Promoting Yoga as a holistic science for health, healing, and self-development to contribute towards the social development of India
Subodh Tiwari was born in the yogic atmosphere at Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla. At a very young age, he was initiated into spiritual practices by Swami Digambarji, then Director and Spiritual head of Kaivalyadhama. Tiwari commenced his yoga journey at the age of six under the guidance of his father Shri.O.P.Tiwari, a disciple of Swami Kuvalyananda, the founder of Kaivalyadhama. Having completed his training, Tiwari started teaching Yoga in 1993. In 1997, he decided to devote his life in the service of Kaivalyadhama. Eversince, Tiwari has been an integral part of Kaivalyadhama at various organizational and administrative levels.
Kaivalyadhama was founded with the distinct purpose of merging yoga tradition with science, to make this knowledge relevant and accessible to the world. As the CEO of Kaivalyadhama since 2016, Tiwari’s resolute efforts have been to achieve this mission. Based on the undiluted principles of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, Tiwari aims to encourage yoga as a way of life across spheres of health, research, and education. He believes that Yoga is not only ‘doing’ but also a state of ‘being’, and that effective practice of Yoga can facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing for a holistic meaningful life.
Tiwari has travelled world over for conducting Yoga workshops and has been invited to speak at numerous national and international symposiums. He is a senior committee member and advisor at various universities to promote Yoga in schools and colleges. He actively contributes to many Yoga and Wellness initiatives by the Government of India and Government of Maharashtra. He has also contributed to literary publications in the area of Yoga research. Tiwari has been involved at the policy making and research level in various capacities. At present he is the Secretary General of the Indian Yoga Association, Board Member of Yoga Certification Board, Ministry of AYUSH, Member of Governing Council for Inter- University Centre for Yogic Science UGC, Member of the Governing Council of the NCTE, Chairman of the Sub Group of Yoga CII. Member of the High-Level Task Force on Yoga Research by CCRYN.
In addition to his formal training in Yoga, Tiwari’s academic achievements include a Degree in Law (LLB) from the Government Law College, Mumbai. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and a Diploma in Human Resource Development, from KC College, Mumbai. He has completed a Management Training Programme at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad held for AYUSH Personnel, nominated by the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in May 2011.
Tiwari’s passion to conserve nature, has driven him to bring about awareness for a cleaner and greener environment on various platforms. He is an Executive committee member of the Lonavla-Khandala Citizens Forum. In his two decades at Kaivalyadhama, he has inspired an eco-friendly campus by introducing multiple projects such as garbage management, recycling systems for gardens, and large-scale organic plantations. Tiwari counts on making quality time for oneself and loved ones. He also enjoys fitness sports and nature photography.