‘Bal yogis’ showing the path of wellness through yoga
As India and the world is set to celebrate the third International Day of Yoga on June 21, many children who are expert in yoga are emerging as brand ambassadors of the ancient art of wellness.
These ‘bal yogis’ (young yoga experts) are leading sessions in various ashrams and getting invitations to hold yoga camps and workshops in India and abroad.
Allahabad’s Shruti Pandey, 14, is a yoga guru who has followers not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in other states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. A student of class 9 at Central Academy, Jhunsi, Shruti is an expert in all 84 ‘asanas’ (postures). “What started as a step to remain fit and discipline at the age of 5 through my parents’ encouragement has now become a passion. I have taught yoga to people in many cities, including at Ujjain and Nasik during Mahakumbh,” said Shruti.
She is a disciple of Swami Hari Chaitanya Brahmachari and resides at the Swami’s Tikarmafi ashram in Jhunsi on the banks of Sangam.
Shruti has been felicitated by former chief of army staff and present minister of state for external affairs General (retd) VK Singh and a popular television. Her father Yogendra Kumar Pandey is an education officer at the directorate of higher education in Allahabad.
Another teen yoga expert, Priyanshi, 17, is a resident of Rajroopur locality in Allahabad. Learning yoga since the age of 4, this class 12 student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, New Cantonment, credits Baba Subedar Singh as her yoga guru.
“I used to watch him perform yoga. Drawing inspiration from him, I learnt this age-old Indian art and now I love teaching it to others. I believe yoga is a way of life to remain mentally and physically fit,” said Priyanshi who has led yoga sessions throughout the state.
Other young trainers at Allahabad’s Kriyayoga Ashram and Research Institute of Swami Shree Yogi Satyam are also gaining popularity. Krishna, 12, hails from Canada
He came to India with his parents and is staying at Kriyayoga ashram where he is learning and propagating ‘kriyayog’, a form of yoga. His father is a doctor.
“I practise yoga everyday at the ashram. My day starts at 5 am. I help visitors and new yoga learners to understand the finer point of ‘asanas’. I have led yoga sessions in Canada. My parents regularly visit the ashram and join me in my daily sessions as well,” said Krishna.
Five-year-old Arjun Scott Lynch from the United States is another yoga expert. Son of attorney Scott Lynch and grandson of former Ohio mayor David M Lynch, Arjun resides at the ashram with his mother Kari to perfect his knowledge of yoga and to set examples for others.
“I know Hindi and am trying to master tougher ‘asanas’. My parents practised ‘kriyayog’ and I am following in their footsteps. I have led yoga sessions in the US as well as in India,” he said.
Brother-sister duo Yogita (13) and Shivam (9) of New Delhi are also experts in the nuances of ‘kriyayog’ and lead children’s sessions at the ‘ashram’ under guidance of Swami Shree Yogi Satyam and Swami Gyan Mata Radha Satyam. “These children are the best ambassadors of yoga and are already winning over followers from all parts of the world,” said Swami Gyan Mata Radha Satyam.
These children are the best ambassadors of yoga and are already winning over followers from all parts of the world,” SWAMI GYAN MATA RADHA SATYAM, yoga guru