Yoga world hails UN move on Yoga Day, praises Modi

New Delhi, Dec 12: Yoga experts around India -- its birthplace -- Friday hailed the UN decision to declare June 21 as the International Yoga Day, saying it would greatly boost the ancient Indian science. Several experts and yoga practitioners also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the initiative to persuade the international body to embrace yoga. "We are very excited and happy. It will help in the promotion of yoga within India in a big way," Pratibha Agarwal, one of India's few teachers registered by Yoga Alliance, USA, told IANS in Hyderabad. Keshava Taylor of Ananda Sangha, a Canadian who has taught Kriya Yoga in India since 2003, told IANS: "With the science of yoga and self-realization, India has made the greatest contribution to mankind's evolution. It is indeed gratifying to see such widespread acknowledgement of her gift. "In the practice of yoga, and especially meditation, lies the solutions to our world's greatest problems. Change in society starts with transforming ourselves from within. Yoga shows the way." It is a point Modi too made after 175 out of 193 members of the UN agreed Wednesday to declare the International Yoga Day, saying the benefits of practising yoga would benefit people's health. An elated Modi said: "This will inspire many more people towards yoga. Yoga has the power to bring the entire humankind together. It beautifully combines Gyan (knowledge), Karm (work) and Bhakti (devotion)."