Since 2015, International Yoga Day has been celebrated on 21 June. Here are 10 things you might not know about yoga:
The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit and means ‘union’ or ‘to unite’. It’s related to the English word “yoke”. Male yoga practitioners are known as ‘yogis’, female practitioners are known as ‘yoginis’.
The practice dates back to at least 1500 BCE when it was mentioned in the Rigveda, a collection of 1,028 poems discussing sacred rituals and mantras for priests.
300 million people practice yoga worldwide. 72% are female and the most common age group is between 30 and 49. There doesn’t seem to be an upper age limit. I found references to a Guinness World Record of 85 for the oldest yoga teacher, and other mentions of active yoga teachers who were over 100 years old.
Originally, however, yoga was only for men. Women were only allowed in after the revered teacher Krishnamacharya allowed his wife to join practices, around 1937.
How many poses are there? The official number is 84, although some sources say there are as many as 200.
The poses are only one aspect of yoga. Meditation, breathing and lifestyle (living a life of meaning, purpose and kindness) are also important. Ancient yogis believed that each person had an allotted number of breaths which is why breath control and breathing exercises are part of it.
There are plenty of studies confirming the health benefits of yoga, saying it can reduce chronic pain, improve mental well-being, aid in weight loss, lower blood pressure and slow down the ageing process. However, it’s still possible to injure yourself. In 2006, there was a reported 4,450 injuries related to yoga.
Surveys show 67% of yoga practitioners prefer to do yoga in their homes rather than at a gym or a class. 32% favour practising yoga outside.
The largest yoga lesson ever was held in India, in the State of Rajasthan in 2018. It was held outdoors and 100,984 people took part.
There are many different styles of yoga. There are the traditional types like tantra, ashtanga, sivananda and hatha, but in modern times many more ways of doing yoga have developed, including rocket yoga, Laughter yoga, aerial yoga, equine yoga, Goat yoga, paddleboard yoga, broga (a style developed specifically for men), Beer yoga and silent disco yoga. Since 2002 it has been possible to practice yoga (or should I say doga) with your Dog, or naked. Practising yoga in the buff is said to encourage appreciation and body acceptance.
Character birthdays
Sienna Johannesjaegervitch, princess of Galorvia.
This date is also the fake birthday chosen by Violet Parker.
Who's That Girl?
Matt Webster lives in a tower block and attends a failing school. He dreams of being a spy like James Bond. Little does he know that he is being watched by someone who can make him into even more than that – a superhero.
His first solo mission is to attend a ball at the Decembrian Embassy and discover who is planning to steal a priceless diamond. While there, he meets the mysterious Lady Antonia du Cane, and is powerfully drawn to her. It soon becomes clear, however, that Lady du Cane is not what she seems. Matt’s quest to discover who she really is almost costs him his career.
A modern day Guy Fawkes gathers a coterie around him with the aim of blowing up Parliament with a nuclear bomb. To achieve this, they need money. Lots of it. Selling the Heart of Decembria Diamond will provide more than enough. All that stands in their way is the Freedom League – but the League is beset by internal disagreements. Can the heroes put their differences aside in time to save the day?
Prime Minister Richard Miller and his wife Fiona grieve for their daughter, Yasmin, who has been missing for three years, and is presumed to be dead. Viper agent Violet Parker could hold the key to what happened to Yasmin, but Violet is accused of giving away the organisation’s secrets. She is to be executed without trial. Will she take her knowledge of what happened to Yasmin with her to her grave?
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