• Know about the program and how to register to attend online. STHAIRYA also seeks to encourage a dialogue between education, Yoga, healthcare and youth support systems.

As young people navigate increasing academic pressure, social expectations, digital exposure, uncertainty and rapidly changing lifestyles, mental well-being has become an important concern for families, educational institutions and the society at large.

Recognising this need, Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla, is organising STHAIRYA – Yoga for Youth Mental Health & Resilience, a National Seminar as part of its 102nd Foundation Day celebrations, on Thursday, 8 October 2026. The seminar consists of a Key Note address and a Panel Discussion by experts. 

The seminar seeks to bring greater attention to the potential of Yoga as a whole-person approach to health and well-being, particularly in supporting young people to develop balance, awareness, emotional stability and resilience.

According to Indian Standard time the program timings and content are -

1. 12.30 to 1.30 pm. Keynote Address – The Science of Stillness: Yoga’s Evidence Base for Youth Mental Health by Dr B. N. Gangadhar, Former Director, NIMHANS and Former Chairman, National Medical Commission.

2. 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. Manthan, A Quiz on Yoga and Well-Being.

3. 3 to 4:30 p.m. Panel Discussion - From Campus to Care: Integrating Yoga into Student Mental Health Support.

Panellists 1. Dr R. S. Bhogal, Research Director, Scientific Research Department (SRD), Kaivalyadhama 2. Dr Ganesh Rao, Yoga Expert & Member Academic Committee, Kaivalyadhama 3. Dr Swati Pandey, Assistant Professor, Kaivalyadhama.

4. 5 to 6 p.m. Experiential Session - Meditation Practice. 

To register Online or at Lonavla register here https://form.jotform.com/252312728044451

General Write-up on Yoga

Yoga – More Than Physical Exercise

Yoga is often understood primarily through physical postures and exercise. However, the traditional understanding of Yoga is considerably broader. It offers an integrated approach that recognises the interrelationship between the body, breath, mind, emotions, behaviour and inner awareness.

Through practices such as asana, pranayama, relaxation, meditation, concentration and mindful living, Yoga can provide young people with practical tools to become more aware of their physical and mental states and to respond to life's challenges with greater steadiness.

The emphasis is not simply on becoming physically fit, but on cultivating self-awareness, emotional balance, attention, discipline, healthy habits and inner resilience.

In this sense, Yoga can contribute to a more holistic understanding of health—one that does not separate physical well-being from mental and emotional well-being.

Building Resilience through Awareness

Resilience is not merely the ability to endure stress. It involves developing the capacity to recognise one's responses, regulate emotions, regain balance and adapt constructively to changing circumstances.

Yoga encourages this process through awareness of the body, breath and mind. Simple practices of conscious breathing, relaxation, mindful movement and meditation can help individuals pause, observe and develop a more balanced response rather than reacting automatically.

For young people, these skills can be particularly meaningful in navigating academic demands, relationships, peer pressure, uncertainty and the wider pressures of contemporary life.

From Campus to Care

STHAIRYA also seeks to encourage a dialogue between education, Yoga, healthcare and youth support systems.

Educational institutions are not only places of academic learning. They are environments where young people develop habits, relationships, confidence, values and ways of responding to life. Creating greater awareness of mental well-being within these environments can therefore play an important role in supporting healthy development.

The seminar's panel discussion, “From Campus to Care,” will explore how institutions, educators, caregivers and professionals can work together to create more supportive environments for young people.

Yoga and Modern Understanding of Well-Being

Kaivalyadhama's approach is rooted in the classical tradition of Yoga while also recognising the importance of scientific inquiry and contemporary understanding.

The objective is not to present Yoga as a replacement for professional medical or psychological care. Rather, Yoga can be viewed as a complementary, preventive and supportive approach to overall well-being, when appropriately taught and practised.

This integrated perspective is particularly relevant today, when there is growing recognition that physical health, mental health, lifestyle and social well-being are closely interconnected.

Why This Seminar, Why Now

India’s centres of higher learning are facing serious concerns around student mental health. Academic pressure, isolation and the absence of accessible, stigma-free support can leave young people struggling.

Counselling and clinical care remain essential, but the response must also include preventive practices that help students manage stress, regulate emotions and develop resilience before a crisis takes hold. That is where Yog Philosophy comes in.

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9. Meditation according to Hinduism