Improving Lives through Samattvam (WHY Convention 2012)

Shri Yogendraji, in 1918, founded The Yoga Institute where through his pioneering work in Yoga Theraputics and Research, he helped cure many people from various kinds of diseases.

94 years later, his legacy still continues at the Institute in the form of many special programmes and activities. One such programme is Samattvam. Samattvam means a balanced state of mind. A balanced mind can free us from most problems. This is the very essence behind all the teachings of The Yoga Institute.

Samattvam started around 28 years ago. It is a programme where people suffering from various ailments come to The Yoga Institute, every Saturday from 2 to 5:30 pm to meet a special group of doctors and yoga counsellors. About 50 to 80 people visit Samattvam every week.

Smt. Hansaji explains the importance of Samattvam, “The whole day people go around doing their work. They have no idea about their health and well-being. They want to learn yoga, but if they go straight to the regular classes, they may not be able to explain their conditions clearly to the teachers. So to create awareness and understand the obvious underlying health or emotional issues, first a health oriented session is needed.”

“Diseases are psychosomatic, so it is important to also understand the level and intensity of the disease. We have General Physicians, Orthopaedic surgeons, Gynaecologists, Psychiatrists, Physiotherapists, etc. So, the best thing about Samattvam is that if a person has multiple problems, they can meet all different specialists and also get yoga counselling,” shares Mr. Shirish Ghurye, co-ordinator of Samattvam.

Registration and Introduction

Samattvam begins with registration where the patients inform about their past and current health conditions. The blood pressure of all patients is checked. “Many people have high B.P. but are not aware of it or do not take it seriously. This can lead to more complications in health like kidney failure, etc. These patients are not supposed to do certain Asanas,” informs Mr. Ghurye.

After registration, a short video is shown, where Smt. Hansaji gives a basic guidance of how every human should have a healthy approach to life, diet, routine, etc.  Many people cannot change their lifestyles because of their work timings or other factors. This is why, after the video, Smt. Hansaji herself gives a talk giving them alternatives.

Medical Assessment

The patients are then made to meet the specific doctors. Here, their medical reports are analysed and doctors advise on the course of action.

Patients suffering from more of degenerative musculo-skeletal problems, Obesity and related problems like PCOD, Thyroid, etc. and lifestyle related diseases such as Hypertension, Diabetes and Cholesterol, etc. have become rampant.

Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Suhas Kate shared that a man with Lumbar Canal Stenosis was unable to walk long distances but was able to walk after practicing the standard mobilizing exercises through Asanas. “Many cases which were advised surgeries were able to recover without surgery after coming to Samatvam,” he says.

Yoga Counselling

After medical assessment, patients are taken for yoga counselling. A problem’s root may be elsewhere, for example, in the relationship or anger, etc. Through counselling, patients can then understand and relate to how these are affecting their health.

“A few years ago, a couple on the verge of divorce came here. A combination of relationship and financial issues was creating problems for them. Fortunately, they followed the suggestions given here and joined the special class and couple’s class at the Institute. Now they are happily settled and even have a child. Everyone in the family has learnt to adjust to each other,” narrated yoga counsellor, Shri Sharad Waghmare.

Certain severe cases such as Schizophrenia, Epilepsy, etc. require life-long medication with management through yoga, shares Smt. Priyam Waghmare. In other cases such as Hypertension, medication is required in the beginning and is slowly reduced if one follows instructions diligently.

Follow-up

Those who live very far or cannot travel often to the Institute on accord of their health; can come for free follow-up sessions over a week, fortnight or even a year. There is strong emphasis on following the suggestions given. “Follow-up is a very progressive method. A couple of instructions are given; the patients do it and find that it helps them. Then the next time, something more is told to them. The focus is not just on Asanas, but also on daily habits. Some people who followed it have seen tremendous improvement,” explains Shri Sharad Chauhan who handles follow-up cases.

Instructions and Physical Practice

Following the meetings with doctors and counsellors, each patient is explained how to make small practical changes in his/her lifestyle, based on the recommendations made by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra. They are then taught specific Asanas and Pranayamas that would help them personally.

Meeting with Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

Very severe health problems with complications, such as a combination of mental, physical and emotional issues, multifarious diseases and post-operatives, etc. are finally taken to Dr. Jayadeva for his advice where he suggests whether a patient should go for medical intervention or manage it through yoga. “In cases like High B.P. they are asked to take regular medications, improve their dietary habits and practice more relaxation during the day,” says Dr Jayadeva.

In this way, through the combined effort of the Gurus and dedicated doctors and Sadhakas, a wonderful, selfless and life-changing programme like Samattvam is created.

On 25^th and 26^th December, 2012, as The Yoga Institute celebrates its 94^th Foundation Day, with the World Householders' Yoga Convention we invite you all to celebrate this kind of relentless and dedicated service to mankind.

Householder Yoga (WHY Convention 2012)

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  ‘Householder Yoga’ is not a brand of yoga, unlike many popular brands that exist today in the ‘yoga market.’ It is simply a term to describe a simplified form of yoga for the common man and woman. Many people believe that the spiritual aspect of yoga is for Sanyasis (Ascetics) who have left their homes to attain enlightenment. However, there is a place, in the middle of the commercial capital of India – Mumbai, where yoga and its spiritual aspects are taught to householders.

The seed of this was sown 94 years ago, when Shri Yogendraji founded The Yoga Institute in 1918 after receiving practical firsthand training from the last apostle of Yoga – Paramhamsa Madhavadasji.

Even when he went to learn from his Guru, Yogendraji made it clear that he intended to live a householder’s life when he said, “I am anxious to learn from you and am prepared for everything, but I can neither lose interest in the society nor break ties with the world – the whole kaleidoscope of life around me. I am deeply interested in spirituality not to seek an escape from life but to live it more fully.”

At the time, many ill-informed people had extreme prejudice towards yoga. Scientific minds also considered its study as non-essential and unsuitable for householders and its practice by a woman was inconceivable.

In 1918, Yogendraji worked very hard to systematically revive Hatha Yoga by propagating it not just as a philosophy but as a positive science of potent educational, therapeutic, moral, intellectual and spiritual values to humanity. He simplified Hatha Yoga techniques and brought about a great transformation in the outlook towards yoga. Staying true to his word, he married and lived a householder’s life. His wife Smt. Sitadevi joined him in spreading the knowledge of yoga for the first time among women. Their son, Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and his wife Smt. Hansaji are now continuing their legacy at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz.

Today, a popular belief has arisen that yoga means perfection in Asanas where one can perform different stunts and attain some miraculous gains. So, one may ask, “Why simplify Hatha Yoga techniques? Can we not do the same postures as the Hatha Yogis?”

Hansaji explains, “There are many varieties of yoga mentioned in scriptures. But Maharshi Patanjali used the essence of yoga from them all and gave a systematic path and made guidelines for us. He has defined an Asana as a posture where one can remain steady and comfortable and a person should put in enough effort to sustain it for a long time.

However, at the Institute, we found that there were many varieties of Hatha Yoga Asanas which were harmful if done by a common man. For example, a Hatha Yogi may stand on one leg, with his hands up for many hours or days. If a normal man tried this, he would lose his physical ability because his body is deficient and his nerves are restless. The hands would go numb, the leg would get swollen. Hatha Yogis live a secluded life and have no other responsibilities. They can afford to experiment with their bodies, whereas a householder has many responsibilities, anxieties and worries. So the path of a Hatha Yogi and that of a householder has to be different.

A householder does not require the extreme stretch of Hatha Yoga practices. Backward bending followed by forward bending till one can even touch the toes is enough for maintaining health, instead of doing a complete Cakrasana.

A householder has the chance to learn from the varied experiences he has in life, making his progress faster - he can be happier, healthier, do right Karma, can be accepting, productive and also good for the society. Patanjali emphasizes on control of the mind which is done on the intellectual as well as emotional level. The Bhavas (Attitude Training) is a unique concept taught at the Institute that help in gaining this control.

The main message we want to propagate is that the householder should inculcate yoga in day to day life, similar to how villagers squat when milking a cow and bend forward when cutting crops.

In fact, looking back into the past, traditional yoga was originally for the householder. Krsna went to Sandipani Ashram, Ram went to Vashistha Ashram. Students used to go and live in the Guru’s house where the Guru was a householder with wife and children. They learnt to apply the teachings to their everyday life.”

It is this very spiritual aspect of yoga, that hardly anyone is aware about inspite of all the hype about yoga, that The Yoga Institute has been silently working to propagate. On 25^th and 26^th December 2012, we celebrate 94 years of this kind of selfless service towards humanity.

As Dr. Jayadeva says, “This is a small institute. No central government, no state government, no municipal grants, no large donations from anywhere. It is carrying on for 94 years on its own strength. We don’t have Sadhus and Sanyasis. Here there are no restrictions. Yoga can be practiced by all but there should be a very good amount of self control and discipline. Try and understand concepts involved and use them in a simple way. Patanjali has made it very clear; those who are sincerely interested to follow yoga – to stop the Citta, should take up yoga.”

All are welcome to explore the world of classical yoga at the World Householders' Yoga Convention - 25th, 26th December 2012, at The Yoga Institute Santacruz.

Article by Ankita Shah, published in the August 2012 edition of Yoga & Total Health Magazine

www.theyogainstitute.org

World Householders’ Yoga Convention - 25th & 26th Dec 2012 BLOCK YOUR DATES !!!

World Householders’ Yoga Convention

25^th & 26^th December 2012

BLOCK YOUR DATES !!!

The Yoga Institute, Santacruz, The Oldest Organized Yoga Center in the World completes 94 years of existence on 25th December, 2012. Celebrating this auspicious occasion, we cordially invite you to the World Householders' Yoga Convention 2012.

Event Highlights: 

EXHIBITION: Learn about the pioneering research done by The Yoga Institute in Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga Indology and Yoga Education through a wonderful Exhibition also showcasing different aspects of Yoga.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS: Various important applications of The Yoga Way of Life will be discussed in enlightening Panel Discussions including leading personalities in fields of Medicine, Education, Corporate, Media, etc.

EXPERIENCE: The physical as well as the subtle (mental, emotional and spiritual ) effects of Yoga.  Feel true relaxation of body and mind and learn how Simple Yoga Practices help to gain clarity of mind and strength of character.

So join us in celebrating the ancient wisdom and science of Yoga passed on to us by our forefathers.

Venue:

The Yoga Institute, Yogendra Marg, Prabhat Colony, Santacruz East, Mumbai 400 055, India.

Dates: 25^th & 26^th December 2012

Time: Between 8 am – 8 pm

Email: info@theyogainstitute.org

Or call: 022-26122185 / 022-26110506

Watch out for more updates of the event on the blog.