8th October 2023, Mumbai: As the sun rises over the serene campus of The Yoga Institute in Santacruz East, it’s evident that this isn’t your typical Sunday morning. Students and teachers have traded their comfortable track pants and loose t-shirts for their Sunday best, all gathered to celebrate the 76th birthday of the beloved Hansa Ma, Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, the esteemed director of The Yoga Institute. Her youthful spirit shines through, leaving an impression of boundless energy.
Renowned actor and Padmashri awardee, Paresh Rawal, graced the occasion as the special guest. Despite his scheduled arrival at 9:00 am, Rawal displayed the punctuality and discipline that yoga instills in its students by reaching the institute promptly at 8:30 am. Rawal, who has been immersed in yoga for the past eight months under the guidance of an institute teacher, shared his remarkable transformation brought about by this ancient practice.
Offering his warm birthday wishes to Dr. Yogendra, Rawal stated, “I wish Hansaji a long and healthy life, for her vitality and well-being reflect upon all of us. A healthy society needs healthy individuals. Thank you, Hansaji, for nurturing such healthy souls through your institute.”
In his characteristically self-deprecating style, Rawal humorously confessed, “I may hold the title of Padmashri, but I’m still working on staying in padmasana for extended periods! Nevertheless, I can attest that yoga has elevated my body, mind, and soul, making me a better actor. It feels like my body, mind, and soul undergo dialysis after I practice yoga. I’m indebted to (director) Umesh Shukla for recommending The Yoga Institute to me.”
Dr. Yogendra, in turn, expressed her admiration for Rawal’s analogy of yoga being akin to dialysis for the mind, body, and soul. She shared her wisdom, saying, “As the mind, so the man. The yoga asanas influence your personality. Yoga’s technology is rooted in nature, with many asanas named after animals and elements found in nature. The closer we are to nature, the more peace we find within ourselves.”
Continuing, she remarked, “I asked my son Hrishi, the assistant director of the institute, why we celebrate birthdays in this manner. For those who practice yoga, every day is a celebration, and we should all live life as a celebration. When we do that, we’ll notice the surge of energy it brings to our beings.”
With a playful smile, she added, “Do you know how old Paresh is? He’s 68, and he’s found his path in yoga. He will remain the same, knowing how to live and laugh at the world’s nonsense.”
The event also marked the launch of the Hindi version of Dr. Hansaji’s latest book, ‘7 Rules to Reset Your Mind and Body for Greater Well-Being,’ titled ‘Saat Sutra: Behtar Jeevan ke liye Apne Tann aur Mann ko Kare Reset.’ This book promises to offer valuable insights into achieving a more balanced and healthy life through the principles of yoga.
Paresh Rawal’s journey into the world of yoga highlights the profound impact this ancient practice can have on one’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. As we celebrate the 76th birthday of the remarkable Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, her teachings remind us that every day can be a celebration of life when we embrace the transformative power of yoga.