The British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) and SOAS University of London (SOAS) have announced their collaboration for the first major summit on yoga and health. The event, titled Yoga: Health, Harm and Healing, will take place on 2 November 2024 and will bring together global experts to explore the latest research on yoga and its impact on health and healing.
The summit will feature a lineup of seven distinguished scholars and leading yoga practitioners, including Sat Bir Singh Khalsa PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. As an authority on yoga as therapy, Khalsa will discuss his latest research findings on the efficacy of yoga for mental health conditions such as insomnia, chronic stress, and anxiety-related disorders. He will also share his work on integrating yoga therapy into modern medicine.
Other speakers include Professor Rosie Meek from Royal Holloway, University of London, and Rose Parkes, Associate Dean at the Institute of Law in Jersey. They will examine the role of yoga in rehabilitation and prison reform, based on Prof. Meek’s report to the UK Ministry of Justice.
Umā Dinsmore-Tuli PhD, founder of the Yoga Nidra Network, will discuss the power of rest through Yoganidrā, a technique that combines traditional guided visualization methods with modern relaxation. She will also challenge the idea that yoga can do no harm. Additionally, Carola Chiarpenello MSc from Kings College London will present the results of innovative cognitive neuroscience research into Yoganidrā as a tool to downregulate inflammation in the body.
Professor Ulrich Pagel, Chair of SOAS Centre of Yoga Studies, expressed his excitement for the summit, stating, “This event is a testament to the growing interest in understanding yoga’s impact on personal and social well-being.” He further added, “We are thrilled to provide a platform for experts from diverse fields to converge and explore the research and applications of yoga in the wider community.”
Diana O’Reilly, Chair of BWY, also shared her thoughts on the event, saying, “Yoga is more than just a physical practice; it’s a holistic path to wellness. Through this summit, we aim to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, unraveling the potential of integrating yoga into community settings for greater inclusivity.”
The event is open to both online and in-person attendees, with Earlybird tickets priced at £60 (in-person) and £30 (online) until Friday 2 August. After that date, prices will increase to £70 and £40. To secure your spot, please visit the summit’s website. New visitors will need to register for a “free user account” on the website.
Established in 1965, the British Wheel of Yoga is a registered charity and the National Governing Body for Yoga in the UK. With a mission to enrich lives through yoga, the organization serves more than 5000 members and is supported by a 100-strong volunteer network and a small central team.
SOAS University of London, known as the world’s university, is a hub for interdisciplinary expertise on African, Asian, and Middle Eastern studies. The university’s Centre of Yoga Studies is globally recognized as the most important institutional hub for the fast-growing field of Yoga Studies, offering a specialized MA in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation.
For media inquiries, please contact Natalie Lyndon, BWY PR & Communications Officer, at 07843 389985 or communications@bwy.org.uk.
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