Situated against the backdrop of Velliangiri Mountain known as Dakshin Kailash, the Isha Yoga Centre founded by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev reflects both the stillness and the grandeur of the surrounding mountains. On the outskirts of the cotton city of Coimbatore, the centre houses the Isha Foundation which is devoted to advancing physical, mental and spiritual health through yogic science. The Foundation manages a unique Dhyanalingam meditation shrine and multi-religious temple, over 25 Yoga centres, an ashram and hospital.

The sacred shrine of divine energy housing the Dhyanalingam was completed in 1999. It is the largest in the world and the first of its kind to be fully consecrated. The Dome that encloses the Dhyanalingam is the section of an ellipse. It has been built with only traditional materials like burnt bricks and mud mortar stabilized with lime, sand, alum and herbal additives which ensures a life of at least 5,000 years. The Dome measures 33 feet from the ground level and has a diameter of 72 feet 8 inches at the bottom. It weighs approximately 700 tons. The absence of any framework, ring beam centering, steel or concrete in the structure or in the construction of the Dome makes it a unique structure, perhaps the only one of its kind in the world.

The Dhyanalingam is different from other lingams meant for worship, which were solely for self-purification. The Scriptures expound that a Dhyanalingam can happen only through a Grihastha Yogi (a yogi with a family). The Sadhguru being a Grihastha Yogi himself, has, along with other men and women devotees created the Dhyanalingam. Since it is a reservoir of energies emanating from people who have gone into deep meditation, the powerful vibrations around it make even those unaware of meditation, experience a state of meditativeness.

The Dhyanalingam radiates different vibrations of the seven chakras to augment the spiritual potential of all who come here and is a place where spiritual transformation can happen in an instant. Visitors are allowed to sit in meditation at the shrine for any length of time and bask in spiritual warmth. A unique feature of the shrine is that the sadhak (devotee) does not bring any offerings here; he simply sits in meditation with extended palms to receive spiritual vibration. The temple is open daily to persons of all faiths. The monks who maintain the temple call themselves Ishas. It is one of the few temples in India where women take care of its maintenance for 15 days of the month.

Founder
The Isha Yoga Centre is a non-profit 100% voluntary organisation. Its founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is an enlightened master who has transformed thousands of people from struggle and disappointment to peace and fulfilment in India. One of the most profound mystics and yogis of modern times, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev firmly believes that his life is an endeavour, "To help people experience and express their divinity." Jaggi Vasudev was born in Mysore, India. A different and independent child who did not fit into the logical ways of the world, he started yogic practices like Pranayams and Asanas under the tutelage of Shree Raghavendra Rao popularly known as Malladihalli Swami as early as the age of 13 years.

When he was 25 years old he had a deep experience of the Self that came to him and made him renounce all the material prosperity that he had achieved. From then onwards he dedicated his entire life to the sharing of those experiences. His important teachings revolve around the spiritual unfolding of the inner being and are a blend of simple yoga techniques and ancient spiritual wisdom. He explains how one can channelise one's energies by simple techniques of pranayams and meditation.

Programmes
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is a proponent of Sahaj Sthithi Yoga (or attaining yoga through one's natural self) aimed at the improvement of the creative potential, efficiency, relationship and level of self- fulfilment of an individual. According to the Sadhguru, "Yoga is not about holding your breath or twisting yourself in knots!" It gives an individual intensity of action and greater ability to concentrate but in a relaxed frame of mind. The therapeutic effect and value of yoga in all spheres of life is a well-known fact.

The Sahaj Stithi Yoga is a form of yoga suited to this age and simple enough to integrate into one's daily life. Presented as a 13 day, 3 hours a day workshop, Sahaj Sthithi Yoga combines dynamic raja yoga practices, breathing techniques and shoonya meditation (an effortless process of conscious non-doing). It stimulates the release of physical, mental and emotional blocks and activates spontaneous expression of vital energy.

The workshop is offered through centres in over 50 centres and towns in Tamil Nadu. Also, under the Sadhguru's guidance, yoga programs are being held in various places in India and USA. His programmes have transformed tense, indecisive temperamental, rigid and timid minds to calm, relaxed, effortless and dynamic ones The programmes with pranayama and meditation are very effective for stress relief, depression, hypertension, asthma, diabetes and other psychosomatic diseases. Memory, concentration and work productivity can be increased significantly.

Apart from Sahaj Sthithi the Centre conducts "Bhava Spandana", a 3-day residential program designed for personal exploration and transformation. It provides the opportunity to experience higher levels of consciousness taking one beyond the limitations of body and mind into a limitless world of love and joy.

Samyama is a residential camp in which the participants spend seven days in complete silence, meditating for 16 to 18 hours everyday. Samyama meditations provide the possibility to free one from the bonds of karma and purify the body and mind to awaken the kundalini. The participants reach deep levels of concentration and experience explosive states of samadhi in the presence of a master. The Sadhguru teaches his "Art Of Effortless Living" throughout the world and his students cross all ages and include doctors, business professionals and athletes.

Inner Freedom For The Imprisoned
"Inner Freedom for the Imprisoned" is one of the most remarkable of Isha Yoga Centre's programs. First conducted at the Coimbatore Jail in 1992 by the Sadhguru, this 7-day workshop transformed the lives of 67 convicts serving life terms. Scheduled once every month, the program has brought about tremendous change within the prison. The inmates have become more peaceful, cooperative and open. On seeing the tremendous response, these programmes are being conducted in other prisons as part of the curriculum. There has been a tremendous transformation in the 500 participants who undertook this programme.

Ashram Details
The Isha Yoga Centre is a well laid out place. The triangular block houses the brahmacharis and brahmacharinis (nuns), who come from varied backgrounds, including the corporate world. The thatched meditation hall, where residential programs are conducted, stands next to a large open ground. During Maha Shivratri, the biggest event at the ashram, 50,000 people assemble here. Isha Fest is another annual event.

How To Reach There
The city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu is well connected by road, train and air with all major cities of India and abroad. Poondi, where the centre is located, is 30 km. from Coimbatore and easily accessible by road. Regular bus services ply the distance.

Weather
Since it is slightly cool in the winter,light woollens are recommended.

Contact Information
Any queries can be directed to:
Isha Foundation
Tel: 91 - 422 - 319654
E-mail: yogacentre@ishafoundation.org
Website: www.ishafoundation.org

- Bindu Bhadana