Meet Sunil Sain. Approaching 60, he is due to retire as a Branch Manager of the State Bank of India in a couple of months. For a quarter century now, he has been teaching Yoga (including pranayam and dhyan) to people in Meerut. He has been associated with Yoga Vigyan Sansthan (YVS) ever since it was established by Rishi Ram Sharma of Delhi in 2008. Previously, he was part of Bharatiya Yoga Sansthan, also co-founded by Sharma in 1967. Together, both the bodies have been working to bring about Yoga awareness among masses, without charging any fee or even formality of registration etc., for half-a-century now. And Sunil Sain has carved out for himself the place of a Yoga Guru in Meerut all the while serving the two organisations selflessly.
The YVS currently runs 70 centres in Meerut where more than 2,500 saadhaks and saadhikas get lessons in Yoga every day. There are about 150 shikshaks and shikshikas. Every Yoga-kendra has one-hour daily programme schedule which begins with chanting of ‘Om’ and Gayatri Mantra. This is followed by 25 minutes of yogasanas, 15 minutes of pranayam and about 10 minutes of dhyan. On sundays, special kriyas, such as jal neti, sootra neti, rubber neti and kunjal kriya are practised. These are meant to cleanse all the systems of human body such as respiratory, circulatory, digestive, reproductive and excretory. “My acidity of seven years had gone after a few sessions of kunjal kriya” says Devendra Rastogi, a sadhak. Sarita Garg (60), who suffered from breast cancer, had a smooth and painless recovery after surgery, thanks to YVS Yoga practises. Uttam Singh, aged about 45, who also happens to be the president of local unit, had a child from his marriage after a long waiting period of 17 years. He ascribes this to the daily practise of sinhasan (the lion posture).
Yoga, including pranayam, works to de-addict from habits such as smoking and drinking, says Sunil Sain. It is a natural process of transformation that contributes to physical well-being and mental happiness along with spiritual upliftment, he adds.
Being district secretary of YVS, Sunil Sain continues to visit almost all the kendras of Meerut every one of which is managed by a kendra-pramukh. One is really impressed by their development into virtual human dynamos while
devoting themselves into an important social cause. —Ajay Mittal, Meerut
Spreading Kriyayoga
Kriyayoga Ashram & Research Institute (KARI) of Allahabad located near holy Triveni Sangam is an International Yoga Centre committed for the spiritual development, in order to enable us to enjoy and experience the most complete lifestyle, an extraordinary blend of the ancient spirituality of India and modern science. The Ashram now also runs Kriyayoga Fellowship Society, which is a global organisation spreading the ancient, original and ever-green Science of Kriyayoga to the world under the blessed instruction and guidance of its founder President Swami Shree Yogi Satyam. All the sessions conducted by Guruji aims to spread Kriyayoga worldwide.
KARI, is primarily focused on spreading the original Spiritual Science—Kriyayoga Meditation in India and all over the world. By doing so, a dedicated and sincere community will be built to not only bring about national
development, but also national and international peace and harmony. Any person who is devoted to Kriyayoga is able to cure all kinds of illnesses and sicknesses of body and mind.
Kriyayoga sessions are also arranged at locations away from the Ashram in remote villages, educational institutions, offices, and community places of India. These sessions are mainly introductory to devotees who have experienced wonderful results and want to serve humanity by sharing the practise of Kriyayoga with others in their community, to enable all to experience the most fulfilling life.
Swami Satyam says, “Kriyayoga is the highest, fastest and royal way to God-realisation.” His ultimate goal is to make this science easily accessible to all.
The Government of India has assigned Kriyayoga Research Institute with several assignments such as the ‘Teachers Training Programme’ for all school teachers in Uttar Pradesh, rehabilitation programs for prison inmates, and learning and development programmes for
students of all grades and different
learning institutions throughout India.
—Dr Shakti Kumar Pandey, Lucknow
Yoga Therapy at KYM
From children to pregnant women, from stressed out corporate executives to people in pain, thousands have sought the portals of Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) over the years.
KYM was founded by TKV Desikachar, the son and the student of T Krishnamacharya in 1976. Starting his career as an engineer, TKV Desikachar was inspired by his father’s teachings and became his student in the 1960’s. He studied under the guidance of Krishnamacharya for over thirty years. KYM founded by him as a tribute to his father and mentor, is a Public Charitable Trust, recognised by the Health and Family welfare Ministry, Government of Tamil Nadu. KYM is also recognised as a Yoga Research Institute under Scientific and Industrial Organisation, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.
Yoga Therapy is the hallmark of the Krishnamacharya Tradition. It was Krishnamacharya’s strong conviction that the practise of yoga and the application of its numerous tools must be done to suit the changing needs and requirements of the individual.
KYM—Mitra is KYM’s commitment to offer to the socially and economically underprivileged sections of society free and focused yoga training as a means of giving the recipients potent tools for improving health, vitality and confidence. The KYM Institute of Yoga Studies focuses primarily on training teachers and therapists who evolve as highly competent torch-bearers of the yoga tradition of T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar. The KYM Institute of Yoga Studies, apart from its intensive yoga teacher and yoga therapist training programmes offers a number of short-term yoga intensives for Indians and international students alike on a wide range of subjects including Principles and Practise of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation, Yoga Philosophy (Yoga Sutra, Yoga Rahasya, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vasistam, Yoga Taravalli etc.) and Application of tools of yoga in Therapeutic and non-therapeutic contexts. Since its inception in 1976, the KYM’s research wing is to systematically organise and analyse the data and make this information available to the yoga community. Its aims is to sharpen the focus and broaden the scope of corporate yoga programmes and provide client-
specific holistic health management
solutions. —Rama Devi, Chennai
Health through Yoga
Asana Andiappan College of Yoga and Research Centre, Chennai, India (previously called as Andiappan Yoga Training Centre) was established in 1950 in the remote village of Southern Tamil Nadu. Run by a family of dedicated Yoga practitioners who have devoted their lives to the practise, the college has, over the years, helped to develop and raise awareness of Yoga among the people of India.
The Founder of the institution, Guruji Dr Asana Andiappan, has been practicing Yoga for over 70 years. His dedication to the ancient system is anchored in more than just an interest in its spiritual side: it is its curative effects; in particular, that has made Yoga a lifetime vocation for Guruji.
Today Guruji openly shares his knowledge and life experiences with those who are willing to learn. He has written over 25 books on Yoga Therapy for various ailments in Tamil, the regional language, as well as
published numerous research papers on the curative effects of Yoga Guruji Dr Andiappan’s yogic influence spans the entire world, though earlier ripples of his study and teachings began in his own family. The Guruji’s sons and daughters are all Yoga masters backed by a lifetime of practise, and all run their own Yoga centres in India.
The specialty about this Yoga centre is its therapeutic classes conducted by guruji’s daughter Dr Lakshmi Andiappan. She is a full-fledged medical practitioner, has been practising Yoga since the age of three under the eagle eyed tutelage of her father and Guru Dr Asana Andiappan, a pioneer of Yoga Therapy and Thirumoolar’s Ashtanga Yoga in India.
Since the age of six, Dr Lakshmi has won many awards in Yoga at district, state and international level and has
presented scientific papers in conferences on various topics on Yoga therapy for ailments such as obesity, heart conditions, and most recent one being Yoga for Pregnancy complications.
—Venkatesan TS, Chennai
Yoga for Every Home
Yoga and spiritual knowledge are complementary and contributory. Swami Vivekananda had propagated this idea during 19th century itself. When P Parameshwarji and HR Nagendraji were the president and the vice-president of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari respectively, the brainchild of the late Eknath Ranadeji, both had made big headway towards the promotion of Yoga. As a result Nagendraji developed a unique and exemplary Yoga University, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA), a Category ‘A’ Deemed University in Bengaluru. It specialises in the study of Yoga based on the teachings of Vivekanandaji. Similarly the Paramesharji’s thoughts and vision gave birth to Yoga School in Kerala – Patanjali Yoga Vidyapeetam. Its motto is “Atmano Mokshartham Jagat hitaya cha,” a verse from Rig Veda which Swamiji used to quote quite often, meaning ‘for the salvation of our
individual self and for the well being of all on earth.”
Patanjali Yoga Vidyapeetham was launched in 1996 in the premises of Jagadguru Trust, Chalakudy. With the formal inauguration on October 30, 1997. Full-fledged activity started in the Yoga centre. The same year, Swadeshi Shastra Parishad (SSP), Kerala Chapter of Vijnan Bharti, launched three activities, Yoga Sarani, Ayurveda Sarani and Sanskruta Sarani. Patanjali Yoga Vidyapeetam was named the first Yoga Sarani of SSP. Parameshwarji had called on the workers of the Sarani to concentrate on the refined satvic qualities of the teachers of traditional Yoga. Idea was to convey the message of Yoga to all, even those living in the remotest regions.
During the academic year of 2007-2008 SVYASA Deemed University of Yoga recognised the Sarani as its first facility centre for its courses in Kerala and the centre was renamed Patanjali Yoga Training and Research Centre (PYTRC). Accordingly the institute moved to Kochi for better convenience for the functioning and also for accessibility. Morarji Desai National Institute (MDNI) recognised PYTRC as Ernakulam District Yoga Wellness Centre. PYRTC was registered as a charitable society in 2014 aiming at
further development and growth. Next endeavour is to unite like-minded Yoga institutions for spreading the message of Yoga. Yoga Villages with the message of Gruhe Gruhe Yoga (Taking Yoga to every home) is the next dream.
—T Satisan, Kochi
Grooming Sincere Trainers
Close to 5 decades in Odisha and in search of new people every day and teaching them the eternal and age old complete care of body and mind, Swami Swarupananda Saraswati has never been tired in all these years. Presiding over a small but very vibrant Yoga School in the heart of Bhubaneswar city, the Swami has dedicated the centre in the name of his Guru Swami Satyananda.
Swami Swarupananda Saraswati recollects his past in Odisha. A non Odia rishi landed in Odisha without any contacts in 1971. He came in touch with Dr NC Panda, Principal of Odisha’s the leading Medical College and Hospital at Sambalpur district. Swamiji tried to convince the leading Doctor and head of the teaching faculty of the leading Medical College about the effect of Yoga on body and mind. The Doctor being persuaded by the Yoga Guru advised his patients to take our advice and practise Yoga with his.
Committed to live a life without looking for any publicity and recognition, one of the aged Yoga students said that the then Chief Minister JB Patnaik hearing about Swami Swarupananda Saraswati and his skill to cure diseases through Yoga and Pranayam, requested him to open a Yoga School in State Capital Bhubaneswar. The Swami says, he teaches his students three basic things, ‘regularity, sincerity and patience’ before starting Yoga
classes. Unless three basic things are adhered to by a person taking lessons in morning or evening classes, one cannot get the desired result.
Going by growing importance of Yoga and recognition at all levels including International Arenas, the Yoga Guru says that proper trained Yoga Teachers are more crucial for success of Yoga.
The Guru’s teachings work as miracle, claims Latika Mishra who has been coming to the centre for practise of Yoga for the last few years with her ortistic child Saswati Satpathy. The mother says after two years practise of Yoga her deaf and dumb child has stared speaking and responding to words of others. Admits the mother regularity, sincerity and patience are key to get results.
—Samanwaya Nanda, Odisha
Yoga for Masses
The trumpet of Yoga is loud enough today in the whole world. The institution which have contributed to take Yoga to such glorified heights, Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, has an unparalleled name among them. The school trains people in various techniques of Yoga with due procedure. Additionally, the education training is also imparted right from the diploma to research. Not only it adds to a balanced life, but also various diseases are also cured here with Yoga.
The school was founded by Swami Satyananda in 1963. Swami Satyananda was a disciple of Swami Shivananda who was a renowned Yoga practitioner. He dedicated his whole life to make access to Yoga possible for everyone. He established the Yoga Vedant Academy in Rishikesh in 1950. Swami Satyananda founded the Bihar Yoga School on the banks of Ganga to realise the dream of his guru. Swami Satyananda was determined to take Yoga to every household. He travelled throughout the globe to facilitate the reach of Yoga to everybody. It was in his guidance that Yoga was accepted as science. He
established the scientific significance of Yoga by demonstrating that chronic diseases can be cured through it. It was because of his efforts, that people got aligned towards Yoga.
Swami Nirjananda Saraswati took forward the legacy of Swami Satyananda. Swami Nirjananda took over the
administration of the school by his guru’s blessings in 1994. It is well-known about Swami Nirjananda that he is a yogi by birth. The 57 years old Swami has been practising and popularising Yoga since long. He has been travelling abroad since the age of ten. He was trained in different domains of knowledge abroad and various cultures. He was then told to lead and guide Bihar School of Yoga. The Yoga Bharti University in Munger is working on different disciplines of Yoga.
Swami Shivananda Saraswati envisioned taking Yoga to masses. The vision was provided with an action plan by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Swami Nirjananda Saraswati has really served that action plan by accessing Yoga to everybody. Swami Nirjananda was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for his contribution in the field of Yoga. The natural beauty and manifested cultural sacred nature of the place attracts the Yoga practitioners always.
—Sanjeev Kumar, Patna
Yoga a Lifestyle
People perform yogasanas, mostly individually, for the physical, mental and spiritual wellness. But that can be performed in a community or a group, was not thought of some decades ago. The credit of making yogasana a community event goes to Yogmurti Janardan Swami, a saintly personality of Nagpur. He started preaching Yoga with an objective to make it popular. His message was loud and clear. Follow the path of Yoga for contentment, happiness and health.
The Janardan Swami Yogabhyasi Mandal in Nagpur, established by the late Parivrajakacharya Janardan Swami, a spiritual personality 65 years ago, has been rendering yeoman service in the propagation of Yoga as a lifestyle of contented, happy and healthy life.
Swamiji very well-articulated the significant role of Yoga, propagation of Yoga as well as Yoga teachers in his book Yogswaroop. After he took ‘samadhi’ in 1978, the vision & direction he elaborated in Yogswaroop is guiding the activists of Yogabhyasi Mandal under the leadership of Rambhau Khandwe. As a result of such dedication to the cause of Yoga, there are over 150 Yoga centres, being run by the teachers trained here, free of cost without
missing a single day of the year.
Swamiji was the pioneer of the concept of ‘Sanghik Yoga’ and developed it as a front end tool for propagation of Yoga for the wellbeing of the individuals and the society, simultaneously. He was the great experimenter and researcher par excellence and thus invented the tool of sanghikyogasanas—collective,
concerted, synchronous yogic exercises by hundreds or even thousands of people together for real happiness and emancipation from ills of the westernised lifestyle.
Initially, Yoga was forbidden area for women. Swamiji demolished this barrier and imparted knowledge of yogasanas and yogic kriyas to women, as he rightly recognised that women are the basis to the development of future generations and most vital to real progress of the society. Women disciples of Swamiji reciprocated the faith Swamiji reposed in them.
—Virag Pachpore, Nagpur
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