Guruspeak

Guruspeak

Learn Yoga, Live Yoga
HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji emphasise that yoga, apart from promoting physical and mental well-being, is crucial for uniting the world community

The secrets of the ancient science of yoga were passed down from our saints and sages who were blessed with a treasure chest of wisdom for the benefit of humanity. Yoga is not a religion. It is an ancient science which leads to health in the body, peace in the mind, joy in the heart, and liberation of the soul. As I often say, “Yog karo, roz karo, aur mauj karo (Do yoga every day and enjoy yourself).

Yoga is more than just asanas, pranayama, and meditation. Yoga is a way of life, and its teachings should penetrate every aspect of your being—from your actions to your speech to your thoughts.

The practice of yoga  was perfected by our sages so that the material human body can become a vehicle for spiritual  awakening and enlightenment.  The word ‘yoga’ means union—that which unfolds and awakens when the body and mind are joined together.

Today, the world needs yoga, but not only for treating physical ailments. That which ails us as individuals, communities, and nations is separation, and yoga can definitely help to heal.

Our culture expounds ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is one family). Our world-renowned International Yoga Festival (IYF), every year, brings people from across the world to be touched and transformed by the experience of yoga at its source. Last year, in 2017, we had more than 1700 participants from 101 countries join us in celebration of life and oneness. It was addressed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji via live video conferencing. A short video of this year’s highlights is available at: https://youtu.be/ZwsIBxk1M7A. This year, the festival was held from the 1st to the 7th of March 2018, at Parmarth Niketan Ashram (Rishikesh). 

Each year, masters from all over the world represent various traditions like Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Power Yoga, meditation, reiki, yoga therapy, as well as lecture on yoga, Vedanta, ancient Indian philosophy, and ayurveda. Further details are available at www.internationalyogafestival.org. The festival has become internationally renowned and has been covered by publications such as Time Magazine and NY Times, and on BBC, CNN, etc.

Yoga is the greatest solution to our abysmal physical and mental health. As we connect with divine prana, we realize that we are being nourished by the Universe and inextricably linked to the web of Life. Yoga is also a solution to that which ails our planet. When we realize our interconnectedness, then we stand up and change our attitude and our actions to protect our global family as ardently as we’d protect our own nuclear family. In living yoga, we become more conscious of giving more and taking less, on being more and having less. In this way, yoga helps us transform our world from pieces to peace and from bitter to better.