Inside Yoga 200 (3/4/2017)

In December 2016 yoga was added to Unesco’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in recognition of its influence on Indian society, from health and medicine to education and the arts according to the world heritage committee.

Unesco’s statement adds that “the values of yoga form a major part of the community’s ethos.”

The statement also says that yoga is “practised by the young and old without discriminating against gender, class or religion and has also become popular in other parts of the world.”

This is an important statement because it acknowledges what is so special about yoga – that is universal and open to all, without discrimination. This was one of the main reasons I became so interested in yoga – it was relevant and accessible to me as much as it was to a Brahmin priest.

Yoga’s approach and teachings are open to everyone whatever their belief system – whether they are spiritual or secular minded. Whether they are young or old, yoga has a path for everyone.

Yoga might be an ancient practice, more than 4,000 years old, and has survived so many changes in the world, but it is always good to see a modern organisation recognise its importance to not just India but the world.

See Unesco’s site at http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/yoga-01163

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