AAPI And Heartfulness Institute hold five-week webinar on meditation practices

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The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in collaboration with the Heartfulness Institute held  a five-week webinar, from March 20^th to April 17^th on Heartfulness Meditation Practices.

The webinars were guided by Kamlesh D. Patel (DAAJI), who is the Heartfulness Global Guide, and initiated by Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, president of AAPI and Dr. Ravi Kolli, president-elect of AAPI.

The Heartfulness Institute has held a series of wellness lectures that help AAPI physicians and provide continuing medical education credits.

Members of AAPI, Drs. Chandra Koneru, Murthy Gokula, Jayaram Thimmapuram, and Kunal Desai, who have been been practicing heart-based meditation for decades, presented and led the hundreds of AAPI members who participated in the webinars.

“The Covid pandemic has impacted all aspects of human life as never been before,” Dr. Gotimukula is quoted saying in the press release, adding, “There has been a noticeable rise in burn out among healthcare professionals.”

Dr. Ravi Koli noted that AAPI members had been helped by heartfulness meditation to get through the pandemic.  “It is a perfect time to heal the healers with a special focus on wellness as we rejuvenate and relax,” said Dr. Ravi Kolli, who, along with several AAPI members visited and experienced Heartfulness Meditation at the Kanha Shantivanam on the outskirts of Hyderabad, during the Global Healthcare Summit organized by AAPI in January this year.

The Heartfulness Institute is a not-for-profit organization established in 130 countries.

Dr. Chandra Koneru, an Internal Medicine professional, AAPI member, and heartfulness trainer said, “Our values align with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) mission to facilitate and enable Indian physicians to improve patient care and engage in research that brings distinctive contributions from India.”

Subjects covered during the webinars included a program overview –  “Why Meditate? Health, Happiness, and Harmony.”  Relaxation techniques, creating restorative and refreshing energy boosts, meditation methods, centering oneself, and finding inner stillness and contentment, were shared during the webinars. Heartfulness meditation is supported by the ancient yogic technique of Pranahuti, which allows us to dive deeper into the heart from the outset, according to Dr. Koneru.

Dr. Murthy Gokula, specialist in Family Medicine, Geriatrics & Lifestyle Medicine, discussed “Rejuvenation: Adding Lightness, Joy, and a Carefree Attitude to Life.”

Dr. Jayaram Thimmapuram, Internal Medicine, spoke about “Inner Connect and Good Sleep and Cultivate Meditative Mind, Heartful Living” in two separate sessions.

Dr. Kunal Desai, an Infectious Disease Specialist, shared, “Tips for Deeper Meditation Experience.”

Dr. Ranga Reddy, a past AAPI President stated, noted this was the first time AAPI has collaborated with the Heartfulness program.  “I hope AAPI will continue this collaboration to bring harmony and happiness to physicians, patients, and the public to create a healthy and peaceful society for the greater good.”

“I have always been a meditation aficionado, so it was heartening to discover that it could be a continuing medical education activity. The practical meditation sessions taught the techniques in real-time and backed them with scientific, informative, and journal club-style didactics.” Said attendee Dr. Rida Khan.