A special women's wellness programme centred on Yoga for Menopause was held in Kottayam, Kerala, on 21 May 2026, as part of the Union Ayush Ministry's 32-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026. The event was conducted under the supervision of experts from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and organised by the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Kalathipady.

Programme Highlights

The session was themed 'Yoga for Menopause – A Holistic Wellness Module', focusing on the role of yoga and Ayurveda in supporting women's health during menopause. The programme drew participation from community members, yoga practitioners, and wellness experts, reflecting growing grassroots interest in integrative health approaches.

Thematic sessions covered classical yogic practices, pranayama, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness-based interventions tailored specifically for menopause wellness. Ayurvedic principles were woven throughout, framing menopause as a natural phase involving hormonal, emotional, and metabolic transitions rather than a medical condition requiring intervention alone.

Yogic Practices Introduced

Participants were introduced to a curated set of gentle asanas — including Tadasana, Baddha Konasana, Balasana, Setu Bandhasana, Viparita Karani, and Shavasana — alongside pranayama techniques such as Nadi Shodhana and Bhramari. These practices are recognised for aiding nervous system balance, stress reduction, improved sleep, and emotional well-being.

The programme also incorporated Ayurvedic perspectives on Vata imbalance and dhatu kshaya, with guidance on supportive dietary and lifestyle practices for holistic wellness during this life stage.

Inauguration and Distinguished Guests

The event was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Malayil Sabu Koshy. Speakers and guests from the YWCA of India, CMS College, and the Kottayam Municipal administration were also present, lending institutional weight to the initiative.

Broader Significance

The event aligns with India's broader public health vision of integrating traditional wellness systems — yoga and Ayurveda — into community health frameworks. This comes amid a wider national push, with the Ayush Ministry orchestrating a month-long series of lead-up events across states ahead of International Day of Yoga, observed annually on 21 June. Notably, menopause wellness remains an underserved area in mainstream public health discourse, and programmes such as this signal a gradual shift toward addressing women's mid-life health through preventive and promotive approaches. Further countdown events are expected across Kerala and other states in the weeks leading up to IDY 2026.