The lotus-shaped expansive university inaugurated near Ahmedabad recently by Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, is India’s first government accredited self-funded yoga university. Lakulish Yoga University was inaugurated on April 22 under the Gujarat State Private Universities Act of 2009 with Swami Rajarshi Muni as its founder.
The newly appointed vice-chancellor Bansidhar Upadhyay says the institute was established by Late Swami Kripalvanandji with the objective of contributing to human well-being by teaching yoga and the yogic way of life worldwide. It aims at offering not only all yoga-related education, but also to conduct research in yoga practice.”
Upadhyay incidentally, was also the first yoga teacher at the Yoga Vidyalaya established in 1976 at Baroda. At Lakulish, research will be both method-oriented and applied. The functioning of Pran in various yogic processes such as asan, pranayam, shat kriyas, bandhas, mudras etc will be researched in depth. Pran is the intermediary energy that establishes the connection between the body, mind, and soul. The university seeks to focus on the all-round development of an individual encompassing physical, mental and spiritual aspects.
Teaching programmes
Lakulish offers a three-year graduate degree programme in two streams — Hatha Yoga, Laya Yoga, Raja Yoga and Karma Yoga, Gyan Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. Students can opt for either stream. Stream one is mainly designed for students under 35 years of age. Stream two will suit students of any age group. The minimum qualification for admission to either programme is Class XII pass.
Two types of curricula are offered to suit individual requirements. Firstly, a three-year part-time non-residential programme with two annual semesters of 114 days (June to October) and 126 days (November to April) with limited hours of study. Secondly, they also offer a full-time modular residential programme with six modules of 60 days each with the same syllabus and credit requirements. Five hour classes will be held daily. Classroom lectures, practicals, demonstrations, site visits and home study will be a part of the course, which will be taught in English. What’s more is, students opting to discontinue the course after the completion of one or more modules will be awarded a certificate or diploma, based on the level of completion.
Fee for Indian students is Rs 13,000 per year and the subjects include anatomy, ayurveda and naturopathy, along with applied therapy and yoga. The first semester started on June 6. For details, call (+91) 7965445678.
preethi@newindianexpress.com