PYA Annual Report 2005-06

February 18, 2006

PONDICHERRY YOGASANA ASSOCIATION ® Affiliated to the Indian Yoga Federation (Kolkata and Hyderabad) and Recognised by International Yoga Federation (South America), International Council for Yoga Sport (New Delhi and South America) and Asian Union of Yoga (New Delhi). Website: www.geocities.com/yognat2001/p_y_a 25, 2nd Cross, Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-13 Tel: +91-413-2241561 E-mail: yognat2001 (or) abb ANNUAL REPORT 2005 – 2006 I) EVENTS ORGANISED BY PYA: · 20th PONDICHERRY STATE & 2nd TAMIL NADU STATE YOGA SPORT CHAMPIONSHIP 2005 The logistics of the event were staggering: more than

800 contestants ranging in age from three to 78 years, representing every nook and cranny of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry; 200 separate competitive events in six age categories; 600 medals and 1200 merit prizes awarded; four competitions held simultaneously on four different stages from 8 am to 10 pm on August 14; prize distribution within two hours of the event’s completions. A large auditorium hall buzzing with the excited, happy chattering of hundreds of children and adults alike. These were the spectacular circumstances of the 20th Pondicherry State and 2nd Tamil Nadu State Yoga Sport Championship staged August 13, 14 and 15th in Pondicherry. The event was masterfully directed by Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, General Secretary,

Pondicherry Yogasana Association, assisted by a team of volunteers, in collaboration with Yoganjali Natyalayam, and its Director Yogacharini Smt Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani. The smooth flowing three-day event, which also celebrated the 99th Jayanthi of world famous Ashtanga Yoga Guru Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri was a glowing testament to the dictum: “Yoga is Skill in Action”. “Yoga Sport is the best physical activity for the youth of our country. It needs virtually no infrastructure or expensive equipment unlike other “rich men’s sports” such as cricket, football, tennis, hockey etc. Hence, it is easily accessible to the common man. Yoga Sports competitions act as a catalyst in stimulating youth to take up a holistic practice of Yoga. Yoga has been

scientifically proven to be of great physical, mental and emotional benefit. Yoga is a “preventive science”. It not only “prevents disease” but also “prevents” many emotional, psychological and social problems. If our youth take up its practice, the family, the community and the nation can save great man-power and money-power, which is otherwise pumped into the health (disease!) industry”. With these words Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, General Secretary, PYA welcomed the nearly 1000 participants, coaches, Yoga experts, juries and invitees to the inauguration of the 20th Pondicherry state and 2nd Tamil Nadu State Yoga Sport Championship 2005 and 99th Jayanthi of Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj held from 13th to 15th August 2005 at Pondicherry , South India. Thirty teams from all over Tamil Nadu including Neyveli, Tanjore, Trichy, Erode, Coimbatore, Chennai, Madurai, Karur, Vilupuram, Cuddalore and Chidambaram as well as wide areas of Pondicherry attended the championship in full strength. More than 200 competitions were held for the participants from 8 am to 10 pm on the 14th August in six categories of Yoga Asanas: common group, forward bending, hand balancing, twisting, standing and back bending events. 600 medals and 1200 merit certificates were awarded for male and female categories separately in six different age groups. Winners of the Yoga Championship Awards 2005 were D Venkatesan (Under 16 -Pondicherry male), R Balaji (Above 16 - Pondicherry

male), R Sruthi (Under 16 -Pondicherry female), P Ramadoss (Above 16 – Tamil Nadu male), S Yuva Raj (Under 16 –Tamil Nadu male) and J Amsa Priya (Below 16 – Tamil Nadu female). A Special Championship Prize was awarded to D Parameswaran of Chennai for his outstanding performance in various events. As part of the inauguration, the 99th Jayanthi of Yogamaharishi Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj was celebrated on 13th August 2005 with a spectacular dance drama, “ JAYADEVA’S DASAVATHARA” that was premiered by Yoganjali Natyalayam. Kalaimamani Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani directed this unique production featuring acrobatic Natya Karanas and original choreography with the assistance of Dr. Ananda Balayogi

Bhavanani and Smt. Devasena Bhavanani. Thiru R. SIVA MLA Orleanpet Constituency inaugurated the 20th Yoga Sport Championship in the presence of Thiru M Ramalingam (Retd SP), Administrative Officer, Pondicherry State Sports Council; Dr Asana R Andiappan, President, Tamil Nadu State Yogasana Association and Dr S Viswanathan, Director Yoga Centre, Annamalai University. Dr Nalini Devi of Gitananda Yoga Alayam - Spain and Kalaimamani E Pattabiraman, the well known Tamil poet, were special guests of the evening on August 13. Dr Asana R Andiappan, President of Tamil Nadu State Yogasana Association was felicitated on the occasion on being awarded the PATANJALI AWARD 2005 as well as for being nominated as Vice President of the CCRYN, Ministry of Health, Govt of India, New Delhi. “YOGA CHEMMAL” Awards were presented to Shri C Shanmugam, Shri Sendil Kumar and Shri O Gangadharan of Pondicherry and Shri TA Krishnan, Shri Anthony Yesudas and Dr S Viswanathan of Tamil Nadu in recognition of their service for the cause of Yoga. Senior Artistes of Pondicherry, Shri G Anthony and Shri S Gopal were also honoured on the occasion. Smt Jyothirmayi and Shri T Srinivasan received Yoganjali Natyalayam’s NADA YOGA SHIRONMANI AWARD for their service towards the cause of classical

music. The championship concluded with a colourful Valedictory Function on Monday, 15th August 2005 with distribution of prizes and awards by Thiru R.V. JANAKIRAMAN, Hon. Leader of the Opposition- Pondicherry Legislature and Dr M RAMADASS, Pondicherry MP to Lok Sabha. Thiru R.V. Janakiraman, the former Chief Minster of Pondicherry, assured the gathering of Yoga enthusiasts that he would support the cause of Yoga Sport and Yoga education in schools of Pondicherry in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition. He also praised the work of Kalaimamani Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani and Swami Gitananda Giri in propagating Yoga amongst the youth of Pondicherry, despite the numerous obstacles and hindrances they faced in the past. Dr M RAMADASS, MP, recollected the spell – binding performance of “Yoga-Dance” by Yoganjali Natyalayam for a National Parliamentary Delegation at Raj Nivas, when the high level committee visited Pondicherry recently. He expressed his pride at being the Pondicherry Representative when the visiting MPs conveyed their appreciation of that performance to him recently at New Delhi. He congratulated Amma, Meenakshi Devi on her yeoman service and hoped that Yoga would be included in the Olympics in the near future as a result of concentrated efforts towards the goal. Shri AM Krishnamurthy MLA Reddiarpalayam remembered Swami Gitananda’s

role in the upliftment of the downtrodden through the Yoga and Indian Cultural Arts of Bharata Natyam and Carnatic music and as well Swamiji’s support for the Ganesh Chaturthi Festivals for the past 20 years. Dr Saravanan Padmanaban, Prof Madanmohan and Dr Sugatham also graced the occasion. Students of SADAY, a school for mentally challenged special children presented a heart warming Yoga demonstration on the occasion along with Lalith Kumar, a visually and mentally challenged special youth from Chidambaram. Pondicherry Yogasana Association is recognised by the International

Yoga Federation (South America) as well as the Asian Union of Yoga (New Delhi) and affiliated to the Indian Yoga Federation (Kolkata). Founded by Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj in 1975, the PYA has been active in conducting Yoga Sport events such as 20 Pondicherry State Level Yoga Sport Championships, five Swami Gitananda Best Youth and Child Award Competitions and the State Level ‘Himalaya’ Yoga Olympiad Competition in 2001. Pondicherry Yogasana Association’s YOGA SPORT CHAMPIONSHIP 2005 was organised with the blessings of the INTERNATIONAL YOGA FEDERATION (South America), INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOGA SPORT (New Delhi and South America), ASIAN UNION OF YOGA (New Delhi), INDIAN YOGA FEDERATION (Kolkata), and the

TAMIL NADU STATE YOGASANA ASSOCIATION (Chennai) DINA MALAR, OM SAKTHI REAL AGENCY, INTEGRA SOFTWARE SERVICES, Creations Constructions, Jyoti Eye Care Hospital, Karthik Groups, Jewel Palace, Pioneer Miyagi Chemicals Pvt Ltd, P. T. P. Trust, and Sri Rajendra Scientific and Surgicals sponsored the championship. · 6th SWAMI GITANANDA BEST YOUTH & BEST CHILD AWARDS 2005 Pondicherry Yogasana Association organised the 6th SWAMI GITANANDA YOUTH & CHILD AWARDS 2005 competitions during December 2005 and January 2006 at the Yoganjali Natyalayam premises in Pondicherry. Nearly 100 children and youth in three age categories participated in this event. This is the Sixth year that this competition is being conducted and the Youth Awardees in the last five years are Miss D Lakshmi (2000), Miss N Ramya (2001), Miss V Renuka

Devi (2002), Mr. S Tamilsengolan (2003) and Mr. G Dayanidy (2004). Recipients of the Child Awards in the last three years are Miss Desh M (2002), Miss R Subhashini (2003), Miss Nivedha Kannan (Above 10years- 2004) and Miss V Roshini (Below 10 years-2004). The awards were given away by the Secreatry to Education, Govt of Pondicherry Shri BV Selvaraj at a glittering function held on 14th Feb 2006. The Hon President of the Pondicherry Yogasana Association our beloved Amma, Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani inaugurated the competitions with a message to all youth and children to take up the wholistic practice of Yoga as a “way of life”. Amma reminded all participants that Yoga is defined as “Skill in action” in the Bhagavad Gita and that these competitions are meant to provide an opportunity for them to prove

their skill. “The joy lies not only in winning but also in running” was Amma’s potent message to all of us on the occasion. Youth in the age group 13 to 22 years were eligible to participate in the Youth Award competition that consisted of Team Yogasanas, Team Yoga Quiz and Team Yoga Dumb Charade competitions in addition to the individual based Yoga Creative Writing, Yoga Novelty, Yoga Designing and Yoga 50-50 elocution competitions. Points were given according to their placement in the various competitions. Miss Reena Joseph, a student of Pope John Paul –II College and Yognat won the maximum points overall and will receive the SWAMI GITANANDA YOUTH AWARD 2005. Children below 13 years were eligible to participate in the Child Award competition that consisted of a Team Yogasana Competition, Yoga Quiz and Yoga Dumb Charade Team competitions in addition to the individual based Yoga 50-50 Elocution, Yoga Fancy Dress, Yoga Novelty and Yoga Art competitions. Miss RV Krithiga , a student of the Cluny school and Yognat won the maximum points overall in the 10 to 13 years category while Miss T Mrithika, a student of Cluny school and Yognat won the maximum points overall in the below 10 years category. They will receive the SWAMI GITANANDA CHILD AWARD 2004 for the above 10 and below 10 categories respectively. II) COMPETITIONS ATTENDED BY PYA: 13TH INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL 2006 Officials of the

Pondicherry Yogasana Association who were selected as Juries for this year’s festival included Dr Madhusudhanan, Mr Anbhazhagan, Mr Ravindran, Mrs Prabhavathi Mohan, Mr C Shanmugam , Mrs Devasena Bhavanani, Mrs Lalitha Shanmugam, Mr E Gajendiran, Mrs Meena Ramanathan, Mr Senthil Kumar, Mr Chandrasekhar, Mr Tamil Sengolan. Officials of the PYA were also the technical consultants for this year’s International Yoga festival as usual and nearly 600 participants from all over the country and many foreign countries took part in this year’s festival. A special feature of this year’s festival was the “Feel for Yoga” classes conducted at four venues in Pondicherry during the festival days. The classes were conducted by Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, Dr Madanmohan, Dr Madhusudhanan, Mr Anbhazhagan, Mr Ravindran, Mr G Dayanidhi, Mr C Shanmugam , Mrs Lalitha Shanmugam, Mr E Gajendiran, Mrs Meena Ramanathan, Mr Senthil Kumar and Mr Tamil Sengolan. Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani also compiled a special booklet of Yoga practices for the “Feel for Yoga” classes and this was published by the tourism department on the occasion. Our president Amma Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, as well as our general secretary Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani were invited speakers and consultants at this year’s festival. As in the past few years Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani also organised the Yoga theory exam as well as the Yoga Viva for the championship round and the eminent dignitaries from all over the world very well appreciated this unique aspect of the Yoga Sport in Pondicherry. NATIONAL HIMALAYA OLYMPIAD, SVYASA, BANGALORE Members of the Pondicherry Yogasana Association did Pondicherry proud by winning numerous laurels at the National Himalaya Olympiad conducted by sVYASA at Jigani, Bangalore. Diwakar and Krithiga won third places in the competition was the grand ma won a special mention. · PONDICHERRY STATE HIMALAYA OLYMPIAD Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani was a chief guest at the State level Himalaya conducted at Pondicherry at Petit Seminarie School. Many members of the PYA from Yoganjali Natyalayam, Geethanjali Yoga Centre and Gnana Jyothi Yogalayam participated and won laurels at this event. Dr Ananda was a special advisor. III) GOVERNMENT TO INCLUDE YOGA IN SPORT COUNCIL Following numerous representations of the PYA and the effective appeal by the former Education and tourism minister Thiru SP Shiva Kumar at the Yoga Festival, the Lt Governor Shri MM Lakeraji made the announcement that the government will consider Yoga in the sports quota in future. This was the culmination of numerous appeals by the PYA over the past few years and is a reflection of the work done by PYA in Yoga Sport at state, national and international levels. An executive delegation of the Pondicherry Yogasana Association® under the guidance of the president Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani had met the Honorable Minister for Education, Tourism and Sports, Shri K Lakshminarayanan in 2004 and requested him to include Yoga Sport in the Pondicherry

State Sport Council. Yoga sport is recognized as a sport in virtually all states of India and Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi urged the Honorable Minister to ensure that Pondicherry should not be left behind in the Yoga Sport movement that is taking place all over the world. The honorable minister assured the delegation that he would take necessary steps to have Yoga Sport included in the Pondicherry State Sport Council of which he is the chairperson. IV) CO-OPERATION WITH GOVT DEPARTMENTS: The PYA has actively cooperated with the departments of Tourism as well as Health and Education in various activities. We are also actively cooperating with the Tourism Department and PT & TDC with regards to providing Yoga training to tourists visiting Pondicherry. Members of the PYA are also actively involved in Yoga education through the Annamalai University, Pondicherry University Community College, Tagore Arts College and numerous schools and colleges of Pondicherry. VI PYA APPROVAL FOR YOGA CENTRES The

following Yoga Centres have been included in the list of PYA approved Yoga centres following requisition and selection by the executive committee. This will help to streamline the Yoga centres with respect to the Yoga Sport matters. International Centre for Yoga Education and Research (ICYER),Yoganjali Natyalayam, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Centre, Aurobindo Siddha Research Centre, Indian Yogic Health Centre , Sri Sivananda Yogalayam , Centre for Yoga Studies- Pondicherry University Community College,Yoga Jivana Satsangha (International),Ananda Ashram at Sri Kambliswamy Madam, Yognat West Branch, Geethanjali Yoga Centre , Sedarapet Yoga Centre, Volontariat, Pondicherry University Department of

Physical Education & Sports, Himalaya School of Yoga and Nature Cure Centre, Sri Pathanjali Yoga Payirchi Maiyam, Evergreen Yoga Centre , Mathy Acupuncture, Naturopathy and Yoga Centre, The Puducherry Yoga and Naturopathy Association, Pondicherry University Centre for Yoga Studies, Indian Yoga Centre , ICYER Village programme (CMC),Gnana Jyothy Yoga Alayam, Sai Yoga Centre,Abundant Life Yoga Center (Nirai Vazhvu Yoga Maiyam), Pakkamudaiyanpet Community Yoga Centre and Guru Kripa school of Yoga and Arts. V) PERSONAL MILESTONES: Yogacharini Smt Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, Hon President of PYA received many awards and honors this year and was included in the advisory committee to finalize the task Force report on Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) with regard to Yoga by the health ministry. This immense project to organize India’s “Yoga Knowledge” in an electronic format is being undertaken by the National

Institute of Science Communication and Information Resource (NISCAIR) as part of a project at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare GOI. The department of AYUSH, NISCAIR and CGPDTM (Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademark, Ministry of Commerce and Industry) are joint partners in this venture. In the past decade unscrupulous elements have attempted to appropriate India’s vast cultural treasure in the healing and spiritual arts. Commercial American drug companies have attempted to obtain a patent on both tumeric and neem. Recently a Bengali settled in USA, has laid claim to a “copyright” over a series of twenty-six Yoga Asanas. Waking up to the danger the Government has instituted the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Project to make information available to world patent offices to prevent “intellectual property theft”.

This TKDV has recently received wide global publicity. Reports have appeared in more than 50 newspapers world wide. For example The Washington Post Washington, USA on September 23, 2005 reported a statement by Vinod Gupta, Director of the project. “Yoga piracy is becoming very common, and we are moving to do something about it,” say Vinod Gupta, the head of a recently established Indian government task force on traditional knowledge and intellectual – property theft. “We know of at least

150 asanas [Yoga positions] that have been pirated in the U.S., the UK, Germany and Japan,” he says. “These were developed in India long ago and no one can claim them as their own.”. . . In an effort to protect India’s heritage, the task force has begun documenting 1,500 Yoga postures drawn from classical Yoga texts – including the writings of the Indian sage, Patanjali, the first man to codify the art of Yoga. The data is being stored in a digital library whose computerized contents will soon be made available to patent offices worldwide. The report further stated that The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued 134 patents on Yoga accessories, 150 yoga-related copyrights and

2,315 yoga trademarks, says the Indian task force. It also says that Britain has approved at least 10 trademarks relating to Yoga training aids that are mentioned in ancient texts. . . . According to one report, attempts have even been made in America to patent the syllable “om”, the sacred sound with which Hindus begin their chants. . . . “No one should be able to claim ownership of these traditional postures,” says Mr. Gupta. “The information has been in the public domain in India for thousands of years. But, until now, it has only been available in languages which people in the outside world cannot understand.” Along with Amma, 12 other leading Yoga experts and their representatives in India were called by Government of India, Ministry of Health, to meet on January 10 to examine the classification work already done by the TKDL and

to offer suggestions. Amongst the experts called to give opinions were Padmabhushan Shri BKS Iyengar, Sri Ravi Shankar, Swami Ramdevji, Swami Niranjananda Saraswathi of the Bihar School of Yoga, Director-Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla and Shri Desikachar of the Krishnamacharya Yoga MAndiram, Chennai. Our General Secretary, Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani was appointed Hon secretary for India in the International Yoga Federation. He had earlier been named International Cultural Ambassador for the International Yoga Federation in 2004. The appointment will entail attending International Yoga Conferences and Yoga Sports Competitions held throughout the world, as a representative of India’s Yogic and artistic community.

Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani

Chairman : Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER

25,2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-605 013

Tel: 0413 - 2622902 / 0413 -2241561

Website: www.icyer.com

www.geocities.com/yognat2001/ananda

Mail Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.