The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), in collaboration with all the 10 City Council Districts of San Antonio, Texas, and Mayor Ron Nirenberg and iDoYoga San Antonio, is organizing its flagship Free Yoga Classes and Education on the benefits and ways to make yoga a part of one’s daily life during its  40th annual convention later this month.

Led by internationally famed yoga gurus, including  Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, spiritual leader, teacher and author; Paramaguru Sharath Jois, lineage holder of Ashtanga Yoga; and, Eddie Stern, yoga teacher, speaker and author, the highly anticipated and popular yoga on the famous Riverwalk is part of the global celebration of the 8th International Day of Yoga (IDY), founded in 2014 by the UN General Assembly, establishing June 21 (summer solstice) of each year to be a day of celebrating yoga in nations around the world. It was ratified by 175 nations and is now being celebrated each year by millions of people around the world.

A major theme during the 40th annual convention is “Physician, heal thyself,” acknowledging and seeking to respond to the growing signs of burnout among physicians, by offering positive remedial resources as part of the first-ever Wellness Program being offered to participants at the 40th annual Convention of AAPI to be held in Ssn Antonio from June 23 to 26, 2022 at Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center. 

AAPI is the largest ethnic physician organization in the US, representing the interests of over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin. The convention is focussed on themes such as how to take care of self and find satisfaction and happiness in the challenging situations they are in while serving hundreds of patients every day of their dedicated and noble profession. 

Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, President of AAPI, said: “We do acknowledge that these are challenging times, more than ever for us, as physicians, who are on the frontline to assess, diagnose and treat people are affected by this deadly pandemic with Physician burnout post Covid-19. Our colleagues have sacrificed their lives in order to save those impacted by this pandemic around the world."

Accordingly, the wellness sessions at the convention include: Yoga and Meditation practices, welcome kit with books and self-care supplies, personal Reflexology Sessions, take home wellness routine, ailment based yoga therapy sessions, workshop on Spiritual well-being, book talk with Yoga Gurus, including on the science of Yoga and Lifestyle medicine, and a unique opportunity to visit first of its kind in San Antonio, Aum Ashram. 

“Our physician members have worked very hard during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2022 convention is a perfect time to heal the healers with a special focus on wellness,” said Dr.  Jayesh Shah, Chair of AAPI Convention 2022. 

Dr. Shah praised the dedication and generosity of each member for giving their best, to make this Convention truly a memorable one for every participant. 

Put together by a highly talented and dedicated team of Convention Committee members, the four-day event will be filled with programs and activities that cater to the body, mind and soul. The Convention is going to be a unique experience for everyone, he added.

Convention Committee members include Venky Adivi, Chief Executive Officer of the Convention; Dr. Aruna Venkatesh, Convention Treasurer; Dr. Vijay Koli, Past President of AAPI and Convention Advisor; Dr. Rajam Ramamurthy, Convention Advisor; Chief Operating Officers R. Reddy Yeluru and Ram Joolukuntla; Dr. Rajeev Suri, President of TIPS and Co-Chair of the Convention, and the other Co-Chairs of the Convention, including Dr. Shankar Sanka, Dr. Hetal Nayak, and Kiran Cheruku.

The Convention will honor India and its 75 years of Independence Day celebrations- co-sponsored by the Embassy of India and the Consulate General of India (CGI) – Houston. 

Dr. Ravi Kolli, President-Elect of AAPI, said: “This is the first time in the AAPI convention we offer these exclusive wellness packages geared towards the well-being of physicians and their families by bringing the essence of science and spirituality of yoga and lifestyle medicine into our self-care routine. As we all are aware, a calm mind and a refined intellect are essential for making right choices. We promise to leave you empowered with the tools required.” 

Dr. Kusum Punjabi, Chair of AAPI BOT, said: “AAPI being the largest ethnic medical association in the nation, we are proud, we have been able to serve every 7th patient in the country. We serve in large cities, smaller towns and rural areas, sharing our skills, knowledge, compassion and expertise and caring millions of people.”

“Leading up to the festivities, we will be accepting donations for two local non-profits, including Yoga Day Foundation and the Veteran’s Yoga Project," said Dr. Hetal Nayak, Founder of I Do Yoga San Antonio. “These organizations exist to provide yoga and mindfulness training to families in San Antonio through schools, hospitals, military installations and community partnership to improve services. They believe access to these tools improves physical, mental, and emotional health and empowers families to navigate their communities and lives in a more positive way.  iDoYoga San Antonio, is a grassroots community project under the Sewa International, she added.

Each day of the convention will have a specific theme. On Thursday, the theme chosen is “Unity in Diversity” and the delegates will showcase one’s own state dress code. 

Heritage India is the theme for Friday honouring and celebrating India’s rich culture and diversity. 

On Saturday, the focus is on the much-loved Bollywood with special performance by popular Bollywood singer Shaan. The cuisine served each will day match the theme chosen for each day, he added.

Some of the major events at the convention include: Workshops and hands-on sessions on well-being, 10-12 hours of CMEs, Women’s Forum, CEOs Forum, AAPI Got Talent, Mehfil, Bollywood Nite, Fashion Show, Medical Jeopardy, Poster/Research Contest, Alumni and Young Physicians events and Exhibition and Sale of Jewelry, Clothing, Medical Equipment, Pharma, Finance and many more.

“A huge thank you to all of the doctors, physicians, and other healthcare professionals for your dedication and commitment to service during this uncertain time,” Dr. Anjana Samadder, Vice President of AAPI, said. 

“This is a unique opportunity for all of us, the front-line physicians who are putting our lives at risk to the save the lives of others,” Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Secretary of AAPI, said. “Thank you for fighting selflessly against this virus and helping keep everyone healthy and safe,” Dr. Krishan Kumar, Treasurer of AAPI, added.

During the annual convention, physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country and internationally will convene and participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year.

AAPI delegates will have a multidisciplinary CME conference that allows specialists and primary care physicians to interact in an academic forum. World-renowned speakers will discuss gaps between current and best practice of wide-ranging topics at the CME sessions.

Planned to have a limited number of attendance due to the ongoing Covid pandemic and the taking into account the safety of the participants, including Physicians, Healthcare Leaders, Academicians, Researchers and Medical Students, “the annual convention offers extensive academic presentations, recognition of achievements and achievers, and professional networking at the alumni and evening social events,” Dr. Gotimukula added.

For more details, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit:  www.aapiconvention.org  and www.aapiusa.org

(The author is Media Coordinator, AAPI)