SPORTS and yoga should be made compulsory subjects in schools. Sports and yoga keep body and mind healthy. For a healthy nation, it is important that its citizens stay healthy. If the citizen are healthy, country’s health budget reduces immensely. This, in a way, helps the country become financially stable,” said Dr Deepak Mane, Director, Sports and Physical Education Department, Savitribai Fule, Pune University. Dr Mane was delivering the presidential address on the concluding day of the workshop ‘Yoga and Holistic Health’ organised by Department of Sports and Physical Education, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University; Open and Distance Learning Centre Kavi Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek; Shri Binzani City College and Nabira Mahavidyalaya, Katol. Speaking during the panel discussion, Dr Madhusudan Penna, Dean, Faculty of Indian Religion, Philosophy and Culture, Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek; Dr Manmat Gharote, Director, Lonavala Yoga Institute, Lonavala (Mah); Dr Archana Dachewar, Head and Professor Kayachikitsa Department, Shri Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Pakkawasa Hospital, Nagpur; Dr Anuradha Puniyani, Consultant Physiotherapist, Founder and Director, BFF, Nagpur shared their views. Dr Dhananjay Welukar, Senior Member, RTMNU Sports Council, Dr Anil Karwande, management council member of Rani Laxmibai Institute of Physical Education; Dr Hrushikesh Dalai, Director, Open and Distance Learning Centre, Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek; Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University and others were present during the seminar. “‘Guru-Shishya’ tradition holds significance in sports.

 

At the same time it is important for a sportsperson to devote himself towards the sport he/she plays. Devotion towards sports is developed with the help of yogasana. It controls the fickle mind and helps in transferring the energy towards positivity,” said Dr Gharote. “Yoga also helps in controlling mind in winning situation as well as while facing defeat,” he added. Dr Puniyani said that players should perform yoga exercises for warming up as well as cooling down. “Yoga helps in minimising injuries caused due to over exertion,” she said. The seminar was conducted by Dr Pravin Kumar of NMD Gondia. Dr Suryawanshi made introductory remark while Dr Sonali Sirbhate proposed a vote of thanks. Dr Sanjay Chaudhary, Dr Jagdale, Dr Amit Tembhurne and Dr Renuka Bansod handled the technical aspects of the seminar.