Yoga Kulam Newsletter
April 2026
100 Hours Yoga Facilitator Training for HSS Volunteers
Pranam and Namaste to our Global Yoga and Ayurveda Enthusiasts !
We are vibrating with the divine energy of our first-ever Dikshant Samaroh (graduation ceremony), celebrating the completion of our 100-Hour Introduction to Yoga and Ayurveda program. This wasn’t just a certification; it was a Sadhana. Out of 68 seekers who embarked on this 15-week journey, 51dedicated individuals emerged as certified facilitators, having mastered a rigorous curriculum of philosophy, guided teaching, and deep self-introspection. From the youngest participant, Samhita, to seasoned professionals, our graduates proved that the ancient roots of Bharat are ready to blossom in the modern West.
As our keynote speaker, neurologist Dr. Kiran Patil, beautifully reminded us: yoga isn't just a physical feat—it is a transformative inward journey that reshapes the brain and heals the spirit. Our vision for 2026 through this is bold: we are taking these practices from our Shakhas (local chapters) into the heart of mainstream healthcare, schools, and civic life. We are not just teaching poses; we are cultivating "Practitioners"—leaders of life who embody the balance of Ayurveda and the discipline of the Yoga Sutras to serve as anchors for mental health and social harmony in our communities.
Marma Therapy Sessions across 5 Cities in USA and Canada With Shri C M Bhandari
We were thrilled to have a transformative journey with Shri C.M. Bhandari Ji, a luminary who seamlessly bridges the worlds of high-level diplomacy and ancient Vedic sciences. A former Indian Ambassador and IIT Kanpur alumnus, Bhandari Ji has dedicated his life to demystifying the "Science of Holistic Existence" through the profound practice of Marma Yoga. His recent USA and Canada tour was a rare opportunity to learn directly from a master as he traveled across five vibrant cities, Bay area, Houston, Dallas, Edison and Toronto. This intensive experience featured a 10-hour deep-dive online preparatory course followed by 6–8 hours of powerful in-person sessions in each city, designed to unlock the 107 vital energy points (Marmas) within you for immediate rejuvenation and long-term health. Every breath and every stretch during this tour carried a deeper purpose: Funds that has been raised will be donated to his charity organization in Bharat, supporting his mission to provide holistic wellness and education to the underserved. 100s of people joined his sessions and enhanced their yogic practices. Whether you are a seasoned yogi or an Ayurveda enthusiast, this is your chance to refine your practice with Marma therapy. You can find all his online recordings here. Don't miss this opportunity to turn your personal well-being into a global blessing!
Recordings:
Bay Area 25-Hour Ayurvedic Immersion & Retreat
While the modern world often looks for "quick fixes," our community recently chose the path of deep, rhythmic healing. From February 28th to March 3rd, we hosted a landmark 4-day, 25-hour Ayurvedic Certification Course and Retreat that served as a powerful reminder of why our mission in the West is so vital. Led by the brilliant Dr. Sonal Gupta and Ayurvedacharya Smt. Rajesh Kanwar, this wasn't just a classroom experience—it was a sensory homecoming. Over 25 intensive hours, seekers journeyed from the foundational Panchamahabhootas (the five great elements) to a deep understanding of their unique Prakruti (constitution) and Vikruti (current imbalances).
This retreat was a crucial milestone for our community because it bridged the gap between "knowing" and "living." Participants didn't just study Tridosha or the transformative power of Agni (digestive fire); they rolled up their sleeves for hands-on Ayurvedic cooking, learned the sacred art of clearing Ama (biotoxins), and mastered rejuvenating self-care rituals designed for the high-stress pace of American life. The energy was further amplified as Dr. Gupta took this wisdom "on the road," conducting a series of vibrant introductory sessions across three Bay Area cities, sparking a wellness revolution throughout the region. By empowering our members with these ancient tools, we are building a frontline of health-conscious leaders ready to sustain balance in an often-unbalanced world.
Portland, Oregon Ayurveda Retreat
Yoga Kulam USA successfully advanced its mission of integrating ancient Indian wisdom into modern Western life through Swasthya Samvāda, a transformative 3-day Ayurveda immersion in Oregon led by the esteemed Vaidya (Smt.) Rajesh Kanwar ji. This intensive program reached diverse communities across Hillsboro, North Plains, Beaverton, and Portland, bridging the gap between traditional Vedic science and daily civic engagement. Touching on the core of holistic living, Vaidya Rajesh ji—a gold-medalist physician and Iyengar Yoga expert—delivered a series of sessions ranging from the foundational Principles of Ayurveda to specialized workshops on Ayurvedic Aahar (Diet) and Swasthya Palan (Self-Care). Highlights included:
Impactful Reach: The program featured multiple interactive sessions and two Sunrise Stretching workshops, engaging young parents, fitness enthusiasts, and over 20 attendees at a special centenary talk at the Vedanta Society of Portland.
Scientific Depth: Participants explored 18 types of Viruddhatā (incompatible food combinations) and the Traya Upastambhas (three sub-pillars of health: diet, sleep, and lifestyle).
Sacred Wisdom: The immersion was anchored in timeless sutras, notably defining Swasthya (health) as the balance of doshas, digestive fire, and a clear soul: "Prasanna ātmenindriya manāha Swasthya ityabhidheeyate".
Visionary Alignment: By teaching that "Food should be medicine" (Bhojanam bhavet auşadham), the program empowered the community to reclaim their potential through sustainable, nature-aligned habits.
This immersion not only educated healthcare professionals and local residents but also fostered social harmony by uniting ancient roots with modern health needs, perfectly embodying Yoga Kulam’s vision of a balanced, holistic world.
Yoga Kulam To Release book on Patanjali Yoga Sutras
We are excitted to announce a monumental step in our mission to bring the ancient roots of Bharat to the modern doorstep. By this month, in honor of the Hindu New Year, Yoga Kulam will officially launch two definitive guides for the conscious lives: a simplified translation of the Patanjali Yoga Sutras and a practical Ayurveda Handbook for Daily Life. These are not mere books; they are blueprints for Swasthya (holistic health), designed to help you navigate 21st-century stressors with 5,000-year-old clarity. Our dedicated team is already deep in the final stages of preparation, with the shared digital manuscripts—featuring the original, powerful Devanagari script—now ready for review by our the team. Stay tuned for pre-order details as we prepare to put the "Science of Life" directly into your hands!
Deepening the Roots: Releasing The Patanjali Yoga Sutra Series
To complement our upcoming book release, we are honored to share an extraordinary YouTube playlist dedicated to the profound study of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The digital Satsang serves as a bridge between ancient meditative insights and the modern analytical mind, offering a verse-by-verse journey into the psychology of Yoga. Whether you are a practitioner looking to stabilize the mind or a seeker exploring the spiritual mechanics of Kaivalya (liberation), these sessions provide the necessary philosophical foundation to transform your physical practice into a living, breathing internal science.
Swami Vidyapradananda Ji
Swami Vidyapradananda Ji, is a rare soul who embodies the the modern scientific excellence and ancient vedic wisdom. He is currently heading the Department of Sports Science & Yoga and the Department of Bharatiya Jnana Parampara (Indian Wisdom Tradition) under the School of Indian Heritage, Swamiji’s background is nothing short of formidable. Before his spiritual immersion, he was a highly accomplished engineer, earning his BTech from NIT and both an M.S. and Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University, USA specializing in high-tech fields like Operations Research, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning. Despite these secular achievements, his heart remained tethered to the Bharatiya Jnana Parampara, leading him to master the nuances of Yoga-Vedanta. Continuing his lifelong pursuit of knowledge, he is currently pursuing a second Ph.D. at IIT Kharagpur in the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) division. Swamiji’s teachings offer our community a unique opportunity to understand Yoga through a lens that is both mathematically precise and spiritually profound.
The song of the Soul: Exploring the Bhagvad Gita Series
Step into a sanctuary of timeless wisdom with our curated Bhagvad Gita Video Series. This collection is more than a study of scripture; it is a guide for the modern warrior navigating the "Kurukshetra" of daily life. Through these sessions, the Gita’s profound teachings on Dharma, Karma Yoga, and the nature of the self are decoded, offering practical tools to maintain inner equanimity amidst outer chaos. Whether you are seeking mental clarity or spiritual depth, this series bridges ancient Bharat’s most celebrated philosophy with the challenges of the 21st-century Western world, reflecting Yoga Kulam’s commitment to sustainable and balanced living.
Meet the Visionary: Swami Atmapriyananda Ji
We are deeply honored to learn from Swami Atmapriyananda Ji, a senior monk of the illustrious Ramakrishna mission, who embodies the rare union of cutting modern age science and deep Vedic realization. A scholar of the highest order, Swamiji holds an MSc in Nuclear physics and a PhD in theoritical physics from the University of Madras.
His life’s work is a testament to the vision of Swami Vivekananda; he served for 15 years as the founder-Vice Chancellor of the Ramakrishna Mission, a deemed university. Currently serving as the Pro-Chancellor at the university’s main campus in Belur Math, West Bengal, Swamiji continues to be a beacon of the Bharatiya Jnana Parampara. He dedicates his time to teaching the profound philosophies of the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads, guiding seekers to integrate spiritual height with intellectual depth.
Upcoming Events…
100 Hours Yoga Facilitator Training Spring batch To start soon ..Register Here
Ayurveda for Yoga Teachers next batch
Webinars on Bhakti. Register for sessions on 12th April & 26th April
International Day of Yoga
Local Yoga and Ayurveda retreats nationwide
Stay tuned …
Ready to explore the depths of ancient wisdom for modern living? The Yoga Kulam Podcast and youtube channel offer insightful conversations with leading experts, guiding you on a journey towards holistic health and personal growth.
