ICAI Dubai celebrates International Yoga Day with focus on holistic health and well-being

The International Yoga Day celebration by ICAI Dubai Chapter highlights yoga's role in empowering health and well-being through self-discovery, holistic practices, and simple habits.

The event brought people together and united them in yoga and empowered them health, honouring the practice's global impact and India's roots.

CA Jai Prakash Agarwal, Chairman of ICAI Dubai Chapter said that “Yoga is a journey of self-discovery that fosters balance, joy, and connection with oneself and others, empowering true health and well-being beyond physical postures.”

He requested members to remain active, practice yoga and monitor health pro-actively. Because if earning money is important, enjoying the same for long run cannot happen without health.

Chartered accountant Surabhi Gandhi, also known as India's yoga girl, discusses the importance of holistic well-being and introduces her unique chair yoga format to help professionals prioritise their health and performance. She educated simple health practices, such as the "9 to 1 rule" which means:

9 – Take 9,000 steps a day for daily movement and circulation
8 – Drink 8 glasses of water to stay hydrated and energized
7 – Sleep for 7 hours to allow the body and mind to recover
6 – Practice 6 minutes of meditation to reset your focus and reduce stress
5 – Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables to nourish your body
4 – Take 4 short breaks during the day to avoid burnout and improve productivity
3 – Have 3 healthy meals a day for balanced nutrition
2 – Maintain a 2-hour gap between meals to improve digestion
1 – Commit to at least 1 physical activity daily—be it yoga, a walk, or a workout

Shivani Shah, a 6-time world champion in kettle bell sports, who is also a chartered accountant and mother, shares her life journey of self-discovery, from a life of faith and fear to becoming an empowered individual through her experiences as a parent and entrepreneur.

Her life was transformed by discovering the concept of the "four wheels of life" and finding her personal passion in weightlifting with kettle bells, which brought her joy and resilience.

The event also focused on stress and anxiety, which can be managed through mindfulness, self-acceptance, and empowerment in health, by identifying sources, reframing challenges, and prioritizing physical and mental well-being in a world where diseases ranges from 13,000 to 55,000.

Dr Nidhi Kumar from Aster DM healthcare suggested to seek help from a psychiatrist when experiencing unmanageable stress, and it's crucial to overcome stigma and denial, just like seeking medical help for physical conditions like diabetes.

Dr Brijesh Mittal, Deputy Medical Director, Medcare emphasized that while death is inevitable, premature death is not, and adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, exercise, and stress control, can prevent cardiac diseases and ensure a long, healthy life.

The key to maintaining good health is to focus on balanced eating, including heart-healthy foods, controlling portion sizes, and limiting unhealthy substances like sodium and added sugars, rather than relying on gadgets, monitoring, and complicated dietary plans.

The event ended with Laughter Yoga by a renowned Yogacharya Dhakaram Ji, who said that the ultimate purpose of all actions in life is to attain happiness, which can be achieved through laughing, and laughing has numerous benefits, including improved blood circulation, reduced stress, and a positive environment.

Rishi Chawla, Vice Chairman of ICAI Dubai Chapter echoed the voice of speakers and said that yoga and wellness should be incorporated into daily life, even in unexpected ways, such as through chair yoga and viewing food as a celebration.

Amit Chawla, secretary of the chapter actively participated and kept the event alive and active with his witty statements.

Aashna Mulgaonkar, treasurer of the chapter said that everyone should practice Yoga and monitor health, else what one earns will not be spent on happiness but health maintenance.

The event was well supported by Aster DM Healthcare by organising a medical camp for all attendees, so that this check-up helps them realise their health and they can take proactive actions.