Organised by Rotary Bangalore Global Yoga Club

In Association with Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research and Holistic Health Trust & Yoga University of the Americas, Miami Florida

·       Theme of the Global Yoga Summit 2023 is “Yoga For Mental Health”

·       Arogya Expo held as part of the 2-day Yoga Summit Attracts Yoga Enthusiasts

·       Yoga Teachers, Yoga Gurus and Vedic Masters from across 21 countries participated in the Global Yoga Summit 2023

Bengaluru, Sunday, December 24, 2023: The second edition of Global Yoga Summit organised by Rotary Bangalore Global Yoga Club in association with Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research and Holistic Health Trust & Yoga University of the Americas, Miami, Florida, drew its curtains today after two days of interactive technical and experiential sessions. The GYS 2023 witnessed participation from Academicians, Yoga Gurus, National and international doctors, Vedic Experts, and Yoga enthusiasts from across 21 countries. The theme for GYS this year was “Yoga for Mental Health.”

The summit provided a global platform to all the yoga aspirants, naturopathy and AYUSH Experts to come together for sharing their views and experience with the community for the betterment of the society at large. The summit also saw many interesting technical and experiential sessions on Yoga and Holistic health. Many international yoga researchers and scholars from Germany, UK, Dubai, Australia, Netherlands, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal etc. presented their research findings before the audience.

Day two of the Global Yoga Summit 2023 began with Suryanamaskara followed by Vedic chanting and talk on mental health in Yoga and Veda. This was followed by a Panel Discussion on “Yoga for Mental Health in Higher Education” participated by Prof. MS Gangadhar, Dr. YSR Murthy, Prof. Shrinivas S Balli, Sri. Bharat Lal Meena, IAS and moderated by Dr. Lakshmikanth Harthikote.

The panel discussed on how the practice of yoga can be particularly beneficial for mental well-being in higher education to reduce stress, improve concentration and focus, enhanced emotional well-being, better sleep quality, coping with change and uncertainty and for social connection and support amongst other benefits.

Sharing his thoughts, Dr. YSR Murthy said, “Most times, people do not recognise or understand manifestations of mental health. In present times, students face a number of challenges- including lack of focus, high competition, distractions from mediums like gaming, OTTs, social media etc. In addition, there is also substance addiction like Tobacco, liquor, narcotic and psychotropic drugs amongst the youth today. Even breakups at home or relationship issues with their friends- all together affects their academic performance and their progress. Yoga will help them build an integrated body-mind-soul development.”

Dr. Murthy further added, “The mind is a restless animal. Yoga will help them to channelise their energy towards educational goals. In 2021 alone, more than 35,000 students committed suicide- that is an average of 35 students per day across institutions inclusing IIMs, IITs, AIMS and other such institutions. This is a serious issue amongst the youth and must be addressed. We need to develop mechanisms where the students can open up and discuss their issues and insecurities without being judged In complete privacy. Yoga helps to get in touch with their own inner self and find a purpose in life.”

The panel focussed on how introducing yoga in higher education can have wide-ranging positive effects, creating a supportive and thriving academic environment. The panelists collectively agreed that it is important to offer a variety of wellness resources and to promote a culture that values the mental health of all members of the academic community.

There was also an Arogya Expo set up as part of the two-day summit showcasing various yoga related products and therapies. Over 108 Pre-Conferences, Yogi Talks, International Yoga Demonstrations, Interaction with International Spiritual Masters are all highlights of GYS 2023.