There is much written about yoga and its advantages for the mind and body. As someone who practised yoga throughout childhood and teenage years, I missed the peace and tranquillity of this ancient Indian art of meditation and yogic practices as life, first as a homemaker and then as a professional, which kept me occupied.
However, that changed two years ago when I was reacquainted with yoga and the Ayurvedic way of life during an eight-day visit to Kaivalyadhama. Since then, I have made it a point to carve out at least some time during the day to practise my asanas.
My love for this yogic practices was also bolstered during the International Day of Yoga on June 21st. This day was established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 and is now celebrated globally after being officially endorsed by the United Nations. Each year, a different theme related to the mind, body, and soul is chosen, with previous themes including Yoga for Heart, Yoga for Peace, and Yoga at Home.
This year’s International Yoga Day holds a special significance for me and for all those who are associated with Kaivalyadhama in any capacity as the institute celebrates its centenary year in 2024.
Since its inception in 1924, Kaivalyadhama, which was founded by Swami Kuvalayananda ji, has hosted many dignitaries, including Mahatma Gandhi, Shri. Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Shri. Madan Mohan Malviya, Dr. H. V. Kamath, India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and his daughter Smt. Indira Gandhi.
Even in the present day, the Institute remains faithful to its origins, offering comprehensive healing to all those who come seeking solace through the time-honoured practice of Ayurveda and yoga. Today, on International Yoga Day, putting forth lines by Swami Kuvalayananda ji who laid the foundation for the inception of Kaivalyadhama:
Be healthy, be wise, and wealth will follow.
“Yoga has a complete message for humanity, It has a message for the human body.
It has a message for the human mind, and It has also messaged for the human soul.
Will intelligent and capable youth come forth to carry this message to every individual,
not only in India but also in every other part of the world?”
Ms. Bharati Pancholi
Ms. Bharati Pancholi is a certified financial planner and a regular visitor to Kaivalyadhama. She uses lessons from her life and the world around us to advocate the importance of savings and planning for a rainy day. This blog was first published on the FP Study Group website.