- Inauguration of the International Yoga Conference as a part of Maharashtriya Mandal’s centenary year celebrations
- A conference based on the concept of ‘Mat to Mind’
PUN: “Today, a considerable amount of work is being done in India on the subject of Yoga and lots of youngsters are developing their interest in it too. Now, the world has also accepted that Yoga is not just about Asanas, Pranayam, or Kriyas, but is a distinct lifestyle altogether. However, dedication along with physical efforts is a very important aspect while doing Yoga,” opined Yoga Guru, Dr H R Nagendra, President of Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) University.
Dr. H R Nagendra was speaking at the inauguration of the two-day International Yoga Conference being held on behalf of Maharashtriya Mandal’s Chandrashekhar Agashe College of Physical Education. The conference was organized as part of the centenary year celebration of the Maharashtriya Mandal.
Dignitaries like Dr Ananda Balyogi Bhavanani; Director of the Institute of Salutogenesis and Complementary Medicine (ISCM) and Professor of Yoga Therapy at the Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Puducherry, Dr Manmath Gharote; Director of The Lonavala Yoga Institute, Air Marshal (Retd.) Bhushan Gokhale; President, Rohan Damle; General Secretary, and Neha Damle; Director of Education Department of the Maharashtriya Mandal, Dr. Sopan Kangane; Chairman, Prof. Ujwala Raje, Dr. Pallavi Kavhane, Dr. Ranjit Chitale, Aditya Behere, and others were also present on the occasion.
Revolving around the central concept of ‘Mat to Mind,’ this two-day conference was inaugurated at the Sakal Lalit Kalaghar, Mukundnagar, organized in association with Yoga and Ayurveda Prabodhini and The Physical Education Foundation of India.
While speaking on the occasion, Dr H R Nagendra said, “With the inclusion of Yoga in the competitive sports by the Ministry of Sports, a large number of youth is showing their interest in the field of Yoga today. I believe that Swami Ramdev’s dream of including Yoga in the Olympics will soon come true. We want the aim of Yoga, in line with physical fitness, mental stability, and holistic development to reach the heights of global recognition. As Indians, we should be proud that our country has given us important dimensions like ‘Yoga.’ Also, it is a moment of sheer joy to witness 21st June celebrated as Yoga Day all across the globe.“
“It is commendable that the Maharashtriya Mandal realized the need for physical education 100 years ago. Now, it should further be propagated at all schools, colleges, and university levels,” emphasized Dr. Nagendra.
“Yoga takes us through the journey of transforming from physical exertion to relaxation. As we experience this journey, I find the concept of this international conference truly complementary. Through the medium of Yoga, we can experience the calmness of our mind and spirit. As our ancient education system included yoga; creative mind, intelligence, and knowledge came through the same way. But Macaulay changed the education system and detached Indians from this ancient knowledge system. But today, it has become crucial to make the world aware of the importance of Yoga in our education system,” expressed Dr Nagendra. He also highlighted that due to our current lifestyle, the imbalance between our physical and mental health has increased. However, Yoga will play a vital role in this.
Air Marshal (Retd.) Bhushan Gokhale said that the inclusion of Yoga in the training of Astronauts underlines its importance, as India prepares to soon send humans to space.
Dr Ananda Balyogi Bhavanani said, “There needs to be an urge to understand the Yoga culture put together by our Rishis in ancient times, through the realms of modern examples. We must lead the future generation towards a healthy lifestyle by teaching them Yoga. Yoga Therapy includes very simple practices and it is equally important to know that ‘meditation’ is the only healing.“
“It is unfortunate to know that we only look at the physical aspects of yoga even today. However, it has become the need of the hour to recall the origins of these Yoga practices. In the modern era that we are living in, we have all the material prosperity, but the inward peace is constantly lacking. And that’s why we are clueless about how to cope with psychosomatic disorders. I believe that Yoga is the only way to overcome these. Even ancient manuscripts have said that Yoga is related to thoughts and is beyond physical aspects,” expressed Dr Manmath Gharote.
