I bow down to Muni Patanjali with folded hands who helped in removing the impurities of the mind through his work on Yoga, impurities of the speech through his work on grammer and impurities of the body through his work on Ayurveda.
He was the spiritual Guru of Swami Kuvalayananda. In his own lifetime, he had become a legendary figure due to his Yogic power. His uniqueness lies in the fact that apart from high standing in the spiritual field, he was very much concerned with the role, which the spiritual men could play in the upliftment of the society. At the beginning of the 20th century, in his capacity as the chief of Brihat Sadhu Samai, he even organised, the first ever congregation of Sadhu to deliberate over this matter. This un-orthodox approach to the spiritual field had a tremendous influence on Swami kuvalayananda, encouraging him to undertake the scientific investigations in Yoga with a view to make its benefits easily available for the whole Mankind.
He was one of the first disciples of Swami Kuvalayananda, who had joined him much before the foundation of Kaivalyadhama. He was the first subject for scientific investigations initiated by Swami Kuvalayananda in 1920. He was the head of the Rajkot centre of Kaivalyadhama and after passing away of Swami Kuvalayananda in 1966, took up the responsibility to guide the activities of Kaivalyadhama Lonavla, as the Director of the Institute. He was the living example of 'Sthitaprajna' and followed the unique blend of Jnana, Bhakti and Karma Yoga in his life.
With the goal of restructuring society around spiritual values through a revival of the ancient Yogic discipline, Swami Kuvalyananda established the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute on Vijaydashami day 1924, at Lonavla.
One of the first things that he undertook to do was bringing out “Yoga Mimamsa”, a Yogic Journal. Publication of Yoga Mimamsa was a pioneering step taken towards demystifying Yoga. Hitherto considered sacred and only for a chosen few, Yoga was now presented as a science. The journal managed to successfully bridge the gap between the spiritual and physical aspects of Yoga. The impact was soon felt and an enthusiastic team of people, dedicated to Yogic research, soon joined Swamiji, which finally led to a separate research wing named, Shriman Madhav Yoga Mandir Samiti. The goal was to make available to people the results of practical research undertaken in text form. It has been and continues to be effectively achieved.
As the work gained momentum, it gained recognition too. People now wanted to learn Yoga and groups of students started coming and learning the various Yogic practices which inevitably led to the foundation of a full fledged institute by the name of Gordhandas Seksaria College of Yoga & Cultural Synthesis in 1950. A systematic program was introduced, wherein able teachers effectively imparted the theoretical and practical aspects of Yoga.
Along with the spiritual and physical culturists, a number of patients suffering from various psychosomatic diseases started coming to Kaivalyadhama. The Rugna Seva Mandir was established to look after their therapeutic needs. In 1961, this turned into the Amolak Devi Tirathram Gupta Yogic Hospital, a first ever hospital of its kind in India, devoted exclusively to the treatment of chronic functional disorders through Yoga.
As the demand arose from other places, branches have been established in Mumbai, Rajkot, Delhi, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, USA and France.
It is no exaggeration to say that scientific Yoga is the largest contribution of Swami Kuvalyananda to the world and that Kaivalyadhama is the embodiment of that pursuit. When Swamiji set about in his quest for perfection, he was conscious of the fact that it was an arduous task and difficult goal to achieve. We do not claim that perfection has been achieved by Kaivalyadhama, but no one can decry it either as a house of imperfection. 75 years of existence is a testimony to its successful functioning. In its own way, it is a landmark in the field of Yoga and Indian culture.
Introduction
For ages now the value of Yogic System in treatment, rehabilitation and prophylaxis of certain diseases has been well known and rightfully acknowledged.
With this in mind, Rugna Seva Mandir, a department devoted exclusively to the treatment of various diseases through Yoga, has been functioning at Kaivalyadhama, since 1924, its year of inception. With the passage of time the number of patients seeking the advantages of Yogic therapy increased and the need was felt to establish a full-fledged Yogic Hospital to cater to them. This became possible due to the munificent donation by Shri Amritlal Gupta, who personally experienced the benefits of Yogic therapy. The Shrimati Amolakdevi Tirathram Gupta Hospital is a result of his magnanimous donation. This is the first ever hospital of its kind in India where Yogic treatment is given under complete medical supervision and results assessed on scientific lines with the help of a research laboratory.
Since Yoga helps balance the mind and body leading to better health, people began to understand that it was a means of preventing ailments. Thus, the increased awareness of the benefits of Yoga necessitated the conversion of the hospital into a full-fledged Health Care Center. The aim now is to provide people with an efficient system of Health Management through Yogic practices. To augment the benefits, a Naturopathy Center has been established.
Apart from the massage, sauna and steam baths, the facility of “mud” treatment is a specialty here. Unadulterated mud from the surrounding hills is especially brought down, cleaned, pounded and powdered to make mud poultices for local applications. A full body mud bath is a very nourishing experience, which leaves the body soft, smooth, fresh and free of any stress it might have had. Above all, the regular chanting of mantras in front of the sacrificial fire provides food for the soul. Swami Maheshananda performs the “havan” everyday and no devotee of the Lord can remain unaffected by the bliss of performing the ritualistic puja.
So also regular sessions on “Pranayama” are held by Shri. O. P. Tiwari, the Secretary of the Institute and a student of Swami Kuvalayananda.
Last but not the least; great care is taken to provide wholesome meals, which are nutritious and easily digestible. Meals are accompanied by fresh fruit and salad, thus ensuring a healthy, balance of diet. All this has been possible not merely by the efforts of the people of this Institute but also because of the Yoga enthusiasts who have been visiting the place over the years in ever increasing numbers. Their valuable suggestions have helped the institute in its endeavor towards perfection.