Outreach Program: International Yoga Day at St Marys PU College
Mangaluru, June 21, 2024: The first-year M.Sc. Clinical Psychology students from St Agnes College, Mangalore, organized an outreach program named ‘seeds of change’ at St. Mary’s PU College, Mangalore, in celebration of International Yoga Day. The program started at 10:45 a.m. and was attended by approximately 152 students. The event aimed to highlight the significance of yoga in promoting mental and physical health and fostering a holistic approach to well-being.
The program started with the principal, Mrs. Vijayalakshmi, inviting the guests and hosts to the stage and handing over the mic to the anchors, Sreedevi S. and Anaina Martin, 1st year Msc Clinical Psychology students, Mangaluru. The program officially started with a prayer song led by one of the students of St. Mary PU College. The anchors then introduced the guests for the day and briefed them about the program.
Sandra Joshy, the student coordinator for this, delivered the welcome address. Her warm introduction set a positive and engaging atmosphere for the session. And the stage was handed over to the guest. The guest, Mr. Adithya Krishna M., Msc in Yogic Science with specialization in Yoga Therapy, First Rank and Gold Medalist, 2019 and also teaching faculty at Mangalore University, who researches the effects of yoga on metabolism, led a one-hour yoga session in two phases. The first half-hour was practical sessions, which included various yoga asanas and breathing exercises. His assistant, Mr. Narayana Timalsina, a 2nd-year Msc Yogic Science student from Mangalore University, demonstrated the postures, providing clear and practical guidance to the participants. He explained the meaning of the term for the demonstrated yoga asanas, which helped students understand the concept behind the name of the asanas.
Following the practical session, Mr. Adithya Krishna M. conducted the other half-hour class at 11:30 AM, discussing the brief history and significance of yoga. He explained the four Ashramas and Purursharthas and explained how they have importance in student life. He expressed the problems of today’s lifestyle, comparing it with how it was in the past and its impact on the human lifespan. He encouraged students to have stability, know themselves, and know the duties and responsibilities of student life.
After the session, as a token of gratitude, mementos were presented to the esteemed guests by the principal, Ms. Vijayalakshmi, who honored Mr. Adithya Krishna M. and Mr. Narayana Timalsina. The program concluded at 12:15 pm with a vote of thanks delivered by Meenakshi Nair, a student representative, who expressed appreciation to the guests, participants, and organizers for making the event a success, and the program was officially ended with the National Anthem.
