The Yoga Institute is a non-sectarian and non-profit humane culture movement for physical, moral and psychic self-education aided by the philosophy of yoga. The institute located at Prabhat Colony in Santacruz, Mumbai, is here to make a change. It aims to undo what Leo Tolstoy said: "Everybody thinks of changing humanity, but nobody thinks of changing himself." The campus of the institute is always abuzz with activity. It comes to life at the crack of dawn since various courses begin at 6.30 am. A note-worthy feature of this institute is that yoga is combined with medical check ups. This is evident from the 'Samattvam' that is held every Saturday afternoon at 1.30 pm. The session aims to help those suffering from physical and emotional problems. It lasts for about three hours and includes a video presentation, a question-answer session and guidelines by medical and yogic practitioners. A medical expert initially checks the person to find out what ails him/her. Dr. Jayadev then runs through the report of the medic personally and, after going through the patients trauma and physical condition, suggests asanas and other courses that s/he should take up at the institute. Dr. Jayadev's charming wife Hansaji explains, "We take a very realistic approach to life. The person coming here has to ultimately train his/her mind. We only act as guides. It is the pupil who has to be mentally prepared to make the necessary changes, be it in eating habits or in sleep timings. It calls for a lot of discipline."

The Library Teacher Training Programmes Camp schedules What to bring Health camps Do's and Don'ts Fee for the health camps

The Library

The institute campus also has a book centre/library where several books on the subject by various authors are available. Moreover, symposiums and panel discussions with prominent people are held regularly at the institute.

Camp schedules

At the ashram the facility is available to organise special individual and group sessions by giving a prior notice of two days in different regional and international languages.

Health camps

The Yoga Institute organises regular health camps. The schedule for the same is available at the institute. The institute is famed for its 7-day residential health camps, organised each month in both Hindi and English. Other 2-day camps include: Cardiac and Hypertension camp Orthopaedic Camp Stress Management Pregnancy Ante and Post Natal Diabetes Respiratory Menopause

Fee for the health camps

The 7-day Health camp is organised at a fee of Rs 1000, which is inclusive of boarding and lodging. The 2-day camps are organised at a fee of Rs 300, which is inclusive of lunch and tea. The ashram also organises 2-day education camps on Self-Development, Concentration, Relaxation; and Mind and Memory. The fee for these camps is Rs 200, inclusive of lunch.

Teacher Training Programmes

Yoga Teacher Training Course in English - Those who successfully complete the 7-Day Yoga Health Camp are eligible to enrol themselves in the Yoga Teachers Training course of 7 months. Admissions are done on the 1st of every month. Each month is a unit and a different topic is taught in the month. The fees for the first month is Rs 400 and Rs. 100 for the following months. Participants are required to participate in six health camps and four educational camps and are also supposed to assist in a 7-Day Health Camp and in a 21 Days Better Living. Yoga Teachers Training Course in Hindi - Those who successfully complete the 7-Day Yoga Health Camp may enrol in the 1-Year Teachers Training programme in Hindi. The participants are required to participate in six Health Camps and four Educational Camps. They have also to assist in a 21-Day Better Living class and a 7-Day residential camp. The fee for the same is Rs 400 for the first month and Rs 100 for subsequent months.

What to bring

A pair of slippers and personal medicines, if any may be prescribed by your physician. Note books and pens. Towel, personal toiletries and clothes . Foreigners should have their passport and visas.

Do's and Don'ts

Personal telephone calls can be made between 12:30 to 2.30 pm. The time to receive calls as well as visitors is between 4.30 to 5.30 pm. Attendance on time during different activities is a must. Use of tape recorders, walkman etc., is prohibited. Reading of newspaper, magazines, books (outside publications) is not allowed. Apart from what is served at the Institute, only fruits are permitted to be brought from outside.

Contact Details

Postal Address: Shri Yogendra Marg Prabhat Colony Santacruz (East) Mumbai 400 055 Maharashtra India Tel: (91-22)-611 0506, 612 2185 E-mail: yoga@vsnl.net Website: http://www.yogainstitute.org

- Payal Rajshekar

Personal Account Life is Beautiful Read about Guru Shri Yogendra Back to Ashrams