Ahead of the International Day of Yoga (IDY), a panel discussion titled “Yoga with AYUSH: Empowering Women’s Health” was organized in Dubai. The event focused on this year’s IDY theme, “Yoga for Women’s Empowerment,” exploring how yoga, integrated with traditional Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), can profoundly impact women’s health and well-being across various life stages.
Raminder Jeet Kaur, a Wellness Consultant, delivered an insightful speech on yoga’s transformative power for women’s empowerment and health. She highlighted how yoga practices like asanas and pranayama can provide emotional resilience and physical strength.
“Postpartum women often face pelvic floor issues and untreated scars, while menopause brings challenges like weight gain and osteoporosis, with women losing about 10% of their bone mass,” Kaur explained. “Yoga’s eight limbs – Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi – offer a holistic lifestyle transformation to address these issues.”
Kaur emphasized the importance of daily discipline and Ayurveda’s Dinacharya (daily routine) concept in integrating yoga into everyday life. She commended the Indian government’s focus on promoting women’s health through yoga, highlighting the unique physiological differences between men and women and yoga’s specific benefits for women.
“Empowering women through yoga is crucial due to their distinct physical and emotional needs, especially during menopause,” Kaur noted, citing statistics that 85% of women aged 40 to 55 experience menopausal symptoms, many severe.
“For instance, the inspiratory reserve volume – the amount of oxygen intake – differs significantly between men and women, affecting overall health.” Ms Kaur Stressed the importance of holistic approaches combining traditional medicine with yoga.
“Yoga helps manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, anxiety, and depression. By integrating yoga into our treatment plans, alongside homeopathic and other AYUSH system-based medicines, we can significantly improve women’s quality of life.”
L. Sreelekha, a homeopathic practitioner in Dubai, echoed the synergy between yoga and conventional treatments for managing menopausal symptoms. He underscored the physician’s role in educating women about menopause and the benefits of yoga.
“Menopause is a natural biological process that can cause significant physical and emotional symptoms. As doctors, it is our duty to provide awareness and recommend appropriate treatments, which often include yoga,” he said.
“Postmenopausal symptoms can be severe, and incorporating yoga helps harmonize the mind and body, offering relief from both physical and emotional distress.”Sreelekha recommended tailored yoga practices based on individual needs, stating, “Each person’s body and mind are different. Asanas and pranayamas should be customized accordingly. Many of our patients who practice yoga alongside AYUSH system-based medicines report wonderful results.”
The panel discussion underscored yoga’s importance in empowering women, particularly in managing health challenges during significant life stages, when integrated with traditional Indian medical systems.
The International Day of Yoga will be celebrated worldwide with various events and activities, reinforcing this year’s theme of “Yoga for Women’s Empowerment” and encouraging more women to embrace yoga for a healthier and more balanced life.
The Indian mission in Dubai is set to welcome around 4,000 people for a rejuvenating yoga session at the Dubai World Trade Center on Saturday, June 22, from 5 pm to 7 pm. The Consul General, Satish Sivan, launched the International Day of Yoga website and registration page on Wednesday during a curtain-raiser event held at the Consulate.
The panel discussion was held as a curtain-raiser for the International Day of Yoga 2024 and was hosted by the Consulate General of India in Dubai, which is coordinating International Day of Yoga events in all the six northern emirates in the United Arab Emirates.
By: Vinod Kumar, Dubai