Kathmandu University Yoga Workshop

Practicing Yoga: Bodily and Spiritual Mobilities Across Margins

Date: June 2, 2025
Time: 8:30 to 10:00 am
Venue: Princess Ballroom, Hotel Dusit Princess

Set against the vibrant cultural tapestry of Kathmandu, this 90-minute session invites participants to experience yoga not merely as a physical discipline but as a profound way of living, anchored in the Himalayan wisdom traditions of Nepal. The workshop includes the exploration of how ancient yogic practices continue to shape everyday life, resilience and ecological consciousness in the Nepali context.

Participants will be gently introduced to the Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga), a holistic framework encompassing ethics, posture, breath, concentration, and meditation. The session blends light physical movement and breathwork—accessible to all levels—with meaningful reflection on the spiritual, social, and ecological dimensions of yoga as practiced across communities in Nepal. Through real-life stories from rural regions, including connections to regenerative farming, ritual rhythms, and communal values, this workshop reveals how yoga informs not just individual well-being but collective harmony.

Yoga in Nepal is not confined to studios; it is woven into daily rituals, agricultural cycles and seasonal observances. This session highlights how these embodied traditions traverse margins of caste, gender and geography, offering insight into both rootedness and mobility in Himalayan lifeworlds. Participants are encouraged to arrive with open minds and comfortable clothing, as they engage in a deeply grounding yet intellectually enriching journey. The session closes with guided reflection, fostering intercultural dialogue and inviting participants to consider how yogic principles may resonate within their own personal, academic or spiritual inquiries.

Structure of Workshop

0–10 mins | Welcome and Setting the Intention

• Brief introduction by the facilitator
• Grounding breath awareness
• Invite participants to set a personal intention for the session

10–25 mins | Introduction to Yogic Science

• Overview of the Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga)
• Connection to ancient Himalayan traditions, starting with sound healing via singing bowl
• Comparative reflection with other Asian philosophies

25–50 mins | Guided Demonstration: Body, Breath and Presence

• Gentle yoga postures (asana) and breath practice (pranayama)
• Movements include standing, seated and reclining poses suitable for all levels
• Closing with a short seated meditation
• Reflections on physical, emotional and mental awareness

50–70 mins | Yogic Living: Culture, Ecology, and Resilience

• Talk: Yoga as a holistic way of life in Nepal
• Connections to regenerative farming, ecological balance, and community
• Discussion on how yoga moves across margins: class, caste, gender and nation
• Global relevance of yogic values in times of ecological and social stress

70–85 mins | Embodied Reflection and Sharing

• Journaling Prompt: How Does This Practice Relate to Your Own Scholarly or Life Path?
• Peer Sharing in small groups or pairs

85–90 mins | Closing Ritual

• Gratitude practice or mantra recitation
• Final group sharing and resources for further exploration

Participants are kindly requested to:

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting or stretchy clothing suitable for gentle movement (e.g., t-shirt and yoga pants, track pants, or leggings).
• Bring a light shawl or scarf for sitting meditation (optional).
• Yoga mats will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.
• Please avoid heavy meals at least one hour before the session.
• Bring a water bottle and arrive 5 to 10 minutes early to settle in.

Discussants

Ananta Risal, Program Coordinator, Yogic Science and Wellbeing, Kathmandu University School of Arts
Naresh Rimal, Visiting Faculty, Yogic Sciences and Well Being, Kathmandu University School of Arts