Yoga and Ayurveda Take Centre Stage in Menopause Wellness Programme Ahead of IDY 2026

The event highlighted the growing role of yoga and Ayurveda in supporting physical, emotional and mental well-being among women experiencing menopause and age-related hormonal changes.

As part of the nationwide 32-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026, a special wellness programme focusing on "Yoga for Menopause – A Holistic Wellness Module" was organised at Kalathipady in Kerala to promote women's health through traditional Indian wellness systems.

The programme was jointly conducted by the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Kalathipady and the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.

The event highlighted the growing role of yoga and Ayurveda in supporting physical, emotional and mental well-being among women experiencing menopause and age-related hormonal changes. The programme attracted active participation from community members, yoga practitioners, healthcare professionals and wellness experts.

Organisers emphasized that menopause is a natural biological transition that often brings significant hormonal, emotional and metabolic changes affecting women's overall quality of life. The sessions focused on how traditional wellness practices such as yoga, pranayama and Ayurveda can help women manage symptoms more effectively while promoting long-term holistic health.

Experts during the programme explained that yoga-based interventions can play an important role in reducing stress, improving sleep quality, enhancing emotional stability and relieving physical discomfort associated with menopause.

The event included thematic sessions on classical yogic practices, pranayama techniques, mindfulness-based relaxation methods and Ayurvedic lifestyle approaches designed specifically to support women during menopausal transition.

Participants were guided through a range of gentle yoga postures considered beneficial for flexibility, relaxation, circulation and nervous system balance. These included practices such as Tadasana, Baddha Konasana, Balasana, Setu Bandhasana, Viparita Karani and Shavasana.

Special attention was also given to breathing techniques including Nadi Shodhana and Bhramari pranayama, which are widely regarded as effective for calming the mind, reducing anxiety and improving overall mental well-being.

The programme additionally explored Ayurvedic perspectives related to menopause, particularly concepts associated with Vata imbalance and dhatu kshaya, which are traditionally linked to aging and physiological depletion in Ayurveda.

Experts discussed supportive dietary habits, daily routines and lifestyle modifications aimed at improving hormonal balance, digestion, sleep and emotional wellness through natural and preventive healthcare approaches.

The organisers stressed that integrating yoga and Ayurveda into daily life can help women navigate menopause more comfortably while reducing dependence on stress-inducing lifestyle patterns and unhealthy habits.

The event was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Malayil Sabu Koshy in the presence of distinguished guests and speakers from YWCA of India, CMS College and the Kottayam Municipal administration.

Officials noted that the programme reflects the Government of India's broader vision of promoting preventive healthcare and integrating traditional wellness systems into community health initiatives.

The Ministry of Ayush has been increasingly promoting yoga and holistic wellness practices as accessible tools for preventive healthcare, mental well-being and lifestyle management across different age groups and health conditions.

The programme also formed part of wider awareness campaigns being conducted nationwide ahead of International Day of Yoga 2026, which aims to encourage greater public participation in yoga and traditional wellness practices.

Experts believe women's health-focused yoga initiatives are gaining increasing relevance globally as awareness grows around non-pharmacological approaches for stress management, hormonal health and holistic ageing.

The event reinforced the growing recognition of yoga not only as a fitness activity but also as a preventive, promotive and therapeutic tool capable of supporting long-term physical and emotional well-being.