The World Health Organization has highlighted the critical need to address the growing divide in health outcomes between men and women. Women often face unique health challenges that are not adequately addressed by traditional health systems
Every year on June 21st, the world celebrates International Yoga Day, a global testament to Yoga's universal appeal and ancient wisdom. While this celebration is significant, it must also prompt us to look inward, particularly in South Asian countries, to integrate Yoga meaningfully into daily life, especially school practices and urban planning decisions.
Integrating Yoga into school curricula requires substantial curriculum development and investment in teacher training. This demands a systematic approach with budgetary allocations specifically for yoga education. Establishing incubation centres to foster research, development and market application of Yoga is also essential. These centres could collaborate with elite institutions like the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) in India, which has conducted significant research on the benefits of Yoga for the armed forces and provided a model for other institutions.
In countries like India and Nepal, aspiring health professionals frequently regard traditional medicine as a last resort rather than a first choice. Allopathic medical education is rigorous and expensive, making it unavailable to many from vernacular backgrounds, relegating Ayurveda and Yoga to second-class status. Students who cannot pay or complete the entrance requirements for allopathic medical schools frequently wind up pursuing traditional medicine by default. This view must change if traditional medicine and Yoga are to be genuinely integrated into the fabric of early education and daily life. Incorporating Tai Chi into Singapore's older citizens' health programmes indicates traditional practices' potential for mainstream acceptance and usefulness.
India's international propagation of Yoga has significantly bolstered its cultural diplomacy, exemplified by the establishing of the International Day of Yoga and widespread global celebrations. This initiative has fostered a positive perception of Indian culture worldwide, evidenced by landmark illuminations and the integration of Yoga into educational curricula globally. K-pop diplomacy, exemplified by South Korea's global cultural phenomenon, enhances the country's soft power through widespread youth appeal and positive international perceptions of creativity and modernity. While primarily fostering cultural exchange and economic benefits through music sales and tourism, K-pop's influence indirectly supports South Korea's geopolitical influence by making it a more "attractive" partner in international relations. Similarly, China's panda diplomacy uses the symbolic gift of pandas to foster goodwill and strengthen bilateral ties, contributing to its soft power by promoting positive perceptions of Chinese culture. Cultural diplomacy does not directly impact traditional geopolitical issues, but it strategically enhances global influence and facilitates closer diplomatic and economic relations with recipient countries. Thus, while India's yoga diplomacy has been impactful in promoting cultural understanding, its effectiveness in achieving broader diplomatic objectives may benefit from diversification and tangible economic outcomes.
However, the accurate measure of success would be Yoga's widespread domestic adoption. Yoga should not just be a showpiece for the world but a daily practice for millions in its homeland. This calls for a paradigm shift in how we view and practice Yoga in India, Nepal and South Asia. It's time to look inward and ensure that Yoga becomes integral to our daily routine. Bhutan's Gross National Happiness (GNH) framework, which integrates meditation and mindfulness into school curricula, provides a successful model for how traditional practices can be embedded in everyday life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the critical need to address the growing divide in health outcomes between men and women. Women often face unique health challenges that are not adequately addressed by traditional health systems. Integrating Yoga into health practices can bridge this divide by providing gender-specific modules that cater to women's health needs. Additionally, the rising costs of treating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) necessitate investing in preventive measures like Yoga to lower healthcare costs.
Urbanization has led to reduced mobility among the elderly and increased loneliness, contributing to a decline in mental and physical health. The WHO reports that urban elderly populations are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and mobility issues, which can lead to severe health outcomes. Integrating Yoga into urban health planning can significantly benefit older adults. Japan's integration of physical exercise programs, including Yoga, into community health plans for older adults has shown promising results in improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
One of the critical steps in this direction is the de-monopolization of yoga discourse from its Sanskrit origins. Making Yoga accessible in vernacular languages would democratize its practice and reach a broader audience. Moreover, disseminating yoga practices through mediums like radio can significantly boost its adoption in rural areas, where access to formal yoga classes may be limited. Urban municipalities should also integrate Yoga into their health planning, especially considering the rising elderly population, which stands to benefit immensely from regular yoga practice.
When high-level foreign guests visit, South Asian governments are reminded to laud the benefits of traditional medicine. Yet, there is a severe shortage of financing to bring these treatments up to modern, evidence-based standards. Despite its rich history, Ayurveda and Yoga fall way behind allopathy in terms of peer-reviewed research and scientific confirmation. This difference weakens their credibility and impedes their inclusion into mainstream healthcare and education institutions. Significant investment in research is required, like China's approach to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been meticulously integrated into their research and healthcare ecosystem.
Japan and China have successfully integrated their traditional medical practices, such as Kampo medicine in Japan and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China, into their mainstream healthcare systems. India and Nepal have valuable ancient knowledge in Ayurveda and Yoga, which they should leverage by modernizing their research and development efforts. This proactive approach could potentially position India not only as the world's largest democracy but also among the healthiest, leveraging its rich cultural heritage to achieve significant advancements in health and well-being.
Dr Sunoor Verma is the President of The Himalayan Dialogues and an international leadership communication expert.
