- Tuesday, March 04, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
The sixth and penultimate day of the International Yoga Festival (IYF) at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand on Monday (13) saw a series of activities ranging from yoga sessions, meditation classes and cultural events.
The day saw participants from several nations visiting the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, popularly called the Beatles Ashram, in Rishikesh. Saint Maharishi Mahesh Yogi once lived, practiced and taught Transcendental Meditation at the ashram which was also home to The Beatles for sometime.
During the visit, the participants were blessed by His Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, president of Niketan Ashram, and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, director of the IYF. They also took pledge for environmental protection and climate action under the duo’s guidance. Two rudraksh saplings were planted by HH Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji along with members of the global IYF family. The group of Israeli musician Gil Ron Shama from Israel and Yemen, which was present on the occasion, sang songs and played instruments.
Earlier in the day, Dr Indu Sharma, a senior Parmarth Yogacharya, took a session on Hatha Yoga — Chakra Alignment.
Erica Kaufman, founder of Lila Yoga, a philosophy in motion — a meditation in motion, taught Lila Yoga Sun Salutations with five morning mantras. It was followed by a class on Dynamic Heart Centered Meditation at the Yoga Tent taught by Saul David Raye of California — a renowned evolutionary teacher, healer, and spiritual activist. His method of teaching is an act of meditation with an emphasis on opening and healing the heart.
Dr Andréa Paige, one of the world’s leading experts on long-term fasting for cleansing and health and Nada Yoga, took a session titled “To Be Human: White Tantra & Nada Yoga”.
“White Tantra” means to expand one’s energy as positive vibrations.
Gumi & Arindam concluded the first part of the day’s activities with the Sunrise Nāda Yoga on the Aarti Ghat.
Brajesh Pathak, the deputy chief minister of the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh, also visited the festival during the day and was blessed by Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji who also presented him a rudraskh sapling.
After breakfast, participants geared up for much-awaited sessions on Chakras, Bhakti and Yoga conducted by world-class Yoga instructors and gurus.
Mohan Bhandari of Yogic Yoga, China, explained how Yoga is helpful for enhancing immunity.
Katie B Happyy, a yoga master, tried to assist participants find their true calling in her workshop titled “I am Infinitely Possible: A Journal Workshop on Finding Your Purpose”.
After lunch, a session by Dr Raghavan Ramankutty & Mrs. Sarada Raghavan of DATHATHREYA AYURVEDA, Kerala conducted a very informative session on “Healing Long-COVID Symptoms: Ayurvedic Clinical Potentiality”.
Sadhvi Abha Saraswatiji of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, an avid teacher of yoga and vedic chanting explained the importance of Yoga Nidra and how It allows one to scan the body and tap into a state of relaxed consciousness as the mind settles in a place between wakefulness and sleep.
Mansi Gulati, an international yogi and face yoga expert, shed light on “Face Yoga for Anti-Ageing” to stimulate muscles, skin and alleviate tension, stress and worry.
Kal Prakashini ji of the Akhanda Yoga Institute in Rishikesh, conducted a session on “Yoga Nidra for Ancestral Healing and Self Forgiveness” where participants were asked to access “that space within”: to self-heal and forgive.
María Alejandra Avcharian of Uruguay, an ayurvedic medicine therapist and plastic artist, talked about “Doshas: Vata , Pitta and Kapha” which form the basis of Naturopathy and Yoga.
After a brief recess, the participants headed to the Aarti Ghat for the “Bharat Darshan” organised in partnership with the North Central Zone Culture Centre, India’s culture ministry.
They performed Brij ki holi to celebrate the eternal and divine love of god Radha and Lord Krishna, Charkula — a dance performed in the Braj region of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
Sri Mayaram Dhuve from Madhya Pradesh played a special musical instrument Gudumb Baja. Sri Manoj Jale from the state of Haryana also presented a special performance based on the vibrant folk culture of Haryana.
The penultimate day of the IYF concluded with a yagna and Ganga Aarti.
