THEUK – INDIAHEALTHANDCULTURALEXCHANGE

Currently, with nearly 40 students across different years groups, the co-curricular yoga is the most popular amongst the activities we offer to our students. Building on an amazing success of yoga sessions facilitated by Joanna Fletcher, RYT-200, Founder of the YogoJo Foundation (a registered charity 1198082), BVGS together with the YogoJo Foundation would like to organise the UK-India Health and Cultural Exchange. At this stage we are looking for Expressions of Interest from parents who would like their son or daughter to take part in this life-changing experience. This opportunity is open to all Vesey’s students. We would like to gauge the potential numbers of students to make relevant preparations.

Please fill in this form that will gather your child’s name and allow you to ask any questions: https://forms.office.com/e/cK408ACcGT

The Health and Cultural Exchange will promote effective, long-term and sustainable practices, like exercise (yoga) and healthy eating (ayurveda) to improve self-efficacy and equip young people with tools such as breathwork, meditation, relaxation, and posture practice to manage mental and physical health without any extra cost to the public health service.

During the Health and Cultural Exchange pupils from BVGS will have an opportunity to:

Learn tools that come from traditional practices that will support their mental and physical health.

Experience the benefits of traditional practices for health and well-being. Prepare to practice yoga, meditation and breathing and learn about the foundations of ayurveda during this life-changing adventure to embrace balance on physical and mental levels.

Experience Indian lifestyle and culture.

The purpose of this exchange is to experience a different culture and go on a journey that will include them learning yoga-based tools that help teenagers thrive in a difficult world where mental health challenges are rife. In this cross-cultural programme students will explore how to recognise and regulate their emotions and improve and maintain their overall health through the multi-dimensional practice of yoga, which includes physical postures, breath, movement, and meditation. Students will also be introduced to Ayurveda.

The Exchange will include social and educational elements. The UK students will visit participating secondary schools in India and spend time with local students’ families to learn about the culture and traditions of Indian people.

The first Exchange will take place 27th October – 5th November 2023 in the Little Cove Resort located in Nashik, an ancient holy city in northern region of Indian state Maharashtra. The total cost is estimated to be £2,000 and includes flights, accommodation, full board, daily yoga practice, airport transfers, local transport and entry tickets. We are looking to heavily subsidise this trip via government funding routes, sponsorship and donations.

A link is attached to a similar programme so parents and pupils can get a feeling for what the trip may involve. The final programme for this event will be circulated in the coming few months.