Pujya Swamji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji ji graced the 100th anniversary of The Yoga Institute in Mumbai, one of the oldest yoga schools of the world, with Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra Shri C Vidyasagar Rao, Dr HR Nagendra, Chancellor Svasya, Dr DR Kartikeyan, Former CBI Chief, Honble Minister of Education, Government of Maharasthra, Shri Vinod Tawde, Dr Ishwar Basavaraddiji, Morarji Desai Yoga Institute, Acharya Lokesh Muniji, Shri Subodh Tiwari, Kaivalyadhama Ashram, Pt Radheshyam Mishra, Ujjain Yoga Life society and many others.
The Hon’ble Vice President gave a deeply inspiring and even humorous speech, in which he shared, “If work, knowledge and devotion are combined, the work we do gets transformed into something quite extraordinary. The Yoga Institute has combined these three aspects and have become pace setters. They have designed the Yoga Institute as a Life School” and have been spreading the yoga for the householder” movement in the world. I hope many more institutes will also follow the example set by this Institute and continue to make our lives healthier and more fulfilling.”
Pujya Swamiji gave a riveting speech in which He said, “Yoga is not just meant to be practiced in the caves but can be practiced in California or anywhere in the world, at any time and in every moment. Yoga is beyond religion. It’s for all and provides immense benefits to all. It’s spiritual, secular & scientific.”
Pujya Swamiji also gave modern yogic sutras that touched everyone, especially the youth, at the event, “Yoga connects us to our innernet which is much more important than the internet. People always ask me when they come to the ashram if we have WiFi, but I remind them that the real question when one comes to the Himalayas should be “Why I?” not “WiFi.” The answer to this question lies in Yoga. Yoga is not what you do but who you are. I am so proud of the entire lineage and three generations who have served these 100 years of the Yoga Institute. I am especially proud of our Hrishi Yogendra for being a true example of Yoga, his decision to serve and live up to his parents great legacy of Yoga is one that sets an example for every youth.”
Smt Hansa Yogendraji shared The Yoga Institutes #100yearsyoung journey as well as their commitment to share and spread yoga far and wide. She also spoke about the great contributions of her husband Dr Jayadev Yogendraji and the seed planted by his father in 1918 Shri Yogendraji at “The Sands,” the residence of the Grand Old Man of India, Dadabhai Naoroji, at Versova beach near Bombay. It was the first yoga center to offer courses for free to men, women and children of any caste or creed. A special movie was premiered on the occasion sharing this inspiring journey.
All speakers lauded the contributions of the Yoga Institute and shared how Yoga cuts across borders and boundaries, uniting people from every walk of life.