In September 2014, India’s prime minister proposed the establishment of an International Day of Yoga to promote international peace and cooperation.

His request was granted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2014 in an effort to highlight the benefits of yoga to physical well-being and to world peace and development.

On June 21, 2015, the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated worldwide.

The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit work “yuj,” which means to yoke or to join. By moving though yoga asana (postures), controlling the breath and calming the mind, we are yoking together the body, mind, breath and spirit. Yoga is a system of techniques and guidance for enriched living.

There are many forms of yoga. The most common would be Hatha Yoga, which consists of physical postures that we’ve seen in magazines or online, but there is more. Meditation, breath work, self-study and acts of service are a few others. What this means is that you have been doing yoga already.

Besides an enhanced feeling of well-being, better sleep, better body awareness, increased flexibility and improving mindfulness a regular yoga practice helps to boost gratitude and compassion, which contributes to greater happiness.

This year we will celebrate the International Day of Yoga on Saturday with a yoga class that is free and open to all at Namaste Natchez Yoga Studio, 334 Main St. Class begins at 8:30 a.m.

If you would like to come meditate, stations will be set up for you. All are welcome.

If you have been waiting on a reason to try yoga for the first time or to reintroduce yourself to yoga, this is it. We look forward to celebrating this day of unity with you in our hometown yoga studio.

See you on the mat!

Danielle Blain is a part of the Namaste Natchez Yoga Family along with Stephanie Daly and Monica Wood.