As we celebrate International Yoga Day, millions around the world are turning to yoga not just to stay fit but to find peace and calm inside themselves. In today’s busy life, where everyone is rushing for success and approval, real happiness and clarity often seem hard to find.
Dr Narendra K Shetty, Chief Wellness Officer at Kshemavana Naturopathy and Yoga Center, says yoga can help us connect with our inner self through a process called inner engineering. “People think peace comes from outside, but true peace, clarity, and joy start from within,” he says.
What is inner engineering?
Dr Shetty explains that inner engineering means organizing your thoughts, emotions, and energy in a way that brings balance to your mind and body.
“Just like we use technology to build the world around us, yoga is a tool to build and shape our inner world,” he says. “Yoga is not just about bending or stretching; it is a science of self-change.”
How does it work?
Yoga combines breathing exercises (called pranayama), meditation, gentle movement, and character-building. These help calm the mind and make your body work better.
“Think of your body and mind as tools,” Dr Shetty explains. “If you don’t know how to use them, they can cause stress and confusion. But if you learn to use them well, life becomes easier.”
The first step: Awareness
If you want to start this journey, the first thing to do is become aware.
“Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly and watch your breath,” he says. “You will notice your mind is restless at first. That’s okay. It is the first step to understanding yourself.”
This awareness creates space between what happens to you and how you respond. Over time, your true inner self comes forward.
“But this only happens if you also work on your character. Without that, there is no real progress,” he adds.
Can yoga help with stress and sadness?
Many people feel stressed or sad because their emotions get stuck. Yoga helps move this energy so it doesn’t block you.
“Yoga breathing, relaxation, and meditation help release trapped emotions and calm your nervous system,” says Dr Shetty.
Regular practice lowers the stress hormone cortisol and raises “feel-good” hormones like serotonin and dopamine.
“More importantly, yoga teaches you to watch your emotions calmly. You learn to respond with balance, not react in fear or anger,” he says.
Staying calm in a noisy world
In today’s digital world, turning inward might seem like escaping reality. However, yoga actually helps you connect more deeply with the world.
“The more peaceful you are inside, the more present you become outside,” Dr Shetty explains. “You don’t get overwhelmed by problems. Your mind becomes like a still lake that reflects life clearly.”
International Yoga Day reminds us that yoga is more than exercise. It is a way to build peace from within. “Yoga is not about running away from life,” Dr Shetty says. “It’s about coming back to yourself and living fully with clarity and joy.” When you practice regularly, you don’t just survive the challenges of life, you grow stronger and calmer through them.
