Webisode – 26

Simplification is the Key to reach Gen Z

An ardent nature lover, Shri Subodh Tiwari was born and brought up in the most ethereal place and home to Yoga— Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla. He is the CEO of Kaivalyadhama and Secretary General, Indian Yoga Association. Very early in his life he received spiritual initiation from Swami Digambarji, the Director and spiritual head of Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, and began yoga practice under the guidance of his father Shri OP Tiwari. As part of Webisode 26 of Online Gurukulam- Learn with Masters, we bring you excerpts from our one-to-one interaction with Shri Subodh Tiwari on November 27, 2022 on our social media platforms. Here are the excerpts

What is Yoga?

For me Yoga is to be able to do what you already know needs to be done. The ability to execute and the strength that enables you to act on what you know and the knowledge you have is yoga and yoga 360. I qualify that statement because I interact a lot with students. We are all trying to do Yoga for 90 minutes and forget. Yoga is important but upyog of yoga is very important.

Is Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation inter-related?

Yoga is the umbrella under which the principles of Ashtanga Yoga has been enumerated by Maharishi Patanjali. Today the world has started to treat Pranayama, Yogasana and dhyana as separate entities. It is the inclusiveness into the ashtanga yoga where Maharishi Patanjali lays down the yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratayahar, dharana, dhyan and samadhi. These are all the aspect of ashtanga yoga and definitely they are related because there is a relation of concurrence. It needs to be understood fairly and clearly. We often understand Ashtanga Yoga as the 8 steps of Yoga whereas they are the 8 limbs of Yoga which exists together. Pranayama, dhyana these aspects are concurrent in nature. They are related because they are inter-dependent. One leads to the other. The other is sustained by the other.

Who is a Guru?

Guru is someone who is able to illuminate the path of the seeker but at the same time ensures that the seeker has developed the ability to be self-dependent. Illumination through knowledge, through transferring the wisdom which the guru has in such a way that the path is travelled by the seeker with confidence, with the knowledge and wisdom on his own.

You are the torch-bearer of such a strong legacy. Started in 1924, Kaivalyadham have almost completed a century of teaching and spreading awareness about Yoga and Pranayama. How has your journey been?

Journey has been beautiful!! Kaivalyadhama started in 1924 by Swami Kuvalyanand and for the first time philosophical aspect of yoga was put under the scientific scrutiny. Swamiji lit the flame which carried on globally. For the first time scientific research started in Kaivalyadhama, first time philosophico literary research started, the first formal college started here in 1950, in 1961 the first ever Yoga Hospital in the world saw the light of the day, so many firsts happened in Kaivalyadhama. There are experts of Yoga, philosophy, science, teaching— it is a set of individuals that carry this lamp of undiluted yoga and run that relay race passing the baton to one person the other. The beauty lies in the synthesis of the tradition and science here. We feel proud to carry the rich heritage of the traditional yoga as envisaged by Maharishi Patanjali.

In these times when people only believe in earning and spending, Yoga can offer a much needed stability. What can be done to make sure that youngsters make Yoga their lifestyle?

Make it interesting. While I interact with thousands of students I have realised that because of so much of information and knowledge around Gen Z is upright. It is important for us to have the transition from the way we transact the knowledge. If this generation needs to be reached, there needs to be simplification in understanding, practices, simplification in ensuring that we are able to make them understand the benefits and there should be no strict regimen attached to what you are trying to transact. Let this generation experience that. They are very attentive to what you tell them. If it clicks then it’s their lifestyle.

How beneficial has Y Breaks been in Corporate Culture?

Kaivalyadhama was part of the trial run of Y Breaks with Ministry of AYUSH. We did the trials in 6 corporates in Mumbai for 3 months. Initial people were apprehensive and said ‘Yog is kya Hoga?’ But Yoga is experiential. When these corporate guys started practicing Yoga for 10 minutes every day, results were seen objectively. These corporates continued the Y Break after these 3 month of sponsored classes ended. People were happy, Y break were simple, no philosophies, no one hour sessions. As practical experience, Y Breaks should be taken seriously across the globe.

How important is research in Yoga?

Research emphasis on the rationality which appeals to large number of people. It establishes the efficacy of practices like asana, pranayama, meditative techniques while taking it to another level so that more practitioners can believe in the science. There is a cardiologist in Rajkot who ensures that before his patient are admitted for angiography or open heart surgery they practice pranayama for 15 days because he believes that the recovery of his patients is better than others who don’t. He arrived at his conclusion after researching on many patients. Now, because of his research other cardiologists are open to try it. So research is essential because it establishes a rationalistic acceptance and point of view about Yoga in that fraternity. So when you want to apply yoga in education and therapy it is very essential. If you are going for your own spiritual experience you may not need research because then you are your own research lab. So one need to distinguish it. When it comes to applied Yoga and Yoga education, it is very very essential.