By Moumita Dhar
NEW DELHI: Relations between India and the Republic of Korea have witnessed a spurt over the past few years with both countries trying to extend their cooperation to more sectors.
In recent years, under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, the two countries have seen a boost in political as well as socio-cultural and economical ties, especially due to the Act East Policy of India and New Southern Policy of South Korea.
New Delhi and Seoul have hardly had any differences in the history of their relationship and share a long, cultural history right from the legendary matrimonial alliance mentioned in the Korean chronicle ‘Samguk Yusa’ between Korean King ‘Gim Suro’ ( 43-532 CE) and Indian Princess ‘Suriratna’, later named as queen ‘Huh Hwang-ok’.
Later, the spread of Buddhism from India to East Asia formed a direct connection between India and Korea,
Both countries share similar values and beliefs. This is reflected as both nations are democratic, attach importance to giving respect to their senior citizens, and have values based on family. Cultural ties between the two nations have been institutionalized through the foundation of the Indian Cultural Center in Seoul (2011) and Busan (2013), where regular coaching for yoga, Indian dance, and Hindi language is imparted.
Over the past few years, the world, including South Korea has witnessed socio-economic changes prompting changes in its population, including the middle class. The socio-economic changes paved the way for a new kind of marketing – ‘Well being’ – which introduced lifestyle changes like yoga, consumption of organic food, and prioritization of health into the South Korean culture. Around 2010 a new trend of ‘Healing Culture/trend’ was introduced and soon replaced the ‘Wellbeing’ of the early 2000s.
According to a report of ‘Samsung, Economic Research Institute’ titled ‘Background of Healing Culture and Directions for Development’ (Lee Seung-cheol et al., 2013), due to excessive stress and desire for a psychological cure, ‘Healing Culture/trend’ emerged as a cultural code, pushing wellbeing trend aside.
This new trend gained more popularity– as per this trend general people especially the young generation are looking for new forms of healing such as meditation, yoga, breathing training as well as spirituality.
Since 2000, yoga has seen a resurgence through a sustained US marketing strategy and numerous Hollywood celebrities endorsing it as a healthy and spiritual way of life. It received a greater impetus after the UN declared June 15 as ‘International Yoga Day’ in 2015. In Korea, around 1200 people performed yoga at the Gwanghwamun Plaza on the first-ever International Yoga Day.
Since the declaration by the UN, yoga has gained popularity and different types of discipline like classical yoga asana, hot Vikram yoga, Hath yoga, and aquatic yoga have found their way into people’s lives.
Yoga classes are being arranged in almost all conventional and unconventional places such as swimming pools, luxury hotels, art galleries, aquariums, and Hanoks (traditional Korean buildings).
The population which has taken to yoga has also seen a surge and is expected to create a huge market to the tune of 4 trillion South Korean Won in the future, most of the profit-seeking yoga centers are of the Vikram Yoga franchise.
Government backing for yoga has also seen a surge with the South Korean government and ICC promoting it among people of all age groups with the emphasis being laid on young adults and schoolchildren. Currently, Seoul National University offers various courses on Indian Yoga & philosophy and conducts scientific research on yoga and its effect on people to reduce stress and improve healthy living.
Yoga has also been mandatory among many high school curriculum. As per their published research results, Yoga is beneficial at a physical, mental behavioral, and social level for high school students. Yoga practice may effectively contribute to achieving the World Health Organization’s definition of Health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing”.
Almost all of the participants of SNU’s research wanted to Yoga classes regularly. Most of the girl participants want to practice yoga to reduce weight and for lean physic while boys students wanted to join to increase height. Most of the participants have informed through yoga practice they have learned to concentrate and to manage stress. For Koreans, practicing Yoga is a part of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).
Parents of children aged between 0-17years are worried about the cost of complementary and conventional care. Most of the participants want to continue yoga if it is offered in schools. Hence, a cost-effective yoga program will be more accessible to a large group of the population.
Indo-Korean ties with respect to yoga were on display when an Indian national Abhijeet Ghose was appointed as a yoga teacher in the Seoul National University in 2006. Another Indian teacher in South Korea, who is popular among the students, is Soma Dutta.
Apart from being promoted in various places, yoga training and Yoga teachers training centers have gained popularity with such examples being the ‘Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center’ and ‘Asteya Yoga Songdo’.
The South Korean government is leaving no stone unturned for promoting yoga, also an ancient medicinal science, in the country and have pumped in huge capital and resources to prevent the ill effects of globalization from trickling into the Korean population. The Indian government too has shown a keen interest in sending qualified yoga instructors to South Korea.
Looking at the rising popularity of yoga, it seems that the age-old knowledge while increasing the quality of daily life, will improve socio-economic-political relations between India and South Korea.
About the Author:
Moumita Dhar is the Assistant Curator, Section head, PHA, National Museum, New Delhi
email: curatormoumita@gmail.com
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