sports development program.
• University games will also feature Yogasana, providing a platform for collegiate-level competition and talent scouting.

Events in Competitive Yogasana:

• Competitive Yogasana will encompass various events: traditional, artistic, rhythmic, and free flow.
• Traditional Yogasana emphasizes precision in classic postures, while artistic and rhythmic forms allow for creativity and synchronization.
• Free flow Yogasana highlights dynamic transitions between postures.

Benefits of Yogasana as a Competitive Sport:

• Encourages youth participation in physical fitness and well-being.
• Creates career opportunities in teaching, coaching, and sports therapy related to Yogasana.
• Potential international recognition could lead to inclusion in global sporting events.

Future Prospects of Yogasana Competitions:

• Development of structured training programs and standardized competition rules.
• Establishment of national and state-level championships.
• Accreditation system for Yogasana institutes and promotion of research and development in the field.

By focusing on these points, India aims to elevate Yogasana from a traditional practice to a respected and competitive sport on both national and international stages.

• Yoga school, founded by the Sage Patanjali, is one of the orthodox schools in Indian philosophy.
• It presents a method of physical and mental discipline. Yogic techniques control the body, mind, and sense organs, and are thus thought to be a means of achieving freedom or mukti. Yoga acknowledges God’s existence as a teacher and guide.

Patanjali’s Yoga-Sutras consist of four parts.

These are:  i) Samadhipada ii) Sadhanapada iii) Vibhutipada iv) Kaivalyapada

The first part deals with the introduction to the nature and methods of yoga in its various forms. It describes the various modifications of the organs including citta which is an internal organ of human being.

The second part explains the causes of suffering and how to eradicate them. It talks about the law of karma and human bondage.

The third part elucidates the concept how to achieve the supra-normal powers and in which ways yoga helps it. The last or the final part describes the nature of liberation and spiritual union with the supreme soul/self.