Conference on 'Celebrating Yoga'
organized by Yoga Alliance International, at Vanaprashta Ashram,
Swargashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 7th - 9th November 2008

Yoga Alliance International organized a 3-day function, titled 'Celebrating Yoga', in Vanaprashta Ashram, Swargashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, from 7th November till 9th November 2008.

The Founder-President of Yoga Alliance International, Shri Swami Vidyananda, and the Organizing Director, YAI, Shri K.M. Chandrashekharan, extended their heartfelt invitation to Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, President, Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, to attend the Inaugural Function of the International Conference, 'Celebrating Yoga', on 7th November 2008, as Chief Guest and Speaker. Further on, Swami Vidyanandaji requested Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, whether he can conduct a Hawana in the beautiful premises of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, in order to highlight the spiritual importance of Yoga. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji immediately agreed, and with the help of the Priests of Omkarananda Ashram, a special Yagna and Puja were conducted in the presence of Swami Vidyanandaji and all his disciples for a great beginning of the Yoga-Function. The Yagna and Pujas were performed in a splendid way in Omkarananda-Kamakshi- Devi-Mandir, Omkarananda Nagar, Muni-ki-Reti, in the morning of 7th November 2008. After having taken blessings from Omkarananda Ashram, Shri Swami Vidyanandaji and all his disciples went to the holy river Gangaji, and, via a bliss-full boat-drive, reached from Muni-ki-reti, Distt. Tehri Garhwal, to the other side of Ganga Ma, to Swargashram, where the Yoga-Conference was to start soon.

The objective behind the Yoga-Conference was, to bring devoted practitioners and teachers of the many traditions, that make up the Yogic heritage, on a common platform together. The Conference intended to provide an opportunity for the participants to discuss at first hand the problems, troubling mankind, and the ways and means to tackle them through multi-faceted Yogic approaches.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji attended the Inaugural Function, in Vanaprashta Ashram, Swargashram, on 7th November 2008, along with Prof. S. Murthy, a Member of Omkarananda Ashram. At the function Swamiji met Shri Swami Ved'bharatiji, a great Vedic Scholar and President of Swami Ram Ashram, who was extremely happy, to see Swami Vishveshwarananda, since it was his long time wish to meet him. He exclaimed: 'I must have a perfect combinations of Stars today, since today I am here with Swamiji!' He also appreciated very much H.D. Shri Swami Omkarananda Saraswati for his tremendous contributions in the field of education and spirituality.

The inaugural function was attended by prominent speakers. The great scholar and writer, Shri Swami Vedbharatiji, who often travels to different countries, preaching the Vedanta Philosophy, started with a small meditation and Mantra-Chanting. He then spoke of several experiences he had, while meeting different people in various countries. He further emphasized on the importance of Yoga in today's stressful life.
Then, in front of Vedic Scholars and Yogis, Shri Swami Vishveshwar'anandaji presented his brilliant speech about Yoga as a means for attaining Jivanmukti. Since his speech was very practical and touching the most important points, which have to be observed in order to reach this great aim fast, Swamiji got a huge applause from all listeners, who considered themselves fortunate, that they were blessed with the words of a great Saint. There are many persons in this world, who talk about or practise the vast subject of Yoga, but there are only a few real Saints. If a real Saint talks about a subject, like Yoga, his words have power, because he lives, what he talks. From the speech of a Saint the listeners profit a lot, they get real inspiration and divine help, which enables them to solve the problems of day to day life more easily. That is the reason, why everyone, hearing Swami Vishveshwaranandaji's speech, felt touched and blessed. Swami Vishveshwar'ananda, in his speech, was mentioning many different kinds of Yoga and sister-sciences, like Ayurveda, which are helpful to acquire better health and to reach Self-Realisation. He also cited important sayings of His Sadgurudev, H.D. Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, who was a born Mystic, Sage and Saint. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji thanked and praised Swami Vidyanandaji for conducting this conference on Yoga. He appreciated all the participants, who had come to further improve their skills in Yoga and to share their own experiences, they had during teaching. Swami Vishveshwarananda also appreciated, that Yoga takes place near the holy river Ganga, and he spoke about the entire area of Uttarakhand, where Saints and Sages from times immemorial made their Tapasya.

The function continued with many other speakers from India and abroad, who were requested by Shri Swami Vidyanandaji to speak on their own experiences, while conducting Yoga in their respective countries.

Several participants showed their skills in front of the entire audience.
This unique Conference on 'Celebrating Yoga' was indeed a wonderful achievement and of great benefit for all participants.