The yoga Institute is the oldest organized yoga centre is the world set in the city of Mumbai, when you walk through the door of the ashram city life melts away and peace and serenity fill your soul.

Indian philosophy is taught as part of the course by Dr Jayadeva Yogendra, the institute director, Shri Yogendraji’s son, who is a highly advanced yogi and philosopher who sincerely practices yoga as a way of life and teaches it so uniquely. Hansaji (see picture) is the Dean of the Institute who is also an excellent guide on the course, she is a warm hearted lady with exquisite qualities .

Mother Sita Devi wife of Shri Yogendraji is ninety years plus, she is a beautiful soul full of wisdom and youth.

What Is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient art formed in India thousands of years ago.  Yoga is a sanskrit word meaning union, union with the divine force, which we take for granted so much today, however you can be from any religion (If any), age, creed, class or sex to practice yoga, it is not occult or religion. Yoga has one main objective: for one to gain complete mastery over ones self through the control of the mind. Ashtanga yoga written by a great sage named Patanjali involves spiritual discipline. The Asanas or postures I use are classical or Hatha yoga style. If we wish to live healthy happy lives we need to use our physical bodies as vehicles, therefore it is vital we look after them, they help to balance the nervous system and all other systems of the body helping to maintain homeostasis (the balance of ones internal environment), There fore is ones body is healthy ones mind is also, stress is disease, relaxation is health!

The Eight Fold Path of Yoga

Classical yoga requires one to establish an understanding of the eight fold path which is vital to the comprehension of Yoga.

The first two steps are the Yama and Niryama. In simplistic terms these are to do’s and don'ts that make for restraint over impulsive thoughtless behaviour.

Yama

• Ahimsa (Non Violence)
• Satya (Truthfulness)
• Asteya (Non Stealing)
• Bramacharya (Self Control)
• Aparigraha (Non Greed)

Niryama

• Saucha (Purity)
• Santosha (Contentment)
• (Fortitude)
• Svadhyaya (Self Study)
• Isvarpranidhana (Surrender to the will of God)

Asana

The third step is Asana , or steady comfortable posture in Sanskrit the language native to India. According to Shri Yogendraji “The methodical study of scientific Yoga begins with postural training and rhythmic breathing. This is associated with preventative measures, auto therapy, process of nerve purification, and body control of longevity”.

Pranayama

The fourth step is pranayama, (control of bio-energy). Yoga has aptly demonstrated that its system of physical culture is in conjunction with the respiratory and the nervous control system. Its practice enables an individual to regulate his biological living by conservation and control of bio energy (Prana)

Pratyahara

The Fifth step is Pratyahara (Internalisation). With the physiological activities well-harmonised and under control the necessity now arises to fill the gap between the body and the mind through psychosomatic training. This is undertaken in view of controlling the external and internal senses which affect the eqanimity and peace of mind.

Dhyana

The sixth and seven steps are concentration (Dharana) and Meditation (Dyana). The purity of the human nature and therefore the mind has to be achieved progressively. This is done through good health of the body and control of the senses. The preliminary stage is one of concentration. This is characterised by a variety of psychosomatic measures. These by habituation lead to the continued flow of meditation, (Dhyana)

Samadhi

The eighth step is Samadhi (Trans-consciousness). Here the Yogi is unmoved by physical and mental afflictions of whatever nature. This is the final stage of Yoga.