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Day 1

Day 2

Speaker: Girish Jha, Arizona USA
Topic: Journey of Mindfulness by a seeker Summary: The speaker briefed about the mindfulness – journey from east to west. The theme of the speaker was based as laymen’s guide to mindfulness and meditation for inner peace and how to solve the problems of daily life followed by practice, sharing of experiences and meditation. The speaker stress upon to learning and understanding mindfulness from the great masters, from own experiences- and changing perception to cope and manage anxiety, stress, physical pain and other personal and professional challenges. The session was interactive, conscious journey and free from cult, dogma, belief and religion. Applying mindfulness in daily life an individual learn to remove barriers that blocks the progress, and educate the mind that hasten the perfection.

Speaker: Lalit Madan, Yoga Therapist at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) Delhi
Topic: Foundation of YOGASummary: The speaker explained term, history of practice of Yoga believed to have started with the very dawn of civilization. The science of yoga has its origin thousands of years ago, long before the first religions or belief systems were born. With the passage of time several schools of yoga emerged with their own philosophies as HATHA YOGA, ASHTANGA YOGA, IYENGAR YOGA, KRIYA YOGA, SIVANANDA YOGA, KUNDALINI YOGA, INTEGRAL YOGA etc.The speaker explained Ashtang Yoga (Eight Limbs) and its element in Patanjali's classification of Yoga Sutras. He defined the eight limbs as Yama (abstinences), Niyama (observances), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing), Pratyahara (withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (absorption). The session concluded with meditation and shanti mantra.

Day 3

Day 4

Speaker: Prof. Rajeev Choudhary, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
Topic: Yoga for RejuvenationSummary: Starting from the origin and history of Yoga, the speaker talked about the various traditional aspects of yoga, in India. The widely practiced ones are hatha yoga, raja yoga,integral yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, mantra yoga, kundalini yoga, sahaja yoga, laya yoga, and many more. Hatha yoga includes practice of asanas, pranayamas, and kriyas (purification techniques including breathing cleansing techniques and shatkarmas–six groups of purification practices). Around 200 BC, the ancient sage Patanjali evolved the eight stages of yoga which is called as ashtanga yoga. As such, integral yoga incorporates hatha yoga, meditation, and pranayama. The benefits of yoga are also widely elaborated, to improve physical, mental, spiritual aspects with regular practice of yoga in various literature. The important thing is the mind-set of the practitioner which make the difference to rejuvenate. Yoga includes changes in mental attitude, diet, and the practice of specific techniques such as yoga asanas, pranayamas, and meditation to attain the highest level of consciousness. The session concluded as very lively and interactive.
Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlall from Hindu Center of Atlanta, USA spoke about the Practical Applications of Yoga Philosophy in Day-to-Day Life.
He stated that if we follow and practice Aparigraha (non-possessiveness, non-greed and non-attachment) Yogic culture, we are bound to respect our nature earth and start using our resources judiciously. By practicing Sahaj and Sajag Yoga (alertness of mind) we can attain holistic approach in wellness, physical, mental, moral and spiritual. He mentioned about four pillars Achar, Vichar, Ahar and Vihar to lead a healthy and happy life.




Day 5

Day 6

Yogacharya Vijayganesh Korikkaru, former brand ambassador of yoga to Indian High Commission of Mexico City shared with us his immense knowledge and understanding about Yoga in connection with Ayurveda.He gave some suggestions about various asanas to follow in our day to day life to keep ourselves fit like Vajra asana, Vakra asana, Bhujanga asana, Pavanmukta asana, Tadasana, Ushtrasana, Singhasana, Parvatasana, Surya Namaskar etc. He also mentioned about the good books to follow about yoga Asanas like Publication of Bihar School of yoga and Kevalyadhama.

Ms. IRINA MACSIM from Romania, is a Sports Nutritionist and Weight Management Coach, Hatha Yoga and Fitness Instructor.
She emphasized on the versatile aspects of yoga in many ways be it fitness or managing the stress by practicing Hatha Yoga means being Obstinate/Wilfull/Forceful, so Hatha Yoga not only improves the circulatory, pulmonary, digestive capacity of the human body but also balances the coordination, metabolism and motion of the body thereby bringing about the flexibility and greater body awareness thus lowering down of stress hormone- Cortisol in the body. She explained the importance of balance between YIN and YANG Energy which can also be improved by practicing Hatha Yoga.

Day 7

Dr. NEELAM VATS, is a teacher of Indian Culture and Yoga from Vienna, Austria. She very well explained the different Yoga Asanas for the wellness of body and mind through her practical session. She depicted various asanas like Nadi Shodhan, Kapal bhati, Sukshm vyayam, Vajra asana, Ushtra asana, Ardhamatsayendra asana, Bhujanga asana, Makra asana, Padma asana, Agnisar, Dhanura asana, Dandaasana, Anulom vilom Ujjai pranayam and Sheetkari pranayam. She also explained about the importance of different asanas and Mudras in the treatment of various diseases like Diabetes, Heart & Lung problems, Cancer, Arthritis, Skin problems, Ulcers, Thyroid etc.

Day 8

Sister BK VIJAY Sr. from Brahma Kumaris Rajyoga Centre, Karol Bagh, Delhi executive member of sports wing gave a very beautiful and peaceful session on RAJYOGA MEDITATION.She explained that Yoga is union or connection. Rajyoga Meditation is communication between Self and Higher Self. It transcends the mind beyond the body and creates lasting peaceful experiences. Meditation means- to Heal/ Dhyan/ Connection/ Communication with supreme soul. In order to achieve that goal she emphasized on 7 qualities- Knowledge, Purity, Peace, Love, Happiness, Bliss & Power and 3 energies- Mann/ Virtual Brain, Buddhi/ Intellect & Sanskar/Values. Benefits of Rajyoga Meditation can be achieved by practicing these qualities.
BK JAGBIR SINGH from RAJYOG EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION, MOUNT ABU. He is a world class renowned certified mental condition trainer and sports psychology with over 12 years of experience.He gave Meditation mantra for meritorious performance. He mentioned that in Brain 4 levels are there- Beta- Awake, Alpha- Meditation, Theta- Sleep and Delta- Deep Sleep. Our body healing takes place when we are in Delta and Theta stage, whereas meditation brings us closure to Alpha level. In Alpha level focus is 5000 times more than the Beta level. The level of these directly affects our body by influencing the happiness hormone (Endorphin) & Stress hormone (Cortisol) thereby affecting our lives.He also stressed upon the importance of R.E.D i.e. Rest, Exercise & Diet and also made us to understand the ENERGY DRAINERS (Anger, Attachment, Ego, Fear, Greed, Laziness & Lust) and ENERGY GAINERSS (Knowledge, Purity, Peace, Love, Happiness, Bliss & Power).

Day 9

Dr. Vikram Singh from JNU, New Delhi, an Alumini of Deshbandhu College spoke about the Phychophysiological Aspects of Performance Enhancement in Yoga. He explained how Yoga can enhance our brain function and positively affect the structure of our brain. Neurons communicate through electrochemical signals that are the basis for motor functions, thoughts, emotions, and behavior. These electrochemical signals are called as brainwaves- Theta Waves, Alpha Waves & Beta Waves. A considerable increase in alpha and theta activity was found in most regions of the brain after Kriya Yoga meditation. Increased alpha and beta wave activation were observed after Pranayama practice. Important Brain Chemicals/ hormones that are released or reduced during meditation includes Serotonin, Cortisol, DHEA, GABA, Endorphins, Growth Hormone, and Dopamine, Glutamate, Norepinephrine and Melatonin. Melatonin modulates acetylcholinesterase activity in erythrocytes.
Yogacharya Sudarshan Dev Sharma, Director, Divya Yogmay Institute & Foundation, International Yoga Player & National Yoga Referee.He gave an enthralling session on Pranic Power Yoga with Chakra Healing. Chakras are 7 energetic centres through which our energy flows.Chakras get blocked by negative energy that is unable to release from the body, thus, balancing your chakras helps to improve and maintain optimum performance. Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra) - First Chakra – LAM; Sacral / Navel Chakra (Swadhishthan Chakra) - Second Chakra – VAM; Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura Chakra) - Third Chakra – RAM; Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra) - Forth Chakra – YAM; Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra) - Fifth Chakra – HAM; Third Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra) - Sixth Chakra - OM and Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra) - Seventh Chakra – OM.

Day 10

Day 11

Mr. Sanjeev Tyagi, Founder and MD, Everest Yoga Institute, Everest Sports Academy, Ludhiana familiarized us with a very different dimension of Yoga, that is, Future/Business Aspects of Yoga.He focused on the great career scope of yoga not only in India but also in abroad. On a professional level, you can usually specialize in any of the following patterns like Yoga exercises for physical fitness, Spiritual yoga, Raj Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga therapy, Yoga especially designed for kids, Yoga designed to benefit for senior citizens, Yoga for the couples, Corporate yoga, Prenatal and/or postnatal Yoga, Private lessons of Yoga, Retreats or Workshops, Yoga studios, Athletic Yoga, Rhythmic Yoga, Advance Yoga, Power Yoga, Dance Yoga, Acro Yoga, Artistic Yoga and many more different forms of ancient and modern Yoga practices.

Dr. Nina Budziszewska from Department of Indology, University of Wroclaw, Poland. She enlightened us on the various aspects of Yoga as stated in Bhagavad Gita & in Upnishads as a therapy in the troubled world. She explained the central concepts of yoga’s philosophy of life in forms of the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Patanjali recommended an ‘Eight-Limb Path’ (Yamas, Niyamas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) as a way to change the mind positively. She stated that Krishna defines yoga as “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” which means Yoga is a balanced state of the body, mind, emotions, thoughts and intellect.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Assistant Professor of Yoga in Lal Bhadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi, spoke about the topic of Yoga as a Career Oriented Education.He explained the role of Yoga as a career opportunity in different sectors like in education, in society, in health, in hotels, spa & resorts, in embassies, in media, in competitions and sports and prison. In all these sectors, there is a need of yoga gurus as Free lancers, Instructors, Therapist, Advisor, Yoga Specialist, Yoga Practitioner, Yoga Teacher, Research Officer- Yoga and Naturopathy and as Yoga Counsellors. So, now- days, ample opportunities are there in yoga, if chosen as a career option.

Day 12

Day 13

Dr. Awadhesh Kumar Shirotriya, Assistant Professor of Physical Education in School of Education, Fiji National University, Fiji talked about Mindfulness Meditation: A sustainable Way to Achieve Success.Mindful Meditation is an effortless exercise of the brain. Some of the popular meditations are Mindfulness, Transcendental, Spiritual, Mantra, Focused & Movement. According to University of Oxford, it is a Clinical, Psychological & Spiritual Process.Some of the popular mindfulness practices are Yoga-Pranayam, Tai Chi, Body scan, Loving-kindness meditation. For this, common standardized tools used are- FFMQ, MAAS, FMI, CAMS-R & MMS. Some of the strategies used are Cognitive therapy, Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) & Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT-Psychotherapy to control the attention). He also gave simple equations for the positivity- Physical Health + Mental Health = Wellness; Wellness + Health = Happiness (Peace); Happiness + Health + Wellness = Success over Covid’19.
Dr. Balwant Singh, Founder & Secretary International Yoga Foundation. He gave talk on Hasta Mudras and its Holistic Approach.Mudras practices in conjunction with Pranayama & Meditation redirects the flow of life-force (Prana) and facilitate healing with the restoration of health. When a finger representing an element is brought into contact with the thumb, that element is brought into balance. Air (Vayu)- Index Finger; Fire (Agni)- Thumb Finger; Water (Jal)- Little Finger; Earth (Prithvi)- Ring Finger and Space (Akash)- Middle Finger. The Yoga Mudras can be categorized into five groups- Hasta (Hand Mudras); Mana (Head Mudras); Kaya (Postural Mudras); Bandha (Lock Mudras) and Adhara (Perineal Mudras). He explained Prana Mudra (Gesture of life); Agni/Surya Mudra (Gesture of fire); Gyan/Chin Mudra (Gesture of Knowledge/ Consciousness); Linga Mudra (Gesture of heat); Vayu Mudra (Gesture of air); Akash mudra (Gesture of Space) and Dhyana Mudra (Gesture of Meditation).


Dr. Neelam Sharma, Associate Professor in Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab gave an enlightened talk on Karma Yoga.She started her session by explaining the Karma yoga which is the path of action that means right action for right attitude. There are six simple ways to practice Karma Yoga on a daily basis: Self-serve, Be genuine, Respect nature, Contribute, Practice compassion and Positive attitude. Then she talked about the concept of Rin, which means ‘being in debt’. They are: RISHI RIN, DEV RIN, PITR RIN, BHUTA RIN and MANUSHYA RIN.
Dr. Naveen Chandra Kandpal, General Secretary, Yog Sports Association India. He spoke on Saptchakras (Effected by Mantra yoga) impact on Human Body.MANTRA is a Sanskrit word made up of MAN + TRA, which in sanskrit "Mananat Trayate". He explained about the Seven Chakras in the human body, their Beej Mantras, Deity Gods and Ruling Planet. Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra)- LAM, Ruling planet- Mars, god- Lord Ganesh. Sacral / Navel Chakra (Swadhishthan Chakra)- VAM, Ruling planet- Mercury, god- Lord Brahma. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura Chakra)- RAM, ruling planet- Jupiter. The God is Lord Vishnu. Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra)- YAM, ruling planet- Venus, God- Lord Shiva. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra)-HAM, ruling planet- Saturn, God- Maa Saraswati and Lord Shani. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra) - OM, ruling planet- the Sun, God- Guru. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra)- OM, ruling planet- the Moon, God- Formless- Almighty.

Day 14

Day 15

Dr. Navdeep Joshi, Founder Navyoga, spoke about an interesting topic- Chakra Balancing Practices and Naad Meditation. He mentioned that Chakra healing is an excellent way to balance our chakras and find balance within our body and mind. He talked about 7 chakras, their characteristics and colours He also explained the meaning of Naad, its importance & types. Naad means “the essence of all sound.” In yogic terminology there are 4 kinds of sounds in the Universe, Ahad Naad- created by something striking something else; Anhad Naad- means “primodal sound”. sound and is not produced by striking two objects; Prakritik Naad- produced by nature and Vikrat Naad- unwanted, disturbing sounds. Naad Yoga develops a sense of joy, harmony, flexibility and fulfillment. It alleviates the problems relating to the mind by calming the mind and raising the level of consciousness.
Dr. Aradhana Singh, Counseling Psychologist & Best Seller Author of ‘Parenting a Beautiful Journey’, working with Army Golf Course gave a motivational talk on How to Manage Your Mental Health.Mental health is a state of well being in which an individual realizes his/her own abilities and is able to cope with the stresses of life. It includes our emotional, psychological and social well being. She unveiled that secrets in achieving good mental health lies in what we eat, so she listed the types of food that should be eaten and the food which should be avoided. She also explained the effects of water, sunlight, exercise, meditation, gratitude and positive affirmations on the brain to have a positive mindset and positive outlook towards life.
DR. Nilima Patel, Ex-Principal & HOD Government College of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Baroda. She gave an insightful talk on the topic- Health & Wellness-The Ashtanga Approach.She explained about different dimensions of Health and wellness. Health has 6 dimensions, namely, Physical, Social, Spiritual, Emotional, Intellectual and Occupational. Whereas, Wellness has 8 parameters- social, occupational, intellectual, financial, physical, emotional, spiritual & environmental. She also suggested that yoga is not to stand on one’s head, but is to stand on one’s feet firmly & face the challenges of life with the help of Ashtanga Yoga ladder which has 8 limbs- Yama (social discipline), Niyama (individual discipline), Asana (yogic posture), Pranayam (yogic breathing), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (illumination); External Ethics (ahimsa, satya, asateya, brahmacharya & aparigraha) and Internal Ethics (shaucha, santosha, tapas, svadhyaya & ishwar pranidhana). At last she mentioned about the importance of experiential aspects of asanas, breathing, diet (food is like medicine, sattvik, regularity in time) and exercises (spiritual- introspection, mental- relaxation, physical- yogasanas & social- communication). Also, gave a formula, Self Discipline = Good Posture = Good Breathing for energy channelization.
Mr. Ghanshyam Yadav, Director & Founder of Arogyadhama Yoga Centre, Gurgaon, Teacher in Govt. of NCT Delhi. He spoke about the Principles of Yogic Lifestyle.He stated that Yoga as a lifestyle is not only performing difficult poses or practicing breathing techniques rather it is a holistic approach, encompassing philosophy about all aspects of how we live life. He mentioned about the five basic principles of Yoga- 1.Proper Exercise/Asanas. 2. Proper Breathing 3. Complete Relaxation 4. Proper Diet 5. Positive Thinking and Meditation. At the end he stated “Karo Yog, Raho Nirog”, which is very relevant in the present scenario to keep ourselves fit in every sense, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Day 16

Day 17

Yogaguru Mohan Karki, Founder of the Yogaguru Institute, Holistic Healthcare Foundation, London talked about the Importance of Alternative therapy in Current Scenario.He explained the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, Five Poisons (pañchakleśā), yoga according to Bhagavad Gita, Yamas, Niyama and “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” ” which means that Yoga is a balanced state of the body, mind, emotions, behaviour, thoughts and intellect. This equanimity of mind to face any situation is the ultimate objective of yoga. He also mentioned about the application and importance of various tools for the holistic health- 1. Shat kriya 2. Yogic Sukshm Vyayam (Micro exercise) 3. Yogic Asanas 4. Relaxation 5. Breathing 6. Meditation 7. Healthy Habits. Thus, Yoga has given us the tools for internal, emotional, spiritual reconciliation and healing, thereby, making our lives more beautiful and meaningful.


Dr. Anjum Padyal, HOD Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi. She addressed a very relevant topic - Marshal the Mind through Yoga to combat the feelings of insecurity, anxiety, fear, and stress in the present scenario. Two types of thoughts are there- General Thoughts & Influential Thoughts. For this 3 types of mind exercises are there- Thoughtfulness, Thoughtlesssness & No Mind State. There are five qualities of strong mind- Confidence(believe in one’s ability to meet the goals), Courage (conquer challenges), Commitment (passion to perform best & get satisfied with the efforts), Control (certainity to yes destinity can be shaped) & Purpose (to focus on deepest values). She explained that whatever thoughts/feelings we have in our mind, not only directly affects our brain by secreting hormones like Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin & Endorphins but also affect organs of the body. According to physiopsychology, happiness is the state of mind whereas Pleasure is related to sense.So, there is a need to train our brain to develop an attitude with positive personality so as to attain santosha (step towards awakening) through yoga, which is a way of life to achieve fulfillment, contentment, peace & happiness. For that few steps were suggested to follow- Inverted Asanas/ yoga inversions, Forward Bending, Chest Opening, Psoas Major Muscle- “muscle of the soul” and Meditation.


Sh. Sukhdev Masteryogi, Consultant, Singapore familiarized us with the SUKH (The Breathing for Happiness). He presented a thoughtful session on Breathing to enhance the performance of human beings. He explained that Breathing is most unique as compared to other visceral (e.g. digestion, endocrine cardiovascular) functions in that it can be regulated voluntarily. Breathing techniques and patterns are regularly practiced for relaxation, stress management, control of psycho physiological states and to improve organ function. He demonstrated the cobra breathing exercise which activates the pineal gland and kundalini consciously, improving our vibration and clearing shadows; also speed up our development.Then he explained kosha, which means "sheath", a covering of the Atman 1. Annamaya kosha, "food" sheath (Anna). 2. Pranamaya kosha, "energy" sheath (Prana), the breath. 3. Manomaya kosha "mind" sheath (Manas), along with the five sensory organs, it is the cause of diversity, of I and mine. 4. Vijñānamaya kosha, "discernment" sheath (Vijnana) combination of intellect and the five sense organs5. Anandamaya kosha, "bliss" sheath (Ananda), it is the subtlest of the five koshas. In deep sleep, when the mind and senses cease functioning, it still stands between the finite world and the self. At last the importance of Pranayam was mentioned which positively affect immune system, hypertension, asthma, autonomic nervous system imbalances, and psychological or stress-related disorders.


Mr. Kapil Dev Kesari, Founder and Director Pragya Yoga Alliance presented his topic on Psycho- Immunity.He elucidated that Psycho immunity is the immune system of mind. It is the protection layer of mind which provides the strength to an individual to fight against stress, fear, insecurity and viruses like negative thoughts and establish the mental balance. It is used to treat various psychosomatic disorders like stress, fear, anxiety, depression & panic attacks. There are many reasons of low psychoimmunity- a. Exposure to Trauma which may have resulted from physical injury or due to acute psychological stress. b. Response to trauma 1. Biological mechanism where Glucocorticoids and Catecholamines influence immune cells. Endorphins from pituitary and adrenal medulla act on immune system. Activity of the immune system is correlated with neurochemical / neuroendocrine activity of brain cells. 2. Behavioural mechanism where the person is encountered to substance abuse, obesity, poor sleep & psychopathology. Symptoms of Low psycho immunity are- low mood, sleep disturbance, loss in interest, guilt, low energy, difficulty in concentration, change in appetite, psychomotor retardation & mental constipation (too much of unwanted thoughts and blockages).Then at last he mentioned the role of Placebo Effect. Yoga asanas like child pose, cow pose, eagle pose, cat pose etc. Meditation, Pranayam, (anulom vilom, bhramari), Mudra (chin mudra), Kriya ( jal neti, kapalbhati) are the techniques which can trigger the release of happy chemicals like dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin, leaving us in a more relaxed and happy state thereby improving our psycho immunity state.

Day 18

Day 19

Shalini Vij, Founder and Director (Sculptimg Mentors) Performance Enhancement and Mind Coach, NLP Practitioner, Motivational Speaker. She took up a very relevant topic in the present scenario- Aligning Mind & Body through Mindfulness. She explained why alignment and synchronization of mind and body is essential and how it can be done. She said that the art of practicing yoga helps in controlling an individual’s Mind, Body & Soul. So, it is very important to keep ourselves aligned by practicing Mindfulness. It needs few steps- Start by emptying yourself; Be aware of your breatht; Regularly scan your body for tension; To wake up your brain and stimulate your thinking process and Be aware of your postures. Mindfulness affects on Focus / concentration; Productivity / Performance; Peace / Attitude / Behaviour; Relations (with self & others); our overall Environment and Life at last.At the end she mentioned about how mindfulness can be achieved and the different ways to create Mindfulness by utilizing simple tools like Yoga, Meditation (OM chanting), Conscious Breathing (deep breathing) and Proper Sleep (6-8 hours uninterrupted). In this Covid-19 situation, it’s really important for all of us to learn to channelize our thoughts and balance our emotions. Take a step forward & take some initiative for your own life.
Netri Janak Yogi Manoj Kumar, Sansthapak Shri Raghav Divya Yoga Research Institute presented a talk and practical session on Importance of Shatkarma.Shatkarma or Shat Kriya = Shat + Karma (kriya).Shat means “Six” & karma is referred to as “Action performed to achieve some desired results”. It is a set of 6 preparatory practices used by ancient yogis to purify the body internally preparing them for higher practices of asana & pranayama. He categorized these as: 1. Basti (Cleansing of Large Intestine)- Types: Sthala Basti and Jala Basti2. Dhauti (washing) Types: Vamana Dhauti & Vastra Dhauti3. Nauli (Cleansing of Abdominal Organs) Types: Madhya Nauli &Vama Nauli . Dakshina Nauli 4. Neti (Cleansing of Nasal Passages) Types: Jala Neti & Sutra Neti 5. Kapalbhati (Cleansing of Frontal Lobes) 6. Trataka (Cleansing of Eyes) Types: Internal Tratak & External Tratak.He demonstrated some of these shatkarma practices like Neti, Nauli, Jal Netri Kriya and explained the benefits of Shatkarma- it removes impurities, helps to balance the Tri Doshas , remove excessive fat or mucus accumulation , channelize the flow of Prana in Nadis, helpful for the connectivity of the mind, soul, and body, develop immune system, retard physical aging and helps to maintain biological aging, increase awareness of a human being at physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual level by removing cluttered thoughts called Vrittis to bring a state of steadiness in mind. At the end he advised to take certain precautions while practicing it.
Dr. Somveer Arya, Teacher of Indian Culture and Yoga, Atlanta, USA talked about Bhakti Yoga.He said that Bhakti Yoga is the oldest form of Yoga with its roots in the ancient Indian scriptures, but after the composition of Bhagavad-Gita around 500 B.C, Bhakti Yoga was recognized as one of the paths to liberation (Moksha). The term Bhakti originates from the Sanskrit word “Bhaj” which means love, attachment, faith, devotion, & prayer. The Bhagavad Gita explains that bhakti can be classified into two types: Apara bhakti - The lower bhakti, where the yogi focuses on an object or image & may also observe rituals and ceremonies. Para bhakti - The higher bhakti, where the yogi sees and worships God everywhere, experiences the Divine as manifested in the whole universe, and the yogi strives for union with the Divine and liberation from the life-death-rebirth cycle.He explained that there are 9 Ways to Practice Bhakti Yoga: 1. Sravana – Listening to God’s Stories, 2. Kirtana – Chanting / singing of God’s Glories with a pure heart 3. Smarana – remembering God at all times, 4. Padsasevana – Service of His Feet. To serve the sick, needy and poor. By serving humanity, a devotee provides service to God. 5. Archana – Worship of God,. 6. Vandana – Prostration to Lord.. 7. Dasya – Cultivating the Bhava of a servant for God 8. Sakhya – Cultivation of the Friend-Bhava.. The devotee shares a very deep and intimate bond with God. 9. Atmanivedana – Complete Surrender of the Self. The devotee surrenders everything to God including his body, mind, and soul. At last he mentioned about various emotions of Bhakti. A devotee can love God with peace (Shanta); like a friend (Sakhya); a loyal servant (Dasya); a loving mother (Vatsalya); a beloved (Madhurya) and advised to practice Bhakti yoga to cultivate compassion and love for everyone, remove all doubts and fears, provide emotional and mental stability, dissolve the ego, purify the heart and improve confidence thereby becoming less dependent on the external world.
Dr. Shivjot Gill, Sports Psychologist & Mental Preparation Strategist delivered a talk on very interesting topic- Creating Sense of Responsibility in Sportspersons.She stated that sport is an arena of patterned behaviors, social structures & inter-institutional relationships. Sport like other institutions is a microcosm of the society. Two approaches are there- The Commercialization Approach where the role of media & television plays an important role; Performance Enhancement Approach where the emphasis is on strategies, technical improvement, nutritional & psychological intervention.She also mentioned the Athlete’s Rights and Responsibility as adopted by the 133rd IOC Session in Buenos Aires on behalf of the Olympic Movement 2018. There are three core Olympic values Excellence, Respect and Friendship. She explained the use of PSR Approach which is a form of positive development of skills, values and virtues of athletes that will provide a successful transition to adulthood. The TPSR Model (Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model) is a curriculum & instructional model and considered to be one of the best models for promoting values, character, responsibility and life skills in physical education & other physical activity settings. Its purpose is to help children & adolescents to learn to be responsible for their own and other’s well being, and to incorporate strategies to exercise control over their lives to be efficient in their social environment. The TPSR model-based program suggests 5 levels of responsibility: 1. Respect for the rights and feelings of others; 2. Self-motivation; 3. Self-direction; 4. Caring & 5. Transfer’ outside the gym’ (Hellison, 2011).At the end conclusion was to adopt PCR based pedagogy approach, to redefine the training programs, set skill enhancement in professionals to guide athletes and to create a balance between positivist and post positivist approach to understand athlete as a person rather than a performer.

Day 20

Day 21

Mr. Indra Narayan Raman, Yoga Organizer, Gandhi Bhawan, University of Delhi spoke about Pranayam Yoga Vigyan.He mentioned the importance of Pranayama in Yoga. "Pranayama is control of Breath". Prana means self-energizing life forces and Ayama means extension. Pranayama uses the breath to direct and expand the flow of prana through energy channels in our bodies - called the nadis. The three principal nadis run from the base of the spine to the head, and are the ida- on the left, the sushumna in the centre and the pingala on the right. Pranayama shows beneficial impacts upon respiratory system, circulatory system, digestive system and endocrine system. It ensures more oxygen to lungs and good for hearts too; affects autonomic nervous system which controls heart rate, glandular secretions, respiration, digestion and blood pressure. As per the ancient scriptures, there are Eight types of pranayama.- Suryabhedhana, Ujjayi, Sitkari, Sitali, Bhastrika, Bhramari, Murccha & Plavini, which can be performed while sitting in any of the popular asanas for pranayama : Vajrasana; Sukhasana; Ardha Padmasana; Padamasana & Siddhasana. It is recommended to do pranayama early in the morning, 4 am - 9 am, with an empty, well-hydrated to check the electrolyte balance in the body. Generally speaking, one should eat a meal that comprises good fats, proteins and carbohydrates, plus should be dense in nutrients, both before and after yoga session. In the Ayurvedic tradition, sattvic food is recommended which include most vegetables, ghee (clarified butter), fruits, legumes, and whole grains. But maintaining a diet that keeps your body light and your mind clear doesn't necessarily mean eating only sattvic foods. What is best for you and what in the end will best support your yoga practice is informed by your constitution and your current state. So, expert advice should be taken to know your body type, yoga asanas, pranayam and the diet plan.
Lt. (Dr.) Seema Sharma (Kaushik), Assistant Professor, Department of PE & Sports Sciences, Laxmibai College, University of Delhi presented her talk on Scope of Yoga in Different Fields.She started with the session mentioning the concept of yoga which means yoga is a practice that connects the body, mind and spirit through different body postures, controlled breathing & meditation. Scope of Yoga lies in- Yoga as a way/part of life; Apply knowledge of Yoga in your field of work and Earning from knowledge of Yoga. So if we want to make yoga as part of our life then we should understand its importance in different phases of life. In Children, teenagers, in adults and youth, in senior citizens & for women. She explained that if we want to apply the knowledge of yoga in the field where we are working then understanding the dimensions of yoga is very important. 1. Health 2. Treatment of Diseases 3. Sports 4. Education 5. Family 6. Social 7. Economical 8. Spiritual.She emphasized that aspirant willing to teach yoga must be flexible & should have in-depth knowledge of the Asanas and breathing techniques. The only need is to be aware of the modern popular concepts in yoga. Some of them are- Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyenger Yoga, Sivananda Yoga and Yin Yoga. Latest trends in Yoga are Aerial, Acro, Slackline, Laughter, Karaoke, Restorative, Eco, SUP, On Wheels, HIIT, Chair, Roga, Broga, Light Therapy/Chroma, Animal, Rooftop-, Pole, Tantrum, For Mental Health Programs, Digital/Virtual Yoga.At last she stated that there is an urgent need to understand the futuristic trends in yoga where couple’s classes, for kids, for whole family, customized yoga programmes for targeted classes and for home workouts can be planned in a way so that it can be well suited to the present modern culture of the society where there is always a constraint of time but fitness is also required to get adjusted to the changing scenario.
Mr. Girish Jha from Arizona, USA spoke about Sadhna (Practice) in Yoga.He explained Sadhna as a practice and how to do it? The word “Sadhana” in Sanskrit means “an effort exercised towards the achievement of a purpose.” In Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, sadhana is defined in relation to abhyasa and kriya. Abhyasa is repeated practice performed with observation and reflection. Kriya, or action, also implies perfect execution with study and investigation. Yoga Sadhana is the means to let go of the ego, personal agendas and attachments and is a discipline undertaken in the pursuit of a goal. Sadhana does not mean any specific kind of activity, sadhana means you are using everything as a tool for your wellbeing. The way you eat, the way you sit, the way you stand, the way you breathe, the way you conduct your body, mind and your energies and emotions – this is sadhana.He described the fundamentals of sadhana as follows: 1. Sadhaka- The Seeker- sadhaka (साधक), practitioner 2. Siddha—The Guru. 3. Sadhya - The Goal, 4. Sadhan - The Resources. Human beings have to go through five stages to reach the top level. These stages are annamaya, ie state of a child; pranamaya, that is the state of manual labour,.; manomaya, when our minds become active.; gyanamaya, when some answers are available, and one can be somewhat peaceful and happy, because he has received some knowledge that addresses his problems and vigyanamaya, in which one is connected with God and gets everything he requires Benefits of Practicing Yoga Sadhana are Commitment; Discipline; Evolution and Foundation Without Sadhana no one can achieve the goal. Sadhana differs according to taste, temperament and capacity.So, sadhana is simply a daily spiritual practice designed to allow oneself to turn inward and perceive life as it truly is.


Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlall from USA ignited our minds by the Examples of Yoga in the life of personalities from Ramayana and Mahabharata.He made us understand the personalities and incidents from two of the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata with the perspective of Yoga. From Ramayana we learn the following values- Be deeply committed to your duty; Choose the path of righteousness; Remain humble no matter how powerful you become; Never consider anyone inferior and Embrace all irrespective of caste, creed or colour Ramayana is a regularly happening in our daily lives. As long as we are bound under the three Gunas- Ravana is the rajo-guna - Creating lust, anger, greed, jealousy etc. rajasik qualities.; kumbhakarna is the tamo-guna - it creates lethargy, sleep, inattentiveness, over eating, and dullness; vibhishana is the sattva guna - It creates all the good qualities in us.; Sita is the jiva whose mind gets attracted towards golden deer despite knowing that golden deers do not exist in reality. This is what our mind does, it gets stolen into those things which are not attainable. Therefore the rajoguna (ravana) easily steals the Sita (jiva) away and captures into a city situated deep in centre of the ocean of samsara. Now, to bring the stability to the mind, and to unite the jiva back with the consciousness (Rama i.e., Atman) one needs a guru, one needs enthusiasm also. That is Hanuman.He explained the relevance of Mahabharata in attaining the yogic lifestyle. We learnt that the eternal bond of friendship between Krishna and Arjuna; never give up on life despite all hurdles; one must perform his duty; Krishna teaches us how to be dutiful in challenging times. Dharma holds the cosmos together. From Duryodhana, we learnt that pride comes before the fall. Duryodhana teaches us how blind swa-dharma (desires for your own Self) can lead you to "Adharma." Yudhishtra taught us righteousness is useless unless paired with foresight.Righteousness comes before love as Gandhari always favoured "Dharma." Some more lessons learnt were Selflessness Is The Only Way To Progress And Prosperity; Every Act Can Be An Act Of Prayer; Renounce The Ego And Individuality And Rejoice In The Bliss Of Infinity; Detach From Maya And Attach To Divine Krishna; Being Good Is A Reward In Itself; Choosing The Right Over The Pleasant Is A Sign Of Power and Connect To Higher Consciousness - Daily Meditation is the way we can connect to the higher consciousness every day.