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Yoga is a Way of Life - Yogavani from Indian Yoga Association

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Celebrating World Meditation Day with the Indian Yoga Association 

On World Meditation Day, the Associate Centres and Member Institutes of the Indian Yoga Association came together to honour the profound practice of meditation. Across various locations, our community gathered to reflect, connect, and deepen their meditation journeys, fostering a sense of unity and inner…

Celebrating 6 Years of Excellence:Indian Yoga Association Gujarat Chapter Foundation Day 

The Indian Yoga Association, Gujarat Chapter, virtually celebrated its 6th Foundation Day on 29th December with the theme Yoga for Lifestyle Management. The program began with a prayer, followed by Mauli Baviskar introducing all dignitaries. The event emphasized yoga’s role in promoting holistic well-being, inspiring…

Geetham Institute of Alternative Medicine hosts transformative sessions 

In December, Geetham Institute of Alternative Medicine, Associate Centre of Indian Yoga Association hosted a series of transformative sessions centered on Varma therapy, which plays a significant role in enhancing physical, mental, and emotional health. The month-long series was conducted by experienced practitioners, each focusing…

Indian ancient Siddhars and the science of longevity: A remarkable discovery byAttangaogam Peedam 

Recent research, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), sheds light on the ancient practice of Attangaogam, Associate Centre of Indian Yoga Association, and its impact on longevity. The study, titled “Effect of Yoga-Pranayamam on Telomere Length in Medical Students,” revealed ground breaking…

Tamil Nadu SCC meets to discuss way forward 

The Tamil Nadu State Chapter Committee meeting was held in World Community Service Centre, Chennai on December 28, 2024, at 10:30am. The meeting commenced with a prayer and meditation session, creating a serene atmosphere for the discussions that followed. Shri Rajeshwari Prabhakaran, Senior Vice-Chairman of…

Enriching programs at Sri Aurobindo Society, Hyderabad 

Throughout December, the Sri Aurobindo Society, Hyderabad, hosted a series of insightful talks and satsangs, focusing on various elements of yoga and spiritual growth. The month began with Elements of Yoga 1 by Smt. Suneetha Sekhar on 1st December, followed by Smt. Harshitha’s session on…

Vedic Kaya Sadhana celebrates convocation ceremony 

The Vedic Kaya Sadhana, Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association, recently held its convocation ceremony, marking a significant milestone for its graduating students. The event celebrated the culmination of rigorous training and dedication, with graduates receiving certifications that recognize their comprehensive understanding and expertise…

SSIYRC Students Set World Record inArdha Matsyendrasana 

In a remarkable achievement, 105 students from the Sri Shankari Institute of Yoga and Research Center, Gummudipoondi (SSIYRC), Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association, sustained the Ardha Matsyendrasana pose for an impressive 10 minutes, earning them a place in the Worldwide Book of Records….

Sree Bala Yoga Studio reflects on a year of remarkable achievements in 2024 

Sree Bala Yoga Studio, Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association, celebrated a year of significant milestones in 2024, underscoring its commitment to yoga education and community wellness. The studio conducted two sessions of its 200-hour Certificate Course in Yoga and a 500-hour Advanced Certificate…

Ananda Chaitanya Meditation Center launches in Coimbatore 

The Ananda Chaitanya Meditation Center in Kurumbapalayam, Coimbatore, Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association was inaugurated with grandeur on December 20, 2024. The event began with the traditional lighting of the kuthuvilakku by renowned writer Jeyamohan, symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance and the illumination…



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05 Feb 2025

Yogavani

Yoga is a Way of Life
From the Closet

Yoga is a Way of Life 

Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, Member, Governing Council, IYA

Is there such a thing like a way of life? Many do not believe that there is and generally feel that a person functions according to a situation. For instance, a mother asks a child to take care while eating the apple since there are worms in it. But the child carelessly replies, “Let the worms take care that I do not eat them”. This implies that when one doesn’t bother about consequences and just rides through the circumstances, he exhibits lack of objective as well as action.
To start with, take steps to overcome certain inborn tendencies. Steadiness of mind is the most cherished objective in an attempt to self-improvement. Steadiness depends on three disciplinary measures viz fortitude (Tapa), self-study (Swadhyaya) and surrender to the will of absolute (Isvara Pranidhana). While Tapa is the observance to break up fixity of old routines and strengthening our will. Yoga also recommends Swadhyaya to overcome some of our strong inborn tendencies that lead to pain and suffering. Lastly, Isvara Pranidhana, a little faith should be there in all of us that a higher power is taking care of all things.

One also should develop good concentration and set up long term goals of a spiritual kind. Nothing should be done out of impulses. Worthwhile objectives with a holistic outlook set the path of a spiritual way of life. Only a person who is very balanced and aware can maintain a correct attitude and heightened awareness. Also we have to become aware of our urges, strong inclinations and act accordingly with full awareness.

“George be a king” was a kind of thought that was drummed into the head of the George III, king of England, during his childhood. Later as a king, he marched on to create major events in the history of England. In the same manner, we too have to find out what are our strongest urges to help us take action and evolve.

One also has to be very smart to tackle the strong ‘I’ sense that exists in each one of us. The ‘I’ “Me’, ‘Mine’, limit our thinking. As there is this whole universe that is ‘Not I’ and which is responsible for what is happening to the ‘I”. We have to accept the bigger design in this world which is ultimately for our own good. We may not understand it, but we have to trust things that are beyond our intelligence. We also need to develop objectivity as we fail to see things as others see it or we fail to see things as they really are. We tend to push our own ideas and end up seeing things as we wish to see. Taking ourselves away from a situation and seeing things objectively is a very hard exercise but it begins right when one starts to restrain oneself in small matters. How we create our problem is seen when a man is asked to walk over a plank placed on floor and he walks with ease. Now if the man is asked to walk over it when the plank is raised few feet, he will be hesitant. But if the plank is raised 50 feet high and he is asked to climb and walk over the plank, he would refuse. The reason is our mind and our limited, negative thinking.

For example a man says “I try to bear with a particular situation, I cannot bear it now.” So, what is that allowed him to bear with the situation so far and what can make him bear it further? Of course his own mind! Then, why does it refuse to bear further? Because it is now weak! Why is it that the original strength that the mind had earlier is weakened? Because he is telling time and again to himself, “I am bearing this and now I cannot bear more. It is too much. Any other person in my position would not bear so much.” So he is just thinking negatively and weakening himself. Since it is said ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’, we create a strong will and a way through Yoga with the practice of karmayoga, Asanas, Pranayamas, Tapa, etc.

“Yoga is a way of life and does not comprise of only physical culture, as generally understood.”
The practical applications of yogic ideals in daily life includes the simple philosophies behind the techniques of Yoga that contributes to better living. These techniques aim at removing the cause of the physical illness if any. And thereafter enhancing the mental attributed (leading to a calm, concentrated and steady mind) thereby realizing one’s own potential and spiritual development.

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