To mark its first Foundation Day, the Gujarat Chapter of Indian Yoga As­sociation organised a Yoginar ‘One­ness for Wellness’ on December 29, 2020. The virtual seminar went on for around 2 hours from 4pm to 6pm.

Oneness through Yoga— it is the only wisdom that can prevent us all from falling victim to the pandem­ic and can offer us complete wellness. The event was anchored by Smt. Ekta Bouderlique, Working Direc­tor- Standing Public Relations and Publicity Com­mittee, IYA.

The event commenced with Dr Jaideep Arya Ji, Re­gional Coordinator, North Region and Joint Secre­tary, IYA congratulating Gujarat Chapter on comple­tion of one year. He explained that to attain oneness we should get rid of raag and dwesh. It is important for all of us to take on the journey from Ekatva to Brahmatva. We have to control of mind and give it a direction.

This was followed by the address by Guruji Dr.HR Nagendra, President IYA. Explaining the concept of oneness further he said, “One who sees the pure con­sciousness everywhere and everything sees the same everywhere, is the key essence and that is our pure consciousness.”

He beautifully explained how we are made up of ener­gy and related out existence with the universal princi­ple of E=mc2. He explained how our electromagnetic field is the layer of Annamayakosha, touched upon all the five kosha and how they are interrelated and gov­erned by their own laws.

He also talked about how the ancient masters could fathom the working of the whole universe. Non-com­municable diseases are governed by the imbalance of the mind field which eventually translates to the im­balances in the body after a prolonged existence.

“Yoga gives the most comprehensive approach to deal with all the dimensions of imbalances in terms of the health of mind, body, emotions – all aspects hence the theme chosen is very apt as “Oneness for Wellness”

Present on the auspicious occasion was the Honour­able Union Minister of AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik. In his address, he said, “The last few decades we have seen yoga gain global popularity. The world is coming to India to learn Yoga practices.”
He further talked about the importance of yoga asa­nas as a competitive sport and how the Ministry of AYUSH is supporting the growth and progress of yoga not just in India but globally.

Expressing his concern about Yoga being confined to asanas, Shri Kamlesh Patel (Daaji), Member, Gov­erning Council, IYA said, “It is unfortunate that asa­nas are considered synonymous to yoga. Does asa­nas deserve such importance? Asanas is just one of the steps of yoga.

He also requested IYA to not ignore the other ele­ments of yoga and ensure holistic development. He also talked about the importance of Sadhana Chittashuddhi and Sat Sampatti, Pravrutti and Nivrutti. He said if one wants to change your mind and thoughts and larger social mind, no amount of asana/ pranayama without Sadhana and Tapasya can bring that inner transformation.

Keeping it short, Shri OP Tiwariji, Member, Gov­erning Council, IYA said, “Yoga has a message for the body, mind and soul. Today, we can see young people promoting the science of Yoga worldwide, which is a great thing.”

Thereafter, Acharya Birju Maharaj, Chairperson, IYA, Gujarat Chapter Committee said, “For unity, we need Maitri, Karuna, Mudita and Upeksha.” He further shared the message from Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupaniji sent on the Foundation Day of Gujarat State Chapter Commit­tee.

Message from Shri Vijay Rupaniji Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat

Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.
-The Bhagawad Gita

Yoga, being a mode of exercise, doesn’t contain itself with the fine tuning of the body only, it is a way of life which trains a human to know oneself through the medium of the body. It is a journey from external physical world towards knowing the inner spirituality. I am pleased to learn that the Indian Yoga Association-Gujarat Chapter is the organis­ing its virtual celebration of 1st Foundation Day Anniversary on 29th December 2020. I, hereby, extend my heartiest best wishes to the GSCC-IYA and all the participants for a successful and enlightening celebration.

During his address, Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavnani, Director, Standing Public Relations and Publicity Committee, IYA said, “Once modern medicine was an art with a heart, then it became science with a head and now it has become business with a wal­let. We have to make sure that Yoga doesn’t go the same way. We have to retain the art of Yoga. It is in the art of Yoga that the wellness lies. Wellness can­not manifest when there is a sense of duality.”

Explaining further he said that unless we don’t feel connected with the universe or we feel different from the universe how can we be healthy or happy? It is in that moment of oneness with the universe that we as an individual realise that we are the uni­verse.

“Do your best and leave the rest. Only when you move from Ahankar to Nirankar, you elevate from individuality to universality. Let us see the bright light of our culture and not get fazed by the plastic dazzle of the current world,” he added further.

While speaking Dr. Chandrasinh Jhala, Lakulish University firstly congratulated Gujarat SCC of IYA on the successful organisation of the Yoginar. Speaking on scope and significance of wellness through yoga education in current scenario he said, “Wellness means practicing healthy habits on daily basis. Health is Wealth. He further added, “Yoga shashtra teaches how to achieve Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha which are the four main pillars of our life. Garuda Purana says that for removing the trividh taapa— Aadhi, Vyadhi and Upaadhi. Yoga is the only way.”

Shri Subodh Tiwari, CEO Kaivalyadhama in his address congratulated IYA-Gujarat team for tremen­dous work that the committee is doing. Stressing on the purpose of forming IYA, he said, “Yoga is a synthesis of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual science. We all believe in this and we all might have a little variant means to reach the same goal. We should all take this movement forward.”

“IYA stands for inclusivity. IYA is a culture now. All of us should join this movement and become mem­bers. We should all contribute to the Yoga movement to best of our abilities,” said Shri Ravi Tumuluri, Regional Coordinator, South Region and Joint Sec­retary, IYA.

Ending the session, Smt. Meetal Koticha Shah, Vice Chairperson, Gujarat Chapter Committee, IYA ap­pealed all to join hands and come together, become a member of Indian Yoga Association and work for collective wellness. Shri Kamlesh Udasi, General Secretary, IYA-GCC expressed gratitude to all par­ticipants.

Others who marked their presence for the events were Shri Rajiv Mishra, Shri Kamlesh Udasi, Shri Mehul Parikh and others