Prof. (Dr.) Meena Ramanathan is a distinguished academician, researcher, administrator, and internationally recognized Yoga Therapy expert with over two decades of dedicated service in the fields of Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Salutogenesis, and interdisciplinary health sciences. She currently serves as Principal, School of Yoga Therapy, Institute of Salutogenesis and Complementary Medicine, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV), Puducherry (since April 2025). She has been recognized as a PhD Guide in Yoga Therapy and Interdisciplinary Research and has mentored numerous doctoral and postgraduate scholars across India.

Leadership Roles & National Responsibilities

Prof. Meena holds several prestigious national and institutional positions, including:

• Joint Secretary, Indian Yoga Association (IYA), Puducherry UT

• Lead Examiner, Yoga Certification Board (YCB), AYUSH, Govt. of India

• Member, Academic Council, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth

• Member, Yoga Sectional Committee, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), AYUSH Division

• Convener, Panel for Glossary of Patanjali Yoga Sutras (BIS)

• Task Force Member, CSIR–Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), Govt. of India

• Chair, Committee for Engagement of Project Staff, CSIR-TKDL Project

She has also served as Subject Expert for Government of Puducherry, External Expert for Academic Councils, Boards of Studies, Doctoral Committees, and External Examiner/Referee for PhD theses across leading universities including SPPU, SRM IST, MAHER, S-VYASA, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, ICFAI University, and others.

Research, Publications & Scholarly Contributions

Prof. Meena Ramanathan has made exceptional contributions to scientific research in Yoga and Yoga Therapy, with:

• 118 peer-reviewed research papers

• 14 books authored/co-authored

• 6 book chapters with international publishers (Springer, IGI Global, etc.)

• 48 major conference paper presentations

• 209 conferences, seminars, and workshops attended

• 9 copyrights, 15 compilations, and 5 academic hand-outs

Her research prominently addresses women’s health, children with special needs, senior citizens, neurodevelopmental disorders, stress physiology, and therapeutic yoga applications, integrating traditional yogic wisdom with modern biomedical science.

Teaching, Training & Community Service

A committed torchbearer of the Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga Paramparya, Prof. Meena has trained thousands of students through Pondicherry University, Annamalai University, Manonmaniyam Sundaranar University, MGR University, Yoganjali Natyalayam, ACYTER–JIPMER, and community outreach programs.
Since 2004, she has worked voluntarily and tirelessly for the empowerment of Divyanga (persons with disabilities), senior citizens, women, and the transgender community, using Yoga as a tool for inclusion, rehabilitation, dignity, and wellbeing.

Editorial, Media & Knowledge Dissemination

She is Editor, Journal of Applied Yoga Science (JAYS), hosted by Loyola Marymount University & Loyola Law School, USA. She has contributed to national television (Doordarshan), educational videos on Yoga Therapy, audio compilations of Yoga Sutra chanting, and curriculum development initiatives at national and international levels.

Honours, Awards & Global Recognition

Prof. Meena Ramanathan has received numerous state, national, and international honours, including:

• Yoga Chikitsa Acharya, Indian Yoga Association (2023)

• Yoga Lakshmi Puraskara (2024)

• Women Icon of the Year (2024)

• Multiple Lifetime Achievement Awards (2022, 2025)

• Major Dhyan Chand Award – Best Star Coach (2022)

• Rejoice National AYUSH Excellence Award (2019)

• Over 25 major titles and recognitions for excellence in Yoga education, therapy, research, and social service

Eligibility for Lifetime Achievement Award

Prof. (Dr.) Meena Ramanathan is eminently eligible for a Lifetime Achievement Award in Scientific Laurels for her unparalleled, sustained, and multidimensional contributions to the scientific advancement of Yoga and Yoga Therapy. Her career reflects an extraordinary blend of rigorous research, academic leadership, national policy contribution, curriculum development, standard-setting, and compassionate community service. With over 118 scientific publications, decades of doctoral mentorship, leadership roles in AYUSH, BIS, CSIR-TKDL, and transformative impact on vulnerable populations, she has significantly strengthened the scientific credibility, global acceptance, and societal relevance of Yoga. Her lifelong dedication has not only enriched academic knowledge but has also translated research into meaningful health outcomes, making her a true scientific laureate and an inspirational role model in integrative health sciences.