The seven-day International Yoga Festival commenced on Sunday at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh with grandeur and spiritual fervour. The first day began during Brahma Muhurta with sessions led by yoga masters from India and abroad, offering practices in yoga, meditation, pranayama, and Ayurveda. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also visited the ashram and participated in the evening Ganga Aarti.
Confluence of Yogic Energy and Spirituality
Renowned Kundalini yoga teacher Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa from the USA guided participants in Kundalini practices. Over 1,000 yoga enthusiasts from more than 50 countries are taking part in the festival. Ashram President Swami Chidanand Saraswati said that yoga is not only for the body but also a path to spiritual upliftment. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati emphasized that yoga purifies the soul and connects individuals with truth and divinity.
Special Yoga Sessions and Meditation Techniques
Several expert-led sessions were held during the day:
- Yogacharyas Akash Jain and Radhika Gupta demonstrated the five elements of Surya Namaskar.
- Dr. Yogrishi Vishvketu held a session on Himalayan breath-based pranayama.
- Siana Sharman taught compassion chakra-focused meditation in Rasa Yoga.
- Stuart Gilchrist led a session on Kundalini Express, while Tommy Rosen shared ancient principles of spiritual nutrition.
Tommy Rosen, a yoga expert known for his work on addiction recovery, stated, “Addiction is disconnection, while yoga is connection. Yoga is recovery, and recovery is yoga.”
CM Dhami Attends Ganga Aarti
In the evening, a grand Ganga Aarti was held on the riverbank, with CM Pushkar Singh Dhami in attendance. Canadian kirtan artist Guru Nirmat Singh and Indian musician Satyanand led devotional chanting during the ceremony.
