Experts advocate combining Yoga and Sowa Rigpa to strengthen preventive healthcare as week-long festival showcases wellness across Ladakh
TFP Bureau, Leh, June 18,2026: A seminar on “Integration of Yoga for Public Health” was held at the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR) in Leh as part of the ongoing International Festival of Yoga and Meditation 2026, with experts highlighting the role of Yoga and traditional healing systems in promoting holistic health and preventive care.
Organised jointly by the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa and the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, the event brought together scholars, practitioners, delegates and wellness experts to discuss how Yoga and Sowa Rigpa—the traditional medical system practised in the Himalayan region—can complement modern public health initiatives.
The programme commenced with a guided visit to the institute and its museum before the seminar sessions. Addressing participants, NISR Director Dr. Padma Gurmet stressed the importance of integrating Yoga with Sowa Rigpa to enhance preventive healthcare and improve community well-being.
Chief guest Dr. Ishwar V. Basavaraddi, former Director of the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, spoke on Yoga’s contribution to physical, mental and emotional wellness, while Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena highlighted the significance of meditation, compassion and inner balance in fostering sustainable health and social harmony.
The seminar featured presentations on topics including “Building Emotional Resilience through Yoga,” “Emotional Fitness: A Skill for the Future,” and the integration of Yoga with Sowa Rigpa, underlining the growing recognition of traditional wellness practices in addressing modern health challenges.
The event forms part of the week-long International Festival of Yoga and Meditation 2026 being held across Ladakh from June 15 to 21 in observance of the 12th UN International Day of Yoga. The festival includes Yogathons, meditation sessions, youth outreach programmes and Yoga demonstrations at iconic locations throughout the region.
Among its highlights are special Yoga sessions at Siachen Base Camp, one of the world’s highest military deployments, and the scenic Pangong Lake, showcasing Yoga’s universal appeal while promoting Ladakh as a destination for wellness, meditation and holistic living.
