The Legendary Yogendra Family

revivalists of holistic health

sadhakas
of the yoga institute
The Legendary Yogendra Family
revivalists of holistic health

sadhakas
of the yoga institute
© WORLD COPYRIGHT THE YOGA INSTITUTE, SANTACRUZ

First edition: October 2015

Published on the occasion of the 68th Birthday of Smt Hansa Jayadeva Yogendra, Director ­–
The Yoga Institute, Santacruz DEDICATED TO
OUR VENERATED GURUS,

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WHO HAVE BROUGHT US

The contents of this book are copyright and must not be reproduced or translated in full or in TO OUR TRUE SELVES.
part without prior permission of The Yoga Institute, Santacruz (E).

Published by Dr Jayadeva Yogendra for The Yoga Institute, Santacruz (E), Mumbai 400 055,
India.
 The World’s Oldest Organised
The Yoga Institute, Santacruz, Mumbai Centre for Yoga

Paramahamsa Madhavdasji Shri Yogendraji Smt Sita Devi Yogendra Dr Jayadeva Yogendra Smt Hansa J. Yogendra Shri Hrishi J. Yogendra

The Legendary Yogendra Family Revivalists of Holistic Health and World Peace

Perhaps the most Sadhakas of The Yoga The Yogendra For nearly a century, The magnanimity Through its
misleading trait of a Institute, Santacruz, family’s spiritual the Yogendra of the Yogendras pioneering initiatives
Yogi is that he looks Mumbai have been commitment to family has been is reflected in the in the fields of
like an ordinary man. blessed with the humanity has transforming even sheer number of healthcare, sociocare
This is probably why rare opportunity inspired them to work troubled individuals families they have and educare, the
we fail to recognise of imbibing Yogic tirelessly for several into happy men, empowered—with Yogendra family has
him even when he wisdom from not one decades, with a single women and children valuable insights on silently paved the
stands only inches but four Yogis. aim: holistic health who are at peace with how to practise Yoga way for the ancient
away from us. and the growth of themselves and the as a ‘Way of Life’. science of Yoga to
consciousness. world at large. live on in the modern
world.
 The Mission of a Yogi

Yoga IS An Few know that Shri Yogendraji’s childhood

was bereft of bhakti and Yoga. A skeptic in
essential SCIENCE his younger days, Shri Yogendraji, who was
formerly known as Mani, underwent an
OF LIVING. astonishing transformation at age 18 when he
met Paramahamsa Madhavdasji Maharaj. In the year 1916,
one hundred
It transforms Madhavdasji was a great sage who hailed from
years ago,
Madhavdasji and

man from ignoble Kolkata, West Bengal. He was born in the year
1798 and lived to a grand age of 123 years. In the
Mani came face to
face for the first
time. Madhavdasji

to noble. span of his long and glorious life, Madhavdasji

walked the length and breadth of India 11
couldn’t take
his eyes off the
spirited young
times, accelerating the spiritual advancement
Shri Yogendraji lad. “When I see
Founder, The Yoga Institute of seekers with his timeless yogic wisdom.
such a one, I gain
strength,” said the
Every legend has an indomitable Madhavdasji’s words and demeanour had such Master of Mani.
hero. This one has Shri Yogendraji; an impact on Mani that he gave up his studies
an unassuming man of untold yogic
in St Xavier’s college, Mumbai and followed
powers, Shri Yogendraji set into motion
Madhavdasji to his ashram in Malsar, Gujarat.
a great movement that drew Yoga out
of the shadows of hidden caves and There he spent three years, learning the
mysterious mountains into the lives of intricacies of Yoga from Paramahamsa himself.
ordinary householders. It is for good
reason that Shri Yogendraji is hailed
as the Father of the Modern Yoga
Renaissance in India and the world over.
Under the masterful guidance of Paramahamsa Madhavdasji, Mani’s mind became so still and his focus so True to his word to his father, Shri Yogendraji
crystallised that all knowledge suddenly surged to him. married Sita Devi in the year 1927 and became
India’s first ‘HOUSEHOLDER YOGI’. Together,
In a revelation akin to the Rishis receiving the Vedas, Shri Yogendraji received the secrets of Yoga as if from Shri Yogendraji and ‘Mother’ Sita Devi worked
Heaven itself. Of this extraordinary experience Mani said: tirelessly to spread the message of Yoga in India
and abroad.

On December 25, 1918, Shri Yogendraji established Mani’s father, Shri

Haribhai, insisted
The Yoga Institute as a Not for Profit Organisation.
that Mani give up
The Institute operated out of the Versova house his yoga studies.
of Dadabhai Naoroji, who we still remember as On the persuasion
the Grand Old Man of India. From Mumbai, the of Madhavdasji
Maharaj, Shri
Institute shifted to USA in the year 1920. Eight
“I know not how Nature Haribhai
years later, it moved to Bulsar, Gujarat. In the year consented to
disclosed her secrets to me 1936, it was established in Chowpatty, Mumbai. In allow Mani to
but I found knowledge the year 1947, The Yoga Institute finally took root continue on the
condition that
in Santacruz, Mumbai where it stands even today.
pouring in rapid continuity his son doesn’t
become a sanyasi
like a waterfall. My hands and that he settle
were too small to contain it. into the life of a
householder.
I cried, I struggled and
extended my hands. I found
some scattered drops.
My palm is again empty,
for I give them.”
The world’s first institute to impart practical and
scientific knowledge on Yoga
 Shri Yogendraji was a prolific writer. He authored
several books in English. Mother Sita Devi was the
first woman to write books on Yoga for women.
Shri Yogendraji spent Yoga Personal Hygiene, Yoga Asanas Simplified and

hours studying the Hatha Yoga Simplified written by Shri Yogendraji

along with Yoga Physical Education for Women by
Smt Sita Devi have been buried in the CRYPT
movement and effects of OF CIVILISATION for posterity, next to rare
paintings, scientific instruments, costumes, and Four of Shri

his own Prana. more articles. The crypt will be opened in the
year A.D. 8113 and will reveal to the coming
Yogendraji’s and
Mother’s books
Shri Yogendraji laid great emphasis on Yoga as an generations the authoritative knowledge of yoga
So intense was his study education in living and Yoga therapy was its by-
product. Seventy years ago, when medical science
as disclosed in our priceless books.
have immense
historical
significance;
that he could soon was not so advanced, Shri Yogendraji pioneered
unthinkable research endeavours and proved that
Shri Yogendraji emphatically emphasised that Yoga
is a ‘Science of Living’ and that every human
they have found
a place in US-
yoga could cure even the most severe ailments of
perform miraculous feats the heart, lungs and joints.
being should be taught this science. Everything
he did was with a single aim: to change man from
based Oglethorpe
University’s Crypt
ignoble to noble. of Civilisation.
like transferring his For the benefit of all who came to learn from him,
Shri Yogendraji broke down the complex Hatha Founder, as he was known, always said,“Experience
Yoga techniques into simplified Asanas, which could
Prana to others in order be performed by anyone and into nine simple
is beyond knowledge and thinking and is often
quite the contrary.” At The Yoga Institute, he laid
Pranayamas, which he based on a revolutionary great emphasis on experiencing an Asana rather
to save their lives. count ratio of [Link]. This count system is today
known as Yogendra Rhythm.
than ‘doing’ it.

He was a true Guru—a rare blessing to sadhakas.

 Smt Sita Devi was a registered medical practitioner.
The Mission of a Yogi
She drew on her expertise to customise health,
hygiene and therapeutic techniques for women.
with yoga, women In 1934, the first modern textbook for guiding
recognise their women in their study of practical Yoga was
published under her authorship. The cumulative
uniqueness so they effect of her forward-thinking initiatives is evident
from the fact that Yoga is today popular with

can reintegrate numerous ladies who are engaged in educational,

health, medical, and cultural institutions both in
Shri Yogendraji
said of his

modern society India and abroad. wife, “Sita’s

contribution to

with spirituality. In 1939, in recognition of her outstanding service

to women in particular and society as a whole,
the working of
The Yoga Institute
Smt Sita Devi Yogendra the Women’s Health Federation of America is exceptional.
Secretary, The Yoga Institute appointed Smt Sita Devi as the official delegate Without her, we
Barely eighteen years of age, soon after from India to the Health Welfare Congress at the could not have
her marriage in 1927, Sita Devi joined New York World Fair. In 1940, her book received progressed.”
The Yoga Institute. After four years of the honour of being preserved in the Crypt of
intense study, she was entrusted with Civilisation.
the responsibility of conducting Yogic
practices for women. As Secretary of Despite remaining steadfast in her Yoga sadhana,
the Institute, she pioneered initiatives Smt Sita Devi fulfilled all her duties—civic,
that empowered women to rediscover social and domestic. She was the symbol of an
their innate abilities and sharpen their ideal daughter-in-law, wife and mother. Verily,
skills through mindful awareness, she proved that marriage only enhances one’s
generated through Yogic techniques. spiritual progress on the path of Yoga studies.
 The Yoga Institute’s Teacher’s Training Courses,
The Mission of a Yogi
which are today hugely popular all over the
world, are the brainchild of Dr Jayadeva. Like Shri
Make constant Yogendraji, Dr Jayadeva wrote copious books.
Everyone who has read his commentary on the
effort to produce Patanjali Yoga Sutras and the four Cyclopedias
authored by him regards the invaluable books as

tendencies that the last word in Yoga. He has, for the last 62 years,
been the Editor of The Yoga Institute’s magazine,

do not increase Yoga and Total Health.

desires, cravings Especially noteworthy is Dr Jayadeva’s idea of

incorporating the four positive bhavas of Samkhya
Shri Yogendraji
once said of
and attachment. philosophy i.e. Dharma, Jnana, Vairagya and Aishvarya
into everyday activities for long-lasting Yogic results.
Dr Jayadeva, “He
is a true Yogi. He
Dr Jayadeva Yogendra Inspired with Dr Jayadeva’s pioneering efforts
never gets angry.”
President, The Yoga Institute in education and therapeutics, National Council
of Educational Research and Training sought his
Speak to the sadhakas of The Yoga
guidance in devising the yoga syllabus for schools
Institute and they will at once tell you
all over the country.
that Dr Jayadeva’s yogic messages are
always short, sweet and stirring—much
Firmly established in the Yamas and Niyamas laid
like theYoga Sutras of Maharshi Patanjali.
down in the Yoga Sutras, Dr Jayadeva has all his
Despite being a scholar of Samkhya—a
life demonstrated an unflinching commitment to
philosophy that assigns no role to
Satya. In today’s materialistic world, he remains the
God—Dr Jayadeva has unflinching faith
epitome of Aparigraha i.e. non-covetousness. At
in God. Lovingly raising his hand, he
age 86, he has but a few possessions—two kurta-
says, “God bless you,” to sadhakas who
pyjama sets and a pair of simple slippers.
prostrate themselves before him.
 The shelves in The Yoga Institute are lined with
The Mission of a Yogi
awards and certificates, which have been conferred
on Smt Hansaji for her unmatched efforts in
the purpose of a reaching Yoga to the masses. Hailed as ‘Woman of
the Year’ in the year 2000, Smt Hansaji is perhaps
strong body and best known throughout the nation for her hugely
popular television series ‘Yoga for Better Living’, which

healthy mind is was first aired in 1980. With the knack of a brilliant
orator, Hansaji communicates the most complex

to do one's duty yogic topics with simplicity, in multiple languages

for ease of understanding by diverse audiences. She Smt Hansaji

with love and has travelled the world, enthralling people with her
engaging talks, lectures and seminars.
ignites in people
the will to
transform into
compassion. Her easy-to-execute tips on how to become better individuals
who are steeped
Smt Hansa Jayadeva Yogendra stronger physically, mentally, emotionally, and of
Director, The Yoga Institute course spiritually, have been featured in numerous in Dharma Bhaav
national newspapers. As a kind and compassionate and rooted in
Over the years, The Yoga Institute has Karma Yoga.
counsellor, Hansaji has won the love and respect
burgeoned from being visited by seven
of all who have come to her seeking ways to break
sadhakas a day to receiving 1,000
old destructive habits and cultivate constructive
sadhakas a day. If you are amazed by
ones, which take them closer to their spiritual goals.
this, know that it is because of the
Smt Hansaji has dedicated her life to demystifying
indefatigable efforts of Smt Hansaji. She
Yoga and making it a ‘Way of Life’ for the common
has spearheaded the development of
man. She has worked shoulder to shoulder with
the women’s wing and the health camps.
Dr Jayadeva, taking Yoga into households, teaching
She continues to impart practical tips
people of all ages how to manage their minds and
to those who come here seeking relief
emotions, and regain mental stability and happiness.
from all sorts of ailments.
 Like Father, Like Son The Young Torchbearer

To attain the i often feel as if

esoteric, one shri yogendraji
needs to control is inspiring me
the senses and the and guiding me to
mind and meditate continue the work
on ham-sa. of the institute.
Shri Hrishi Jayadeva Yogendra
Dr Patanjali Jayadeva Yogendra Assistant Director, The Yoga Institute

In July 1975, Dr Jayadeva and Hansaji At age 26, Shri Hrishi Jayadeva Yogendra
were blessed with a son whom Shri gave up his cushy job in an MNC to
Yogendraji named Patanjali, after the manage the massive administrative
great sage. Right from his childhood, processes of The Yoga Institute. Only
Patanjali put into practice Dr Jayadeva’s 18 months into his new role, Shri Hrishi
motto: Speak less and only when has already started giving the institute
necessary. His deep interest in Yoga a refreshing makeover—from adding
led him to write a PhD thesis entitled new modules to the training courses
‘Yoga in Ancient India as revealed in the to building more rooms in The Yoga
Upanishads’. Dr Patanjali merged with Institute; all this has been possible only
the Lord at a young age of 37 years. because of his dynamic energy.
The world will In another three years, The Yoga Institute will
celebrate a century of yogic living. Since 1918,
obesity, and even stress. Add to this couple’s
classes, Yoga education camps for school and

remain forever the Yogendra family has been transforming

people—including troubled individuals burdened
with ill-health, negative thoughts and strained
college children, Reach Out camps for special
children, training camps for the Police Constables of
Mumbai and the National Cadet Corps, corporate

indebted to relationships—into healthy and happy men and

women who are at peace with themselves and the
workshops, and even training for pedestrians
participating in ‘Equal Streets’—Times of India’s

the illustrious world at large. Having risen above their ordeals,

the sadhakas of The Yoga Institute walk into the
energetic new initiative for the young and old alike.

Yogendra family
world as self-aware and selfless individuals, eager
to pass on to others the holistic healing benefits of
Yoga. In his or her own special way, every sadhaka
Each one of
for its towering of The Yoga Institute contributes to heightening
the levels of society’s consciousness.
our pioneering
contribution In the last 97 years, The Yoga Institute has blazed
initiatives has but
new trails in the realm of Yoga. The Yogendra
one aim:
towards fostering family has tirelessly pioneered innovative
initiatives in the fields of education, social care
and health care. THE GROWTH OF
the holistic Apart from the five Teacher’s Training Courses
of varied duration, the Institute also conducts
CONSCIOUSNESS.
well-being of numerous health camps for effective management
of diabetes, cardiac trouble, hypertension,

humankind. orthopedic and respiratory ailments, pregnancy,

Life School The need for specific techniques will diminish in and meaningfulness of life. The Life School would
face of a change in values, motivations, attitudes prepare men and women to live well in the world
and [Link] living will re-establish homeostasis again. They would not only learn this but would
Is there a life-school where one learns how to live? All activities that go on here including interpersonal and treatment of diseases will be a by-product of teach it to others as well, through sharing. Can we
The objective of such a life-school of course will not relationships in classrooms and administrative dream of such centres of learning in the country?
a yogic life.
be in helping acquire money or power or pleasure offices will lend to a spiritual awareness. It does not matter if we call these life-schools ‘The
but rather in sharing and teaching of the art of a Emotional tensions will get resolved against a The faith in a Higher Reality will instill a positive Yoga Institute’ or we call them by other names.
healthy way of life at physical, mental and spiritual larger understanding of the incomprehensible approach to life and will definitely lead to a There is an overwhelming need today for such life-
levels. Compassion, mindfulness and discipline and irresistible twists and turns of life. Whether reduction in floating states of anxiety responsible schools in the society. We lack neither skills nor
will be its hallmark rather than it possessing tall it is learning of Asanas or learning of Yoga Sutras,
for many psychosomatic and neurotic conditions. information. What we need is more role models
buildings and an expansive campus. the learning would add to sattvic experiences.
One would learn to participate fully in any and who truly experience the fullness of life and
all activities all day. This would lead to joy in living illuminate the glorious path for others to follow.

The Yoga Institute, Shri Yogendra Marg, Prabhat Colony, Santacruz (E), Mumbai – 400055, India
Teacher’s Training Courses Health Camps Children’s Classes Corporate Workshops
Tel: +91-22-26122185, +91-22-26110506 Fax: +91-22-26631902
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