The Indian Yoga Association (IYA) convened its 49th Executive Council Meeting on May 8, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM on an online platform. The meeting was presided over by Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, President, and attended by Shri S. Sridharan (Vice President), Shri Subodh Tiwari (Secretary General), Shri K.C. Jain (Treasurer), Dr. S.P. Mishra (CEO, IYA PrCB), Shri Desraj, Prof. Elangovan, along with special invitee Shri Dheeraj Saraswat, and Secretariat members. The session commenced with the Shanti Mantra, followed by opening remarks from Smt. Hansaji Yogendra, who highlighted the importance of balance and preparedness in the face of global fluctuations.
The minutes of the 48th Executive Council Meeting held on April 15, 2025, were confirmed after incorporating suggestions from Shri P.C. Kapoor. The Secretary General presented the Action Taken Report, noting that monthly Yoga Therapy sessions continue, with the 16th session featuring Acharya Birju Maharaj.
Preparations for the Global Research Conference (Jan 29–Feb 1, 2026) are underway, and the Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi state chapters have been successfully restructured. The FSSA Council was approved as an Associate Centre, and over 50 programs were conducted under the Harit Yoga Initiative in collaboration with the Ministry. The monthly lecture series, Manthan, continues, with Dr Prashant Iyengar delivering the May session online.
Discussions also covered collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush for IDY 2025 celebrations, with the Minister expressing willingness to attend an event in Delhi. The upcoming ‘Yog Setu’ Program in Rishikesh on May 25, 2025, aims to bring together over 50 small yoga centres to strengthen the network of IYA Associate Centres. The use of IYA-certified signature logos for professional communications was approved, and efforts to increase certification among member institutions were emphasized.
Other matters discussed included IYA representation at the Inter-Ministerial AYUSH Meeting on May 13 at Vigyan Bhawan, with the Secretariat coordinating invitations, and the formation of a subcommittee to organize International Meditation Day on December 21, 2025, with preliminary protocols and references from ancient texts shared. The meeting concluded with closing remarks and a concluding prayer by Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.
