With the popularity of yoga worldwide, more and more health conscious people have been adopting its practice in their daily lives. The potential of yoga in keeping diseases away has been a matter of discussion, among many experts. Taking it a bit further, a Union government-run research centre based in the Kerala capital is looking to explore the beneficial impact of yoga on cancer patients.
The research institution, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) has announced its collaboration with Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) and Satsang Foundation Kerala Kendra towards conducting studies to understand the cellular mediations and establishing potential mechanisms of action for yoga on cancer care at the individual level.
Important initiative with huge possibilities in future
In the tripartite proposal, announced on the occasion of International Yoga Day this week, the Regional Cancer Centre under the directorship of Dr Rekha A Nair will coordinate the clinical aspects of the study. Satsang Foundation will prescribe standardized yoga practices. RGCB Director Prof Chandrabhas Narayana said it is an important initiative in the country with huge possibilities in future.
Prof Narayana said the tie-up among the three institutions will be facilitated by their proximity. RGCB celebrated the International Day of Yoga at its campus, with a host of programmes focusing on the benefits of this age-old Indian discipline in keeping the body and mind fit.
Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
The national theme of this year’s Yoga Day celebrations is ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’ The programme was organised as part of the Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) activities by RGCB. It commenced with a yoga session attended by the scientific community, employees, researchers and students of RGCB.
Tara Ajai Singh and Dr Basanti Nair from Satsang Foundation Kerala Kendra, and Prof Gopalakrishnan from the International Yoga Research Foundation; and Dr Sajeed A, Additional Director (Administration) & Professor of Radiation Oncology, RCC, spoke about various aspects of yoga and its importance for maintaining physical and mental health to lead a stress-free life.