Actress
Elli Avram, Olympian Swimmer and Arjuna Awardee RehanPoncha, join Vice
Chancellor Dr. RajanWelukar and Kaivalyadham chairperson SubodhTiwari in
lighting the lamp and beginning celebrations, and give an inspiring talk to the
students of the Mumbai University based on their own practice.
Mumbai,
June 21, 2015: Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institution, India’s oldest institute of yoga
(est.1917), today joined celebrations of the International Day of Yoga as
declared by the United Nations with a goal to respect the essence of the
practice and promote its principles, with practice sessions for new and
experienced yoga students across the city.
8
times national swimming champion, Arjuna Awardee and Olympian swimmer
RehanPoncha, one of India’s finest athletes, was guest of honour at the event
along with actor Elli Avram, who is an ardent yoga practitioner. The two joined
Vice Chancellor Dr. RajanWelukar and Kaivalyadham chairperson SubodhTiwari in
lighting the lamp and beginning celebrations. An inspiring address to the
students by each of the guests had students very motivated towards a daily,
disciplined practice.
Said
Dr. Tiwari, “Kaivalyadham is a pioneering institute in research, training and
therapy in Yoga. Yoga is India’s cultural heritage and through these
celebrations, we hope to encourage individuals to be more aware of one’s own
self at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. Through this day
we ignite the flame of Yoga in the hearts of many, those who have not yet
experienced the bliss of practice.”
RehanPoncha
said, “In competitive sport both flexibility and strength is needed – mentally
and physically. A regular practice of yoga can provide the foundation for both,
and must be encouraged. A lot of university and international athletics
programmes have embraced Yoga as part of their regular curriculum and this is
something India has gifted the world.”
Elli
Avram added, “I have always had an athletic background, and was a professional
figure skater before entering Bollywood. Since I came to India, I have been
practicing Yoga and would recommend it to every single person. It is a very
effective way to sculpt the body, build flexibility and gain mental
strength.”
The
celebrations across the city had two components:
Practice of Asana, Pranayama
and Dharana:
This segment included the practice of selected asanas for general health,
well-being and self awareness together with simple pranayama and concentration
of the mind. This module has been developed by the Ministry of AYUSH, in
consultation with all the Yoga institutes in the country.
Understanding the philosophy:
This segment
focuses on the philosophy of Yoga, its understanding and experience. This
discussion will be with experts from the field, who can make it relevant for
the participant in today’s perspective.
In
addition to the University of Mumbai, Kailvayadham organized practice sessions
of both components of the celebration across 20 locations in the city
including:
• Kaivalyadhama ICYHC, Marine
Drive – open for all
• Tata Institute of Fundamental
Research (TIFR), Navy Nagar – for staff and family
• Indian Posts, GPO, Fort – for
staff and family
• Cricket Club of India (CCI), Brabourne
Stadium – for members
• Bombay Electrical Supply and
Transportation (BEST), DindoshiMarg – for staff and family
• Mumbai Prison, Byculla, – for
prisoners and staff
• State Reserve Police Force
(SRPF), Goregaon – for staff
• Tata Group of companies – for
staff and family
• Indian Coast Guard – for
staff and family
• Central Railways – for staff
and family
• Western Railways – for staff
and family
• Maharashtra Industrial
Development Corporation (MIDC), Thane – for staff and family
• SNDT Women’s University,
Churchgate – for students and staff
• Indian Navy, Navy Nagar – for
staff and family
• King Edward Memorial (KEM)
Hospital, Parel – for staff and patients
• LalBaug Cha Raja – for
members and family
• Raj Bhavan, Governer’s House
– for staff and family
• University of Mumbai, Kalina
indoor stadium – open for all.
