As part of the ongoing research project « Well-Being with Arts », Associate Prof. Dr. Charlène Clonts embarked on a spin-off initiative titled « Well-Being with Art-Yoga in the Istanbul Context ». This project she led in February-March 2025, with the local coordination of Prof. Dr. Barış Çoban, aimed to explore the intersection of art, yoga, and well-being within the rich cultural heritage of Istanbul, Turkey. Below, are detailed the activities and experiences that shaped this unique journey.

Immersion in Istanbul’s Cultural Heritage and Art History

The project began with a few days of an immersive exploration of Istanbul’s cultural heritage and art history. We engaged in activities such as Bosphorus tours, mosque visits, gastronomy tours, and neighborhood explorations. These experiences provided a deep understanding of the city’s historical and cultural context. This immersion allowed Dr. Charlène Clonts to incorporate Istanbul’s cultural elements into the art-yoga practice, including local music, images, sounds, and landscapes, creating a unique and culturally resonant experience for participants.

Collaborative Meetings and Technical Preparations

We held several meetings with the administration and faculty of Doğuş University to establish the project’s framework. These meetings included discussions with the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Barış Çoban, the Vice-Rector of the university Prof. Dr. Yelda Özkoçak, and other key stakeholders. Technical preparations involved setting up materials, organizing registration processes, and ensuring all logistical aspects were in place.

Theoretical and Practical Sessions

The core of the project consisted of a series of theoretical and practical sessions led by Dr. Charlène Clonts. These included:

• Theoretical Training: Lectures and discussions on the theoretical foundations of well-being with art-yoga, aimed at PhD students, faculty members, and administrative staff.
• Practical Sessions: Regular art-yoga practice lessons where participants engaged in yoga exercises integrated with artistic activities. These sessions were designed to collect both qualitative and quantitative data on the impact of art-yoga on well-being.
• Surveys: Conducting surveys to collect quantitative data on participants’ well-being before and after the art-yoga sessions.
• Participant Interviews: Conducting one-on-one interviews to gather qualitative data and insights from participants about their experiences and the benefits of the program.

Conferences and Publications

As part of the project, Dr. Charlène Clonts participated in an online debriefing conference with Kyushu University, Q-AOS, presenting the achievements of the Well-Being with Arts project. Additionally, significant efforts were made towards preparing publications, including a peer-reviewed book on Body-Mind Interactions, to be published: Clonts Ch.*, Cardilli L., Yoshihara K., Exploring Body-Mind Interactions and their Impact on Well-Being: Holistic Practices, IGI Global Ed., Pennsylvania, 2025.

Achievements and Future Prospects

The « Well-Being with Art-Yoga in the Istanbul Context » project provided valuable insights into the role of art and yoga in enhancing well-being. Key achievements include:

• Enhanced Understanding: Gaining a deeper understanding of how cultural context influences the effectiveness of art-yoga practices.
• Data Collection: Successfully collecting comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data to support future research.
• Collaborative Framework: Establishing a strong collaborative framework with Doğuş University, paving the way for future projects and potential Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Looking ahead, the feedback and data collected during this project will inform future initiatives and collaborations. We are particularly excited about the potential for continued research and shared learning in the field of well-being with arts, building on the foundations laid during this project.

« I am grateful to all the participants, collaborators, and institutions that supported this project. Together, we have taken significant steps towards understanding and promoting well-being through the integration of art and yoga. »

Author: Associate Prof. Dr. Charlène Clonts