Americans gaga over Yoga except the shallow, ritualistic SYSSR of chakras, catches and cures

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'Gaga over Yoga'

Hindustan Times (Editorial by Meeta Chaitanya)

 

ATLANTA, Georgia, USA (August 1, 2006): America's fascination with

Yoga is anything but superficial. In fact, a few months back, we had

seen how this appeal had found its way into the consciousness of

even the most peripheral cross-section here.

 

As the trend grows and wins over many enthusiasts, Atlanta, along

with many other cities in the United States continues to play host

to several renowned propagators of this ancient practice.

 

In this context of Yoga's bulging popularity, Sri Swami

Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj's visit to Georgia as a part of his sojourn

in the continent assumes great significance.

 

Equally educative for dabblers as also advanced learners, this world-

renowned yoga master's advent, albeit for a brief period is being

hailed with gusto.

 

Swami Adhyatmananda of the Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad is a

distinguished Yoga teacher in the Divine Life Society tradition,

working for the most part in Gujarat, India.

 

Currently on tour in America, he kicked off the excursion in Chicago

on June 9, 2006.

 

After spending time in nearly half a dozen other cities in the US

and Canada, he is now in Atlanta to impart his teachings to zealous

practitioners here.

 

The Swami is conducting a series of classes from July 28-31, 2006.

These classes, unlike many regular metro gigs and workshops are free

and open to all.

 

Held as a bi-part series the morning classes are being organized at

the Indian American Cultural Association, Smyrna while the evening

classes are being conducted at the Global Mall, Norcross.

 

Practiced for over 5,000 years, Yoga has won many fans across all

sections of society in India and abroad.

 

Men and women across age groups here too have excitedly embraced

this workshop, which just goes to endorse the fact that the spurt in

this Indian practice's patronage is indeed meteoric.

 

Scores of fitness centres in this area have started including Yoga

in their course curriculum to accommodate the growing demand for

this discipline.

 

This particular format does not require cataclysmic change of

lifestyle, faith or religion and yet it promises to improve one's

sense of general well-being.

 

A disciple of HH Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, Adhyatmanandaji has

continued to enthral audiences with a singular combination of

insightful knowledge and charisma.

 

Universally regarded as a dynamic yogi, he is known to posses a

mesmeric personality.

 

Inspiring confidence in even the most stoic of skeptics he has gone

from milestone to milestone in emitting and conferring upon his

audiences the timeless kernels of wisdom ingrained in the practice

of Yoga and meditation.

 

It isn't surprising therefore that he is fast becoming one of the

most sought after speakers globally.

 

A qualified Yogacharya, he has to his credit more than 600 yoga

shibirs or camps in India and abroad for a slew of audiences such as

universities, private sector companies and free-for-all camps.

 

An exponent of Hatha Yoga, Adhyatmananda has been an expert in

Yogasanas, Pranayama and relaxation techniques for over 25 years. He

has also authored a series of articles on the medical benefits of

Yoga.

 

The Atlanta camp, open to all in essence, does require tacit

adherence to certain basic tenets of 'Yoga Gyan', such as

disciplined and punctual attendance and practice of some fundamental

principles as being on a minimal fat diet that contains plenty of

fresh vegetables and fruits, abstinence from fried food, oil, butter

and ghee and a general sense of finding peace within oneself before

committing to the sessions.

 

Basic Yoga programs do not require special physical agility,

knowledge or experience and are therefore extremely alluring for the

uninitiated.

 

While it has been sold variously as an infallible mantra to achieve

unity of mind, body and soul and alleviation of almost all physical

ailments, its day-to-day benefits for all are probably the most

significant part of its pervasive appeal.

 

Aside from the piquant interest that Yoga aficionados have espoused

over the years, its resuscitation as a practice open to all has made

it even more endearing and endurable.

 

Like many other hidden gems of wisdom it could have been curtailed

as an esoteric art reserved for the privileged few.

 

Instead, it has become a healthy, holistic, permeable and flexible

way of life, for one, for all.

 

'Gaga over Yoga'

SOURCE: Hindustan Times. Indians Abroad. Gaga over Yoga

ATLANTA DIARY | Meeta Chaitanya August 1, 2006

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5967_1758034,001600060011.htm