| Name of the Event | Yoga for Young Minds - A NSS Webinar on International Day of Yoga |
| Organised by | The NSS Unit of Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce, Chembur, Mumbai in Collaboration with Soroptimist International of Bombay Chembur (SIBC) |
| Objective of the session | 1. To understand the importance of yoga and its impact on youth. 2. To discuss the significance of yoga during the Covid-19 pandemic period. |
| Date & Time of the Program | Monday 21st June, 2021 from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon on Zoom Platform |
| Resource Person | Smt. Shilpa Ghone Senior yoga teacher at Kaivalyadham Yoga Institute, Mumbai |
| Audience | MNDC NSS volunteers of S.Y.B.Com and T.Y.B.Com, Programme Officers, Non- NSS students of the college, teachers and Soroptimist International of Bombay Chembur members. |
| No. of Participants | Approximately 38 participants attended the webinar |
| Organizing Team | Webinar Chairperson: I/C Principal Dr. Eknath Zhrekar Ms. Yvette Lee President SIBC Soroptimist International of Bombay Chembur Programme Convener: NSS PO Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lata Krishnan Programme Co-Convener: NSS PO Asst. Prof. Dr. Anaya Markandeya |
The webinar began with the opening remarks by the Convener of the event, NSS PO Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lata Krishnan. In her address she said, “We have all gathered here this morning to mark the 7th International Day of Yoga. Our eminent resource person Smt. Shilpa Ghone madam will help us understand the role of yoga in shaping young minds. The United Nations theme for International Day of Yoga 2021 is “Yoga for Well-being” aligned to the current Covid-19 scenario. In his message Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said, “Today, when the whole world is combating the coronavirus disease pandemic, yoga remains a ray of hope.” He highlighted the importance of practising yoga during the pandemic and prayed for the health and well-being of people around the world. If there are threats to humanity, Yoga often gives us a way of holistic health. Yoga also gives us a happier way of life. Students, PM Modi launched the mYoga app, he says this will help fulfill the motto of ‘One World, One Health’. On International Day of Yoga 2021 each one of us must remember to take the Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine and Yoga will help us fight this pandemic! Young minds like you must understand the importance of Yoga and practice it on a daily basis. Please remember that yoga helps build immunity and fight stress. It prepares young minds to face challenges by strengthening body, mind and spirit. Wish you all a happy International Day of Yoga 2021.
In the welcome address Principal Dr. Eknath Zhrekar explained how the benefits of yoga are known by all. He further explained that yoga was adopted by people all over the world and it is popularly used as therapy for people suffering from different illnesses. He reiterated the importance of yoga for young minds and said it must be practiced in these difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic to fight stress and build immunity. Principal Eknath Zhrekar warmly welcomed the resource person, Smt. Shilpa Ghone, SIBC President Ms. Yvette Lee, members of SIBC, teachers, NSS volunteers and students for the webinar. He wished the event success.
Resource person Smt. Shilpa Ghone started her session with a prayer. She explained the Principles of Ashtanga Yoga which are the fundamentals of a good life. The Eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are
1. Yama – principles of moral code (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigah)
2. Niyama – principles of personal discipline (Shoucha, Santosh, Tapa, Swadhyaya, Eshwar Pranidan)
3. Asana – yoga positions or yogic postures – A stable and comfortable posture which helps attain mental equilibrium
4. Pranayama – yogic breathing – Extension and control of breath
5. Pratyahara – withdrawal of senses – A mental preparation to increase the power of mind.
6. Dharana – concentration on object – Concentration of mind on one object and its field.
7. Dhyan – meditation – Withdrawing mind from all external objects and focussing it on one point and meditating on it.
8. Samadhi – salvation – State of super bliss, joy and merging individual consciousness into universal consciousness. Union between Jivatma and Paramataman. Pure consciousness.
After the Question and Answer session, the event ended with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla. All the participants stood up for the National Anthem.
