As the longest day of the year 21 June comes calling with the International Yoga Day declared by United Nations Organisation two years ago, people of over 177 nations who had unanimously consented for the observation will collectively do Surya Namaskar — a combo of 12 body postures meant for physical well-being at their places — a look at how this third limb of Ashtang yoga has grown into a multi-billion dollar yoga industry worldwide.
Though the Ashtang yoga propounded by sage Patanjali of yore emphasise on eight folded path to enlightenment — Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahar, Dhyana, Dharna, Samadhi but Asana and Pranayama are the most popular ways practised by yoga schools across the world. The declaration of this International Yoga Day has further given boost to the Yoga which is much commercialised in the Western countries and has grown over to 80 billion dollar industry including yoga apparels and accessories, says a survey.
True, this Yoga originating from the Sanskrit word —‘Yuj’ has connected the entire humanity and the wellness industry into one big family — ‘Vasudev Katumbakum’. The wellness industry in India is worth 490 billion rupees, says a Government of India report issued by the AYUSH department and the AYUSH sector which includes Ayurveda (products made from herbs), Yoga, Unani, Sidha, Naturopathy and Homeopathy has 120 billion rupees turnover.
Pitched as the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh has hundreds of yoga centres and ashrams which publicise for residential yoga retreats offering courses ranging from 100 to 500 hours. Wellness packages are given by tours and travel agents which book visitor delegations from different countries online and charge in US dollars. Speaking to The Pioneer, a travel agent company owner Subhash Verma says, “The spiritual tourism is fast catching up in the twin cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh. Over the past few years when there were only a few ashrams giving yoga training sessions, it was almost free to learn Yoga but now at any part of the year, one can book one’s Certified Teacher Training courses.” The annual yoga festival in Rishikesh, held every year from March 1 to 7, beckons yoga enthusiasts from over 80 countries. “This year we had Yogacharyas and participants from 100 nations from across the world at IYF-2017,” said Sadhwi Bhagwati, president of Divine Shakti Foundation. An average amount paid by a yoga practitioner for 8- day programme is from 74.49 to 683.49 US dollars, depending upon the number of days one spends in the festival.
Yogacharya Tribhuvan Joshi says, “On this yoga day, we are heavily booked by different organisations. Manav Dharma organization of Satpal Maharaj even pays to the Yogacharyas for the massive yoga show conducted on 21 June. These days Yogacharyas also earn their living by teaching ailing people the specific poses going to their places. It has become a well- paying profession of Yoga therapists.”