The late Shri Yogendra was the guru who founded the Yoga Institute in Santacruz, Mumbai. Born on November 18, 1897, he renounced his social life when he was still an adolescent to follow his guru, Paramahamsa Madhavadasaji, a 119-year-old yogi from Bengal. Since he was such a devout disciple, he was asked by the guru to initiate the process of teaching yoga to one and all. So he strove to prove the scientific benefits of yoga and the specificity of its philosophy to whoever came his way. He was also the one responsible for the revival of the ideals of classical yoga. Establishment of the ashrams In 1918, Shri Yogendra established the Yoga Institute at Versova, Mumbai. A year later, he went to USA where he founded one more Yoga Institute in New York. The following year, his ailing father summoned Shri Yogendra back to India. Marriage of a yogi He did the most unusual thing for a yogi - he got married to Sitadevi. Come to think of it, he was following the footsteps of ancient seers like Vasishta and Yagnavalkya. His wife, Sitadevi was introduced to yoga soon after her marriage in 1927. After two years of rigorous study, she became the Secretary of the Institute, and later, in charge of the Ladies' section. She contributed articles to the Journal of Yoga and also authored a book entitled 'Yoga Simplified for Women'. This book is ground breaking because it is the first authoritative book on yoga for women written by a woman. It paved the way for women to practise yoga, something that was prohibited until then. Sitadevi faced immense criticism not only because she was a woman doing yoga, but also because she was a wife of a yogi. This yogi couple was challenging old traditions with their novel ideas. For instance, until then, yoga was confined only to yogis who practised it in the forests. But Shri Yogendraji made it accessible to all. No longer was it an exclusive domain of a Sanyasi. Bringing yoga to the common man Shri Yogendraji set out to rescue yoga from the dark caverns of hermits and place it in the heart of society. He explained, "I do not know how Nature disclosed her secrets to me, but I found knowledge pouring in rapid continuity like a waterfall. I find it wonderful that by some certain inspiration, I have been directed to reveal to the public what I felt about this science." Shri Yogendraji believed that yoga is the art of living. He wanted the common man to be able to follow it. So, he developed the breathing rhythm that accompany yogic postures and simplified yoga kriyas without diminishing their benefits. He wanted humanity to give as much importance to happiness and peace of mind as they did to material comforts. Yoga shows us how to find a balance between both and enrich our lives. "I have found that yoga is not a dry philosophy with fruitless theories but, on the contrary, it is full of richness with clear-cut practices for attainment of self-realisation," he said. Shri Yogendraji propounded the virtues of yoga, especially its holistic approach that explored the body-mind connection. He stated, "Yoga is a way of life acquired after physical, mental, moral, intellectual, emotional and spiritual discipline." He told his students that all those who have the urge to study yoga must come with an open mind. Only then can it change their lives. Carrying the father's legacy Shri Yogendraji passed way in the year 1989. But when he was in his early fifties, he handed over his legacy to his son Dr. Jayadev. Together with his wife Hansaji, Dr. Jayadev has introduced several group learning programmes that generate self-awareness. Indeed, they are a unique couple, united in their way of thinking and in their dedication to yoga. Today, Dr Jayadev (PhD Philosophy, University of Bombay) is the Head of the Institute, an editor as well as a teacher. His main concern is the teaching of classical yoga ideals, its historic context and its possibilities in modern life. Yoga for Better Living His charming wife, Hansaji has a huge fan following. After all, she is the charismatic yoga expert of the popular television series 'Yoga for Better Living'. The couple has made yoga simple, meaningful yet experimental. It is a way of life for them. Unlike many teachers, who provide a lopsided view of yoga by over-emphasising either the physical aspects or the relaxation techniques, Dr. Jayadev and Hansaji have developed a conceptual framework that is really outstanding. In their scheme of things, there are four basic elements that one needs to understand in yoga: Dharma (sense of duty), Jnana (awareness), Vairagya (objectivity) and Aishwarya (attainment). At the Yoga Institute, yoga is taught in such a way that the asanas are not mere mechanical exercises, but means to achieve higher mental states. The couple believes that though yoga sets high goals, they are attainable. Dr. Jayadev says, "Removing the undesirable and carefully helping the growth of healthy states of mind is the chief objective of yoga." - Payal Rajshekhar Archive