Souvenir of the International Day of Yoga 2017 organised by CYTER, Pondicherry.

IDY National Seminar-cum-Workshop at SBV, Pondicherry 2017
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Chief Patrons
Shri MK RAJAGOPALAN
Founder Chairman SBECPT and Chancellor Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth
Dr. PRASHANTH RAJAGOPALAN
Vice Chairman SBECPT
Patrons
Prof. KR SETHURAMAN Prof. N ANANTHAKRISHNAN
Vice-Chancellor, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Dean, Research &Allied Health Sciences, SBV
Advisory Panel
Prof. AR Srinivasan Prof. M Ravishankar Prof. V Nirmal Coumare
Registrar SBV Dean Faculty of Medicine, SBV Medical Superintendent, MGMC&RI
Prof. PF Kotur Prof. K Renuka Prof. Saravana Kumar
Dean, SSSMC&RI Dean Faculty of Nursing, SBV Principal (i/c), IGIDS
Prof. Madanmohan
Emeritus Professor Physiology & Yoga Therapy
Organizing Chairman Organizing Secretary
Prof. K Jaiganesh Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
Prof & HOD Physiology, MGMC&RI Director, CYTER
Coordinator Treasurer
Dr. Meena Ramanathan Shri G Dayanidy
Deputy Director, CYTER Lecturer, CYTER
Dr. Mahalakshmi, VP (Curriculum), MGMCRI
Dr. Partha Nandi, VP (Students), MGMCRI
Dr. AN Uma, VP, Allied Health Sciences, SBV
Dr. R Sobana, Physiology Dept, MGMCRI
Dr. Jeneth Berlin Raj, Physiology Dept, MGMCRI
Smt. MB Josephine, Senior Student Counselor, SBV
Shri. P Dhanushapnadeesh, CYTER
Smt. Priya Philip, Junior Student Counselor, SBV
Smt Asha Suresh Babu, GM Admin, SBV
Sri Joseph Naresh, Deputy Registrar, SBV
Sri Kannan Iyer, GM Finance, SBV
Prof. BV Adkoli, MEU, SBV
Dr. TS Balaji, IGIDS
Ms Ambika R, KGNC
Smt. G Sarulatha, CYTER
Dr. A Sanguida, IGIDS & CYTER
IDY Core Team
Seminar-cum-Workshop Committee
Dr. Nikhilesh Singh, Dr. Richa Gupta, Dr. Suchitra Sachin Palve, Dr. Devi R Nithya,
Mr. S Vasanthan, Dr. S Selvakumar, Mr. P Uthiravelu, Mr C Hema Sankar, Dr. R Balaji,
Mr. S Artchoudane, Mrs. S Lavanya, Mrs. B Anita, Mr. T Sadish Kumar, Mrs. S Vidyasri,
Ms. Shwethika Kaul, Mr. P Lakshman Pratap, Mrs. V Uma Maheshwari, Mrs. R Kavitha,
Mrs. Mangala Gowri, Dr. V Yuvaraj, and Ms. Ranjitha.

“Role of Yoga in Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation of Chronic Diseases”
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S.No INDEX Pg No.
1. Messages 4
2. From the desk of Organizing Chairman 16
3. From the desk of Organizing Secretary 17
4. Invitation and scientific programme 18
5. A brief introduction to our esteemed CME faculty 22
6. Yoga: An Ancient Life Style Suitable for Modern Man
by Yogacharini Smt Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani
32
7. Spiritual Factor in Healing by Professor KR Sethuraman 33
8. Yoga as Plastic Surgery by Professor Ramesh Bijlani 35
9. Role of Yoga in Elderly Population and Chronic Diseases
by Prof. Madanmohan
36
10. Living a Spiritually Healthy Life Through Yoga
by Yogacharya Aravinda Koithyar
38
11. Vedic Chanting in Yoga Therapy by Mrs Evelyn Einhaeuser 45
12. Research Studies on the Role of Yoga in Chronic Diseases
by Dr Meena Ramanathan and Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
47
13. Resilience as an Antidote to Chronic Diseases: Possible Role of
Yoga by Dr Meena Ramanathan and Dr Ananda Balayogi
Bhavanani
52
14. Yoga Therapy for Chronic Diseases: Psychosomatic Aspects
by Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani and Dr Meena Ramanathan
57
15. Role of Yoga in Cardiac Disorders: Clinical Perspective
by Professor B Amirtha Ganesh
64
16. Role of Yoga in Chronic Disorders: Community Perspective
by Professor K A Narayan
65
17. Managing Chronic Disorders: Yoga Therapy Perspective
by Dr Meena Ramanathan
66
18. Innovative aspects of CYTER 67

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MESSAGE FROM THE HONORABLE FOUNDER CHAIRMAN AND
CHANCELLOR SBV
It gives me immense pleasure that our University, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth is actively
organising various events in commemoration of the 3rd International Day of Yoga
2017. Our Honb’le Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi has said during his
address to the UN General Assembly that “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s
ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint
and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health
and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with
yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating
consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change.”
The Concept of Complementary Medicine is gaining significance in our day-to-day
therapeutical management. Yoga Day is celebrated to let people know that regular
Yoga practice leads to the better mental, physical and intellectual health. It
positively changes the lifestyle of the people and increase the level of well-being.I
am sure that Centre for Yoga Therapy Education and Research (CYTER) of SBV is
playing a vital role in creating awareness of Yoga and its therapeutical uses among
the public and patients by its various outreach programmes in coordination with
various Government departments and NGOs. Apart from this it imparts Yoga
Education and Research on Yoga at various levels by offering courses ranging from
Certificate to Doctoral programmes. CYTER is also recognized for its rehabilitative
works in patient care and health management.
I wish the ‘Team CYTER’ all success for various programmes and events to be
organized from 19th to 23rd June 2017 as part of 3rd International Day of Yoga
celebrations.
M.K.Rajagopalan
Founder Chairman & Chancellor
Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth

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MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR
India is the "Disease-Capital of the World" for quite a few diseases, which is
regrettable and unfortunate; one out of every two adults has at least one chronic
illness, many of which are preventable. As a nation, we need to move from a
disease-oriented system of health care delivery to one focused on wellness-
promotion and illness-prevention.
We need to realize that good health is not just high medical care; good health is to
try and stop a disease before it starts; good health also comes from safe air and
water, safe outdoor spaces for physical activity, safe workplaces, healthy foods, safe
and violence-free communities and homes.
Therefore, prevention should be an integral part of our lives, including where and
how we live, learn, work and play. Everyone—business houses, educators, health
care institutions, government, communities and every single citizen—has a role in
creating a healthier nation.Fortunately for us, India is also the "Yoga Capital of the
World". Yogic practices and yoga therapy are scientifically proven safe and
effective methods of promoting wellness. To train doctors and students of health-
sciences to incorporate mind-body techniques of yoga into their practice in an
integrative and holistic manner has been done by CYTER at SBVU. Similar
initiatives are ongoing throughout the globe.
In this context, I am glad that Team-CYTER has organised a National Seminar on
the role of Yoga in chronic diseases, as a part of its week-long commemoration of
international Yoga Day, 2017. Conferences like the present one are necessary to
share our successes and failures so that the mind-body wellness is not limited to a
lucky few but is perceived by all humanity, including those with chronic disorders.
I wish the meticulously planned conference of CYTER a successful outcome.
Prof KR Sethuraman, MD.
VC & Professor of Medicine, SBV

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MESSAGE FROM THE REGISTRAR
IDY is a great initiative of our Hon'ble Prime Minister of India that has been
accepted with glee by the comity of nations.
At Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, IDY 2017 will be an impressive revelation. Spearheaded
by the Respected Dean, Research and Allied Health Sciences Prof. N.
Ananthakrishnan and with the bountiful blessings of the Hon'ble Chancellor, Sri
M.K. Rajagopalan and Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. K. R.Sethuraman, the young,
dynamic and ebullient Director of CYTER Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani backed
by his able team has embarked on an impressive itinerary of events that are to be
hosted from the 19th to the 23rd of June, 2017.
I take great pleasure in inviting you all to partake of these events and embrace the
yogic way of life in our own small and humble way.
Hail IDY 2017 at SBV.
Prof. AR Srinivasan
Registrar

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MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN RESEARCH AND ALLIED HEALTH
SCIENCES
I am very happy to know that the Center for Yoga Therapy, Education and
Research, SBV has planned a grand celebration of the 3rd International Day of Yoga
with numerous events from 19 - 23 June 2017.
The events include Awareness Programmes, Mass Yoga Demonstrations, Regional
Level Yogasana Competitions for students of HPE institutions and a National
Seminar-cum-workshop on “Role of Yoga in Chronic Diseases”.
Right from its inception, SBV has been in the forefront in the field of innovations
and newly emerging areas of medical sciences so that it becomes part of the
exploring group along the advancing borders of modern science – in the words
from the famous serial Star trek “to boldly go where no man has been before.” SBV
is one of the first to introduce post graduate programs in Yoga Therapy from
certificate to doctoral level and these are unique as they are probably the first
Choice Base Credit System courses in Yoga therapy conducted within a medical
institution. CYTER has been actively promoting Yoga amongst students of our
university and SBV is one of the first to comply with latest guidelines from UGC
and other regulatory bodies by including yoga training in the medical, dental and
nursing curriculum.
The CYTER team has been doing tremendous work in the field of Yoga Education,
Research and Therapy in our University and this has helped place our work on the
world map.
The importance of Yoga as an intervention in health has now come to be universally
recognized and I am sure the weeklong IDY 2017 celebrations would go a long way
in drawing the attention to this fact and will benefit the community and the
University.
I wish the IDY 2017 celebrations all success.
Prof. N Ananthakrishnan
Dean – Research and Allied Health Sciences

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MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN, FACULTY OF MEDICINE
It gives me great pleasure that an International Day of Yoga Celebrations
2017 Organized by centre for Yoga Therapy, Education & Research (CYTER) at
MGMCRI under auspices of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry from 19th till 23rd
June 2017.
Our Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi has urged the
world community to adopt an International Day of Yoga during United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014. He had said that Yoga is an
invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body;
thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature
and a holistic approach to health and well-being.
I am happy that CYTER is taking a lead within matter and many awareness
programmes both for Public / Medical & Paramedical Students are being held in
the campus as well as taking part in Govt. organized programmes.
I also welcome the National President of IMA Dr. KK AGGARWAL and the
eminent resource persons to this programme.
I wish the function every success.
Prof. M Ravishankar
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
MGMC&RI, SBV

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MESSAGE FROM THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT
Its pleasure and pride to witness the CYTER grow in all length and breadth by
exploring its strength to contribute towards patient care, academics and research.
The grand celebrations planned from 19 to 23 June for the International Day of Yoga
2017 is commendable and their National Seminar and CME on “Role of Yoga in
chronic diseases” is very timely.
I wish the programme a great success and appreciate the team CYTER for their
relentless efforts in conducting this event.
Prof. V NirmalCoumare
Medical Superintendent,
MGMC&RI

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Dr KK Aggarwal. MD
National President, IMA and
Heart Care Foundation of India
Padma Shri Awardee
Parasympathetic Life Style
Parasympathetic mode is the resting, rejuvenating and healing mode of the body
and presents with slower breathing, slower resting heart rate, positive thoughts and
reduced negativity of the mind. On the other hand, sympathetic mode is the wear
and tear mode presenting with stress and increased heart rate with increases
respiratory rate. Yoga is nothing but a process of shifting one from sympathetic to
parasympathetic mode.
The eight limbs of yoga as described in Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are also the modern
medicine ways of shifting one’s awareness and the mode.
Yama and Niyama are the do and don’ts of universal life style.
Asanas are the parasympathetic mode of postures.
Pranayama is parasympathetic mode of breathing.
Pratyahara is withdrawal from external and internal noise.
Dharana is the intention to do any work.
Dhyana is the concentration on the work and
Samadhi is getting absorbed in that work.
Parasympathetic state of mind or mind fullness life style can help one shift from
sympathetic to parasympathetic mode.
No pharmaceutical drug can act in the body without a receptor. Receptors are like
a lock which requires a key to open to work as a drug. God never made receptors
for pharma companies to make the keys. The very fact there are receptors in the
body, the body has the capacity to make each and every drug. External drugs are
required only when the internal keys are lost or needs repair.
Repair of the keys happens only in parasympathetic mode of life with the
involvement of the soul or consciousness. Yogic life style therefore when combined
with modern medicine can help in self-healing and reduction in duration of
treatment and reduced quantity of drugs.
Meditation work at the level of void, beyond the energy waves and can synchronise
the disturbed waves of conciseness with the undisturbed state of consciousness.
Meditation work at the level of void and beyond the energy ways it can
synchronisms the disturbed waves of conciseness.

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AMMAJI,
Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani
Director ICYER at Ananda Ashram and
YoganjaliNatyalayam,
Pondicherry. www.icyer.com
MESSAGE OF BLESSINGS
It recognized that Yoga “provides a holistic approach to health and well-being” and
that wider dissemination of information about benefits of practicing Yoga would
be beneficial for the health of the world population.
Even to hear the word “Yoga” is a blessing. Even a partial understanding of its
depth and scope is a dip in the wading pool of the ocean of consciousness.
Everything must start somewhere, and perhaps for millions, this is the start of a
new beginning, on awakening.
Our honourable Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi has said, “ Yoga can be a vital
factor in changing the lifestyle and creating consciousness with climate change”.
It is only Shri Modiji, who is a fervent practitioner of Yoga himself as well as a
devout Hindu, could include the idea of “changing life style and creating
consciousness” which are the core values of Yoga. He seems to be “walking his
talk” and “taking his walk” … all marks of a true Yogic spirit.
The flag of Yoga and all it symbolizes now flies over the community of nations!
May those of us who adore this ancient wisdom keep it flying high!
I wish the CYTER team all the very best in their efforts to propagate this ancient art
and science of India within a modern framework for the benefit of society
worldwide.

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Sri Om Prakash Tiwari
Secretary, Kaivalyadhama,
Lonavla, Maharashtra. www.kdham.com
President, Indian Yoga Association and
Chairman Council for Yoga Accreditation International.
Yoga is the transformation of the individual consciousness into universal
consciousness; and when such an irreversible transformation occurs, one
experiences a complete freedom from the shackles of ignorance, avidya, and rejoices
in the Life Divine. The spirit of oneness, which is the basic fabric of Yoga, has its
impact not only on the inner world, but also on the world out here. The world of
being and becoming with its inhabitants, though appears to be diverse in nature, is
strung together in a cosmic rhythm, which is termed ṛitamby the ancient Vedic
seers. To be in harmony with the cosmic rhythm is the solution to all sorts of
problems like unrest, violence, and intolerance which are driven by the ego-centric
selfishness of human being. The promotion of Yoga is the panacea to all sorts of
disintegration between persons, societies, nations, and worlds through the
cultivation of fundamental unity. Even the divergent human thoughts become one
pointed through the practice of yogic concentration resulting in orderliness in
words, attitude, and action. This 'Order out of Chaos' is the cherished goal of
humankind towards a happy and peaceful existence.
I am happy to learn that the International Day of Yoga 2017 will be observed at Sri
Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry, with pomp and grandeur, during 19-23 June
2017 along with Public Awareness programs, Common Yoga Protocol
demonstrations, Yogasana competitions, and a National Seminar on "Role of Yoga
in Chronic Diseases” The organizers of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth have resolved to ignite
a sacred Yoga-Yajna, for the greater welfare of humanity, the holy flames of which
will arrest all the evil forces retarding the positive growth of the world. I, on behalf
of Kaivalyadhama, offer my hearty wishes as my oblation to this sacred Yajna
impressing a substantial momentum to the world-wide expansion of Yoga culture.
As Swami Kuvalyananda said “Yoga has a complete message humanity, it has a
message of human body and also human mind. I am sure it will create great
awareness amongst the masses about the need of Yoga for Health, Happiness and
Harmony.
May this event be a grand success.

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Dr H R NAGENDRA, PhD
Chancellor S-VYASA & President –VYASA
Chairman, IDY Experts Committee, Task force of
AYUSH, and SAC of CCRYN
Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India.
Chairman, Expert Committee on Yoga for Teacher
Educators, NCTE, Yoga for schools, NCERT
Chairperson, "Committee on Yoga Education in
Universities" and Member, Committee for
Development of Vision and Road Map for the
development of Sanskrit, Ministry of HRD, GOI
Chancellor, S-VYASA Yoga University, Bengaluru.
I am happy to note that Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondichery is involved in
promoting education in areas related to health from under graduate level to Post
Graduate level, under the umbrella of its various institutes established by Sri
Balaji Vidyapeeth.
The institute, apart from promoting formal traditional professional education,
is also promoting the traditional ancient Indian knowledge of Yoga Education
and Research under “Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education and Research
(CYTER)”.
Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education and Research (CYTER) is engaged in
spreading awareness about traditional Yoga and its benefit for the welfare of
the society, in addition to carrying out research in yoga with a view to establish
the scientific validations of Yoga for health and mind and thus establishing the
strong scientific foundation for Yoga, which is the need of the hour.
As part of celebrating IDY, CYTER has envisaged a five day long program
including National Seminar-cum-Workshop on “Role of Yoga in prevention,
management and rehabilitation of chronic disease” on the concluding day.
Trust that, the National Seminar cum workshop will add new dimension to
Yoga in preventing, managing and rehabilitation of chronic diseases and thus
give more emphasis to adopt traditional ancient system of medicine specially
Yoga.
I convey my best wishes to Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth and CYTER for their efforts in
promoting Yoga and I wish the Institute all the success in its endeavor.

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Dr. W. SELVAMURTHY, Ph.D., D.Sc.
FAMS, FABMS, FIMSA, FIANS, FIAY
President Amity Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation (ASTIF),
Director General, Amity Directorate of Science & Innovation
Chancellor, Amity University Chhattisgarh and Chair Professor for Life Sciences
{Former Distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller R&D(LS), DRDO}
Tab: 91(0)120 4392045 / 91- 9871372441 Email: wselvamurthy@amity.edu
I am happy to note that Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry will be celebrating the
International Day of Yoga 2017 from 19-23 June, 2017.
As we are all aware Modern day life style has brought in many challenges to health
and has become a major cause for many ailments across the globe. Stress, improper
dietary habits and sedentary living have led to decline in health, performance and
leading to cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and even cancer.
The beneficial effects of Yoga for prevention of disease, promote positive health and
also cure specific diseases related to stress has been proven scientifically. Yogic
practices brings stability of autonomic equilibrium strengthening para-sympathetic
system thereby minimizing the wear and tear in different physiological systems
thus slowing down ageing process.
Practice of Yoga leads to improvement in physical and cognitive performance
thermoregulatory efficiency, body flexibility and stress tolerance. It also
strengthens our immunity thereby preventing diseases. Yoga was also found to be
beneficial as an adjunct to conventional medical management of hypertension,
coronary artery disease and diabetes.
On this IDY researchers need to pledge that Yoga will be placed on a scientific
pedestal through controlled research studies wherever there is a gap in
understanding. It needs to be propagated across different cross sections of our
society including children where yoga lays the foundation for healthy life style.
I hope that sessions during the event will provide a platform for learning from each
other’s experiences and translating them into valuable products to benefit
mankind.
I convey my best wishes for the success of this grand event.

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Prof Ramesh Bijlani, M.D.
E-mail: contact@aurobindoonline.in
Phone: 011-2656-7863
Website: www.sriaurobindoashram.net
Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Delhi Branch
Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi 110 016
The roots of chronic disease lie in an unhealthy lifestyle, of which mental stress is a
major accompaniment.
This realization has made modern medicine incorporate ancient disciplines such as
yoga, which combine a healthy lifestyle with potent infallible prescriptions for
lasting mental peace, into the prevention and management of chronic disease.
In this respect, CYTER, located in a medical environment, has great potential for
bringing the benefits of these advances to its patients.
Under the leadership of Dr. Ananda Balayogi, who is both a yogi and a medical
doctor, CYTER has achieved phenomenal success within a short period.
Dr. Balayogi has been walking with great distinction for a long time now the
difficult path of staying true to tradition on one hand, and adapting it to the modern
world on the other.
The annual conferences that he has been holding every year since the first
International Yoga Day have been disseminating the message of yoga to large
numbers in the medical fraternity.
For the success of this year’s celebrations, I am pleased, and honoured, to send him
the love and blessings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.

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MESSAGE FROM DESK OF THE ORGANIZING CHAIRMAN
It gives me profound contentment to organize the
National Seminar-cum-Workshop on “Role of Yoga in
Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation of
Chronic Diseases” in collaboration with CYTER as a
part of International Day of Yoga celebrations from 19
- 23 June 2017.
Chronic illness due to lifestyle changes and
urbanization is the major threat for health in this
century. Apart from curative perspectives, prevention
and rehabilitation should be also given due
importance forwell being.
Yoga, a mode of mind body medicine is the foremost practiced CAM
(Complementary &Alternate Medicine) for holistic health.
We are fortunate to have pioneers in this field as resource persons.
By knowledge and experience sharing, I am confident that this seminar will be an
academic feast for all the delegates.
I express my heart-felt gratitude to our hon’ble Chairman and Chancellor, Shri MK
Rajagoplan for his encouragement and support for organizing this programme.
Guidance and support of our respected Vice-Chancellor, Prof. KR Sethuraman
made planning of the programme a smooth affair. Dean, Research and AHS,
Professor N Ananthakrishnan has been a source of inspiration and motivation. I am
grateful for the support of our Dean of Medicine Prof. M Ravishankar, and Medical
Superintendent, Dr Nirmal Coumare for their support. Logistic support by the
management of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University is gratefully acknowledged. I
thank my colleagues from the Department of Physiology and CYTER for their
unconditional support.
As the Organizing Chairman I whole heartedly welcome one and all.
Prof. K. Jaiganesh
Prof. and Head,
Department of Physiology,
MGMC&RI

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FROM THE DESK OF THE ORGANIZING SECRETARY
Consequent to the decision of the United Nations on 11 December, 2014 and with
the support of 177 nations, International Day of Yoga was first celebrated on 21
June, 2015. It is a great pride for every Indian that this was due to efforts of our
honorable Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modiji. We at Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth
University have celebrated the event both in 2015 and 2016.
As per guidelines issued by UGC and Ministry of AYUSH, IDY 2017 will be
celebrated at Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed University accredited with 'A' Grade
by NAAC), Pondicherry in a grand manner from 19-23 June 2017.
On Monday, 19 June we will have a Yoga awareness programme for Medical,
Dental and Nursing students of constituent colleges of SBV. Our students have
received extensive training at CYTER in the Common Yoga Protocol developed by
Ministry of AYUSH and they will demonstrate their Yoga skills on the occasion.
On Tuesday, 20 June there will be a Mass awareness Yoga programme at Seliamedu
HSS and RHTC that is organized in collaboration with the Department of
Community Medicine. School students and general public will take part in this
event that will give them the message of Yoga as preventive medicine.
On Wednesday, 21 June the CYTER team with faculty, staff and students of SBV
will join the IDY celebrations with mass demonstration on beach and different
events organized by the Departments of Tourism, Health and Education of Govt.
of Puducherry.
A Regional Yogasana competition will be held at SBV on 22 June for students of
health Professional Educational institutions in Pondicherry region in association
with Pondicherry Yogasana Association. This will be the first ever such event in the
history of Yoga Sport of Puducherry.
The crest jewel of the weeklong celebrations will be the National Seminar-cum-
Workshop on “Role of Yoga in prevention, management and rehabilitation of
chronic diseases” on 23 June at MGMCRI. We are especially pleased to welcome Dr
KK Aggarwal, the National President of IMA who kindly accepted to be Chief
Guest and deliver the Keynote address. We will also be blessed by Ammaji
Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani of ICYER
(Ananda Ashram), Pondicherry and Smt Menaka
Desikachar of Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga
Foundation, Chennai who are world renowned Yoga
Shaktis. We heartily welcome all our resource persons
who will be enlightening us with their lectures, lecture-
demonstrations, workshops and panel discussion.
We welcome all of you to enjoy all the events and join us
in paying tribute to the rich and varied cultural heritage
of our country from which the art and science of Yoga has
sprung for the benefit of humanity.
Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
Director CYTER, SBV

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A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO OUR ESTEEMED SEMINAR FACULTY
AMMAJI, YOGACHARINI MEENAKSHI DEVI BHAVANANI
Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani popularly
known worldwide as Ammaji, is Director and Resident
Acharya of the world famous International Centre for
Yoga Education and Research (ICYER at Ananda
Ashram) and Yoganjali Natyalayam at Pondicherry.
She is the Dharmapatni and senior most disciple of the
internationally acclaimed Yoga master, Yogamaharishi
Dr. Swami GitanandaGiri Guru Maharaj and has
devoted her life to his teachings and to institutions
founded by him.
She is a prolific author with 12 books, including two
books of poetry to her credit. She is Editor of Satya
Press and her defining book on “The History of Yoga from Ancient to Modern
Times” released in 2011 is a path breaking effort hailed as the “Defining publication
on the history of Yoga to date.”She has trained many thousands of students in Yoga
and Bharatanatyam in the past five decades and is considered a pioneer in bringing
the Performing Fine Arts and Yoga to the common people in Pondicherry.
She has been recipient of many National and State Awards such as "Yogamani" in
1986 from the President of India Shri Zail Singh Ji and “Bhaskar Award” by Bharat
Nirman as one of 50 eminent Indians honoured during the 50th year of Indian
Independence for their contribution to Indian culture and spirituality. In 1999 she
was given the “PuduvaiKalaimamani” Award for her work in BharataNatyam by
the Pondicherry Government. She has served on the Pondicherry University
Academic Council, the Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy as well
as the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga under Ministry of Health,
Government of India.Ammaji is considered one of the major International leaders
of the modern Yoga movement. Though born in the USA in 1943, she came
to India in 1967 and has lived here ever since. She was awarded Indian Citizenship
on November 30th, 1992, in her own words “the proudest day of my life.”
Dr KK AGGARWAL, MBBS, MD (Medicine)
Recipient of Padma Shri (2010), National President of the
Indian Medical Association (2016-17), Dr. BC Roy
National Award (2005), National Science
Communication Award and Vishwa Hindi Samman
(2015) awards, Dr Krishan Kumar Aggarwal belongs to
the class of 1975. A Consultant Cardiologist, President of
Heart Care Foundation of India, and Honorary Secretary
General of Medical Council of India, Dr Aggarwal is
gifted with a multifaceted and dynamic personality. His
pursuit of excellence continues in the roles of physician-
scientist, academic teacher, writer, editor, administrator
and public health activist.

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Gold Medalist and Nagpur University topper throughout a medical career,
Krishanji obtained MD (Medicine) from MGIMS in 1983. During his MD at
Sevagram, he was deputed for a six- weeks training at AIIMS Immunology
department. Dr. AN Malviya, the head of the Immunology Department wrote in
his testimonial, "I found Dr. Krishan Kumar to be an extremely bright, enthusiastic
and hardworking physician, who has a very keen sense of clinical research. I also
found him to be compassionate towards his patients. I feel that with his clear
thinking, enthusiasm for hard and honest work and perseverance, he should
become one of the top physicians in India. “These words were indeed prophetic,
for in the three decades since, Krishan has achieved much more than his master
expected him to perform.
After obtaining MD, he joined Moolchand Medcity, New Delhi where he currently
serves as a senior consultant, Physician and Cardiologist and Dean, Board of
Medical Education. The first to use clot busters in patients with acute myocardial
infarction (1984), he introduced color Doppler echocardiography in North India in
1987.
Group Editor-in-chief of IJCP Group of Publications and emedinews- national
daily medical newspaper, he is well known for the several roles he plays: a
compulsive writer, an eloquent columnist and a much sought-after TV anchor. He
champions the cause of medical professionals, fights for human rights, defends
medical ethics, and is keenly interested in revamping medical education in India.
He uses alternative medicine - Yoga & Ayurveda - to treat patients with diabetes
and cardiac problems and believes that if we have to stop the Juggernaut of lifestyle
disorders, we need to focus on primary prevention. He is a Limca Book of World
Record Holder for the maximum people trained in the life-saving technique of
Hands-only CPR.
Dr Aggarwal was the 4th postgraduate student to obtain MD (Medicine) from
MGIMS. Greatly influenced by Dr. Khatri, the legendary teacher who was serving
as professor of Medicine at MGIMS- Krishanji developed a fascination for clinical
medicine and would work almost 24/7 in the medicine wards of the old Kasturba
Hospital, Sevagram, trying to unwrap mystery from complex medical maladies.
Recalls Krishanji of his MGIMS days, “MGIMS taught me how doctors diagnosed
illness using their own senses, by poking, prodding, looking, listening. From these
observations, a skilled doctor can make amazingly accurate inferences about what
ails the patient. MGIMS taught me how to use meaningfully such investigations as
echocardiography, stress tests and cardiac catheterization for patients with cardiac
disorders. I realized that the full ritual of history and physical examination was
necessary to establish that connection between the tradition and technology. Those
skills have stood me in good stead, all my life, and I am ever indebted to MGIMS
and teachers for making me what I am.”
Dr Aggarwal’s persona, his incredible charisma and life story makes an interesting
reading- starting from his serene childhood in Delhi and continuing through his
admission to MGIMS, his residency days in the hospital wards, his falling in love
with research during medical school, and his ascent to the summit of cardiology to
become the legend that he is, the undisputed “king” of this discipline. To know
more: http://kkaggarwal.com

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Professor Dr K R SETHURAMAN, MBBS, MD, PGDHE
Professor K.R. Sethuraman is currently Vice
Chancellor of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry.
He is a well-known clinician and popular medical
educationist who served with distinction as Dean and
Senior Professor of Faculty of Medicine and Deputy
VC – Academic and International Affairs in the AIMST
University, Malaysia from 2006 to 2013.
He retired as Director-Professor (Internal) Medicine at
JIPMER where he worked in various capacities from
1981 to 2006.
During this period he was the prime force behind the National Teacher Training
Centre (NTTC) that he headed as a Department of Medical Education & NTTC
during 1996-2006.
He was also lecturer in Cardiology at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical
Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum from 1978 to 1981.
He has been consultant in Taskforce of JPT (MOHE) Panel on Medical Education in
Malaysia, Training consultant for Training of Trainers: World Bank aided Health
Systems Project: Andhra Pradesh (APVVP), Karnataka State (KHSDP) and Orissa
State and Temporary advisor to WHO – HRH meet at Cape town, South Africa
(2004), Psycho-social Issues meet at Bangkok (2005) and 1st South Asian Conference
on PG medical education, Colombo (2005).
He has authored more than 30 Pubmed referenced papers, 40 invited papers, and
60 presentations in conferences/workshops in India, South Africa, Srilanka &
Thailand.
He has authored nine books including “Beyond Rational Therapy”, “Practical
Echography”,” Medical Education: Principles & Practice”, “Implementing
Innovations in Clinical Skill Training” and the well known “Trick or Treat - a
survival guide to healthcare”, ”Doctor-Patient Communication and “Post
Mortem”- a Book serialized as 65 Tamil articles in “Junior Vikatan”.
His video / computer-based educational units are very popular amongst clinicians
and students as they include “Push, Promote or Educate.” - a WHO aided video,
“Doctor-Patient Dyads.” - a video on common communication problems, “Patient
Personality Types.” - a video on how to handle different patients, “Oral
Examination” - part 4 of a video on National Board Examination, “Album of
Clinical Cases.” - a collection of interesting & unique cases and five Computer
based educational programmes.

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Yogacharini Smt. MENAKA DESIKACHAR, KHYF
Smt. Menaka Desikachar is the senior most teacher in the
tradition of T. Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar
and was the wife of world famous Yoga master and
teacher TKV Desikachar until his passing in 2016. She has
studied and taught Yoga, Yoga Therapy and Vedic
Chanting under the guidance of her husband for over
four decades. She was a founding member of the
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai, India in
1976 and has been instrumental in building Vedavani,
the department to Vedic Chanting at the
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, in which she served
and taught as the technical director for over a decade.
Smt Menaka is now the senior teacher, educator and therapist at the
Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga Foundation (www.khyf.net) in Chennai
where she continues to teach Yoga, Vedic Chanting and Yoga Therapy to heal the
seekers and students from around the world.
She is one of the very few people that the legendary Yoga master Tirumalai
Krishnamacharya himself graduated with a special Yoga diploma and one of the
few women that he has accepted to teach some chanting after she had learnt
initially from her husband. Together with her husband, her son Kausthub and
daughter Mekhala, she has conducted numerous seminars and workshops around
the world about Yoga, Vedic Chanting and Yoga Therapy and has therefore raised
awareness on Yoga and it’s tools in East and West.
Smt Menaka is especially renowned as an authority in the field of Vedic Chanting.
The number of chants that she knows by heart and the dedication to her practice
has made her a true Mantrajna, a knower of Vedic mantras. This is a truly
remarkable achievement and made her a strong inspiration for many women
worldwide, as for centuries many of the Vedic mantras could only be learnt by male
Brahmins.
She has a vast knowledge of the chants and is aware of their benefits from her own
experience. She testifies that the practice of mantras has changed her own character
over the years. Nowadays she is a force to be reckoned with and would never miss
one mistake in the chanting of her students! She is fully dedicated in making sure
that the chants are still recited in the exact same manner that the Rishis received
them centuries ago so that the vibrations of the chants can reveal their infinite
potency.
Smt Menaka Desikachar is the head of the KHYF Vedic Chant Teacher Training in
which students learn how to recite the Vedas correctly and how they then can pass
them on to their students. In that manner, she has brought the knowledge of the
Vedas to men and women of all age groups and nationalities worldwide. She
follows the footsteps of T. Krishnamacharya who had the opinion that every sincere
student should be able to learn the incredible vast and rich knowledge of the Vedic
scriptures and thus be able to benefit from it.

26
Smt Menaka is also an exceptional Yoga therapist with a keen eye and a deep
understanding of the spine, physical misalignments and constitutional imbalances
and how the tools of Yoga can be applied to alleviate them. Thus, she has helped
many children with scoliosis realign their spines with the help of Yoga Therapy.
Female students also often seek her expertise when it comes to all kinds of women’s
issues and children's diseases. Smt Menaka has taught extensively both within and
outside the country, so that women worldwide are informed how Yoga can help
them conceive easier, have a healthy and connected pregnancy, how to heal from
any postnatal difficulties and how to address any problems during menopause.
Over the years she has also offered her service work to the under privileged as well
as to special needs children, homeless children and prisoners.
Despite her authority in the field of teaching and chanting and the popularity of
her family, Smt Menaka Desikachar has always remained extremely grounded,
accessible and friendly. She appreciates simplicity in her everyday life.
In her free time, she loves gardening and grows her own vegetables and colorful
flowers in the garden around her house. She also holds a degree in botany. For her
working in the garden serves not just as a recreative tool, but also as a way of
contemplation and insight.
Yogacharya ARAVINDA K, BE, MS, MTech, PhD
Sri. Aravinda K, has completed B.E. in Electronics, M.S.
in Computer Applications, M.Tech. in VLSI design &
Embedded systems and is currently pursuing PhD
(Amrita University).
Apart from this, he has also completed Basic &
Advanced courses in Pranic healing, course in
Ashtantagayoga and Master course in Kundalini yoga.
He has served at Teltronics Ltd and Pulsetone Industries
at Bangalore. He worked as a lecturer at Sapthagiri
College of Engineering, and is currently working as Senior Assistant Professor in
the department of Electronics & Communication at New Horizon College of
Engineering, Bengaluru.
He has been teaching the practices and theory of yoga since 2000, following the
Rishiculture of Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri of Pondicherry at his Shreyas Centre for
Yoga in Bangalore, following the Gurukula system of ancient India.
He was awarded with Faculty excellence at New Horizon College of Engineering,
Bengaluru. He has three Technical Publications to his credit.
He has published many spiritual articles and books in English and Kannada, has
done 6 video DVDs and an audio DVD in Kannada

27
Prof. MADANMOHAN, MBBS, MD, MSc, DSc (Yoga), FIAY
Dr. Madanmohan is currently Honorary Emeritus
Professor of Physiology and Yoga Therapy at the Mahatma
Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute and CYTER.
He served as Director CYTER till his retirement in March
2017. He has teaching & research experience of more than
45 years and his fields of research are yoga, yoga therapy,
cardiovascular & respiratory physiology. He has delivered
more than 50 invited talks in conferences, academic forums
and organizations and has numerous awards including
Gold Medal & Scroll of Honor, Annual Internal Oration
(2009-10), JIPMER Scientific Society; Prof. A Namasivayam Endowment Lecture
(2013), Deptt of Physiology, University of Madras; Felicitated for outstanding
contribution towards physiology and yoga, APPI, Belgaum branch; Best
Personalities of India Award and Gold Medal, Friendship Forum of India;
Honorary appointment to the Research Board of Advisors (1999) of the American
Biographical Institute. He was Founder-Programme Director of ACYTER, JIPMER.
He has 110 research papers (including original research work) in national and
international journals, more than 80 abstracts and 30 magazine articles. He has
guided 36 PGs (MD, MS, MSc, and PhD) students in their research work and 15
medical students in their ICMR Research Studentship. He has worked in 26
research projects as chief investigator / co-investigator. He has personally given
yoga training to medical students, school children, police personnel and general
public as well as yoga therapy to hospital patients. He has organized many
workshops and CMEs in Yoga and edited 8 proceedings of workshops / CMEs /
symposia and 3 reports of research projects in yoga. He has served as expert in
selection committees of UPSC, JIPMER, University of Madras; NEIGRIHMS,
Shillong; Pondicherry Government Medical College; and AIIMS. He has also been
part time MCI inspector (for UG & PG) for inspection of medical colleges and
Member, Inspection Committee for Medical Colleges, Pondicherry University. He
was honoured by Yoga JivanaSatsangha (International) with the Karma Yoga
Shironmani in 2003 in recognition of his illustrious service for the integration of
yoga and modern medicine.
Prof B AMIRTHA GANESH, MBBS, MD, DNB, FSCAI
Profe.ssor & HOD of Cardiology at MGMCRI, Dr
Amirtha Ganesh has completed his M.B.B.S from PSGIMS
& R at Coimbatore. He did M.D (Gen.med.) from
Thanjavur Medical College following which he
completed D.N.B (Cardiology) from Southern Railway
Headquarters Hospital, Chennai. He has also completed
FSCAI, the fellowship from USA.
Dr Amirtha Ganesh is good Carnatic Vocalist too. A calm
and an ever cheerful person, Dr Amirtha Ganesh is an
incredible humane being striving hard to help his patients

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attain a state of exuberant health and wellbeing. His areas of Special interest are in
Prevention & Rehabilitation in Cardiology apart from clinical and interventional
cardiology.
Prof. K A NARAYAN, MBBS, DPH, MD
Dr. K A Narayan, Professor of Community Medicine ,
Course Director, Health Professions Education
Programmes, Academic Training and Development
Consultant at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and
Research Institute with over 20 years’ experience in Health
Professionals training, Curriculum planning,
implementation and evaluation, Programme evaluation
and Disaster Management training. He is the Resource
Faculty SBV-AHEAD and Programme Director – PGDHPE
and MHPE. He was the Vice Principal & Head of
Community Medicine from 2013 to 2014 He was the Director of Medical Education,
Deputy Dean (Academic) and Professor of Community Medicine for the AIMST
University, Malaysia between 2006 to 2013.
He served as the Professor of Community Medicine, Head of Community
Medicine, Faculty of National Teacher Training Centre, Senior Resident to
Associate Professor at JIPMER, Pondicherry between 1994 and 2006. He is the
Programme Director for Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma in Health Professionals
Education (PGDHPE) and MPhil in Health Professions Education programme of
Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth – an ‘A’ Grade deemed to be University and also for the
Certificate Programme for Research Methods, Data analysis and Statistics – a hands
on training programme. He is a PhD guide in Community Medicine and Health
Informatics He has more than 50 peer reviewed articles in journals with aH- Index
of 11 to his credit. He has authored 7 books and book chapters, written technical
Papers and developed several PBL modules. He is extremely competent in using
Ms Office, SPSS, EpiInfo, GIS software, Remark Office OMR and has developed and
implemented system for student monitoring & progress
Prof. PAJANIVEL RANGANADIN, MBBS, MD, FRCP
(Ln) Dr. Pajanivel Professor of Pulmonary Medicine at
Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute,
Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth has completed M.B.B.S from
JIPMER in 1993, M.D in Pulmonary Medicine from
JIPMER in 2000 as well as FRCP from Glasgow.
He has a rich experience of fourteen years in teaching
and is an exemplary teacher. He is a guide for Post
graduate students of Pulmonary Medicine & M.PT. He
is the Co-ordinator of RNTCP –MGMCRI and is a part of its Core committee, the
Vice-chairperson of RNTCP ZONE-II and a member of the Task Force Committee,
esteemed Chairperson of Puducherry State RNTCP OR Committee and a Member
of State DOTS PLUS Committee. He is the Organizing Secretary for the annual

29
“Spirometry Technician Training Workshop” at Pondicherry conducted under the
auspices of Indian Chest Society, since 2014. He is also the Institute Coordinator for
National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC) Steering Committee. He is
the Life Member of Indian Chest Society and NCCP; Member of European
Respiratory Society, American Thoracic society & ACCP and His Areas of Special
Interest consists of Obstructive Airway diseases and Bronchoscopy and
Interventional Pulmonology. He has Co-authored a book “Handbook of Clinical
Pulmonary Medicine” published in 2017 by Jaypee Publications. He has 8
International and 5 National Research Publications to his credit along with three
ongoing interdisciplinary projects. He received the Best Paper Award for the work
“Role of Sputum Cytology in the Diagnosis of Lung Malignancies” at NAPCON
in1997. He has presented papers both in the national and international arenas, and
has delivered orations and talks in various forums. He is the proud recipient of
‘Outstanding Faculty’ Commendation award in 2008 at MGMCRI ; the ‘Lieutenant
Governor Award for the “Selfless contribution to Health care activities” in 2012
conferred by All India Jain Society and GOTHI Charitable Trust, and “Rajiv Gandhi
Gold Medal Award” conferred by GEPRA-INDIA in 2014.
Prof. RENUKA K, B.Sc(N),M.Sc(N), PhD
An able administrator with 15 years of teaching and 8
years of research experience, Dr Renuka is currently
Dean, Faculty of Nursing Science, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth,
Pondicherry. She completed her B.Sc(N) and M.Sc(N) in
nursing from College of Nursing, Saveetha Dental
College & Hospitals, under The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR
Medical University, Chennai and her PhD in Nursing
from Vinayaka Missions University, Salem. She has won
‘Gold Medal’ in B. Sc(N) securing First in Medical
surgical Nursing received from the Tamil Nadu Dr.
M.G.R Medical University, Chennai in 1999. Also Merit certificate received from
The Tamil Nadu State Nurses & Midwives Council, Chennai for securing state
second rank in B.Sc., Nursing in 1999.
She was also awarded “Commendation Certificate” for Best Service rendered in
the Institution from the Dean, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, during
Independence Day Celebration in 2008. She has 15 papers published in high impact
indexed National & International journals, is International peer reviewer in
OMICS Bio-Medical Journals, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, Editor in Chief
for Pondicherry Journal of Nursing and Contributing Editor for Tamil Nadu Nurses
& Midwives Council – Medical Surgical Nursing Journal.
She is also Head of Department-Medical Surgical Nursing, UG & PG Examiner,
Research guide for PG students, Member Secretary – Institutional Human Ethical
Committee, Co-guide in MAHER University, Chennai. She is External Expert as
Evaluator & subject expert for Textila University, USA.

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Yogacharya Dr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI,
MBBS, MD (AM), FIAY, C-IAYT
Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani is
Chairman of the International Centre for Yoga
Education and Research at Ananda Ashram,
Pondicherry, India. He is also chairman of Yoganjali
Natyalayam, the premier institute of Yoga, Carnatic
Music and Bharatanatyam in Pondicherry. He is son
and successor of the internationally acclaimed Yoga
team of Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru
Maharaj and Ammaji, Yogacharini Kalaimamani
Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani. He is a Gold Medallist in
Medical Studies (MBBS) with postgraduate diplomas in both Family Health
(PGDFH) as well as Yoga (PGDY) and the Advanced Diploma in Yoga under his
illustrious parents in 1991-93. A Fellow of the Indian Academy of Yoga, he has
authored 19 DVDs and 23 books on Yoga as well as published more than two
hundred papers, compilations and abstracts on Yoga and Yoga research in National
and International Journals. He is a Classical Indian Vocalist, Percussionist, Music
Composer and Choreographer of Indian Classical Dance in addition to his duties
as Director of the Centre for Yoga Therapy Education and Research (CYTER),
MGMCRI, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Pondicherry. In recent years he has
travelled abroad 15 times and conducted invited talks, public events, workshops
and retreats and been major presenter at Yoga conferences in the UK, USA, Italy,
Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He is Honorary
International Advisor to the International Association of Yoga Therapists,
Australian Association of Yoga Therapists and Gitananda Yoga Associations
worldwide. He is currently member of Scientific Advisory Committee of the
Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), Ministry of
AYUSH, Govt of India as well as the Expert Committee of AYUSH for Celebration
of International Yoga Day. He is also member of the Executive Council of the
Indian Yoga Association and Board of Directors of the Council for Yoga
Accreditation International.
Yogachemmal Dr. Meena Ramanathan PhD, C-IAYT
Dr. Meena is Deputy Director of CYTER, the Centre for
Yoga Therapy Education and Research, Sri Balaji
Vidyapeeth University. She has completed numerous
undergraduate and post graduate degrees and diplomas
in Yoga, Science and English has completed her PhD in
Yoga through Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports
University. She is a recognized IAYT Certified Yoga
Therapist by the International Association of Yoga
Therapists, USA in February 2017. She has been recognized as PhD Guide (Yoga
Therapy and Inter Disciplinary Research) by Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry in
March 2016. She has been appointed as Examiner for Quality Council of India (QCI)
through Indian Yoga Association, recognised by AYUSH, Central Ministry of
Health, New Delhi in Sep 2016. A student of the Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga

31
Paramparya, Meena has been an integral part of the Tradition for over a decade.
She has admirably trained thousands of students under the auspices of Pondicherry
University as Coordinator of the Yoga courses in the Community College as well
as faculty of Annamalai University, Manonmaniyam University, MGR University
and Yoganjali Natyalayam. She is Coordinator; Outreach Programmes of Yoganjali
Natyalayam and was Guest Faculty at ACYTER, JIPMER. She has been giving
practical Yoga training to Staff, Students of Pondicherry University for the past 8
years. She has authored and co-authored a dozen books and more than a dozen
papers on Yoga in English and Tamil in various journals. She is currently carrying
on many Research/Pilot Studies at CYTER, MGMCRI, and has also published more
than 25 scientific papers and abstracts in leading Scientific Journals. Her books on
Thirukkural and Yoga, Applied Yoga, Gheranda Samhita and Primer of Yoga
Theory are best sellers. She has received many awards such as Yoga Chemmal,
Yoga Rathna, Yoga Seva Maamani, Bangalore Sundaram Award, Yoga Jyothi,
Chellammal Award and Annai Sivakami Award, Sri Aurobindo Award (Mahan
ArvindarVirudu), “Mozhi Peyarppu Tharagai” to name a few. She was honoured
with the best Yoga Teacher Award on the International Day of Yoga by Nehru Yuva
Kendra and Ministry of Tourism, Puducherry. She has been nominated as “Subject
Expert” in the Selection Committee of the Govt of Puducherry, Directorate of
Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy; under National Health Mission. She
recently received the Achiever’s Award for “Best Yoga Therapist 2016”. She has
been doing yeomen service for the past 15 years for the cause of senior citizens and
special children of Pondicherry.
Yogachemmal Shri G Dayanidy, MCA., M.Sc.,
Shri G Dayanidy is Lecturer of CYTER, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth
University. He completed M.Sc in Yoga through TN Physical
Education and Sports University and completed PG degrees
and diplomas in Yoga and Science. He is currently doing PG
Diploma in Yoga Therapy. He has been appointed as Examiner
for Quality Council of India (QCI) through Indian Yoga
Association, recognised by AYUSH, Central Ministry of Health, New Delhi in Sep
2016. He cleared CBSC National Eligibility Test exam in Yoga for assistant professor
grade conducted by UGC in Jan 2017. A student of Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga
Paramparya, he has been an integral part of the Tradition for over two decades. He
has trained hundreds of students under auspices of Pondicherry University as Yoga
Instructor cum Lecturer of Yoga courses in Community College and Yoganjali
Natyalayam. He served as Yoga Instructor at Advanced Center for Yoga Therapy,
Education and Research (ACYTER), JIPMER, Pondicherry from June 2009 – March
2016. He is Organising member for Swami Gitananda Best Youth and Child Award
competition and Pondicherry State Level Yogasana Competition conducted yearly
by Pondicherry Yogasana Association for past 11 years.
He is currently carrying on Research/Pilot Studies at CYTER, and published
scientific papers and abstracts in leading Journals. He received many awards such
as Yoga Chemmal, Yoga Sudar, Champion of Champions, Swami Gitananda Best
Youth, Dynamic Yoga Award, Best Yoga Asana Demonstration Award and Best
Karma Yogi Award. He has also won many prizes in the Yogasana competions.

32
YOGA: AN ANCIENT LIFE STYLE SUITABLE FOR MODERN MAN
Yogacharini Smt Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani 1
The word Yoga has firmly entrenched itself in the global vocabulary. From Pretoria
to Moscow, from Beijing to Rio de Janerio, mention the word “Yoga” and people’s
eyes light up with recognition and a dim awareness that Yoga is indeed something
of great value.
But what is the value of Yoga? And what values have become associated with this
ancient Sanskrit word? The majority believe Yoga is valuable because it cures or
prevents disease, making it a superb keep-fit exercise. Others will only value its
effectiveness in weight reduction. Some, a few, will concede that Yoga bestows
peace of mind and a feeling of wellbeing, even of increased energy levels. Of course
no one will deny that Yoga does indeed produce all these good things. But! This is
not and never has been the goal of Yoga. All these results are merely side benefits.
The real purpose of Yoga was, is and shall always be Moksha, liberation, the
achievement of the Highest Goal of Human Life, oneness with the Universal Self.
Yoga is a methodology developed over millennia of experimentation by the great
Rishis of India aimed at achieving the ultimate perfection of the human spirit. Yoga
transforms the lower animal nature to a human one, and the human nature to a
God-like Being, radiating Sat (Reality) Chit (Consciousness) and Anandam (Bliss).
Yoga is not a magic pill. It is not a technique, a trick, a convenient button which can
be pressed to accomplish a mundane goal. Yoga is a Way of Life, Yoga is the lifestyle
of the Rishis of India who “Saw Reality” and who were compassionate enough to
return to lower levels of consciousness to show a path to these less developed
themselves, enabling them to achieve the same pinnacle of unfoldment of spirit.
Yoga is a wholistic way of life that encompasses all aspects of human existence:
physical, mental, moral, ethical, emotional, material and spiritual. Yoga shows us
how the human incarnation may be lived according to Dharma, the Cosmic Law.
Yoga is a lifestyle evolved in hermitages of Rishis. Yet, it is pertinent even today. It
is a lifestyle rooted in restraint of animal impulses (Yama) and cultivation of
humane virtues (Niyama). It is discipline of body (Asana) and control of breath /
Prana (Pranayama). Yoga advocates conscious use (not misuse) of sensory organs
both Jnanendriyas as well as Karmendriyas (Pratyahara). It teaches correct use of mind
in a non-personal, objective, positive, directed manner (Dharana). All these aspects
of controlled living are woven into a natural, non-acquisitive, sensitive, simple,
regulated life style which is guided by the high ideas of Dharma and Moksha.
Yoga, that most popular modern word, is a sound like an atomic bomb, which when
penetrated deeply releases energy powerful enough to lift all its practitioners into
higher realms of consciousness, propelling the Jiva far, far beyond the puny
personality into the grand vision and life style of a true Universality.
Director and Ashram Acharya, International Centre for Yoga Education and Research, Ananda
Ashram, Pondicherry. www.icyer.com

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SPIRITUAL FACTOR IN HEALING
Professor KR Sethuraman MD, PGDHE 2
Healing in a holistic sense has faded from medical attention and is rarely discussed
in modern (“Western”) medicine especially in therapeutics. However, other
disciplines like medical anthropology, sociology, alternate systems of medicine,
and medical philosophy have continued an active contemplation of holistic healing.
To heal is to achieve or acquire wholeness as a person. The wholeness of
personhood involves physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual aspects
of human experience (Egnew, 2005).
It is perhaps difficult to quantify the relative importance of the various factors that
contribute to healing. It may vary depending on the kind of illness that is being
studied. Of the various factors that contribute to healing of illnesses in a
community, only 20% could be ascribed to rational treatment using medicines or
surgery. The remaining 80% is divided among three faith-based factors (White,
1988).
i) Placebo effect (faith in drugs or procedural interventions)
ii) Hawthorne effect (faith in a health care system, a facility or a
professional)
iii) Factor-X or “spiritual factor” (faith in oneself or in the supernatural)
The relative importance of these faith-based factors in holistic healing may be
debatable. However, there is no denying that these factors play an important part
in the recovery from illnesses.
In 1984, the 37th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution which made the
spiritual dimension an integral part of the WHO Member States’ strategies for
health. The definition of health has been revised as follows: “Health is a dynamic
state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity” (Khayat, 1998).
The definition of spirituality adopted by the Association of American Medical
Colleges (AAMC, 1999) is broad and secular: “Spirituality is expressed in an
individual’s search for the ultimate meaning through participation in religion
and/or belief in God, family, naturalism, rationalism, humanism, and the arts. The
concept of spirituality is found in all cultures and societies. All of these factors can
influence how patients and health care professionals perceive health and illness and
how they interact with one another.”
The “World Health Organization-Quality of Life – Spirituality, Religion and
Personal Beliefs Group” (WHO-QOL SRPB) conducted a study in 18 countries (n =
5087) that showed that spirituality, religion, and personal beliefs (SRPB) correlated
highly with all of the WHO-QOL domains (p<0.01). Women reported greater
feelings of spiritual connection and faith than men. Those with less education
reported greater faith but were less hopeful. It is suggested that SRPB should be
Vice Chancellor, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Pondicherry. www.sbvu.ac.in

34
more routinely addressed in the assessment of quality of life (WHO-QOL SRPB
Group, 2006). The role of spirituality to explain why people with epilepsy of
comparable severity differ widely in quality of life (QOL) assessment was explored.
The results revealed a significant contribution of spirituality to QOL in epilepsy
(Anna, et al., 2006).
A review by Rippentrop, et al, (2005) of spirituality in people with chronic pain
concluded that:
• many people with chronic pain use religious and spiritual beliefs and
activities to cope with pain;
• a relationship between religion/spirituality and various health outcomes
has been documented;
• there is a lack of research on potential mediators of the relation between
religion/spirituality and health in chronic-pain populations;
• well-designed spiritual or religious behavioural interventions for patients
with chronic pain are sparse.
Even life span seems to be influenced by a traditional belief system: a landmark
study reported in The Lancet examined the deaths of 28,169 adult Chinese-
Americans and 412,632 randomly selected matched controls from other ethnic
groups. Only the Chinese-Americans died significantly earlier, by 1.3 to 4.9 years,
if they had a combination of disease and birth-year which the Chinese consider “ill-
fated”. The more orthodox the study group, the more years of life were lost. This
seems to result at least partly from psychosomatic processes driven by their
traditional values and beliefs (Phillips, et al., 1993).
However, recent randomized trials and a meta-analysis on intercessory prayers
have shown no consistent results in favour of intercessory prayers (Aviles, et al.,
2001; Benson, et al., 2005; Masters, et al., 2006). In the clinical context, prayer should
not be specifically prescribed or seen as a substitute for rational medical treatment,
but should be recognized as an important element in the way patients face chronic
illness, suffering, and loss.
Physicians need to address and be attentive to all suffering of their patients –
physical, emotional, and spiritual. Doing so is part of the delivery of compassionate
care (Jantos & Kiat, 2007; Puchalski, 2001).

35
YOGA AS PLASTIC SURGERY
Professor Ramesh Bijlani3MD, DSc (Yoga)
Yoga is an instrument of change, a change that is radical, a change that is for the
better. It is a change that affects a person’s body, mind and intellect. It makes the
person physically fit, emotionally stable, and intellectually agile. At the culmination
of the process of change, the body, mind and intellect start working entirely in light
of the Divine that they manifest. So profound is the change brought about by yoga
that it is called transformation; using current jargon, one might call it a makeover,
a makeover achieved by plastic surgery.
If yoga is plastic surgery, who is the surgeon? Before answering that question, let
us see the steps in plastic surgery.
When a person thinks of undergoing the surgery, she knows she cannot do it
herself. Hence, she calls the surgeon. The surgeon responds. Then she encounters
resistance from within and without. She thinks of the huge expense involved and
develops cold feet. Her wise well-wishers ask her why she wants surgery at all; she
is good as she is, and in any case it is the inner beauty that matters. Her well-
informed friends tell her that the results of plastic surgery are never as good as
expected; moreover, infection is a grave risk and might leave a person uglier than
before. But so passionately does she want the surgery that she rejects all these
arguments, goes to the surgeon, and signs the informed consent form.
A seeker on the path of yoga also goes through similar steps. She knows she cannot
do it all by herself. Hence, she sends a call to the Divine. The Divine always
responds to every sincere call. A call to the Divine is called aspiration. Then she
encounters resistance from within and without. She cannot give up many things
that she is used to. She is tempted by so many things that deflect her from the path.
Her relationships and responsibilities try to hold her back. But if her aspiration is
intense, she rejects all these obstacles, and places herself in the hands of the Divine.
Submitting to the Divine is called surrender, and is like signing the informed
consent form. Neither placing oneself in the hands of a plastic surgeon, nor in those
of the Divine, is a passive process. In both cases, the process is active, and is
undertaken voluntarily after weighing the pros and cons. It is undertaken because
the person wants something that is beyond the reach of her personal efforts. Of
course, the person puts in some personal effort at every step, but the goal is reached
primarily due to the exceptional expertise of the one in whose hands the person has
placed herself. As Sri Aurobindo has said, yoga requires the “triple labour of
aspiration, rejection and surrender”. The aspiration should be “vigilant, constant,
unceasing”; to be rejected are “movements of the lower nature”; and the surrender
should be that of “oneself and all one is and has”.
Returning to the question about who to approach for the plastic surgery called
yoga, the answer is obvious: Dr. Divine, the Master Surgeon.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Delhi Branch, New Delhi 110 016. rambij@gmail.com

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ROLE OF YOGA IN ELDERLY POPULATION AND CHRONIC DISEASES
Prof. Madanmohan MD, DSc, FIAY4
Ageing is an unavoidable fact of life and some countries are greying very fast. In
India, elderly population was about 7 crore in 2000 and it is estimated to grow to
17 crore by 2030.
Majority of elderly above 60 suffer from chronic medical conditions and their
prevalence increases with age.
Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease (more common in men),
osteoarthritis (more common in women) and psychiatric problems are common
among the elderly.
Most common psychiatric disorder is depression followed by mild cognitive
impairment leading to dementia and Alzheimer's dementia. There is decrease in
cerebral blood flow, neurotransmitter release and brain weight associated with a
progressive decrease in intellectual abilities.
Stress, dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for
vascular changes and cognitive impairment.
The causes of age-related changes and chronic diseases are genetic programming,
psychological stress and cumulative burden of oxidative stress and inflammation.
DNA damage accumulates with age and there is preliminary evidence that
pranayam and meditation decrease oxidative DNA damage.
Decline in physiological functions and psychological stress contribute to the age-
related chronic diseases.
Normal age-related physiological changes are evident in metabolism, endocrine,
reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous and neuromuscular systems
whose functions decline as the age advances.
Functional decline results in poor homeostasis and vulnerability to disease.
There is age-related progressive decrease in exercise-induced maximum heart rate,
maximum oxygen consumption, vital capacity and handgrip strength and
endurance leading to increased fatigability and decreased productivity.
It may be noted that many functions (e.g. diffusing capacity of lungs for oxygen
and glomerular filtration rate) have substantial reserve capacity and hence, age-
related decline has no impact in these functions.
Decline in physiological functions is not only differential, but also modifiable.
Yoga is the best lifestyle ever designed that can play a significant role in improving
physiological functions and reducing age-related decline in these functions.
Honorary Emeritus Professor of Physiology and Yoga Therapy, MGMC & RI and CYTER, SBV.
drmadanmohan999@rediffmail.com

37
Chronic diseases claim more that 65% budget of our health care delivery system
and their incidence is increasing. Most of the patients are on life-long medical
treatment that imposes a great strain on the budget.
Allopathic drugs have side effects and many patients take drugs for more than one
condition. It is clear that modern medicine needs to be complemented and yoga is
ideal for enriching and ennobling modern medicine.
Although yoga is wonderful for promotion of health and prevention of disease, it
also has curative and rehabilitative potential.
Our body is a self-regulating and self-healing system.
By improving homeostasis and establishing balance, yoga helps one's healing
powers to regain and improve health.
For elderly and patients having chronic disease, simple yogic postures, pranayam
and meditation are ideal.
These elderly-friendly and patient-friendly techniques are easy to follow, slow
down ageing process, improve general health and quality of life and promote
healthy ageing by empowering elderly patients and providing them an opportunity
for self-improvement.
Easier to practice, they are beneficial, safe and have no harmful side effects. Some
elderly subjects and patients have difficulty in sitting on the ground.
They can do pranayam, dhyan and simple postures while sitting in a chair. Being
simple, they are easy to perform and have better adherence.
Elderly patients have problem with balance and gait and suffer frequent falls and
fractures which are leading cause of death in the elderly.
Yogic postures improve gait and balance in addition to flexibility and strength.
Elderly patients have problem in remembering sequence of the practice schedule
and need more frequent supervised yoga sessions and regular follow-up.
With inevitable physical ageing and age-related chronic diseases, the core issue is
to minimize functional decline and focus on improvement of mental and spiritual
health.
Culture and value system not only determine one's behaviour, but can also be a
crucial factor in patient-physician relationship.
Elderly patients in community homes can greatly benefit from group yoga and
group chanting sessions and achieve desirable mental and physical health.
In summary, ageing is inevitable but with yogic lifestyle, one can live longer,
healthier and productive life as one greys and achieve maximum lifespan potential
of 125 years as Rigved says "Bhooyashch sharadah shataat", i.e. may we enjoy
healthy life beyond hundred seasons.

38
LIVING A SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY LIFE THROUGH YOGA
Yogacharya Aravinda Koithyar 5 BE, MS, MTech, PhD
Abstract - The human beings in general, are ignorant about the all-pervading as well
as the indwelling self, and the reasons for this particular ignorance are: the
identification with the body and the name, and the social conditioning about the
general purpose of life, which is mostly materialistic. Thus, the common people are
lacking health in all the three domains – physical, mental and spiritual. The
meaning of spiritual health is self-realization, and in addition, the true appreciation
about life as the gift of nature or God. But, as the humans are ignorant about the
true nature of life, they are in general ignorant about the plan of the consciousness
that is prevalent during the process of evolution of living bodies and the senses.
This plan is discussed in this article, and later on, the classical definitions of yoga
are dealt with, so as to understand the nature of the spirit or the self. The article
concludes with the discussion on spiritual practices that are desired for self-
realization, instead of the religious practices that are followed all over.
Introduction
Right from the ancient ages, ever since the quest started in the human beings for
the reasons of life and existence, there have been revelations through many saints
and sages all over the world, that the universe is filled with the divine
consciousness, and the consciousness is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient,
which in general terms is called as God. Anything and everything that exists in the
universe is created because of the will and the action of this divine consciousness.
The rshis born in the land of Bharatha were the earliest ones to declare and describe
this fact, in an elaborate fashion, which came out as many Vedic sentences, and one
of those famous sentences is – Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma | (All this indeed is the
consciousness).
If this basic fact is comprehended, then the common assumption of people, thinking
about God existing above, and a personified existence that is keeping account of
everyone’s virtues and vices, and punishing or rewarding accordingly, would
prove to be false. Such belief came out of religious approach, which made the senses
to move outwards, and to involve in the practices of self-gratification. But the
people who are involved in the practice of yoga truly know that everything is stored
in one’s memory, and the true purpose of yoga, according to the definition given
by Pathanjali, is to annihilate this process of storage and recall, and to realize the
self that put this process first in place, and created an illusion that the doer is made
to think that he/she is the one who is doing, and the freedom is mistaken as
freewill. (Yogash chiththavrththi nirodhah - Yogasoothra 1-2).
This process of self-realization requires the state of egolessness, which again
requires that the aspirant has to reach to the very source of ego, and hence, it
Shreyas Centre for Yoga, Bengaluru, India. aravindake@gmail.com

39
becomes necessary for oneself to become fit for such initiation and practice, in order
to understand the Vedic sentence mentioned earlier.
But the people all over the world, in general, are not involved in such pursuit,
unless they are part of such culture or quest. Therefore, the ones who do not involve
themselves in such spiritual or yogic practices gradually tend to involve in more of
materialistic pursuit and continuous material accumulation, and ego gratification
thereby. Involvement in excessive materialism leads to the contact with the six
enemies: lust, wrath, greed, infatuation, vanity and jealousy (kama, krodha, lobha,
moha, mada, mathsara). If not taken care, this in turn leads further to eight types of
arrogances: money, knowledge, caste, appearance, youth, strength, family, power
(dhanamada, vidyamada, kulamada, roopamada, youvanamada, balamada, parivaramada,
adhikaramada). Thus the personality gradually becomes fully selfish, with corrupted
memory, which in turn leads to loss of mental and spiritual health. Such afflicted
persons cause problems for themselves as well as for the society in general, and
funnily, people seek the help of God for solutions, for the problems created by
them.
The reasons for such harmful effects on the society are mainly two: i) the illusion
created by the creator, ii) the illusion created by the created humans. When the
sensory and motor organs in the human body start working efficiently, the ego in
the awakened state identifies itself with the body, and later on, with the name that
is used for recognizing the body. Identification with the body is the Maya that is
naturally present with all the moving beings, which is required for the consumption
of food and for the sustenance of the physical body. It is not required with the non-
moving life forms, such as plants and trees, as they don’t have mouth, and they
need not search for food. For the same reason, there is brain imparted and pain
programmed with the moving beings, and the brain and pain are absent with the
non-moving living beings. But as far as the human beings are concerned, as they
are more evolved than the other beings, with more number of senses and with the
additional ability of verbal communication, the identification with the body is
present in much larger proportion than the other beings. Hence, in the normal
course of life, the ego does not put any effort to understand its true nature, as the
senses are programmed to be used for the external activities, and the social
conditioning has programmed the human brains in terms of more and more of
material achievement. As the sensory efforts are utilized mostly in the wrong
direction, the overall health is lost, with individuals as well as with groups. And
paradoxically, the search for health and its maintenance itself has become a big
industry.
Health and its types
The general observation of life in nature leads to the conclusion that the human
beings are the ones who are suffering the most. In the context of the modern society,
there is a general opinion that more and more of medicines and hospitals yields
more and more of health. But this is a grossly misunderstood fact, as there are
innumerable life forms on earth as well as in water, for which there are no medical
facilities, and in contrast, health is an inherent property of the body by birth, in
general. The medical facilities are only the remedial measures for the loss of health

40
when it occurs, and they are not required for the general maintenance of health.
The types of health and their characteristics are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1: Characteristics of health
Health Its purpose Its outcome
Physical Working ability Easeful body
Mental Pure memory Peaceful mind
Spiritual Self-realization Useful soul
Physical health is measured in terms of the working ability of the body, for which,
the body should keep working always. With the modern human beings, the body
is made to work less, and the brain is made to work more, and in turn, due to the
sedentary lifestyle as well as due to the consumption of unnatural food, the
working ability of the body gets lost.
Mental health is measured in terms of the purity of memory, and if the memory is
utilized for selfish reasons as mentioned earlier, more and more of materialistic
attitude leads to more and more of comparisons, leading to the loss of peace of
mind. It is observed in general that, any treatment given to the brain does not make
the insane person sane, as the brain is the tool of the mind, and if the memory is
unclean, then there is no point in treating the brain.
Spiritual health is measured in terms of the realization of the self, and as it is lacking
in the majority of the human population, there is suffering caused to oneself and to
others. Even though this realization is absent with the other living beings, which is
due to Maya, the other living beings have not taken ownership over nature and
planet, and they have not caused pollution of the outer as well as inner spaces.
Thus, the unrealized and the intellectually developed human beings, due to their
increasing number every year, are causing overall trouble to nature, and therefore,
there is an urgent need of self-realization. Otherwise, the mass suffers due to the
problems caused by the mass itself, and many innocent weak ones suffer due to
some ignorant powerful ones (Andhenaiva neeyamana yathandhaH - Eeshavasya
upanishath).
Biological evolution
Human body is made up of billions of cells, with large varieties and functionalities.
But these cells have no sense organs, and they only have the abilities of nutrient
intake, synthesis of required matter within them, and release of that required
matter to the environment outside, along with the expulsion of the non-utilized
waste matter. Therefore, the living cells work as tiny factories, and they have
consciousness as well as intelligence within them. In addition, all the other living
organisms, whether moving or non-moving (Sthavara, Jangama), are all made up of
different varieties of living cells. Thus, it can be concluded that the living cells are

41
the first ones produced in nature as a package of life, without any sensory or motor
organs, and with primitive functionalities, and these cells are created by the
combination of the inorganic non-living materials. Therefore, the omnipresent
consciousness divided itself into infinite minute fractional consciousnesses
(Bahusyam prajayeyethi - Chandogya upanishath).
In the beginning, with the combination of plant cells, the plant bodies get created.
The cells do not have any sense, but the plant is provided with the sense of touch,
because of the requirement of root growth towards water, and of leaf growth
towards sunlight. Thus, all the plants and trees have the sense of touch, which is
physically evident in the case of touch-me-not and drosera plants, and is less
evident in the case of creepers, and lesser evident with the other plant species. Over
a very long period of earthly time, the grass evolves into a plant with stem and
branches, and the plant gradually evolves into a tree, with flowers, fruits and seeds.
The purpose is the propagation of the non-moving life form into the other areas, by
the indirect movement of the seeds, through the moving life forms. And the
prompting for the moving life forms for such activity is the food that is present in
the form of fruits and vegetables.
As far as the moving life forms are concerned, the worms contain the sense of touch,
with an additional sense of taste. The worms get born in the organic matter, and as
they are blind (as the sense of sight is not yet evolved), there is no need of beauty
in the body, and the movement gets accomplished by means of the dragging of the
body. The surrounding matter itself is the food for the mouth, and the excrement
goes back as loose matter back to the surroundings, to enhance the growth of the
non-moving life forms. Similarly, at other parts of nature, other types of worms are
created, some with the purpose of disposal of decaying matter, and some with the
bigger purpose of metamorphosis.
The worm’s body evolves further, into the body of fish in water, and into the body
of snake as well as insect, on earth. To impart a larger amount of freedom for the
bodily movement, the fish is provided with the sense of sight, and the snake and
insect are provided with the senses of sight and smell. As the general purpose of
the insect is to enhance the process of cross pollination, which is required to
produce diversity in life forms, the insect is provided with the sense of smell, in
order to detect the flowers that have bloomed. The food for the insect is provided
inside the flower, and the insect is provided with wings to fly. Further, in order to
have diversity in reproduction of the moving species, both the fish and the insect
are created with varied shapes and colors of the body, with male and female
differentiation, in order to recognize each other. Same things apply for the body of
the snake, and it is utilized to gain a control over the uncontrolled multiplication of
the other moving creatures (Jeevo jeevasya jeevanam | - Bhagavatham).
Metamorphosis is one magical phenomenon that is put in place by the grand
magician. Another magical phenomenon is the creation of amphibians, where the
body gets initially produced in water, and gradually gets adapted to move on land.
The same body further evolves into reptiles, and the method of reproduction is
planned by means of imparting an ability of internal fertilization, wherein the life-
creating fluid is enclosed inside an egg. In due time, the egg is ejected out of the
female body, and due to the external temperature, the fluid inside the egg

42
transforms into a lively moving body, with an additional sense added, that is, of
hearing.
The sense of hearing became necessary for the process of verbal communication,
which was required in between the parents and the offspring, because of the
dependency of the younger bodies on the older ones. Thus, the concept of family
gets implemented in nature, and this concept is enhanced further, through the
creation of birds and mammals, the former capable of flying, and the latter capable
of running, and both being capable of a better verbal communication. In this way,
the five sensory organs and the necessary motor organs obtain their place in the
physical bodies, in the grand play of physical evolution on this earth. In case of
birds, the front legs of the reptiles develop into wings, and in the case of apes, the
front legs are turned into hands.
In the case of birds, the method of reproduction remains the same as that of reptiles,
with an additional programming of incubation, whereas in the case of mammals,
the embryo is planned to be developed inside the womb itself. When the body’s
basic construction gets completed, the body is delivered out of the uterus, in due
time. Later on, the child is dependent on its mother for its food, which is planned
to be produced in the breast of the mother. The human beings are the evolved form
of apes, and hence, there are no additional sense organs imparted. Thus, in the
continuous course of nature, the living cell, which has no sense organs, reproduces
another cell, just by its own body’s division. The other living bodies, which are
made up of enormous amount of living cells, reproduce by means of seeds, fluids,
eggs and uterus (jeevaja, udbhijja, swedaja, andaja, jarayuja). These details are
summarized in Table 2.
Table 2: Inclusion of senses during evolution
Life forms Sense Birth
Plants, Trees Touch Seeds
Worms Taste Fluids
Fishes Sight Fluids
Insects, Snakes Smell Eggs
Reptiles, Birds, Mammals Hearing Uterus
The human beings are different from the other living beings in terms of the
increased intellect and the improved skills. Therefore, it is high time that, the
human beings should understand their role in this grand play of evolution, in
which, their bodies and minds are utilized as the tools for the betterment of life,
and they have no power or freedom to alter the divine will. They should not forget
the fact that they are being watched all the time by the almighty divine pure
consciousness, (Sahasrasheersha purushaH | SahasrakshaH sahasrapath | -
Purushasooktham), and their memory is being utilized for the storage of all the
impressions that are formed because of their own actions. Hence, the process of

43
yoga and its knowledge becomes very important, if evolution has to happen in
nature further. Otherwise, the increase in intellect will be leading to dissolution,
because of the reasons that are mentioned earlier.
Definitions of yoga
Yoga according to Pathanjali’s definition is already dealt with, in the introduction.
Therefore, the other classical definitions of yoga are being explored hereby. The
yogavasishta defines thus - ManaH prashamanopayaH yoga ithyabhidheeyathe | (yoga
is the strategy to make the mind pacified). With the normal human beings, the
conscious mind becomes inactive during deep sleep, and it is active otherwise. The
state of deep sleep is the state of egolessness; but as soon as the person wakes up,
ego gets formed, and the identification turns towards the body. As long as there is
a differential thinking of “me” and “mine”, there exists a comparison of the self
with the others, and the willingness to have that which others have, which the
person does not have, causes the mind to become disturbed. The solution for this
problem is to attain the state of egolessness through meditation, and to maintain
that state. (Abhedadarshanam jnanam dhyanam nirvishayam manaH - Maithreyee
upanishath). When the mind becomes objectless, the mind gets pacified, and yoga is
attained.
In the Bhagavadgeetha, there are two definitions of yoga - Samathwam yoga uchyathe
|, and, YogaH karmasu koushalam |, meaning, “equanimity is yoga”, and,
“skillfulness in actions is yoga”. The general notion, that the process of yoga leads
the aspirant into dispassion, proves to be wrong with these definitions. These
definitions indicate that the self-realized person will not relinquish the worldly
activities, and instead will become a part of the accelerated mental evolution, and
gets involved in helping others for attaining the same goal. For this reason, all the
eighteen chapters of the Bhagavadgeetha are differently named as yoga.
Vishnupuranam defines yoga as the feeling of oneness with the knower of the body,
the absolute self. Yogayajnavalkya defines yoga as the union of the living self
(Jeevathma) with the absolute self (Paramathma). Vyasa’s commentary on
yogasoothra mentions yoga and Samadhi as synonymous, because, the meaning of
Samadhi is, (sam+a+adhi) = (with and into the higher one). When such state was
attained by the rshis, the four famous Vedic sentences were gradually revealed:
Aham brahmasmi (I am God), Thaththwamasi (You are that), Ayamathma brahma (This
soul is God), and, Prajnanam brahma (The ultimate knowledge is God). In
Yogatharavalee, such state is called as Rajayoga, the one that is beyond the
awakened, dreaming and sleeping states, and the one that is neither living nor
dead. Attaining such state is the true purpose of any aspirant of yoga.
Therefore, the term yoga, even though is present in the Samskrtha language, is
applicable to any human being anywhere in the world, who is fit for mental
evolution, and who aspires to attain the supreme state. We have different religions
all over the world, because of the different masters who guided people in those
regions, at different time zones. They were all very much needed at those times, to
guide the uncultured barbarians to be groomed into culture, and to develop faith

44
on the divine. The religious practices can certainly provide a certain amount of
discipline, and can enhance the personal faith in the omnipresent consciousness.
But, as of now, as many religious faiths have disputes among themselves, the need
of the hour is that, all those religions should have a common goal of human uplift
for self-realization. This process requires the maximization of the inner rituals, and
the minimization of the outer rituals. Instead of trying to please an external
unknown god, and being unsure of the results lifelong, it is required that, let the
sensory processing of information be arrested, and let the omnipresent God be
realized. Only then, the human beings can realize that they are part of the creator,
and only then, they can live a spiritually healthy life.
References
[1] The Veda by anonymous rshis
[2] The Bhagavadgeetha by Brahmarshi Vedavyasa
[3] The Brahmasoothra by Brahmarshi Vedavyasa
[4] Yogadarshana by Maharshi Pathanjali
[5] Athmabodha by Adi Shankaracharya
[6] Aparokshanubhoothi by Adi Shankaracharya
[7] Prabodhasudhakara by Adi Shankaracharya
[8] Vivekachoodamani by Adi Shankaracharya
[9] Upadeshasahasree by Adi Shankaracharya
[10] Chanakyaneethi by Vishnuguptha
[11] Yogavasishta by anonymous yogi
[12] Hatayogapradeepika by Swathmarama
[13] Gherandasamhitha by Maharshi Gheranda
[14] Shivasamhitha by anonymous yogi
[15] Ashtavakrageetha by anonymous yogi
[16] Avadhoothageetha by anonymous yogi
[17] Panchadashee by Maharshi Vidyaranya
[18] Shathakathraya by Bharthrhari
[19] Yogayajnavalkya by anonymous yogi
[20] Tharkasangraha by Annambhatta
[21] Paramavidya by Aravinda K.

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VEDIC CHANTING IN YOGA THERAPY
Mrs Evelyn Einhaeuser 6
Chanting is one of the most potent tools of Yoga Therapy and encompasses a huge
spectrum of potential usage that reaches from very gross to very subtle layers.
In the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar, a typical Yoga
Therapy practice therefore almost always contains mantras.
When applied on the gross level, chanting can for example support people with
speaking or breathing difficulties.
The regular practice of chanting elongates the exhalation and helps with the
lengthening and relaxing of irregular or constricted breathing or speech patterns.
Also some of the sounds such as the “Ha” sound of the Sanskrit alphabet are
referred to as ‘Maha Prana’, which means that they need a certain strength to be
produced and are pronounced in a manner that contracts the abdomen.
In that way the circulation is increased, more energy is generated and the digestion
gets stimulated.
Another very important part of chanting is the idea of hearing your own voice. In
an era where we are so strongly bombarded by ideas, opinions and concepts of
other people and the modern media, many care seekers have lost their connection
to their own inner voice, their own needs, dreams and hopes.
This results not just metaphorically in a ‘weak voice’ and expression. Often times
when people hear themselves chanting for the first time, they feel awkward and
embarrassed and at the same time incredibly empowered to have a space in which
their voice is heard.
Over time this can lead to increased self-confidence and the courage to speak out
and up for oneself.
But the most important effect of mantras is their power to influence and change
deeper internal structures.
The great Yoga master Krishnamacharya referred to the practice with mantras as
‘sagarbha’, as pregnant with potency and life force. This concept stems from the
Vedas because mantras are seen as the only tool that is able to actually create
‘prana’, energy.
As all of the old sciences worked more with the energy behind matter than the
physical depiction thereof, all Yoga practices were traditionally practiced with
mantras.
Samkhya philosophy, a Vedic philosophy that is closely connected and linked to
Yoga, refers to sound as the most fundamental structure of creation and that very
element which is able to influence all other elements and thus matter.
This understanding is so helpful because we are often stuck in behavioural and
Yoga and Vedic Chant Teacher, KHYF, Chennai. www.khyf.net

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mental patterns that are very hard to change on a conscious level and many of our
diseases are directly correlated to negative mental and lifestyle patterns.
With chanting we have the possibility to work deeper and reach even our
unconscious imprints.
Positive change can thus be achieved.
It is one of the reasons why the great sage Patanjali proposes the repetition of
mantras as an efficient tool to quiet the mind in the most prominent source of Yoga
Philosophy, the Yoga Sutras (1.28-1.29).
Originally all of the Vedic mantras were received by the Rishis, the great seers, in a
state of deep meditation and absorption and therefore reflect the vibrational quality
of that state of connectedness.
If we look at the Sanskrit term for disease, it is named as ‘vyadhi’, meaning a
disconnection from the Self.
The process of Vedic Chanting is referred to as the antidote, ‘adhyayanam’, which
translates to ‘a journey back to the Self’.
Through our chanting we can therefore increase our own connection to our higher
self, which helps us process forward in the direction of health.
The Vedas offer a wide range of chants for every disease or circumstance, from
chants that can help calm a stressed mind or someone with burnout, over chants
that can increase zeal and energy to protective chants and even some that can help
a woman conceive.
Mantras are therefore still an incredibly potent tool to support all care seekers on
their self-empowered path of healing.

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Souvenir of the International Day of Yoga 2017 organised by CYTER, Pondicherry.

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