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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Wonkwang Digital University Launches Korean Yoga and Meditation Research Institute With Workshop

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Press release Official statement New plan
  • Wonkwang Digital University held an inauguration ceremony and workshop for the Korean Yoga and Meditation Research Institute at its Iksan campus.
  • About 80 alumni and students attended events marking the institute’s renewed activities, including performances, talks and practical yoga sessions.
  • The institute plans to expand research, social programs and international networking after a period of reduced activity.

Wonkwang Digital University has formally relaunched its Korean Yoga and Meditation Research Institute, bringing together about 80 alumni and current students from different graduating classes at the university’s Iksan campus.

The institute, established in 2007, held an academic seminar in 2009 and published a research collection of about 1,000 pages covering seven areas of yoga and meditation. Its activities later declined and entered a temporary hiatus. A new phase began in March when emeritus professor Seo Jong-sun was appointed director.

We hope the Korean Yoga and Meditation Research Institute will become a focal point for alumni of the Department of Yoga and Meditation and grow into an institute that carries the future of yoga and meditation.

— Seo Jong-sunThe institute director described its role for alumni and future research.

The inauguration ceremony included congratulatory performances by Wondikuru, a team associated with World Yoga Day, and a sword-dance meditation performance by alumnus Lee Seung-ryeol. The second part of the event featured talks by university president Kim Yun-cheol, former Wonkwang University vice president Jeon Byeong-hun, alumna Kim Eun-i and alumnus Jeong Gi-hwan.

After firmly establishing our foundation, we want to build networks in the yoga and meditation field beyond Korea and continue active exchanges.

— Seo Jong-sunShe outlined the institute’s plans for international cooperation.

Participants also took part in a group yoga program designed to help them release daily fatigue and regain energy. The organizers presented the combination of academic discussion and practical sessions as a way to explore how yoga and meditation could be used in society. Research supporters then met by field to discuss long-term projects, future activities and network building.

The institute said it hopes to become a hub for alumni of the university’s yoga and meditation department and eventually build networks and exchanges overseas. The department offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs and teaches both the academic foundations and practical methods of traditional Indian yoga and meditation.

As an educational institution with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs, the Department of Yoga and Meditation is one of Korea’s leading institutions with academic quality and professional expertise in yoga.

— Park Seung-taeThe department chair emphasized the department’s academic role and the institute’s importance.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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