Yoga and Mental Health Summit

Mental well-being does not look the same for everyone. The Yoga & Mental Health Summit explores how everyday stress, relationships, responsibilities, purpose, and life experiences shape our inner well-being. Each speaker brings a different perspective on mental health and how Yoga and complementary practices may support it. Together, we explore how these practices can meet people in the realities of everyday life. Sign up now — it’s FREE. #yoga programs, #Free yoga courses, #Health wellness courses, #Yoga therapy courses, #Mental health courses, #Emotional intelligence courses

Program Overview

Why This Summit Matters
Mental health is not only about managing a crisis.
It is also reflected in how we respond to stress, uncertainty, relationships, changing life stages, caregiving, sensory overload, emotional fatigue, questions of purpose and the demands of everyday life.
And therefore, support cannot always look the same for everyone.
Yoga offers a framework that works through the body, breath, behaviour, senses, attention, self-awareness and way of living.
Alongside other complementary perspectives, it can help us explore more thoughtful and context-sensitive ways of supporting well-being.

What We Will Explore
Across the summit, speakers will bring perspectives from their own areas of work and experience, including:

  • Yoga, dharma, purpose and inner well-being
  • Women’s mental health through different stages and experiences of life
  • Yoga in the context of autism and neurodiversity, including support for teachers and parents
  • Stress, emotional resilience and nervous-system regulation
  • The relationship between body, breath, mind, lifestyle and environment
  • How Yoga and complementary practices can be adapted for different individuals and communities


Rather than looking for one technique or one answer, the summit encourages us to become more curious about the person in front of us.

What You May Take Away
By the end of the summit, participants may leave with:

  • A broader understanding of mental well-being across different populations and life situations
  • Greater sensitivity towards individual needs and lived experiences
  • New perspectives on the relationship between Yoga, mental health and society
  • Practical approaches that may support emotional balance, awareness and resilience
  • A deeper appreciation of Yoga as more than a relaxation technique
  • Greater curiosity about how complementary practices can work alongside appropriate professional care

---------------------------------------------
Important Note:

This summit is educational and experiential in nature. Yoga and complementary practices may support overall mental well-being, but they are not substitutes for diagnosis, psychotherapy, psychiatric care, medication, developmental interventions or emergency mental-health support.

Participants receiving professional care should continue to follow the guidance of their qualified healthcare professionals.

Course Curriculum

Yoga and Mental Health Summit

Schedule

Day Time Title
06-09-2026 08:00 - 08:50 AM Session 1: Saraswathi Vasudevan - Yoga Vahini
06-09-2026 09:00 - 09:50 AM Session 2: Dr. N. Ganesh Rao - ACT Yoga
06-09-2026 10:00 - 10:50 AM Session 3: TBA
06-09-2026 05:00 - 05:50 PM Session 4: Nea Ferrier, Founder Ashtanga Yoga Dubai
06-09-2026 06:00 - 06:50 PM Session 5: Vinay Kulkarni, Entrepreneur, Dharmic Innovator, Advocate for Indian Knowledge System
06-09-2026 07:00 - 07:50 PM Session 6: Alessandra Zamora, Colegio Monarch

Meet Our Mentors

Saraswathi Vasudevan

Saraswathi Vasudevan has close to 35 years of experience in teaching yoga and providing personalized yoga therapy in the tradition of Sri T. Krishnamacharya and Sri T.K.V. Desikachar. She holds postgraduate degrees in Nutrition and Psychology, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Yoga Studies from Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM), Chennai.

Having trained under Sri T.K.V. Desikachar and other senior teachers and served at KYM for over 17 years, Saraswathi has developed deep expertise in adapting yoga to the unique needs and abilities of each individual. Her teaching is rooted in a philosophy that honors each person’s uniqueness, strengths, and challenges.

She is the Founder and Director of YogaVahini, a yoga institute based in Chennai and Hyderabad, India, offering specialized yoga therapy and teacher training programs. Saraswathi has also served as a Board Member of the Yoga Alliance (YA), contributing to the advancement of yoga professionals worldwide.

Dr. N. Ganesh Rao

Dr. N. Ganesh Rao helps people build inner strength through yoga, philosophy, and disciplined practice. With over 26,500 yoga sessions conducted across 20+ countries, his work focuses on health, healing, and clarity of mind.

A former Finance Executive at Tata Motors with more than two decades of corporate experience, Dr. Rao chose to dedicate his life to teaching and transformation. He is also a former professional soccer player who represented his State in six National Championships and trained over 5,000 players across 20 years.

Academically, he holds multiple qualifications including M.com., DMS, M.A. (Philosophy), Ph.D., D.N., D.Y.Ed., and Yoga Chikitsa Acharya. He serves as Professor and Ph.D. Guide in Yoga & Philosophy, with eight doctoral scholars completing their research under his guidance.

A regular Himalayan trekker for over 35 years, Dr. Rao blends discipline, depth, and real-life experience into his teachings. He has authored four books and numerous articles, and serves on Boards of Studies and as Visiting Professor at institutions including Kaivalyadhama, Sri Sri University, MNLU, and the College of Defence Management.Through clarity, structure, and compassion, he continues to guide students toward inner stability and conscious living.

Nea Ferrier

Nea is a teacher of Ashtanga yoga practice and philosophy. She was given the blessing to teach by Paramaguru Sharath Jois in 2010. She has taught as a resident teacher in Australia, Japan and the UAE, where she founded Ashtanga Yoga Dubai in 2014, as well as a visiting teacher at yoga shalas across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

A student of yoga for more than 20 years, Nea continues her personal studies in Ayurveda, Tantra and Veda Chanting. She is a Menstruality Mentor, certified by The Red School, and is passionate about sharing menstruality as the ultimate spiritual practice for women.

Nea’s teaching style is gentle, compassionate and intuitive, focused on guiding students to find their own balance between effort and letting go, and to practice in a way that is sustainable and supportive for various life stages.

Nea now resides in Cape Town and currently teaches online, as well as leading retreats internationally.

Vinay Kulkarni

Vinay Kulkarni brings over 25 years of global experience in business management and wellness as an entrepreneur, advisor, educator, and marketer.

His focus spans business transformation and the meaningful integration of Dharmic principles into organizational practice. He created the Dharmic Enterprise Framework, a model that helps organizations align profit with purpose and evolve as Dharmic enterprises. In Bengaluru, he established a cultural center housing The Upadesha Academy (IKS-based workshops & retreats), Darshana Books & Gifts (Indic), and Samvada Bistro, where he explores his passion for fusion cuisine blending traditional Indian and international flavors, alongside ventures including ALCHMI, Sanskritishala (cultural workshops for children & youth), and Sanathani.com (Indic merchandise). Through this ecosystem, he works to embed Dharmic principles across business, education, and governance.

Frequently asked questions

Is this course suitable for yoga teachers who have never worked with cancer patients before?

Yes. This program is specifically designed for yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and wellness professionals who wish to develop a safe and foundational understanding of cancer rehabilitation. No prior experience working with cancer patients is required. The course begins with cancer physiology, treatment awareness, safety guidelines, and professional boundaries before progressing into therapeutic applications.

Does this course train participants to treat or cure cancer through yoga?

No. This program does not teach participants to diagnose, treat, or cure cancer. The focus is on understanding how yoga, breathwork, relaxation techniques, lifestyle practices, and emotional support can be used safely as complementary and supportive tools during recovery and rehabilitation. Medical treatment must always remain under the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals.

Who can enroll in this program?

This course is ideal for:
• Certified Yoga Teachers
• Yoga Therapists
• Ayurveda & Wellness Practitioners
• Physiotherapists and Rehabilitation Professionals
• Healthcare and Caregiving Professionals
• Advanced Yoga Students interested in therapeutic applications
A sincere interest in learning ethical and supportive approaches to cancer rehabilitation is essential.

What will I learn during the course?

Participants will gain knowledge and practical skills in:
• Understanding cancer physiology and treatment processes
• Recognizing contraindications and red flags for yoga therapists
• Designing adaptive yoga practices for various stages of recovery
• Using pranayama, meditation, Yoga Nidra, and relaxation techniques appropriately
• Supporting emotional and psychological well-being through yogic approaches
• Applying Ayurvedic lifestyle and recovery-support principles safely and ethically

Will I receive a certificate after completing the course?

Yes. Participants who fulfill the attendance requirements and successfully complete the assessments, assignments, and final integration project will receive a Certificate in Cancer Rehabilitation through Yoga & Integrative Healing from hellomyyoga.

Are the sessions live or recorded?

This batch will be conducted entirely LIVE on Zoom to encourage interaction, discussion, case-based learning, and direct faculty engagement. Session recordings may be made available to enrolled participants for revision purposes, subject to faculty permissions and course policies.

Can I immediately start working with cancer patients after completing this course?

This course provides specialized educational training and foundational competency in supportive cancer rehabilitation through yoga. However, participants are expected to work within their professional scope of practice, follow ethical guidelines, obtain informed consent, collaborate with healthcare providers when appropriate, and refer clients back to medical professionals whenever necessary.

What makes this course different from a regular Yoga Therapy program?

This program focuses specifically on cancer rehabilitation and recovery. It integrates oncology awareness, yoga therapy adaptations, psychological and emotional support, Ayurveda-based recovery principles, safety protocols, referral awareness, and ethical frameworks—areas that are often not covered in depth within general yoga teacher training programs.

How can I register for the course?

Registration details will be available on our website or can be obtained through direct contact with our program coordinators.

Testimonials

I have taken many online offerings through Hellomyyoga. Their offerings are timely, relevant, and insightful. In the modern world, the ancient teachings of yoga seem more relevant than ever. Hellomyyoga does an excellent job of sharing the teachings with modern practitioners.

~Julia C. Jonson, Yoga Instructor, USA

It's truly wonderful to have a platform like HelloMyYoga, fostering an enriching space. The genesis of profound texts such as Yogavashishtha and Bhagavadgita arose from the sacred dialogue, the samvaad, between the seeker and the guide. What sets HelloMyYoga apart is how it recreates this atmosphere of samvaad and the invaluable experience it offers, enabling direct inquiries to the guru, thereby nurturing the expansion of knowledge and wisdom. Additionally, the platform's ability to connect us with the finest yoga teachers worldwide online has significantly simplified the learning process, making it remarkably effortless and accessible from the comforts of our home.

~Rajat Thakur, Yoga Scholar, India

hellomyyoga offers authentic courses and workshops with experienced teachers to dive deeper into the world of yoga. I would recommend their offerings to anyone interested in learning more about yoga, it's philosophy and application.

~Sabine Lehnhardt, Yoga Instructor, Australia

hmy provides content of teachers with profound, ancient knowledge about yogic practices as well as tradition and background information. I highly appreciate hmy's work, here I can study with absolute trust about the authenticity of what is being taught.

~Bernd Pasitschniak, Yoga Scholar, Germany

hellomyyoga is an absolutely amazing page on social media providing such an inspiring, enriching yet diverse health & wellness platform. It is offering a wide range of authentic, thought-provoking & educational courses, talks, webinars, etc. disseminating ancient, scientific & experiential wisdom taught by expert specialists, to help heal, transform & inspire yoga teachers, enthusiasts & a bigger community at large in India & internationally. Its authentic, sincere & generous service & approach is highly commendable. .

~Veena Sethi, Yoga Instructor, Thailand