My journey with YOGNAT

by Yogacharini Devasena Bhavanani

Yoganjali Natyalayam is the premier institute in Pondicherry where students learn Yoga, Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music. We can call these three arts the ‘three pearls’ and by learning all the three arts, students too become a pearl. Not only do they excel in these arts but also in their studies and whatever field they choose to be in. The whole culture has been cherished among the students through Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru, Ammaji, Dr. Ananda, of course through DhivyaPriya and Anandraj also. So, all three generations have taken, are taking and will take the institute to serve the society with their hard dedicated work. YOGNAT trains the kids keeping in mind the motto of ‘making the ordinary extraordinary and the extraordinary great’. Yes! They become great with the Gurus’ blessings who have been teaching nonstop since 1968.

Yoganjali since its day of conception has provided divine knowledge and experience to every level of society. The institute’s success is shown by the students who take the teachings forward like many of the present-day professionals, namely my dear ones, Dr. Balaji, Shri Dayanidy and Smt. Reena who are the perfect examples. The specialty of YOGNAT is to train kids to learn these spiritual arts and ease their establishment in society by making them the best jewels to serve society, enabling complete transformation from an ordinary human to the wholesomeness within them. In this Parampara, the Gurus put their whole effort into training the students to come up, to see their changes and make it their comfort zone. It gives great pleasure to us teachers as we grow and glow among the students. Ammaji loves to work with kids. Her dedication to the culture makes her stand out in the whole society. We cannot find anyone in the whole world that equals her strength and energy. We salute Ammaji who walked the way our Rishis instructed us. Of course, she is Rishi Patni. Dr. Ananda, the Rishi Kumara continues his tireless service to save the purity of our culture and Mother Yoga.

Jai Swamiji, Jai Ammaji, Jai Rishi Kumara — PurnaPurusha — Dr. Ananda, our SashtangaNamaskaram. My heartfelt gratitude to Guru Parampara.

Yogacharini Devasena Bhavanani, General Secretary and Head of Dance Department, YOGNAT. Head of Dance, Music and Sanskrit Department, ICYER.