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Transforming Ourselves From Within - 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

Transforming Ourselves From Within
Editorial

Transforming Ourselves From Within 

Yoga is a holistic and integral science of life dealing with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of the individual and society. It is one of the greatest treasures of our Indian cultural heritage that enhances our understanding of human existence in a panoramic manner. Yogic lifestyle, yogic diet, yogic attitudes and various yogic practices help us strengthen ourselves from within and develop positive health. Through Yoga we can change our perception of stress, optimize our reaction to it and release pent up stress effectively.

According to Maharishi Patanjali, most of our problems stem from the five psycho-physiological afflictions (Pancha Klesha) that are inborn in each and every human being. These Pancha Klesha are misconceptions of reality (Avidya), egoism (Asmita), the survival instinct (Abinivesha) as well as the attraction (Raaga) to external objects and the repulsion (Dwesha) to them. Ignorance (Avidya) is usually the start of most problems along with the ego (Asmita). Then, our sense of needing to survive at any cost (Abhinivesha) compounds it further. Both attraction (Raaga) to external objects and the repulsion (Dwesha) to them need to be destroyed in order to attain tranquillity as well as equanimity of emotions and the mind. Maharishi Patanjali further states that the practice of Kriya Yoga (Yoga of mental purification) consisting of Tapas (disciplined effort), Swadhyaya (self-analysis) and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to the Divine will) is the means to destroy these five mental afflictions and attain to the state of Samadhi or oneness with the Supreme Self or the Divine.

The concept of the Pancha Koshas (the five layered existence of man as elucidated in the Taittiriya Upanishad) helps us to understand that we have more than only the physical existence and also gives us an insight into the role of the mind in causation of our physical problems as well as psychosomatic disorders. All of these concepts help us to look at life with a different perspective (Yoga Drishti) and strive to evolve consciously towards becoming Human Beings.

The regular practice of Yoga Asanas, Kriyas, Mudras, Bandhas and Pranayamas helps to recondition the physical (Annamaya Kosha) and energy (Pranamaya Kosha) bodies. The practice of Pratyahara, Dharana and Dhyana techniques helps to recondition the mind body (Manomaya Kosha) apparatus. All of these Yogic practices help to foster a greater body-mind-spirit understanding and bring about the union of these components of who we truly are.

Yoga helps us cultivate the appropriate attitude towards our problems and thus tackle them in an effective manner. Patanjali advises us to cultivate the following attitudes for right living. These attitudes are friendliness towards those who are happy (Maitri – Sukha), compassion towards those who are miserable (Karuna – Dukha), cheerfulness towards the virtuous (Mudhita – Punya) and indifference towards the wicked (Upeksha – Apunya).

An attitude of letting go of the worries, the problems and a greater understanding of our mental process helps to create a harmony in our body, and mind whose disharmony is the main cause of ‘Aadi – Vyadhi‘ or psychosomatic disorders. The Yogi wishes peace and happiness not only for themself, but also for all beings on all the different planes of existence. They are not individualists seeking salvation just for themselves but are on the contrary “universalists” seeking to live in a mindful manner with care and concern for human brethren.

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