Happy International Yoga Day

“Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action ... a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”  

- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -

International Yoga Day has been celebrated on 21st June each year since 2015, following the initial proposal made by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi in 2014. There is something really magical about yoga, don’t you agree? I've always found inner peace at the end of a yoga class no matter how crazy my life felt and that’s what made me go back to the class again and again. In fact, when I first discovered yoga in 2008, my life was a bit of mess! I was in the last semester of uni and I broke up with my long-term boyfriend who I was living together with (what a timing, I know!). So I was feeling pretty empty and trying to fill what felt like a massive hole inside me. Yoga played a big part in my healing and helped me feel like I was myself again and made me feel I was whole and complete (without him).

As per the word of the Indian Prime Minister, yoga is way more than just a physical exercise. Physical, mental and emotional benefits yoga have on your health and wellbeing are invaluable. We carry so much tension in our body whether it’s from sitting in front of screen, driving or carrying our little one. If we don't have skills to consciously let it go, we keep accumulating it in our body. Physical stress will also affect our mental and emotional states, as they are all interrelated. Once we feel relaxed in our body, our mind and heart relax as well. I feel yoga practice allows me to be more in tune with myself so I can be more in tune with others around me. It helps me create a better relationship with myself so I can have a better relationship with others around me as well as the Mother Earth.

Today, I practice yoga for different reasons. I go to my mat to be a better mum for my daughter. Being a mother is such a special and rewarding experience, but I must also admit it’s much more challenging than what I initially expected. Being there for my daughter, holding space for her to express her changing emotions while being fully present requires skilful attention. Parenting has gifted me opportunities for my spiritual growth. Becoming mother has helped me learn more about myself and gave me clarity as to what kind of mother I wanna be.

I’d like to take this moment to send my gratitude to all incredible teachers I had opportunities to study with – my very first teacher, Sarah Owen and her teachers, Sarah Powers and Allan Wallace just to mention a few. To say that yoga and mindfulness changed my life would be a complete understatement. I have no idea how I would have coped pregnancy, birth and beyond without all the tools I have now. They've become the way I live my life.

Going to a yoga class once a week, attending a workshop once a month, attending a retreat once a year is all wonderful but it’s when you make yoga and mindfulness a part of your daily ritual real magic happens. There is always more power in what we do every day rather than what we do every once in a while. You cannot get the best results out of something that you do randomly or inconsistently. Daily self-care practice of yoga & mindfulness is one of the secrets to your optimal health & wellbeing.

I invite you to join me on this International Yoga Day on 21st June 2023 to explore a short, simple & sustainable practice you can easily do from the comfort of your own home. I want this event to be the reason why you get back into yoga. This is a very special class that only happens once a year. Hit the link below to find out more and register your spot today. 

FREE online event

Online Yoga with Chika on International Yoga Day

1:30pm-2pm on Wednesday 21st June 2023 (AEST)

https://www.wayoga.com.au/international-yoga-day-2023

About Chika

Chika is the founder of Wa Yoga (Wa is a Japanese word meaning harmony). She is a Yoga Australia registered teacher, student of yoga for 13 years, teaching yoga & mindfulness for the last 7 years and mum to an almost 5-year old daughter. She specialises in offering online courses and memberships for mothers of young children and young families. She has a gentle approach to teaching yoga and her classes are always infused with mindfulness, reminding people to slow down and come back to the present moment. Her mission is to inspire and motivate other mums to start incorporating yoga & mindfulness into their daily self-care ritual.

She is a creator of Mindful Mama Membership, the online membership for mothers who aspire to embrace daily practice of yoga, mindfulness & Ayurveda. This is the only place where she can offer you ongoing support. The enrolment is currently CLOSED but you can find some details by clicking here;