Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – June 23, 2012 – Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
Lord Dattatreya, the greatest Yogi, performed Yoga for one thousand years submerged in the waters of a lake. Hanuman with powers achieved from the practice of Yoga performed a high and long jump and flew across an ocean, as mentioned in the Ramayana. Sage Kanva is said to have had the powers to see and hear far away things according to the Mahabharata. Such are the powers that are yielded by the disciplined practice of Yoga and Pranayama.
Yoga is practiced today all over the world. Kali Ray, an American, is an expert in Yoga, who spreads its knowledge in faraway countries like China and Australia. Many Yoga practitioners do their yoga to the accompaniment of Sri Swamiji’s meditative music. The music enhances their concentration, discipline, and gives fluidity to the movements. Yoga postures, when they flow from one position to another are as graceful as a dance.
Traditional dances such as Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi have their foundation in Yoga. Without the flexibility of muscles and the concentration and memory given by the practice of yoga, graceful dance movements are not possible.
Yoga practice is not restricted for any particular age group. It should be practiced throughout life. It benefits persons of all lifestyles. Those who remain standing all day protecting our nation’s border, those who stand for long hours controlling traffic or teaching students in classrooms require yoga to relax and strengthen their muscles. Those who do computer work require yoga to protect their health. Housewives, business people and those of other professions also require the practice of Yoga and Pranayama to keep their stress levels low, keep muscles flexible, focus the mind, and to maintain proper health.
Yoga can be taught to children as young as one year olds. Aged persons also can begin the practice of yoga. One is never too old or too young for learning or practicing Yoga. Children who begin their training while young, and who maintain their practice throughout their lives are at an advantage over those who begin their lessons in their youth or middle age.
In U.S.A. one year old babies are tossed gently into a swimming pool. They instinctively kick their arms and legs and learn to stay afloat. There are many grownups today that are afraid to enter even knee-deep water. It is better always to begin worthy practices such as yoga at a very young age.
Along with disciplining the body with yoga postures, it is also necessary to discipline the mind to keep away unwanted thoughts. It is especially important to control the tongue. The discipline to maintain silence when required is also a part of Yoga.
Yoga promotes and maintains health. Yoga disciplines the mind and helps in the acquisition of spiritual and worldly knowledge by increasing memory and discipline. Yoga bestows extraordinary skills when practiced with commitment and seriousness.
The science of Yoga is very ancient. Its benefits are eternal. They are not limited to any one era.
We had planned to hold this function (prize distribution for winners of Yoga Championship contest held by the Vivekananda Yoga Kendra of Mysore) at the Nada Mantapa but due to technical issues had to have it here at the Poundareeka Ranga Sthala. Poundareeka Yaji was a great yogi who lived a healthy long life, having performed numerous great spiritual and religious rituals. This area is very sacred and very appropriate for an event such as this that celebrates the importance of Yoga.
The display of expertise in yoga that took place here earlier was very impressive. I encourage and compliment all the participants. I am very happy with the dedicated work of this organization for the promotion of Yoga.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta