Practice of the Month
Yogavani in Hands, Yoga in Hearts: Moments of Distribution 
In a landmark moment for the Indian Yoga Association, Yogavani was released in its first-ever physical print edition with the February 2025 issue. This tangible expression of our yogic heritage was warmly received as members of IYA enthusiastically distributed copies to esteemed personalities, institutions, and...
Formation of the new committee for the Nagaland SCC 
In alignment with the Indian Yoga Association’s vision to strengthen and streamline its operations across the North-East, a decision was taken during the Executive Council Meeting held on January 28, 2025 under the leadership of the Maa Dr. Hansa Ji Yogendra, President, IYA, to reform...
IYA’s Gujarat State Chapter Committee reforms 
This report outlines the reformation of the Gujarat State Chapter Committee of the Indian Yoga Association, carried out through a Circular Resolution process in response to recent developments and to ensure continued and effective functioning of the Chapter. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the...
Reconstitution of Uttar Pradesh State Chapter Committee 
To strengthen the presence and outreach of the Indian Yoga Association in Uttar Pradesh, a Circular Resolution was passed for the reformation of the State Chapter Committee. The objective is to bring together dedicated yoga professionals and institutional representatives to promote IYA’s vision and facilitate...
New committee appointed for Puducherry State Chapter 
In a virtual meeting held on February 23, 2025, in the presence of IYA Joint Secretary Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, it was unanimously decided to reform the Puducherry State Chapter Committee to enhance the activities of the Indian Yoga Association in the region. Nominations were...
Indian Yoga Association reconstitutes West Bengal State Chapter Committee 
In the Executive Council meeting held on January 28, 2025 under the leadership of Maa Dr. Hansa Ji Yogendra, President, IYA a resolution was passed to reform the West Bengal State Chapter Committee (WBSCC). Nominations were subsequently invited from Life Members, Associate Centres, and Member...
Ananda Chaitanya Foundation’s transformative journey: Empowering minds and uplifting society 
In February 2025, Ananda Chaitanya Foundation (ACF) hosted a series of transformative events that blended ancient yogic wisdom with modern practical applications, touching the lives of individuals from diverse backgrounds. The month kicked off with the Focus – Meditation Intensive Program, a two-day immersive event...
Vedic Kaya Sadhana organises certificate distribution ceremony 
Vedic Kaya Sadhana recently held a certificate distribution ceremony to honor students for their dedicated participation and successful completion of yoga training programs. The event celebrated their progress and commitment to the path of traditional and therapeutic yoga.
A Milestone for the Indian Yoga Association – Chhattisgarh Chapter 
In a significant moment for the Indian Yoga Association (IYA), the Dr. Mritunjay RathoreSecretary, IYA Chhattisgarh State Chapter had the honor of meeting Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, Chairman of IYA. The delegation sought his blessings and shared the chapter’s ongoing activities and key...
Aerial Yoga Workshop by Krish Yoga Vidhyaalaya and TMS Yoga Studio, Chennai 
Krish Yoga Vidhyaalaya, an Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association, in collaboration with TMS Yoga Studio, Chennai, successfully hosted a one-day Aerial Yoga Workshop on 15th March 2025. The session was led by Dr. C. Kamatchi, Founder of Krish Yoga Vidhyaalaya, who shared insightful...



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28 Apr 2025

Blog

Yoga is a Way of Life
From the Closet, Success Stories

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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