In today’s Age of Overload, we are drowning in data – hyperconnected yet experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. As we strive for health, balance and longevity in a rapidly changing world, we ask: can the ancient traditions of yoga and Ayurveda meaningfully support modern minds?
This year’s summit will explore precisely this question through the theme: Yoga in the Age of Overload.
The event brings together academic researchers, yoga practitioners and advocates to engage in critical dialogue across a series of curated panels. Our aim is to create a day of learning, reflection and thought-provoking discussion on pressing issues in Yoga Studies.
Together, we will examine how yoga and Ayurveda may offer tools to navigate the pressures of modern life—helping to alleviate stress, recover from burnout and depletion, and support wellbeing.
The programme blends intellectually rich panels with experiential sessions, including two guided yoga practices led by senior BWY teachers within the auditorium.
The SOAS Centre of Yoga Studies and the British Wheel of Yoga are delighted to co-host this unique collaborative event for the second year running. We look forward to welcoming you for a day that informs, inspires and uplifts.
Host: Professor Ulrich Pagel, Chair of the SOAS Centre of Yoga Studies
Moderator: Dr Suzanne Newcombe, Senior Lecturer at Open University
Keynote Speaker (opening): Julia Hobsbawm OBE, is an award-winning writer and speaker about the world of work. She founded and heads the corporate consultancy network Workathon and the nascent World Work Organization. Both aim to reframe work so that humans everywhere can work well in an agentic age.
Keynote Speaker (closing): Professor Finnian M. Gerety, University of Oxford, Principal Investigator of MANTRAMS Project. Appointed as Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, he is a historian of Asian religions. His research focuses on the intersection of Sanskrit texts and Hindu ritual in early India, especially the sacred utterances and chants known as mantras.
Speakers:
Practice Teachers:
BWY teachers may accrue 6 CPD points for this event, which will be added automatically to your profile after the event if you attend in person. If you attend online and would like to have the points added to your profile, please contact: events@bwy.org.uk.
| 09:00
09:15 |
Registration in Reception
Auditorium opens |
| 09:30 | Welcome and introductions
Prof. Ulrich Pagel and Dr Suzanne Newcombe (Moderator) |
| 09:50 | KEYNOTE
Opening Speaker: Julia Hobsbawm OBE |
| 10:10 | Q&A with the Keynote speaker |
| 10:20 | Speaker 2: Dr Theo Wildcroft |
| 10:40 | Q&A with the speakers |
| 11:00 | YOGA PRACTICE: Judy Hirsh Sampath |
| 11:30 | Morning Tea (refreshments and snack provided)
Book stalls, Networking, Lunch (not provided) |
| 13:15 | PANEL 2
Speaker 3: Emeritus Prof. Dominik Wujastyk |
| 13:35 | Speaker 4: Amarjeet S Bhamra |
| 13:55 | Q&A with the speakers |
| 14:15 | YOGA PRACTICE: Rajesh David |
| 14:45 | Afternoon Tea Break - refreshments provided |
| 16:00 | KEYNOTE
Closing Speaker: Professor Finnian Gerety |
| 16:25 | Q&A with the Keynote speaker |
| 16:40
17:00 |
CLOSING ADDRESS
Professor Ulrich Pagel, Chair of the SOAS Centre of Yoga Studies Close. |
