The Yoga Institute’s founding father, Shri Yogendra ji, was born in 1897 in an ordinary family. He learnt all about Yoga from his guru, Pujya Shri Paramhamsa Madhavadas ji and went on to establish The Yoga Institute in 1918. He also travelled extensively, founding another Yoga Institute in Harriman, NY (USA) in the year 1920. After studying Yoga carefully for many years, he understood that Yoga had tremendous power to help ordinary people, much like himself, manage their day-to-day lives. Back in those days Yoga was generally reserved for the hermits and sages living in ashram and the knowledge was passed on from guru to disciples. He decided to break those barriers and bring the knowledge of Yoga into the society for the benefit of each and every member. For this reason, he is also known as the Father of Modern Yoga Renaissance and the pioneer of Householder Yoga Movement.
He married Pujya Sitadevi ji in 1927 and together they continued on this mission of bringing Yoga out of ashrams and into the lives of regular householders. Sitadeviji is the first lady of Yoga who not only learnt Yoga but also taught it to other women and children. Together, the husband and wife dedicated their whole lives to making the techniques of Yoga mainstream and shattering the myths and mystique around it. They have written several books, many of which have been placed in the Crypt of Civilization, which will be opened 6000 years later. Such is the significance of their work that it is considered so precious that it must be preserved for our future generations.
Yogendra ji’s son, Late Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, had the benefit of being born into a household immersed in Yogic tradition. He was a natural Yogi and with the right guidance, he went on to become a learned man with deep knowledge about Yoga. After Yogendra ji, he carried the baton of furthering TYI’s mission. Today, his wife, Pujya Maa Hansaji, is at the helm of TYI and works tirelessly for the benefit of ordinary people. Under her guidance, TYI has been achieved great heights. With over 56,000 trained Yoga professionals all over the world, TYI is now a global family. The Institute was also honoured with the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Yoga or year 2018-19.
The Yoga Institute is the oldest center for Yoga in the world. It was the first school where common people were also welcome. Here, people from all walks of life, all professions and all family backgrounds are treated with the same love and compassion and, are imparted the most authentic and traditional Yogic teaching. Our founding father understood that Yoga has powers to help everyone lead better lives, not just the recluse, and today, his future generations are continuing his legacy, taking Yoga in its purest form to one and all, in India and abroad.
The Legacy Series articles are contributed by institutional members of IYA and are published as provided by them; we encourage all Member Institutions of the Association to send a two page article with some photos about their organisations
