Science-based Yoga Retreat
- Spring 2025, Yoga Bharati Dallas Team
Retreat glimpses are captured here https://youtube.com/shorts/ImLx05bl5JU.
The Science-Based Yoga Retreat, envisioned by the Yoga Bharati Dallas team and offered for the second year, is a pioneering initiative to integrate medical and yogic sciences through evidence-based research and offerings. Aadhar warmly supported and co-hosted the event, creating a powerful synergy between traditional practices and modern healthcare.
Over 50 in-person at the pristine Serene Texas Ranch property in Princeston, and nearly 20 online yoga enthusiasts participated in the retreat. Participants were from various backgrounds, including school teachers, yoga students, yoga teachers, doctors, physical therapists, psychotherapists, school counselors, and the general public, learning the benefits of yoga as a therapeutic healing modality.
Rupa Shankar, M.Sc. in yoga, and Amruta Joshi, certified youth yoga teacher, beautifully anchored the retreat program. All the program decorations were tastefully made possible by Sangeetha Lincoln, a yoga bharati teacher training student. It began with distinguished guests and speakers lighting the ceremonial lamp, symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance. The atmosphere was further sanctified with the chant of the invocatory mantra “Asato mā sadgamaya”—a call to move from untruth to truth, darkness to light, and mortality to immortality—invoking the divine presence within each of us.
Keynote & Reflections on Research
Dr. Sunil Thummala delivered the keynote address and offered deep insights into the current global landscape of yoga research. He highlighted the exponential growth in studies exploring yoga’s benefits across disciplines—health, psychology, neuroscience, and the humanities—and emphasized the importance of bringing therapeutic yoga into the mainstream for larger communities.
Yoga Bharati’s 25-Year Journey
This was followed by a presentation celebrating 25 years of Yoga Bharati—a journey that began when “yoga” was scarcely known or understood in complete depth. In this journey, Yoga Bharati has grown into a vibrant organization committed to promoting health, wellness, and joy across age groups and cultures, thanks to the tireless efforts of its Gurus, Advisors, dedicated members, and volunteers.
Science Meets Practice: Healing Back and Neck Pain
Chronic back and neck issues affect millions, often diminishing quality of life. But evidence supports that yoga-based interventions, such as gentle āsana, prāṇāyāma, and awareness-based movement, can significantly alleviate pain and improve balance. Dr. Saravanan Chockalingam shared his expertise in managing such conditions, blending scientific rigor with yogic wisdom. His lively presentation, infused with humor and laughter yoga, engaged the audience at every level of their being, from annamaya (physical sheath) to ānandamaya kośa (bliss sheath).
Panel Discussion: Mental & Pain Health
Harvard research has shown that yoga regulates the HPA axis, lowers inflammatory markers, and strengthens emotional resilience. One of the retreat’s most engaging segments was a dynamic panel discussion, skillfully moderated by Ashley Stafford from Aadhar. The panel featured esteemed experts—Dr. Mehta, Dr. Goyal, Dr. Tummala, and Dr. Chockalingam—who shared their insights on yoga’s profound impact on mental health and emphasized the importance of integrating yoga into school curricula. The conversation was further enriched by thoughtful questions from a diverse audience, including school teachers, yoga educators, and physical therapists.
Mental Health Management Yoga Practice Session
In alignment with Yoga Vāsiṣṭha’s teaching—“manaḥ praśamana upāyaḥ yogaḥ” (“Yoga is the means to calm the mind”)—Anusha Patil led a profound mental health management session. Her practice seamlessly integrated movement, breathwork, and deep relaxation, preparing the body and mind for the delicious sattvic (wholesome and balanced) meal lovingly prepared by Yoga Bharati volunteers. The menu included khichdi (rice and lentil porridge), vegetable soup, vegan pudding, kadi (yogurt-based dish), Sourdough bread, and a Mexican veggie salad.
Meditation, Know your body composition, and Insights on Integrated Approach to Yoga/Yoga Therapy
Participants then experienced the transformative power of Cyclic Meditation, a unique blend of deep relaxation and mindful movement. Senior yoga teacher Sheela Venkata led the group from restlessness to restful awareness with her depth of experience.
Sejal Sharma, certified Ayurvedic counselor from the Yoga Bharati team, introduced the concepts of prakṛti (our nature) and vikṛti (imbalance), bringing in ideas of the ancient science of Ayurveda in a nutshell.
Savita Joshi, Executive Director of the Yoga Bharati Dallas chapter, shared a compelling case study on Yoga Therapy offered as an active therapy CAM modality for managing Type II Diabetes. She illustrated how yoga can holistically address well-being across all five sheaths—physical, energetic, mental, intellectual, and blissful. A combination of Physical postures, breathing, and meditation techniques can help one who has a resolve to change from within.
Metabolic Health & Yoga
Dr. Thummala returned to share valuable insights on metabolic health & yoga, highlighting the critical role of diet, fasting, and mindful living. He emphasized that while modern medicine often focuses solely on the physical body, yoga offers a more holistic perspective, addressing all dimensions of human existence. His talk seamlessly paved the way for a compelling panel discussion on Metabolic Health and Weight Management, featuring Dr. Malladi, Dr. Thummala, Savita Joshi, and Dr. Saravanan, expertly moderated by senior yoga teacher with therapy background Rohini Garimalla.
Gratitude & Closing
The retreat was a humble yet meaningful step toward building collaboration between healthcare professionals, yoga therapists, and researchers. It wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of sponsors—My Time Equity, Liberty In-Home Dialysis, Bharatiya Nivas, and India Bazaar.
Our heartfelt thanks go to our co-host Aadhar and the incredible volunteers at Yoga Bharati, whose commitment made this retreat an inspiring and transformative experience for all.