: The 3rd International Day of Yoga celebrated in Indian Institutes of Technology. Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) observed 3rd International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2017 to generate awareness on healthier way of life for future generations. The event was presided by Prof. M. S. Sivakumar, Dean (Students) and Lt. Col. Jayakumar (Retd), Joint Registrar (Students) and students, faculty, and staff members of the Institute attended the event.
The Alumni of IIT Madras Mr. Prashanth Vasu and Mr. Bharath Madhvan conducted a talk cum mediation practice session. Mr. Prashanth spoke on ‘Experience the original intention of Yoga through heartfulness’.
The Yoga session was held in the presence of Acharya Shirva Sudhesh Chand ji from Mysore. 15 Asanas were performed including basic Yoga asanas such as Shalabasana, pawanmuktasana, makrasana, among others followed by breathing exercises Kaapalabhaati and Pranayanam for fifteen minutes and meditation for six minutes. The main session was followed by therapeutic and Q&A sessions. Yoga Acharya said “A regular Yoga practice can offer all kinds of mental and physical health benefits. Some, like improved flexibility, are clearly evident. Others, including mental clarity and stress reduction, may be more subtle but are just as powerful.”
With grand preparations and, in the true spirit of “Yoga”, IIT Ropar also celebrated International Yoga Day on 21 June 2017. A three-hour long programme was held at Multipurpose Hall, in all, more than 100 people including Faculty, staff and Students took part.
The event was well publicized prior to its celebration which resulted in more than 100 yoga enthusiasts attending this event. The programme was properly arranged to spread awareness of yoga in all aspects, both for the uninitiated as well as the practitioners.
IIT Ropar recognized that Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being and wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practicing Yoga for the better health is required.
Addressing the occasion, Prof. Sarit. K. Das, Director IIT Ropar said, “Yoga brings harmony in all walks of life and thus, is known for disease prevention, health promotion and management of many lifestyle-related disorders.”
Yoga practice classes are already being run in the campus in the morning yoga session every day, covering shanthimanthra, warming up exercises, suryanamaskar, simple asanas, pranayama and savasana.
