In 2014, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, had suggested in his United Nations address that June 21 should be dedicated to Yoga considering it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Since its inception, people across the world are celebrating International Yoga Day. Bollywood celebrities, who swear by yoga to stay fit and healthy, have shared posts performing their favourite asanas. Not just this, they are inspiring their fans to practice yoga as the world battles COVID-19.
Shilpa Shetty, a fitness advocate, shared a video and wrote, "Happy World Yoga Day. BREATHE… it’s THE most important function that the body performs. Breathing right helps provide oxygen to the organs to perform all the crucial processes, from cognition to digestion to strengthening the immune system. So, on World Yoga Day, let’s start by practicing the Bhramari Pranayama. It helps generate up to 15% more nitric oxide through the vibrations of the humming sound, ‘Aum’. This, in turn, helps early recovery and healing from Covid-19. Spare a few minutes to focus on your breathing today with the Bhramari Pranayama. It relaxes the mind and lowers stress, while improving concentration and alleviating anxiety. Tag 3 friends who MUST start their day by breathing right. Tab tak, swasth raho, mast raho!"
Alia Bhatt shared a video and wrote, "Happy happy yoga day."
Sara Ali Khan shared a picture and said, "Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. Happy International Yoga Day."
Riddhima Kapoor Sahni shared multiple pictures and videos of performing yoga asanas with her mother Neetu Kapoor and daughter Samara Sahni. She wrote, "If there is one thing, we have learnt in this pandemic, is the importance of physical and mental well being. And working towards health goals have never been so relevant. Hence, it is no suprise, the theme of this year's, International Yoga Day 2021, is 'Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family'. To celebrate Yoga's holistic approach and to promote physical and mental health, but within constraints of social distancing, we practised yoga, as a family - Three generations together today! We wish you a happy world yoga day!"
Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a throwback picture on her Instagram stories.
Madhuri Dixit, Amitabh Bachchan and Rakul Preet Singh also wished their fans on International Yoga Day.
(Source: Instagram)