Mangaluru: A Yoga and Mudra Camp for staff and students was inaugurated at St Aloysius College (autonomous) at the college auditorium.

Kumara, KAS, additional deputy commissioner and additional district magistrate, DK district was the chief guest.

Dr Praveen Martis, SJ, principal presided over the programme. Yogaratna Golapakrishna Delampady, an alumnus of St Aloysius College, demonstrated Yoga and Mudra to the staff and students of the college.

Chief guest Kumara in his speech thanked the organisers for conducting the camp. He explained the importance of Yoga and Mudra in daily life. “Yoga is not only good for body, but for mind also. It has some power and we must understand it and practice it on a regular basis. We do not require so many health centres, instead we require these kinds of camps. If we practice Yoga for an hour, it will take care of our body for the next 23 hours. Hence, Yoga is the only way to take care of our body and mind. There are so many doctors for different body diseases, but there is only one doctor for the mind namely the psychiatrist.

"Organizing such Yoga camps will help the people to move toward a healthy and tension-free society. Rather than medication, meditation is important. Yoga is the only way to spread positivity. Hence, learn Yoga and Mudra and live a peaceful and healthy life."

Yogaratna Golapakrishna Delampady, in his speech, explained the importance of Yoga and Mudra. He said, "Yoga is a symbol of peace of mind and spiritual achievement which means a sound mind in a sound body. Practising Yoga and Mudra will make one feel relaxed, relieved and tension-free."

Addressing the audience, Fr Dr Praveen Martis SJ, stressed on the importance of practising Yoga for a peaceful and healthy life. "Yoga will improve concentration and memory power of students. Practice Yoga regularly. Foreigners are inspired by Yoga and they practice it too. Yoga and Mudra go hand in hand and meditation will purify our mind," he said.

Manasa and group conducted a prayer. Dr Ishwar Bhat, convenor of the camp welcomed the gathering and introduced the guests. Dr Santhosh Wilson Goveas, co-convenor of the camp, compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.