The simplicity, sincerity and non commercial
angle draws many people and today more than a thousand people
come to the Institute daily. The courses also include Health
camps for several health conditions like Cardiac problems
and Hypertension, Respiratory problems, Diabetes, Orthopedic
conditions and Stress related problems. Some had remarked
that at the Institute we cater to people from the womb to
the tomb as Couple's classes offers guidance for harmony in
marital life, pregnancy ante natal and post natal classes
are held children's classes including some for teenagers and
then right into adult life. Some Personal Growth workshops
foster on the concepts of Self Development, Concentration,
Relaxation and Mind and Memory Training. These topics are
based on the Samkhya principles of the Bhavas or attitudes
which have to be inculcated.
Hansaji the Director of the Institute says, “Family
as an Institute is breaking apart fast causing a lot of frustration
and tension. The Yoga Institute caters to Householders and
offers guidelines of how to manage self and keep up one's
sanity and balance in today's competitive tension ridden world.
We guide people how one has to do duty to one's own self.
One learns how to take care of oneself at physical, mental
and emotional levels with awareness and accept situations
as they are and then take action. As Yoga believes that the
control of the mind is of paramount importance if at the thought
level there is balance and harmony and the emotions are guided
well the actions would be correct.”
The Yoga Institute is continues its work quietly and sincerely.
What Shri Yogendraji started when Yoga was not known has spread
to all the corners of the world. We try to retain the classic
spirit of Yoga. This approach can be summed up in the following
points:
- We believe Yoga is a way of life. We teach Classical
Yoga of Patanjali which is simplified for Householders.
- We teach simple Asanas which are combined with a breathing
rhythm called Yogendra breathing rhythm. The Pranayamas
we teach are simple breathing exercises and are numbered
as Yogendra pranayamas I-IX.
- We teach simple Kriyas like Jalneti – without use
the pot, Kapalbhati – done gently and not vigorously
and other simple techniques for cleansing – without
use of any external appliances.
- We do not believe in tampering with the natural course
of a persons spiritual evolution, hence no importance to
Kundalini, Mantra, Tantra, Hatha Yoga.
- Our approach to cure of disease is in keeping with the
discoveries of modern science while at all times incorporating
Yoga, Ayurveda and simple hours hold remedies
- Our teachings of the Yoga Sutra and the Gita are not
theological but instead philosophical and practical.
- We do not advocate extremism in any form, and our teachings
are highly secular. Neither are we affiliated to any other
organizations or political parties, nor do we advocate any
particular Ideology.
- Our teachings offer glimpses into the esoteric while at
no time endorsing it.
- We don’t wish Yoga to be understood in a narrow
sense and so we encourage discussions on the topic.
- In a line, our approach can be summed up as – we
teach a practical approach to Classical Yoga emphasizing
on reaching excellence by performance of ones duties and
developing a right attitude in ones life.
Dr Jayadeva Yogendra, the President of the Yoga Institute
once wrote the following in describing the need of a certain
kind of Yoga school a life school which is the need of the
hour. He was referring very much to The Yoga Institute, Santacruz
Mumbai India, which is like a model for other centres.
LIFE-SCHOOL
Is there a life-school where one learns how to live? The objective
of such a life-school of course will not be in helping acquire
money or power or pleasure but rather in sharing and teaching
of the art of a healthy way of life at physical, mental and
spiritual levels. Caring, mindfulness and discipline will
be its hallmark rather than its possessing tall buildings
and expansive campus.
All activities that go on here including interpersonal relationships
in classrooms and Administrative offices will lend to a spiritual
awareness. Emotional tensions will get Resolved against a
larger understanding of the incomprehensible and irresistible
twists and turns of life. Whether it is learning of Asanas
or learning of yoga sutra, the learning would go on adding
to Sattvika experience. The need for specific techniques will
diminish in face of a change in values, motivations, attitudes
and habits. Yogic living will re-establish the homeostatic
balance and treatment of dieses will be a by-product of a
yogic life.
The faith in a higher reality will instill a positive approach
of life and will definitely lead to a reduction in floating
states of anxiety responsible for many psychosomatic and neurotic
conditions. One would learn to participate fully in any and
all day. This would lead to a joy in living and meaningfulness
of life. The life school would prepare men and Women to live
well in the world again. They would not only learn this but
would teach it to others as well, through sharing. Can we
dream of such centers of learning in the country? It does
not matter if we call these life-school "The Yoga Institute"
or we call it by other names. There is an overwhelming need
today for such life-school in the society .what we seem lacking
is not various skills involved in our work or massive information
Related to it but in actual living models and in living experiences
of the fullness of life.
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