Strengthening IYA Globally
IYA organises Manthan – 3rd National State Chapter Conclave
The Indian Yoga Association (IYA) organised the 3rd National State Chapters Conclave, Manthan – Strengthening IYA Globally, scheduled for June 18, 2024, from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm under the guidance of Shri Subodh Tiwari ji, Secretary General, IYA. The event was held at Anuvrat Bhawan, New Delhi.
The objective of the State Chapters Conclave was to learn from the experiences of our State Chapters and to chart a path forward. The event provided an excellent opportunity for members to exchange insights, foster collaboration, and reinforce the vital role of State Chapter Committees in achieving IYA’s mission and vision.
The Indian Yoga Association stands strong with its 26 State Chapter Committees, tirelessly working to bring the benefits of yoga to every corner of the country. As an association, we are immensely proud of their significant contributions and look forward to further strengthening our collective efforts through this Conclave.
Manthan was graced with the divine presence of several esteemed personalities including Guruji Dr HR Nagendra, Member, Governing Council, IYA and Yugpradhan Acharya Shri Mahashramanji ki Vidushi Shishya Dr Sadhvi Shree Kundan Rekha ji. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, Chairman, IYA, Maa Dr Hansaji Yogendra, President, IYA and Swami Chidananda Saraswati ji, Member, Governing Council, IYA marked their presence online.
From the Executive Council, notable attendees included Shri KC Jain ji, Treasurer, IYA, Dr SP Mishra ji, CEO, IYA Personnel Certification Board (PrCB), Prof R Elangovan ji, Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Chapter, and other distinguished members
Inauguration
The inauguration of the 3rd National State Chapters Conclave, Manthan – Strengthening IYA Globally, commenced with the auspicious lighting of the ceremonial lamp by esteemed dignitaries including Guruji Dr. HR Nagendra, Prof. R Elangovan, Dr. SP Mishra, Shri KC Jain, and Shri PC Kapoor, Former Treasurer of the Indian Yoga Association (IYA) symbolizing the light of knowledge and the beginning of a significant gathering.
Felicitation and Opening Address
Following the lamp lighting, members of the Delhi State Chapter warmly felicitated the distinguished guests on stage. Shri Subodh Tiwari, Secretary General of IYA, then addressed the gathering, elucidating the importance and purpose of the State Chapters Conclave. “The aim of organizing this event is to offer the representatives of the State Chapters a platform to interact, exchange ideas, and discuss the challenges they might be facing,” he stated. He emphasized the event’s role in fostering collaboration and problem-solving among the chapters.
Thereafter, Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra addressed the gathering online, stressing the need for unified efforts and collaboration within the yoga community. She articulated the vision of bringing yoga into every home and encouraged experts to work closely with local communities to teach and promote yoga. “As the Indian Yoga Association, we should impart the knowledge of the Yoga Sutra. We should actively participate in the mission and reach out to more and more people. Continuous organization of events, conferences, and trainings is crucial to spread the knowledge of yoga,” she added, underscoring the importance of sustained efforts and community engagement.
Award Ceremony Recognizing Outstanding Contributions
An award ceremony followed, celebrating the contributions of various Associate Centers to IYA. It was a proud moment for all attendees. The Aviyog Group from Maharashtra received the award for Maximum Certifications, Shri Pankaj Bhagat from the Yog Sports Association of Bengal was honored for Maximum Events, and TQCERT was recognized for providing Maximum Memberships. The awards were presented by the revered gurus on stage, marking a high point of the ceremony.
Followed by the award ceremony, Yugpradhan Acharya Shri Mahashramanji ki Vidushi Shishya Dr. Sadhvi Shree Kundan Rekha ji in her address elaborated on the profound impact of yoga, describing it as a powerful practice that advances our emotional beginnings towards self-realization. She emphasized that while yoga often begins on a mental level, its true essence lies in recognizing the soul. “Yoga has been reaching people physically, but we need to balance and control our heart and emotions,” she stated, highlighting the holistic nature of yoga.
Launch of Significant Publications
The gurus then launched a notable publication, ‘A Textbook for YCB Yoga Therapy’ by Smt. Jyoti Pradeep Keswani, a Life Member of IYA. This was followed by the unveiling of a souvenir, ‘Yogasanjeevani’, by the Kerala State Chapter Committee in celebration of their sixth anniversary. These launches were significant milestones, contributing valuable resources to the yoga community.
Concluding Address by Guruji Dr. HR Nagendra
The inauguration concluded with an inspiring address by Guruji Dr. HR Nagendra, who urged everyone to overcome negativities and embrace the spirit of giving and sharing. “Yoga means to join—’Yujyate anena iti yogah’. It signifies the union of the soul with the divine (jeevatma with parmatma),” he explained. Guruji emphasized that yoga is also about connecting people from different states, beliefs, and communities. “To promote yoga to every corner of the world, we should all start sharing every day,” he added, encouraging attendees to spread the practice of yoga globally.
The detailed and meaningful inauguration set a positive and collaborative tone for the rest of the conclave, marking a significant step in strengthening IYA globally.
Panel Discussions
Following the inauguration, the first panel discussion commenced, moderated by Ms. Mary Cecil. This session featured a distinguished panel including Acharya Birju Maharaj from the Gujarat State Chapter Committee, Dr. Abhijit Ghosh from the West Bengal State Chapter Committee, Yogacharya Dhakaram from the Rajasthan State Chapter Committee, and Ms. Ganga Nandini from the Uttarakhand State Chapter Committee. The discussion delved into critical questions such as how to collaborate and elevate IYA to a global platform while also strengthening its national presence. The panel explored possibilities for state chapter collaborations, the benefits that chapters could derive from these partnerships, and innovative strategies IYA should adopt to engage the youth effectively.
Thereafter, in an online address from Rishikesh, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, a Governing Council Member of IYA, urged participants to invest their time, talent, technology, and tenacity to increase IYA’s membership, ensuring that yoga reaches every corner of the globe. She emphasized the need to make IYA international, stating, “In this digital age, everything is flying, and we need to gear up. If each one of us reaches ten people, we will easily surpass our target of 100,000 members.”
This was followed by the address of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. He congratulated Shri Subodh Tiwari for organizing such a significant event. He called on everyone to promote and propagate yoga, highlighting its role in achieving inner happiness, which is vital for our existence. He noted that the youth today face challenges such as violence and drug addiction, for which yoga is the only solution. Gurudev applauded the dedication of everyone involved in promoting yoga and emphasized the need to start with Samadhi, followed by focusing on chit shuddhi (purification of the mind), mun shuddhi (purification of the heart), and sharir shuddhi (purification of the body) as a process for Sadhna.
Break and Lunch
The morning session concluded with a refreshing Y Break organized by the host, the Delhi State Chapter, followed by lunch. This break allowed attendees to relax and network, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
Second Panel Discussion
After lunch, the second panel discussion was moderated by Dr. A Subramanian. The panelists for this session included Shri Rajgopal Krishnan from the Kerala State Chapter Committee, Dr. R Elangovan from the Tamil Nadu State Chapter Committee, Shri Ravi Tumuluri from the Andhra Pradesh State Chapter Committee, and Shri Madhava M from the Karnataka State Chapter Committee. This discussion focused primarily on the strategies used to increase IYA memberships and the steps taken by the state chapters to expand IYA activities. The panelists shared their experiences and insights, providing valuable guidance on how to effectively grow and sustain IYA’s presence and influence.
The detailed and insightful panel discussions provided attendees with a wealth of ideas and strategies to strengthen IYA both nationally and internationally. By sharing their experiences and collaborating on innovative approaches, the state chapters are well-equipped to further the mission of the Indian Yoga Association and bring the benefits of yoga to an ever-wider audience.
Valedictory
The conclave concluded with a valedictory session where Shri Subodh Tiwari appreciated the efforts of IYA Secretariat members ((Smt Shruti Prabhakar, Smt Bhavna Puri, Smt Babita Saxena, Shri Bhupinder Choudhary, Shri Atul Bhandari, Smt Ankita Pandey, Smt Deepti Garg, Shri Gagan Sharma). Ms. Ganga Nandini felicitated the members with Rudraksh Maalas, recognizing their contributions. The event saw the participation of over 250 IYA members, including representatives from the 26 State Chapter Committees.
The event ended on a harmonious note with the Shanti Mantra, symbolizing peace and unity.
Manthan – Strengthening IYA Globally was a resounding success, reinforcing the collective spirit of IYA’s mission to promote and propagate yoga both nationally and internationally. The conclave highlighted the strength and dedication of IYA’s State Chapter Committees, paving the way for a united effort in spreading the transformative power of yoga.