Mysore: Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao said he is considering resuming yoga practice for young children in schools in the state, which was discontinued by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government. Steps will be taken to recruit yoga teachers in schools, he said.
He was speaking at a state-level yoga conference organised by ‘Karnataka Yoga Shikshakara Vokkota’ in Mysore on Saturday.
Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “The benefits of yoga are scientifically proven. Yoga has nothing to do with religion. Yoga transcends all religions, has no boundaries and can be done by anyone. Practicing yoga helps in maintaining physical and mental health and evolving spiritually. Strong and healthy people are an asset to build a healthy society, a strong country and a global power. Yoga helps in the holistic development of a person and helps him/her realize his/her full potential, lead a fulfilling life and contribute to his/her family and society. Waking up early to do yoga keeps you active and energetic. It takes discipline and willpower to decide to practice yoga. There is no age limit to practice yoga.”
He added that steps have been taken towards integration of Allopathy and Ayurveda in the health department. Yoga is being taught at the health and wellness centres of the health department.
Yoga and Ayurveda are necessary to prevent health problems and Allopathy is essential for treating health problems after they arise.As a prelude to International Yoga Day, a 10-day ‘Yogotsava’ was organised to impart yoga to 600,000 people including Anganwadi teachers, students of social welfare and residential schools of the Karnataka State Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS), NSS, Scouts and Guides cadets, he said.
Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the conference was a good opportunity to create awareness about the benefits of yoga and conduct yoga focused research.
Conference convener Dr S P Yogana said the conference was organised to highlight research findings, shed light on yoga as a science and harmonise the mind, body and soul to promote physical, mental health and wellbeing as well as spiritual evolution.
Yoga expert and founder of Bharathi Yogadhama KL Shankaranarayana Jois was felicitated on the occasion. The book “Mysuru Yoga Parampare” by N Anantha was released. Honorary Chairman of the Congress HV Rajeev, AS Chandrashekar, General Secretary BP Murthy, President of Sri Ramakrishna Ashram Mukthidanandaji Maharaj, Baby Mutt seer Trinethra Mahanthesha Shivayogi Swamy, President Mysuru Yoga Federation D Srihari and others were present. MLA K Harish Gowda, MLCs D Thimmaiah and CN Manjegowda were also present.
Published June 22, 2024 18:29 IST
