Yogavani, the mouth piece of Indian Yoga Association (IYA) was launched in February 2020. As we complete two years, with this Special Second Anniversary issue of Yogavani, we dedicate the section ‘Glimpses into the Past’ to the highlights of important events covered in Yogavani in the last 12 months. In case you have missed out reading some issues of Yogavani, we shall take you on a sojourn back to the genesis of this popular publication from February 2021 up-to-date

Congregation of Yoga Stalwarts at 6th General Body Meeting of IYA

It was one of those rarest occasions when IYA Gurus, Vice Chancellors of universities, dignitaries, office bearers and yoga believers came together online to discuss the roadmap for IYA for the next financial year 2021-22. It was the 6th General Body Meeting (GBM) of Indian Yoga Association that saw participation from as many as 80 people from every corner of the country held on February 7, 2021 at 11am.

The meeting went on for more than two hours. The meeting commenced with the blessings from Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji), Member, Governing Council, IYA and Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, Senior Vice President, IYA.

The meeting saw the presence of Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Director, Standing Publicity, Publication and Public Relations Committee (SPPPRC), Dr. Jaideep Arya, Regional Coordinator, North Region and Joint Secretary, IYA and Smt. Kamlesh Barwal, Shri Ramkumar Rathi, Director, Standing Finance Committee and Dr SP Mishra, CEO, IYA Profession Certification Board (PrCB), Shri Ravi Tumuluri, Regional Coordinator, South Region and Joint Secretary, IYA, Dr. I.V Basavaraddi, Member, Governing Council, IYA, Shri Subodh Tiwari, Vice President, IYA, Swami Atmapriyananda, Director, SAAC, Dr R Nagarathna, Director, SRC, Shri Haresh Bhai Trivedi, Director, Standing Legal and Standards Committee and Dr Sunanda Rathi, Member, SFC.

Other who marked their presence were Dr Suresh Barnwal, Senior Faculty, DEV Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Dr. Sampadananda Mishra, Puducherry State Chapter, Dr Ishwar Bhardwaj, Shri Shubhendu Acharya, Prof Neeraj Gupta, Prof Nageshwar Rao, Former VC, IGNOU, Shri Sreedharan, Shri Elangovan R, Shri Kaustubh Desikachar, Shri D. R Kaarthikeyan, Acharya Mukesh, Prof K Subrahmanyam, Shri Rajeev Mishra, Dr Pushpanjali Sharma, Prof Dr NO Singh, Shri Rajendra Joshi, Shri Durgadas Savant, Acharya Birju Maharaj, Shri Manoj Kumar, Swami Umapuri, Swami Gyaneshwar, Shri Rishi Ranjan, Dr M Lakshmi, Dr, Krishna Murari, Shri Akash Singhvi, Shri Rajagopal Krishnan, Smt.Mousumi Borpuzary, Shri Amit Garg, Shri Bhawarlal Arya, Shri Ajit Kumar, Swami Satya Prakash and others.

Guru-shishya parampara is ingrained in our tradition. It is an inevitable part of our culture. Gu is darkness and Ru means light. Guru is someone who mentors the shishya (disciple) and pulls him out of darkness and takes him towards light. Guru acts as a guiding light and takes the shishya from ignorance to enlightenment. Guru is dispeller of darkness.

Taking this parampara forward, Indian Yoga Association (IYA) to provide yoga lovers and followers a lifetime opportunity to meet the world-renowned Yoga Gurus has started Online Gurukulam- Learn with Masters, a series of virtual sessions IYA Gurus. We are glad to inform that we have been receiving wonderful response from all the yoga corners.

The Episode 2 on Mind Sound Resonance Technique by Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, IYA and Chancellor, SVYASA was held on January 17, 2021 from 5pm-6pm. The Episode 3 on Yoga in Today’s Context by Padma Shri Swami Bharat Bhushan, Member, Governing Council, IYA and President, Mokshatayan Yog Sansthan, Saharanpur, UP was held on January 31, 2021 from 5pm-6pm.

22nd Executive Council meet held online

The 22nd Executive Council meeting was held online on January 30, 2021 at 11am. The meeting was chaired by Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, IYA. The meeting saw the presence of Smt.Kamlesh Barwal, Secretary General, Dr R Nagarathna Didi, Director, Standing Research Committee, Maa Dr Hansaji Yogendra, Senior Vice President, Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Director, Standing Publicity, Publication & P.R. Committee, Shri Subodh Tiwari, Vice President, Dr Ram Kumar Rathi, Director, Standing Finance Committee, Swami Atmapriyananda ji, Director, Standing Academics and Accreditation Committee, Shri Ravi Tumuluri, Joint Secretary, IYA, Smt.Ekta Bouderlique, Working Director, Standing Publicity, Publication & P.R. Committee, Dr Ganesh Rao, Working Director, Standing Academics and Accreditation Committee, Smt Divya Kanchibhotla, Working Director, Standing Research Committee, Shri Haresh Trivedi, Director, Standing Legal & Standards Committee, Shri PC Kapoor, Treasurer and Dr Sunanda Rathi, Chiranjiv Foundation.

The meeting commenced with discussion about formulation of HR policy for IYA. Thereafter, Continuing Yoga Professional Education (CYPE) program was discussed under SAAC. CYPE is a basic pre-requisite for Yoga professionals who are lifelong seekers and IYA wants to take up the responsibility of providing authentic learning and enable a formal structure for this learning for the Yoga Professionals.

Online Gurukulam ‘Learn with Masters’

Nobody could have ever imagined studying, gathering knowledge, meeting their favourite Gurus would have been possible online before this pandemic invaded our lives. Our lives have changed and changed for good. We have realised that our actions, our choices are responsible for what we are going through. And we need to act and behave responsibly only for ourselves but also for the generations to come.

Taking the Guru-shishya parampara forward, in the month of February we have Online Gurukulam ‘Learn with Masters’ some amazing sessions. Episode 4 was on Yoga and Mental Well-being by Maa Dr.Hansaji Yogendra, Senior President, IYA on February 7, 2021. Then on February 21, 2021, we had Episode 5 by Daaji Kamlesh D

Patel, Member, Governing Council, IYA where he talked about the Freedom of Choice and what drives our choices. On the last day of the month i.e. February 28, 2021 we had Episode 6 by Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Member, Governing Council, IYA on The Karma Yoga Needed Today is the Protection and Preservation of our Planet.

First batch of Yoga Therapy Assistant by HSSC undergoes Training

The first batch of Yoga Therapy Assistant (Diabetes/ Palliative Care) underwent the 5 day training program from February 13-17, 2021 organised by the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) in collaboration with IYA complying with the National Occupational Standards.

This program trained candidates in the basic concepts and fundamental principles of therapeutic Yoga practices, various therapeutic measures commonly used in yoga, indication and contraindications of yoga therapy practices and how to communicate accurately and appropriately in the capacity of a yoga therapy assistant.

Online Gurukulam ‘Learn with Masters’

The Bhagavad Gita is a message addressed to each and every human individual to help him or her to solve the vexing problem of overcoming the present and progressing towards a bright future. In the Webisode 7 on March 15, 2021 of Online Gurukulam by Pujya Swami Atmapriyanandaji, Director, Standing Academic& Accreditation Committee, Indian Yoga Association spoke about Bhagavad Gita— A Unique Blend of the Science of Brahman-realization (Brahma-vidya) and the Technology of Yoga (Yoga-shastra).

Bhagavad Gita teaches us both Brahma-vidya and Yoga Shastra. It is a perennial and eternal teaching. Brahmavidyāyāṁ Yogaśāstre Srīkṛṣṇārjunasaṁvāde—Bhagavad Gita makes us learn and understand theory, practice, and finally realisation.

Yoga Parampara Revealed

JS visits RKMVERI, Gangadharpur Shikshan Mandir, Bharat Sevashram Sangh Shri Ravi Tumuluri, Joint Secretary, IYA visited Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata a Founding Member Institute of Indian Yoga Association on March 21, 2021. Here, he sought blessings from Swami Atmapriyananda ji, Director, Standing Academics and Accreditation Committee and Chairman, West Bengal State Chapter Committee.

Online Gurukulam ‘Learn with Masters’

Human civilization all across the globe has been attacked by a new invisible enemy. No work is done without a reason. In a bid to help people overcome and fight away the second wave of Corona Virus, Mokshayatan Yog Sansthan after much research had developed ‘Yoga Solutions for Prevention and Management of COVID-19’. Purpose behind this initiative is to provide relief to COVID-19 sufferers.
The role of Yoga and Ayurveda in COVID-19 pandemic is both preventive and curative. Preservation of health status is vital to combat this viral spread. As per medical tenets an individual is healthy when his body is in a stare of homeostasis and he possesses his physical body in a normal state of biologixal humors (Doshas), metabolic fire (Agni), body tissues (Dhatus and waste products (Malas). His soul, mind and organs of cogniton and conation are in perfect state of coordination and he is mentally happy and cheerful. The aim is to try and achieve and maintain this perfect health.

To talk more about the COVID-19 protocol the Episode 8 of Online Gurukulam on Yog Yudh Corona ke Viruddh by Padma Shri Swami Bharat Bhushan ji, Member, Governing Council, IYA and President, Mokshayatan Yog Sansthan, Saharanpur, UP was held on April 25, 2021 from 5pm-6pm.

The Executive Council of Indian Yoga Association came together once again for the 23rd time on April 12, 2021. It is always a very pleasant sight to see the stalwarts of Yoga on one screen. In these difficult times, IYA had been extensively working to take yoga to every corner and hence there was a lot in the kitty to discuss.

The meeting that started at 11 am was chaired by Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, IYA. Others who marked their presence from the Executive Council of the association included Smt Kamlesh Barwal, Secretary General, Dr R Nagarathna Didi, Director, Standing Research Committee, Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Director, Standing Publicity, Publication & P.R. Committee, Shri Subodh Tiwari, Vice President, Dr Jaideep Arya, Joint Secretary, IYA, Dr Ram Kumar Rathi, Director, Standing Finance Committee, Shri Ravi Tumuluri, Joint Secretary, IYA, Shri Haresh Trivedi, Director, Standing Legal & Standards Committee, Shri PC Kapoor, Treasurer and Dr Sunanda Rathi, Chiranjiv Foundation.

National State Chapters Meet held on April 18

The National State Chapters/Union Territory’ Meet was held virtually through Sampark on April 18, 2021 from 10 am to 12.45 pm. It saw the auspicious presence of Executive Council members of IYA including Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, Shri Subodh Tiwari, Vice President, Dr Jaideep Arya, Joint Secretary, Shri Ravi Tumuluri, Joint Secretary, Shri PC Kapoor, Treasurer, Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavnani, Director, Standing Publicity, Publication and Public Relations Committee, Shri Ramkumar Rathi, Director, Standing Finance Committee and Smt. Sunanda Rathi.

All Secretaries of SCC along with more than 130 members and IYA Secretariat office team attended the meeting.

‘Yog se Nirog’ by MP Govt and IYA help hundreds

The second wave of Corona shook the entire country in April 2021. Nearly lakhs of people got infected with Corona every day. Hospitals were full, there were no beds, no oxygen, no medicine.

In this situation when over 1 lakh people were treating themselves in home isolations, Madhya Pradesh government with Indian Yoga Association, Madhya Pradesh launched one-of-its-kind of initiative ‘Yoga to Nirog’.

Yog se Nirog, an initiative to help people fighting with corona in home isolation was launched on April 24, 2021 by the Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan. The initiative saw participation from the Member Institutes of IYA namely Art of Living, Heartfulness, Patanjali Yogpeeth and others.

The 3rd Governing Council Meet held Online

The 3rd meeting of the Governing Council of Indian Yoga Association was held online on June 19, 2021 at 5 pm to mark the 7th International Day of Yoga. The meeting saw the auspicious presence of members of the Governing Council of IYA including Shri OP Tiwari, Kaivalyadhama, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living, Swami Chidananda Saraswati, Parmarth Niketan, Swami Bharat Bhushan, Mokshayatan Yogashram, Dr Ishwar Basavaraddi, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, IYA and Smt Kamlesh Barwal, Secretary General, IYA.

BBAU Central University with IYA conducts 1st Batch of FCY

In one-of-its-kind endeavour, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow ogranised the first batch of Foundation Course in Yoga with Indian Yoga Association (IYA) in partnership with Ministry of AYUSH as per IYA Certification Protocol from May 1-June 11, 2021. BBAU Central University is the Associate Centre of IYA.

IYA conducted this program as part of its mandate for promotion and propagation of Yoga Certification. The course was developed under the Standing Academics and Accreditation Committee (SAAC) and comprised of all the component of the Yoga Protocol Instructor Level syllabus. The initiative is supported by AyurYoga Learning Management System by AyurYoga Life Institute, Associate Center, IYA.

IYA and HSSC Introduces Three New Job Roles

Indian Yoga Association (IYA) and Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) joined hand on the historic day of September 10, 2018 to establish the roles and responsibilities of both as they relate to scale, integrate and implement skill development programs through introduction of competency standards – Qualification Packs (QP) and National Occupational Standards (NOS), learning resources and mechanism for Yoga related job roles.

To mark these revolutionary beginning HSSC agreed to identify the job roles with industry for rolling out the skilling Yoga related roles, to provide appropriate forms and formats for development of resources, conduct orientation workshop for experts to brief them about standards formats of QP, NOS, Model Curriculum, Learner Handbook, Facilitator Guide etc., to facilitate for QP NOS National Committee Meeting in Yoga, to facilitate for National Validation Workshops, Qualification Review Committee Meeting, National Skills Qualification Committee Meeting for alignment of NSQF Level, to provide resources (to the extent feasible) as mutually decided for development of QPNOS and related resources, to conduct Train the Trainer/Assessor programme, SDMS uploads etc., to monitor training on regular basis to assure training being conducted complying with minimum notional learning hours and standards and ensuring timely completion of assessment & certification of trainees.

To fulfil the above commitments, three new job roles were created:

• Assistant Yoga Instructor
• Yoga Wellness Trainer
• Yoga Therapy Assistant

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Presides over GC Meeting as the new Chairman

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar, Founder, Art of Living, is elected as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Indian Yoga Association. He took over from Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev, Founder, Patanjali Yog Peeth who welcomed the new Chairman, after completing his term as the first Chairman of the Council.

The Governing Council of Indian Yoga Association is the apex body of the Association consisting of prominent Yoga gurus namely Dr. Pranav Pandya ji, Chancellor, Dev Sanskriti Vishwa Vidyalaya, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev ji, Founder, Isha Foundation, Dr. Hansa Yogendra ji, The Yoga Institute, Swami Chidanand Saraswati ji, President, Parmarth Niketan, Sh OP Tiwari ji, Secretary, Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, Daaji Kamlesh Patel ji, the Spiritual Head, Heartfulness Institute, Swami Bharat Bhushan ji, Founder, Mokshayatan Yog Sansthan and Dr Ishwara Basavaraddi, Director, MDNIY.

Indian Yoga Association participated in the AyurYog Expo, Arogya Fair and Himalayan Herbal Expo 2021 held physically at India Exposition Mart, Greater Noida from 25–27 September, 2021. The fair was held with support of Ministry of AYUSH and Vishwa Ayurved Parishad, and UP Government.

4th Governing Council Meeting of IYA held

The 4th Meeting of Governing Council was held online on October 3, 2021 at 10 am. The meeting commenced with the welcome note by Guruji Dr HR Nagendra. At the onset, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Chairman, Governing Council, IYA was welcomed by all the Gurus of the Indian Yoga Association. Maa Hansa Jayadeva Yogendra was also welcomed as the new Member of the Governing Council.

The meeting also saw the auspicious presence of other members of the Governing Council including Yogrishi Swami Ramdev ji Maharaj, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Shri O.P Tiwari, Swami Bharat Bhusan, Dr. Ishwar Basavaraddi and Shri Kamlesh D. Patel.

Online Gurukulam ‘Learn with Masters’

Patanjali Yoga Sutras with Guruji Dr. HR Nagendra, President, IYA
We are back! Indian Yoga Association (IYA) brings back its endeavour to provide all with a lifetime opportunity to meet the world-renowned Yoga Gurus with Online Gurukulam- Learn with Masters because of repeated requests and demand from yoga lovers and followers.
Starting again from November 7, 2021, the second series of virtual class by Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, IYA and Chancellor, Swami Vivekananda Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA), Bengaluru on Patanjali Yoga Sutra will comprise of 4 sessions. Each session will talk about 4 Chapters of Patanjali Yoga Sutra and will be Live from 5pm-6pm every Sunday of November 2021.

5th Meeting of Governing Council held Online

The 5th meeting of the Governing Council of Indian Yoga Association was organised online on November 30, 2021 at 10:30am. Meeting saw the auspicious presence of Governing Council Members of IYA including Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Chairman, Shri OP Tiwari, Swami Chidananda Saraswati, Smt Hansa Jayadev Yogendra, Dr Ishwar V Basavaraddi, and Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, IYA and Smt Kamlesh Barwal, General Secretary, IYA.

Webisode 9-12:

Series on Patanjali Yoga Sutras

Online Gurukulam ‘Learn with Masters

As promised, the Second series of Online Gurukulam- Learn with the Masters by Indian Yoga Association (IYA) took the viewers through elaborated journey of yoga with Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, IYA and Chancellor, Swami Vivekananda Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA), Bengaluru on Patanjali Yoga Sutra. The series comprised of 4 sessions. In each session on every Sunday of November 2021, Guruji talked about in detail about 4 padas of Patanjali Yoga Sutra LIVE from 5pm-6pm on Facebook.

Webisode 9: Samadhi Pada

The first session which was held on November 7, 2021 focused on the first pada of the Yoga Sutras— Samadhi Pada. Samadhi Padas has 51 sutras and discusses the meaning of yoga and focuses mainly on themes of enlightenment, concentration, and meditation.

Webisode 10: Sadhana Padas

The second session by Guruji Dr HR Nagendra on November 14, 2021 focused on the second pada of the Yoga Sutras— Sadhana Pada.

Sadhana Padas talks about the means of achieving a yogic state with 55 sutras. In this pada, you are introduced to the eight limbs of yoga— Yama (Five principles of ethics), Niyama (Five principles of conduct & discipline), Asana (Physical practice of yoga), Pranayama (Breath regulation), Pratyahara (Sensory withdrawal), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation) and Samadhi (Self-realization). The seven Niyamas are followed to real Samadhi.

Webisode 11: Vibhuti Padas

Vibhuti Padas consists of 56 sutras which talks about the benefits of practicing yoga regularly. Here you will deeply understand the final three limbs of yoga – Dhyana, Dharana and Samadhi. Guruji Dr HR Nagendra in his third session on Vibhuti Pada on November 21, 2021 talked about the art of integration (Samyama) through concentration, meditation and profound absorption in this pada.

Webisode 12: Kaivalya Padas

Kaivalya Padas has 34 sutras that talk about liberation and freedom from suffering. Here, the text explores the ultimate goals of yoga and provides thoughtful insight on the unconditional, absolute liberation yoga provides.

24th Meeting of Executive Council of IYA Held

The 24th Meeting of the Executive Council of Indian Yoga Association was held online on November 6th, 2021 at 1 pm online. Meeting saw the

presence of Dr HR Nagendra, President, Smt Hansa Yogendra Jayadeva, Member, Governing Council, Dr SP Mishra, Vice President, Smt. Kamlesh Barwal, General Secretary, Shri Ravi Tumuluri, Joint Secretary, Shri Ram Kumar Rathi, Director, Standing Finance Committee, Swami Atmapriyananda, Director, Standing

Academics and Accreditation Committee, Dr R Nagarathna, Director, Standing Research Committee, Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Director, Standing Publications, Publicity and PR Committee, Sadhvi Bhagavati Saraswati, Honorary Director, Standing Publications, Publicity and PR Committee and Shri

PC Kapoor, Treasurer. The meeting also saw the presence of Smt Sunanda Rathi, Convener, Standing Finance Committee and Sushree Shivali Miglani, Secretariat, IYA.

Second batch of Yoga Therapy Assistant by HSSC undergoes Training

The second batch of Yoga Therapy Assistant (Diabetes/ Palliative Care) underwent the 5 day training program from November 22-26, 2021 organised by the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) in collaboration with IYA complying with the National Occupational Standards.

This program trained candidates in the basic concepts and fundamental principles of therapeutic Yoga practices, various therapeutic measures commonly used in yoga, indication and contraindications of yoga therapy practices and how to communicate accurately and appropriately in the capacity of a yoga therapy assistant.

Yoga is the Science of Awareness Online Gurukulam ‘Learn with Masters’

As we step into 2022, Indian Yoga Association brings for you all the words of wisdom from Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, Member, Governing Council, IYA as part of the second series of Online Gurukulam- Learn with the Masters. She will take all of us on an elaborated journey of yoga for 8 sessions. In each session that will be held on every Sunday of January and February 2022, she will talk about a varied aspects of Yoga. In her first session, Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra talked in detail about Yoga Sutra, Second Chapter, Sutra 13 which went LIVE from 5pm-6pm on Facebook on January 2, 2022.

Ministry of AYUSH and IYA comes together to celebrate Makar Sakranti with 75 lakhs Surya Namaskar

The theme for the event is Surya Namaskar for Vitality

Makar Sakranti, also known as Uttarayan, is a Hindu festival celebrated in India on January 14 every year. This year to mark the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India in collaboration with Indian Yoga Association (IYA), FIT India, National Yogasana Sports Federation, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Yoga Certification Board organised a worldwide Surya Namaskar demonstration program for nearly 75 lakh people on January 14, 2022. This initiative was introduced by the Ministry of AYUSH under the leadership and guidance of Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was telecasted LIVE on DD National.

“Surya Namaskar demonstration on Makar Sankranti is more pertinent amid the present revival of COVID-19”

Minister of AYUSH, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal

“The aim of this event is sensitise people about the benefits of Yoga. We also aim to inform people about how they can keep themselves safe in this pandemic.”

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH

“It has been observed that Surya Namaskar if followed regularly can induce peace, vitality and harmony. It revitalises the mind and body”

Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai, Minister of State for AYUSH

“Sun is the basis of life. In Yoga, with Surya Namaskar we pray to Sun for its energy.”

Shri Ishwar Basavaraddi, Director of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and Member, Governing Council, IYA

“When 75 lakhs people will come together for Surya Namaskar, we are sure to make history. The energy of Sun enhances our immunity which can be very helpful in defeating this pandemic.”

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living and Chairman, IYA

“Yoga means to unite people and we are doing the same by uniting more than 75 lakh people performing Surya Namaskar together.”

Yogrishi Swami Ramdev ji Maharaj, Patanjali and Member, Governing Council, IYA

“Surya Namaskar activates the solar plexus to generate the heat in the system, to raise the Sun Prana or the solar heat in the system”

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev ji, Isha Foundation and Member, Governing Council, IYA

“Only Yoga can offer self-liberation. Surya Namaskar and dhayan can be the ways.”

Shri Kamlesh D Patel, Heartfulness and Member, Governing Council, IYA

“This is wonderful opportunity where we all can gain lot of energy from the Sun on the auspicious day of Makar Sakranti.”

Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, President, IYA

“Surya Namaskar is a great way to improve the cognitive functions of your body. It illuminates your intellect, so you can study well, memorize well, reproduce well and be successful.”

Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, The Yoga Institute and Member, Governing Council, IYA

“Sun is the life force for all without any discrimination be it human beings, birds, beast, trees, plants or nature at large. We have to look towards Sun for gaining energy and light”

Swami Bharat Bhushan, Mokshayatan International Yogashram and Member, Governing Council, IYA