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Summary of Talk by Disha sanjanwala, Yoga & Meditation Teacher and School Educator, on behalf of the World Yoga Federation, at the Indo-American World Yoga Conference, 2024

At the Indo-American World Yoga Conference, 2024, Disha—a yoga and meditation teacher as well as a dedicated school educator—shared her powerful and deeply personal journey of integrating yoga into classrooms across India, New Zealand, and now the United States. Speaking on behalf of the World Yoga Federation, she highlighted how introducing mindful practices to children at a young age can leave an enduring impact on their confidence, mental health, and ability to thrive in today’s world.

A Journey That Began With a Leap of Faith

Disha’s yoga journey began in 2011, when she made the courageous decision to leave behind a promising career in advertising to pursue a more meaningful path. Her calling soon led her into the world of education and yoga, with her first teaching experiences in Mumbai, India.

Working with children from the underprivileged Manpur slums through the Akanksha Foundation, she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of yoga. Despite living in conditions of poverty, poor sanitation, and heavy family responsibilities, the children responded to yoga with remarkable enthusiasm. Through consistent practice, they built self-confidence, improved school attendance, and—most importantly—rediscovered joy amidst hardship.

From Scarcity to Disconnection: Teaching in New Zealand

Her journey then took her to New Zealand, where the challenges looked different but were equally pressing. Here, children had access to material comforts, yet many suffered from emotional disconnection caused by excessive screen time and reduced family interaction.

Disha found that yoga could bridge this gap. By introducing practices that emphasized focus, emotional regulation, and social connection, she saw children grow calmer, kinder, and more resilient. She employed creative tools—animal postures, music, storytelling, and visual aids—that made yoga not only accessible but also deeply engaging for her students.

She also integrated yoga into classrooms with special educational needs, demonstrating how adaptable the practice can be when rooted in compassion and creativity.

Breath, Stillness, and the Power of Five Minutes

Disha’s approach also included short, five-minute meditation and pranayama practices, woven seamlessly into the school day. These practices gave children practical tools to manage stress, self-regulate emotions, and even lead sessions for their peers.

The results were visible in classrooms: improved attention spans, stronger social-emotional skills, and greater academic engagement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these practices became lifelines for both students and parents, helping them navigate fear, uncertainty, and isolation.

Disha also emphasized that her personal practice was inseparable from her teaching. By deepening her own discipline, she found greater strength, clarity, and compassion—qualities that directly influenced her relationships with students and families.

Bringing Yoga to Special Needs Education in the USA

Today, Disha lives and teaches in the United States, where she works at a special needs school. Here, too, she has found yoga to be a powerful bridge—helping children with diverse learning and emotional needs find calm, focus, and joy.

Her vision extends beyond individual classrooms: she dreams of embedding yoga into the heart of global education systems, where mindfulness and self-awareness are seen as essential as reading and mathematics. For Disha, yoga is not a “supplement” to education, but a foundation for nurturing resilient, mindful, and emotionally intelligent future generations.

A Closing Message of Hope

Disha concluded her talk with a message that was both hopeful and urgent: yoga has the power to support not only stronger mental health and academic success, but also community harmony and global peace.

Her journey across three continents stands as living proof that, regardless of circumstances—whether material scarcity or emotional disconnection—yoga provides children with tools for resilience, gratitude, and joy.

By planting these seeds early, she believes, we are preparing the ground for a more peaceful and compassionate society.

Namaste.

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