CAREER CORNER: Emerging Careers in Yoga and Meditation

Emerging Careers in Yoga and Meditation

Ranjan K Baruah

A number of new career options and opportunities have emerged in recent times due to changes in our lifestyles. We canwitnessthe growth of new career options due to rapid change in science and technology. A number of different professions have emerged which keeps us busy and as a result of which, many of us do not get time to take care of our health.

It goes without saying that physical and mental stress have increased tremendously amongst young working professionals and others. We need to cope with stress and maintain good health for which we need to practise certain things. Easting healthy food regularly, which is a primary requirement, has also become a challenge for many of us.

In this regard, one or two career options which comes to our mind is yoga and meditation. Yoga and meditation helps us to stay healthy and also helps us to keep our mind focused. While regular practice of yoga and meditation is the key for a bright future for all of us, it also brings along with it a lot of opportunities for those who are experts in these disciplines.

Meditation can be defined as a practice where an individual uses a technique, such as focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Meditation has been practiced since ancient times in numerous religious traditions and beliefs. Since the 19th century, it has spread from its origins to other cultures where it is commonly practiced in private and business life.Meditation may be used with the aim of reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, and increasing peace, perception and wellbeing. Meditation is undergoing research to define its possible health (psychological, neurological, and cardiovascular) and other effects. To meditate it's not necessary to be a Buddhist, Hindu or practice any religion, in fact, meditation has nothing to do with religion.

Meditation is helpful for the body; it stills anxiety, and is generally beneficial. This is scientifically proven. So there are many reasons to meditate. There is no doubt that it can help stress, depression, and anxiety. Everyone can do meditation as it helps in different ways. The main physical benefits of meditation include decrease in physical tension, deletion of psychosomatic disorders caused by tension, prophylaxis against stress, lowers blood pressures, strengthens the immune system, slows the aging process, etc.

It also enhances our academic results as well as helps in professional growth. There are short term mediation courses for teachers available in different parts of the country. Interested may join these courses and start imparting meditation to others. This can be one of the best professions for young people who are searching for employment opportunities. Apart from having knowledge on meditation, aspirants must possess all required skills to be successful.

On the other hand, yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word 'yoga' is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity. 21st June was recently observed as International Yoga Day. The theme for the 2018 celebration, organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, was 'Yoga for Peace.' Yoga, as union, implies perfect harmony of body and mind. It implies the harmonious integration of personality. The most common benefit of Yoga practice is the sense of well being at all levels of our existence.

Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) is an autonomous organisation under Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. MDNIY is a focal Institute for Planning, Training, Promotion and Coordination of Yoga Education, Training, Therapy and Research in all its aspects. MDNIY aims to promote deeper understanding of Yoga philosophy and practices based on classical Yoga amongst people. There are other institutes in India which imparts training and certificate courses apart from other courses related to yoga.

Aspirants may become self-employed with their expertise in meditation and yoga. They may join other meditation centre / yoga studios or may start their own ventures. There are opportunities in educational institutions and even corporate and other institutes. This field has immense opportunites, not only in India but even abroad as well.Hence it brings more opportunities for our young people to take up meditation and yoga as career.

Updates:

British Council GREAT Education Full Scholarships: British Council India has announced up to 67 full tuition fee GREAT Education scholarships for the 2018 academic year in partnership with 25 UK universities. Worth over GBP 1 million, the scholarships comprise 40 postgraduate and 27 undergraduate awards at universities across the UK, covering a broad range of subjects - from art and design to engineering, law, and management. The British Council wants the best and brightest students from across India to apply.The GREAT Britain Campaign is the UK government's initiative to promote the UK internationally as a GREAT place to visit, study and do business.

Open Society Fellowship 2018: Open Society Fellowship 2018 invites applications from journalists, activists, academics, and practitioners of various fields who are open to innovative and unconventional approach towards fundamental issues of the present social-economic scenario. Open Society Foundation, United States offers this fellowship which is open to individuals having diverse occupational, geographic, and ideological profiles. Journalists, activists, academics, and practitioners of various fields are eligible to apply.Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.Applicants must have a deep understanding of the major themes of the proposition for which they are applying. Last Date for applying is 15th July.

Fulbright Kalam Climate Fellowship 2019-20: United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) invites applications for Fulbright Kalam Climate Fellowship 2019-20 from students doing research in the identification of resources in India and the U.S. Interested candidates, who have already registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution, can apply by uploading a sample. Candidate must have conducted adequate research in the relevant field, especially in the identification of resources in India and the U.S. The candidate must be registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution on or before August 1, 2017. Candidate must have been awarded a Ph.D. degree within the past four years.Candidate must have obtained a Ph.D. degree between July 16, 2014, and July 15, 2018. Aspirants may apply before 16th July.

SIA Youth Scholarship in Singapore 2019: SIA Youth Scholarship in Singapore 2019 invites applications from students who have passed their class 10 in 2018 and are willing to study at Pre-University 2-years studies in selected Singapore Junior Colleges in the year 2019. The scholarship is being offered by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, which is responsible for the formulation and implementation of education policies on education structure, curriculum, assessment and pedagogy. An applicant must -be a national of India, be born between 2000 and 2002, have passed class 10 in 2018, possess outstanding academic track record. Aspirants may apply on or before 22nd July.

Ranjan K Baruah is a social activist and career mentor who has conducted career awareness programme in different parts of Assam and Northeast India and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com or 98640 55558 for any career related queries