Kaivalya Dhama: A University of Yoga, with many limbs
The Kaivalya Dhama Ashram is the spiritual heart and focus of the Institute, and it is under this influence that the various departments do function. Such as The Scientific Research Department, to study the quantitative Physiological, Radiological, Psychological, Sportive, Biochemical and Neurological contexts of Yoga. The Philosophical Literary Research Department, the qualitative Learned Analysis, Textual, Reconstructive, Bibliographical and Encyclopaedic contexts of Yoga.
The Gordhandas Seksaria College of Yoga and Cultural Synthesis, theoretical and practical training for Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Teacher Training, Yoga Therapy and Specialist Courses for Management Development.The Srimati Amolakdevi Tirathram Gupta Yogic Hospital and Healthcare Centre; Yoga, Diet, Ayurveda and Naturopathy Treatment Centres, all under Medical Supervision.
Oldest Yoga Institute in the World
Kaivalyadhama is not just one of the oldest Yoga Institute in the world, but it is one of the most comprehensive. It doesn’t just teach, but since 1924 it has carried out substantial and innovative studies into almost every aspect of Yoga’s practice.
Swami Kuvalayananda founded Kaivalyadhama in 1924 after being guided and inspired by his Guru’s philosophy that spirituality could uplift society. Above all his many skills, Swami Kuvlayananda was a great visionary who foresaw immense scope for the application of Yoga in all the spheres of life.
Swami Kuvalayananda founded Kaivalyadhama in 1924 after being guided and inspired by his Guru’s philosophy that spirituality could uplift society.
Kaivalyadhama’s specific aim is to bring together traditional Yoga with modern science, as neither is thought to be complete without the other. The Swami’s view was that society had lost its way, and only a new and happy ‘marriage’ between the two disciplines could help to regenerate and build a better life for all.
Kaivalyadhama has continued to grow and thrive. In 1951, the training college was inaugurated; in 1965, a unique Yogic Hospital opened its doors; followed by satellite institutes appearing in India and other places. Now there are plans to change the institute’s status into a university. The Institute is graciously supported by the Indian Government and is a not-for-profit charity in which about 80 persons in total are employed. So many groundbreaking firsts continue to keep Kaivalyadhama at the forefront of Yoga practice as a whole both in India and across the world.
Universal Spirit
From time immemorial, India’s spirit has remained strong and vibrant with individuals such as Swami Kuvalyananda taking human form. The Institute’s “raison d’etre” is to maintain this strength, and today Swami Maheshananda, as Chairman and Spiritual Guide of Kaivalyadhama, continues the succession with great charm and wisdom. Swami Maheshananda maintains a twice-daily Havan (fire puja) practice to which all staff, students, and visitors are welcome. The Swami is also available to all in the traditional way. Also, among the renowned visitors to Kaivalyadhama is the world renown Vedanta Acharya, Swami Anubhavananda. Classes are held on all aspects of Vedanta, especially the Bhagavad Gita.
Pushing back Yoga’s frontiers
The work of the Scientific Research Department falls primarily in two quantitative directions. First, cutting edge studies into the effect of Yoga practices, such as Asanas, Kriyas and Pranayama, on diverse subjects as for example school children, yoga students, and police officers are carried out. Second, studies into the benefits of Yoga on various afflictions, such as obesity, diabetes, stress, and blindness. Over the many decades of this good work, a wealth of knowledge has been built, resulting in over one thousand research articles being published at home and internationally. The Department’s staff are highly regarded and sort after to give outreach learning in universities at postgraduate level, and at conferences.
Several research projects are completed each year in the Department’s fully equipped laboratories. These fall into six main categories: physiological, radiology, psychological, sports, biochemical, and neurological. With affiliation to the University of Pune, the Department mounts both M.Phil and Ph.D. courses, while also collaborating with other Indian universities, as well as scientists in Europe and the USA. The magnificent contribution that KaivalyaDhama’s Scientific Research Department has made to the world of Yoga and health since 1924 is beyond question and is of the highest reputation.
Must Read: Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Institute where Iyengar Yoga integrates the body, mind, and emotions
Every Leaf a treasure
Yoga could not be complete without a learned body of writings, and it is the role of Kaivalyadhama’s Philosophico Literary Research Department to provide what may be the world’s most comprehensive archive specifically on Yoga.
The Department’s first objective is to collect, analyze, disseminate, and protect ancient and modern works on Yoga. Protection of the original meanings of Yoga is especially vital today as interest in Yoga worldwide has appeared, bringing with it unwarranted distortions of this beautiful wisdom and the risk of loss of India’s priceless, irreplaceable heritage.
The basic work of the Department is to render traditional Yogic lore in a systematic and rational way so making it more accessible and understandable to all. Swami Kuvalyananda’s original qualitative methodology of both the basic and analytic is still maintained in the fields of ethics, social, philosophical, and spiritual applications. This entails both enhancing knowledge and unfolding concepts.
The output and facilities of the Department are both impressive and highly valuable. Across the decades since 1924, textual discoveries and translations, and the publication of learned writings have earned the Department much prestige. The library, which is open to all, contains over 25,000 titles and is itself a national treasure. There may be no greater Yoga resource than this anywhere in the world.
Swami Kuvalyananda’s original qualitative methodology of both the basic and analytic is still maintained in the fields of ethics, social, philosophical, and spiritual applications.
Classical Yoga education
Established in 1951 by Swami Kuvalyananda the Gordhandas Seksaria College of Yoga & Cultural Synthesis is an institute for the training of Yoga instructors. In fact, it has built a high international reputation for excellence, and students enrolled from all parts of India and the world for yoga training. But the College’s excellence is not just for training people as Yoga instructors. Substantial activities are also undertaken with the military, police and medical professionals, business executives and, not least, school teachers.
Non-conventional Energy Sources
Solar Plant – Kaivalyadhama houses a 75kW Solar PV Plant in its campus. This source of electricity generation accounts for energy security and increases efficiency over the institute’s wide geographical area. It is renewable and does not cause environmental pollution.
Windmills – Kaivalyadhama is also equipped with windmills for the purpose of electricity generation.
Dairy– In yoga, it is believed that proper nourishment leads to a pure body, which in turn facilitates spiritual advancement. In its efforts to provide pure and organic food Kaivalyadhama’s gaushala (cowshed) is equipped with over forty cows that provide fresh milk throughout the institute. The livestock is sent to graze throughout the lush green property of Kaivalyadhama which has resulted in increased agricultural plantations throughout the campus in order to ensure that the cows consume only natural and fresh food. To promote eco-friendly behavior the institute recycles cow dung and uses it as a source of manure. The cows receive the most equitable and caring form of treatment with a large staff and veterinary doctor to tend to them at all times.
This happy place
Situated on the western edge of the Western Ghats close to the town of Lonavala, Kaivalyadhama is at 120 km from Mumbai, and 60 km from Pune. Its height above sea level is 600 m, which means it is always refreshingly cooler than the coast area. The main railway and expressway between these two cities are close by, making the Institute quite easy to reach from all places. Kaivalyadhama itself is spread across 180 acres of parkland and gardens and is full of trees, flowers, birds, and butterflies, making it a beautifully open and serene place to visit. The staff and workers are a happy group and will give you a warm welcome whenever you may come.
