REPORT EMBRACING GENDER DIVERSITY ON THE MAT –YOGA
FOR ALL
The Department of Public Health Dentistry , Azeezia College of Dental Science and Research,
Kollam organized a seminar on ‘ Embracing Gender Diversity on the Mat –Yoga for all ‘ on
November 11 th , 2023.The seminar focused on benefits of yoga and karate in ones physical and
mental well being. The program started at 8 am in lecture hall 3. The seminar was given by Dr.
Shefy Baiju, House surgeon of Azeezia College of Dental Sciences and Research. She was the
former JSKA National Karate Champion, KKA’s state karate champion, Brown Belt First degree,
Chief karate Instructor at Vellamanal Govt. School, VVHS Ayathil, Govt school, Junior Trainer
at JSK India kashu kan karate. She is also a certified yoga trainer and chief yoga trainer at
Natyanjali.
Her main focus was to involve as many students to learn yoga and karate as an extracurricular
activity other than just focusing on studies. She motivated us with her achievements. She also put
forward the importance of these activities in boosting one’s confidence.
The program had a tagline of ‘Think out of the box ‘, encouraging students to have an extra
earning other than from dentistry alone. She detailed about the different levels of Karate belts
and how to get into the Championship being held. Yoga too had many health benefits which was
explained by sitting examples from her own experience. She also had a talk on the academics
relating the scope of the course, job opportunities, preparing for post- graduate examination etc.
It was an engaging and empowering class that inspired us in many ways. After the session, we
were able to realise the importance and benefits of a physical activity like karate and yoga as
well as the need of a financial backup plan as a student. The program concluded around 9 am
leaving us in a State of positive and hopeful mind.
