Tenth International Day of Yoga
Paramahansaji would be very pleased to learn that the world is now paying homage annually to the philosophy and science of Yoga, as his life was dedicated to introducing all truth seekers to the time-honoured techniques of yoga meditation. Directly or indirectly, much of the present world interest in yoga is a consequence of the teachings Paramahansa Yogananda took from India to America more than a hundred years ago. “If India’s idea of an International Yoga Day has found easy acceptance in the UN, much of the credit must go to Paramahansa Yogananda, India’s first yoga guru in the U.S.” reported an online news outlet. “He played a huge role in laying the foundation for yoga in the United States a century ago.”
In his highly acclaimed translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita (God Talks With Arjuna) Paramahansa Yogananda explains: “The word yoga signifies the perfect poise or mental evenness that is the result of communion of the mind with Spirit. Yoga indicates also the spiritual technique of meditation through which one attains union with Spirit. Furthermore, yoga signifies any act that leads to this divine union.”
About the Events
On the occasion of the tenth International Day of Yoga on June 21, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) organised several in-person and online events to promote well-being of body, mind, and soul.
The recordings of the online events are available below.
All Online Events
“Finding Balance and Calmness through Yoga-Meditation”
(Includes a guided meditation session)
YSS sannyasis conducted several introductory sessions on yoga-meditation in various Indian languages. These sessions were specifically designed for truth-seekers to discover how inner balance and calmness can be preserved under all circumstances of their daily life.
These programmes commenced with an introduction to Paramahansa Yogananda and his teachings. Following that, participants were led through a guided meditation session which included the practice of the correct posture, preliminary breathing exercises, an affirmation, and a visualization.
English Session
(Swami Lalitananda Giri)
Hindi Session
(Swami Ishwarananda Giri)
Tamil Session
(Swami Suddhananda Giri)
Telugu Session
(Swami Kedarananda Giri)
Kannada Session
(Swami Shreyananda Giri)
About Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda has profoundly impacted the lives of millions with his comprehensive teachings. Widely regarded as the “Father of Yoga in the West,” Paramahansaji was the first to make available globally teachings that contain a system of scientific pranayama (life force control) techniques. Yoga’s ultimate goal is the realization of oneself as an omniscient, omnipresent soul. Yoganandaji’s programme — detailed in the Yogoda Satsanga Lessons — provides a pragmatic approach to this underlying basis of religion. And it is a system that continues to appeal to ever-greater numbers of people: those interested not only in the physical benefits of Hatha Yoga, but also those interested in developing their mental abilities and, most of all, their spiritual selves.
His teachings and the meditation techniques he taught are available today through:
- Yogoda Satsanga Lessons, a comprehensive home-study series originated by Yoganandaji himself. Also available in a digital App
- Books, recordings, and other publications from YSS, the organization he founded to disseminate his teachings worldwide
- Tours conducted by sannyasis of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India across the country where they explain the scientific yoga techniques of energization, concentration, and meditation
- Conducted Retreats by sannyasis
- Sadhana Sangams
- Programmes on meditation and spiritual living for children
What Others Have Said
About Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
For the last 100 years, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) has been dedicated to carrying on the spiritual and humanitarian work of its founder, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, widely revered as the father of Yoga in the West.
Paramahansa Yogananda founded Yogoda Satsanga Society in 1917 to make available the universal teachings of Kriya Yoga, a sacred spiritual science originating millenniums ago in India. These nonsectarian teachings embody a complete philosophy and way of life for achieving all-round success and well-being, as well as methods of meditation for achieving life’s ultimate goal — union of the soul with Spirit (God).
In his highly acclaimed translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita (God Talks With Arjuna) Paramahansa Yogananda, explains: “The word yoga signifies the perfect poise or mental evenness that is the result of communion of the mind with Spirit. Yoga indicates also the spiritual technique of meditation through which one attains union with Spirit. Yoga signifies, further, any act that leads to this divine union.”
