Yoga Yagna Winter 2022 - Report
As with every year, Yoga Bharati conducted Surya Namaskar Yagna for 21 days, starting from Jan 14th, 2022, to Feb 4th, 2022. Enthusiasts from different time zones from the USA actively participated in this yagna to spread the joy of Yoga to the world.
Yoga Bharati participated in the "750 million Surya Namaskar' Project as part of India’s 75th Independence year.
Being a self-practice Surya Namaskar Yagna, YB wanted to ensure the safety of participants before the yagna began. Thus, online Surya Namaskar training and practice sessions were conducted weekly every Saturday and Sunday from Jan 8th until the closing week. These sessions guided the participants in the vinyasa sequences and helped them progress in their yoga practice. Through this yagna, participants experienced a gradual increase in their stamina and strength, both in body and mind.
Scroll to the bottom to see the videos of kids reading the quotes and our delegate speeches.
21 Days Journey
Yoga Yagna began on Jan 14th, 2022, with great enthusiasm. We had three groups: One group was practicing Surya Namaskars and preparing for 108 SNs as the final goal. The second (no pain conditions) and third group (pain along with stress) participated in the Stress Management program.
Tips on Yoga and a Vegan diet were continuously shared to encourage the participants to stay healthy and fit. The importance of AUM, the quotes from the Bhagavad Gita like ‘YogaHa Karmasu Kaushalam’ and its meanings, and the quotes from Swami Vivekananda, Martin Luther King, and Mahatma Gandhi were shared with them throughout the Yagna period.
Yoga Yagna conclusion Program
Yoga Yagna was concluded with an online closing event where participants from different age groups, ranging from kids to seniors, joined from different parts of the USA. Participants were given different modifications and versions to fit their health needs. Wonderful energizing quotes by Swami Vivekananda, Martin Luther King, and other yogis were shared with everyone to set the stage for the rest of the practice.
According to Raj, “the pacing of Surya Namaskars was excellent with added Yoga asanas and quotes by the great yogis, which brought enthusiasm to the otherwise tiring Surya Namaskars”
The Surya Namaskars were set to the tune of the energetic Totakashtakam song. Apart from the immense vigor it generated, it also helped with keeping count.
The highlight of the event was that children ranging from 7 to 14 years of age participated with great passion and devotion from the beginning of the session and shared inspirational quotes with everyone in between the sets. Many participants appreciated the involvement of the budding kids who will soon become the ‘Ambassadors of Yoga’.
Delegates from SEWA International, USA; SEWA International (Trinidad and Tobago); Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh’s Health for Humanity group, and the Hindu University of America wished and congratulated the yoga marathoners who practiced 108 Surya Namaskars.
The program ended with MSRT(Mind Sound Resonance Technique), a beautiful technique to calm the stimulated mind and body and take them to a state of tranquility.
Testimonials:
“I struggled to do 38 SNs the previous day and today I completed 108 SNs with no problem. The SN was well paced. Doing 108 SN with experts will make all the difference, and YB teachers are experts in this.” - Raj Patil
“My kids completed 108 SN and I am proud of them.” - Shirisha Yelluru
“I am amazed and Surprised to see all the kids. We all are together. All generations. It was a precious moment. - Amit
“YB is doing a wonderful job and taking kids and others to the next level in this practice” Shailesh Basani
“Third time in a row, we are doing 108 SN. This time we were able to do 108 SN very easily because it is well paced. Thank you to everyone. Happy to start the year with SN” - Sailaja
“Gratitude to all YTT teachers and the yoga yagna program which was conducted professionally. Last year I could do only 42 and this time I was able to do 108 without any breaks. It is a blessing to be part of this organization.” Seema Dubey
“I and my husband did 108 SN for the first time. Did not really feel like we did 108. Really proud to do this. It was very amazing.” - Varsha
Acknowledgements
Yoga Bharati Gurus, teachers, and volunteers
Yoga Bharati kids and their parents for their support
Kids as Swami Vivekananda
Wishes from the delegates from Sewa International, Sewa TT, HSS, Hindu University of America and Testimonies about Yoga Yagna
