Swami Vivekananda Yoga University Bangalore

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Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA), popularly known as Swami Vivekananda Yoga University was set up with the objective to make yoga a socially relevant science. It is engaged in research on the applications of yoga in health, education, and management. They are working on getting yoga accepted as an adjunct system of therapeutic value by the modern medical world. Some of their achievements include training 50,000+ yoga teachers in India and abroad.

Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhan Samsthana
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhan Samsthana Entrance. Image Source http://svyasa.edu.in/

Establishing the biggest yoga therapy home and research facility called Prashanti Kutiram. Have yoga centers in over 26 countries. Treating 250000+ patients across the world. Besides publishing research papers and conducting workshops.

Swami Vivekananda Yoga University

I happened to visit Prashanti Kutiram, which is located 7 km away from the Bannerghatta National Park. As you approach the national park from Bangalore, road forks. You take the left and go towards Jigni, at Jigni Chowk, you can take a right and then follow the signs for Vivekananda Ashram to reach the Kutiram. It is set up almost in the middle of nothing, a simple place with simple people. After you reach Kutiram, you can go to the reception, where they will explain to you the various things they do. The courses and the therapies that they offer. The most popular thing apparently is the weekly therapy programs.

Weekly therapy programs

Where people are taken in on the recommendation of the resident doctor. They have to spend a week in the Kutiram. And have to live as per the daily routine there. Which includes yoga, pranayama, meditation, prayers, Satvik food, Satsang, lectures, deep relaxation techniques, and devotional sessions. Some of these sessions are common for everyone. And some are specific to the groups that have common problems like obesity, and backache. There are special programs for stress management and positive health.

Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana Admin Block, Image Source http://svyasa.edu.in/

Residential Campus

The campus has various residential facilities from dormitories to deluxe rooms. It has a small bookshop cum convenience store for daily use items that you may need during your stay on the campus. You can get books on yoga and how yoga can help cure common ailments. There are gardens with benches right under the huge trees. Where you can sit and just feel nature around, with one-off people passing by you. There is a building for resident doctors and a dining hall.

The timings for the dining are fixed. You must eat during that time. You get simple vegetarian food, but it is amazingly tasty. I enjoyed eating there as part of community eating. And would recommend it to anyone visiting the campus.

Swami Vivekananda Yoga University is a very serene place to spend a day or a week at. You will get an almost perfect environment to be with yourself.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Agree with you 100%. I spent a weekend some 10 years back. This is where I got my basic intro to meditation. I found them extremely honest and simple in this age of hype esp around the new age stuff and yoga.

    It also reflects in their publications. When I started practising yoga and was looking for documentation on the mantras that go with Suryanamaskar, I found their literature very handy – precise and authentic.

  2. Have visited Prashanti couple of times; it’s a genuine place run by genuine people. Dr Nagarendra’s family is the force behind this ashram. Besides him, his sister Dr Nagaratna is MD/MRCP in medicine who keeps rational outlook in check when dealing with alternative medicine, some thing not seen in other centers of the same. It was their aunt, whose brain child was this place; a tough lady active inspite of being an octogenarian. Other family members, Dr Rama and Late Dr Uma are/were in more philosophical part of spirituality, Advaith Vedanta.
    I have spent some valuable moments of my life with them and would remain ever grateful for it.

    Vishal

  3. I am NRI from USA.

    I would like to visit the Ashram for a day/days.

    Kindly call me (+91 9632806857 to discuss options available.

    I would also/ like to purchase latest edition of ‘ Complete Works….’ and other books/literature by and on Swam y Vivekananda and related works. Please advise where can I view available titles.

    I was initiated by Swam y Swahananda in Los Angeles.

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