Global Launch of Mobile App ‘myyodaa’ commemorates International Yoga Day
Venkat Raman
Auckland, June 21, 2020
Practitioners, learners and enthusiasts of Yoga will be able to understand the ancient gift of India better and practice various Asanas through a new Mobile App, being launched today as the world marks ‘International Yoga Day.’
An initiative of three New Zealand women- Ziena Jalil, Erin Leuschke and Gina Beck, the Mobile App, called, ‘myyodaa,’ can be downloaded through Apple Store and Google Play Store for access on iPhone and Android smartphones.
Personalised and flexible
Stated to be the first of its kind, the App aims to connect and Yoga and Meditation students and teachers around the world, offering personalised, live and one-to-one video classes.
“This would at a time, place and price at the choice of users according to their individual choice, budget and needs,” Ziena said.
The Yoga has become international business, valued at a whopping US$100 billion every year. It does not carry any copyright but it should at least be practiced as prescribed.
Ziena said that she and her two friends were keen to find ways and means of enabling people to maintain healthy lifestyles while balancing work and family commitments.
That need has only grown in the wake of Covid-19, she said.
“This is an Airbnb for wellness. Unlike existing Apps which offer pre-recorded videos, one-to-many online classes, or a small number of teachers from a specific studio teaching their specific school of yoga online, ‘myyodaa’ provides an open platform, on which qualified teachers can deliver personalised classes to students,” she said.
As working mothers, Ziena, Erin and Gina were aware of the difficulty in maintaining mental and physical fitness. As well as the pressures on time, money and childcare, finding the right teacher continues to be major challenge and difficulty.
Yoga for everyone
Ziena said that they process of constructing ‘myyodaa’ as a Mobile App began in January 2019 but the lockdown forced by Covid-19 accelerated its development.
“Using ‘myyodaa,’ instructors from Auckland to New Delhi will be able teach students from their homes, studios or even outdoors. Students, including absolute beginners, can browse teachers (called Yodaas) and book personalised sessions based on class type, ratings, availability, language or cost. Live video classes can take place within the app saving users from having to navigate through a multitude of platforms.
Andrew Melville, a Meditation Teacher on ‘myyodaa,’ said, “Using the App means that I can select times and accept student bookings that work around my other commitments.”
Cost-effective solution
Ziena said that Covid-19 has forced many Yoga studios to reduce class sizes, encourage students to bring their own mats and change scheduling to allow for disinfecting studios.
This has pushed up costs, leaving teachers out of work.
“At a time when people need Yoga and Meditation more than ever, Covid-19 has cut discretionary incomes. Affordable online classes, with pay-as-you-go systems like ‘myyodaa’ help meet this new need. For teachers, the App provides an income stream,” she said.
”Covid-19 showed us how interconnected the world is: ‘myyodaa’ allows teachers and students from around the world to connect in a common purpose centred on better health and wellbeing while supporting livelihoods,” she added.
About Yoga
Yoga is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practised for health and relaxation. It is one of the most precious gifts of India to humanity.
The global Yoga market has been growing strongly over the last few years, with some reports saying that there are more than 200 million Yoga practitioners around the world.
According to Exercise New Zealand, Yoga is one of New Zealand’s most popular forms of physical and mental discipline and therefore wellness.
Harvard University has advocated Yoga, Meditation and Controlled Breathing as ways to deal with anxiety related to Covid-19.
Yoga reduces stress levels, lowers blood pressure and improves lung capacity.
A new study from researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine, New York Medical College, and Harvard and Columbia Universities, found that Yoga, including breath exercises, leads to improved mental health.
According to the Harvard Business Review, Meditation is particularly useful during times of crisis and stress such as the world is facing presently.
Practicing meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety, calm the amygdala, increase our ability to think creatively and empathetically take other people’s perspective.
About International Yoga Day
India’s great contribution
While Yoga is being practiced throughout the world (in some places erroneously followed as aerobics and workouts), it channelises energy through positive vibes. In essence, Yoga is a Science that provides for healthy thoughts which translate into healthy actions, turning into a healthy world.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who started the Movement with a suggestion during his speech at the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014 (the world body adopted a Resolution on December 11, 2014 making June 21 as the International Yoga Day), leads thousands of people in Rajpath, New Delhi on that day.
Mr Modi said that Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition.
“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. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day,” he said.
In suggesting June 21, which is the Summer Solstice, as the International Day of Yoga, Mr Modi had said that the date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world.
For more information on the ‘myyodaa’ App please write to Ziena Ali. Email: ziena@myyodaa.com Website: www.myyodaa.com
