SOAS marks International Day of Yoga in The House of Commons

The SOAS Centre of Yoga studies recently took part in a celebration of the UN International Day of Yoga in the House of Commons.

Hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group of Indian Traditional Sciences, the theme of the event revolved around ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, inviting MPs, policymakers and educators alike to discuss yoga’s role in promoting health, wellbeing and international cooperation. Representatives from the Commonwealth, including India, Mauritius, Uganda and Sri Lanka were also involved, marking how yoga can be positive a tool for building healthier communities and strengthening international relationships.

Speaking on her experience at the event, Associate Lecturer in Contemporary Yoga Practices Dr Marissa Clarke said: "The event brought together MPs, Commonwealth High Commissioners, and representatives from local Avanti Schools to discuss 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'. However, the discussion was broader than the theme suggested, as speakers advocated for their different yoga agendas, from wellness tourism in Uganda to yoga as a spiritual practice for school children in the UK.

“The part I found salient about the event was how malleable the term 'yoga' is, as its meaning and utility changed to match the interests of each speaker. Critically analysing this malleability, especially in political contexts, is an important task in the field and a topic we will be exploring in new modules on the MA Yoga Studies programme at SOAS.”