On Tuesday, 21st June, 2016, we celebrate the 2nd International Yoga Day (IYD). The idea was first proposed by PM Narendra Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, where he stated, “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. This tradition is 5,000 years old. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well-being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.” He suggested the date of ‘June 21’ to commemorate IYD, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares special significance in many parts of the world.

Wellness expert and yoga aficionado, Dr. Mickey Mehta, who will be leading the Maharashtra contingent in partnership with Shaina NC’s ‘I love Mumbai’ initiative, has set a world record by initiating 70,000 people into yoga as a way of life, since the first IYD. He invites Zoroastrians to partake in this global movement of divine wellness and to be present by 6:15 a.m. at Marine Drive (Opp. Ambassador Hotel, South Mumbai) if you wish to be accommodated in the VIP enclosure amongst VIPs including Chief Guest, CM Devendra Fadnavis, Bollywood, TV and Sports celebrities and politicians. All are invited to celebrate and reinforce the PM’s vision of making yoga our biggest global export.

Parsi Times catches up with Dr. Mickey Mehta who shares valuable insights into yoga and its benefits.

PT: How did yoga come into being?
Mickey: Thousands of years ago, our saints wandered in forests, observing nature, decoding the language of flora and fauna, enriching themselves with this unparalleled wisdom by imitating the breathing, postures and structures of animals, birds and plants. This gave birth to yoga – the supreme healing phenomenon.

PT: Why do we need to include yoga in our lifestyle today?
Mickey: Yoga is a philosophy, a way of life and a physical activity. Yoga answers every human problem and challenge. Today, most of us are riddled with stress and negative emotions, which triggers all kinds of diseases. The mental unrest manifests in the physical form. Yoga corrects all that from its very roots.

PT: What is the main benefit of yoga?
Mickey: Yoga sets right your circadian rhythm, synchronizes you with the universal pulse and flow. Yoga orchestrates all corrective, healing and evolutionary processes.

PT: Which of yoga’s two streams – meditational (sedentary) or physical – must one follow.
Mickey: For overall and holistic wellbeing, both these yogic aspects should be practiced together.

PT: What is the right method to practice yoga?
Mickey: Early morning is ideal for doing yoga. Beginners should start slow. Yoga is learnt better under guidance and supervision. An hour daily will yield optimum results.

PT: Which diet is best suited for Yoga?
Mickey: Satvik food is ideal for mankind and its appropriate evolution, which is natural, wholesome, vegetarian food.

PT: What message would you like to share with our readers on IYD?
Mickey: Sleep every night with a wish to heal yourself, wake up every morning with a promise to heal the world. Get Mickeymized and join me in this wellness revolution on June 21st, IYD.