Chandigarh, 20.06.26-Recognizing the increasing public health challenge posed by dementia and other age-related neurodegenerative disorders, experts from diverse disciplines deliberated on preventive, diagnostic and holistic approaches to cognitive health during a day-long workshop on “Yoga, Ageing and Dementia Care”, organized by the CCRYN - Collaborative Centre for Mind Body Intervention through Yoga – PGIMER (Yoga centre), PGIMER, Chandigarh in collaboration with NCD World Federation. The workshop attracted around 100 participants, including healthcare professionals, researchers, faculty members, and students.

The workshop brought together neurologists, psychiatrists, public health experts, yoga scientists, academicians and practitioners of traditional knowledge systems to explore emerging perspectives on dementia prevention and healthy ageing. The programme was inaugurated by Chief Guest Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, Chandigarh, in the presence of Prof. Ravneet Kaur, Director Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, who served as the Guest of Honour.

Prof. Vivek Lal highlighted the increasing burden of dementia in ageing populations and stressed the importance of preventive strategies, early diagnosis, and lifestyle interventions such as yoga. He said, “Yoga is connection of outer self to inner self to attain mental harmony” and motivated the new generation to spend time with themselves.

Welcoming the participants, Prof. Akshay Anand, Professor In-Charge, Yoga Centre, PGIMER, emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the rising burden of dementia and promoting evidence-based integrative healthcare.

A book titled “Good Yoga Practices: A Manual of Yogic Techniques” was released during the inaugural session. The book represents the first comprehensive compilation of yogic practices as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) modeled on Good Laboratory Practice and Good Clinical Practice guidelines, thereby promoting quality assurance in yoga research.

This book was developed to standardize yogic techniques for their reproducible and regulated application in education, training, and research. The book also outlines evidence-based applications of each technique across physical, physiological, psychological, spiritual, therapeutic, sports, and management domains, facilitating large-scale implementation and research in yoga.

The uniqueness of this book is further reflected in the collaborative efforts of a large team of authors and reviewers who contributed to the development and validation of the SOPs, ensuring their scientific rigor, practical relevance, and broad applicability.

Delivering the keynote deliberations, the speakers underscored that dementia is emerging as a major healthcare concern globally, with profound implications for patients, caregivers and healthcare systems.

Prof. J.S. Thakur, President of the World NCD Federation, highlighted the epidemiological trends and the growing global burden of dementia, risk factors of dementia and stressed on the importance of preventive strategies. He emphasized the need of centres specialized in healthy ageing.

Prof. Vinod Shastri, former Vice-Chancellor of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University, Jaipur, shared traditional perspectives on understanding cognitive decline and dementia through ancient Indian knowledge systems.

The role of contemplative practices in cognitive health was explored by Acharya Kuldeep, Sant Samagam Coordinator, Samarth Dham, Haryana, who presented evidence-based insights on yoga, meditation and samadhi.

Dr. Rudra Bhandari, Principal and Professor, School of Yoga Sciences, Swami Ram Himalayan University, delivered an informative talk on preserving body, mind and memory through yoga and healthy lifestyle practices. Dr. Rudra designed and shared a special Yoga protocol and diet for healthy ageing and dementia.

Addressing recent advances in dementia care, Dr. Sucharita Ray, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, PGIMER, elaborated on the role of biomarkers in the early detection of dementia and their potential in facilitating timely diagnosis and intervention. She emphasized that a caregiver should always “Remember who they are” while supporting a dementia patient, especially when the patient does not remember the caregiver.

In the post-lunch session, Dr. Nishit Sawal, Consultant Neurologist, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, delivered a comprehensive overview of dementia and FTD, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and differentiating FTD from Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Disha Bhanushali, Faculty, Art of Living, highlighted yoga as a holistic way of life extending beyond physical postures to support cognitive and emotional well-being in ageing populations. She said that although dementia patients may not be able to perform asanas, they can easily follow pranayama, which can help balance the nervous system.

The workshop concluded with an insightful lecture by Dr. Sumit Singh, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, who discussed the evolving landscape of Alzheimer’s disease, including recent advances in understanding, diagnosis and management.

The scientific sessions were chaired by distinguished faculty members including Dr. Alka Khandwal, Professor, Department of Clinical Haematology and Medical Oncology, PGIMER; Dr. Krishan Kumar, Additional Professor, Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER; Mr. Rakesh Mittal, Meditation Practitioner from Kalka; Dr. Pramod K. Avti, Additional Professor, Department of Biochemistry, PGIMER; Dr. Aruna Rakha, Additional Professor, Department of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, PGIMER; Dr. Ajeet Sidana, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, GMCH-32; Dr. Rajni Sharma, Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER; Dr. Rajesh Gupta, Professor and Head, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, PGIMER; and Dr. Akshay Anand, Professor, Department of Neurology, PGIMER, whose valuable observations enriched the discussions.

The workshop concluded with a consensus on the importance of fostering collaborations between clinicians, researchers and experts in traditional health systems to develop comprehensive strategies for the prevention and management of dementia.

Participants appreciated the initiative for providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange on one of the most pressing health challenges of an ageing society.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Pramod K. Avti, Additional Professor, Department of Biophysics and Member, CCRYN–CCMBIY Centre, PGIMER, who acknowledged the contributions of the speakers, organizers and participants in making the workshop a success.