From chair yoga to mandala flow: a week of mindful movement at SPJIMR

International Yoga Day, observed globally on 21 June, serves as a reminder of yoga’s enduring relevance in supporting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. To mark the occasion, SPJIMR celebrated Yoga Week, featuring a series of daily yoga sessions to promote holistic health across its community. Conducted by an expert from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Yoga Bharati, the sessions introduced participants to a range of yoga traditions and approaches.

The week began with Classical Yoga, as participants rolled out their mats and eased into mindful movement. On Day 2, Chair Yoga demonstrated that yoga can be practised almost anywhere, making the discipline accessible across different physical abilities and settings. Day 3 added a playful challenge, with participants using a dupatta or exercise band to deepen stretches and explore greater flexibility.

The energy picked up with Vinyasa Yoga on Day 4, where participants moved through a sequence of flowing postures coordinated with breath. The week concluded with Mandala Yoga, offering a refreshing change of pace through circular movement patterns and creating an immersive, meditative flow.

Across all five days, participants explored breathwork, pranayama, meditation, relaxation techniques, and a combination of static and dynamic asanas. Beyond the physical practice, the sessions created a space for SPJIMR members to step away briefly from their daily routines.

Through Yoga Week, SPJIMR provided an opportunity for its community to pause from their daily routines and engage in practices that promote balance, self-awareness, and overall wellness. As the week concluded, participants carried forward practical techniques they could incorporate into their everyday lives, understanding the value of regular mindful movement and conscious breathing.