The International Centre for Yoga Education and Research (ICYER), commonly referred to as the Ananda Ashram, whose students are spread across the world celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 5. Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy will launch the celebrations at the Kamban Kalai Arangam at 10 a.m.
The institution imparts Ashtanga Yoga (Gitananda Yoga) as expounded by Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj, founder of the ashram, in the classical tradition that balances the ancient tantric and yoga wisdom with modern medical scientific knowledge.
The founder-guru was a medical doctor who spent forty years in the West and developed a system known as Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga (Gitananda Yoga) based on classical yoga amalgamated with a firm scientific, medical basis. He was also the Madathipathi or spiritual head of the Sri Kambaliswamy Madam, a century and a half old Samadhi site of Ashtanga Yoga Guru Srila Sri Kambaliswamigal at Thattanchavady.
The yoga centre, established in 1968 has transformed into the international headquarters for more than a hundred affiliated centres in nearly 30 countries, said Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, ICYER Chairman and Director of Yoga Therapy at the Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education and Research (CYTER) of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth.
ICYER is a founder member of the Indian Yoga Association as well as the Council for Yoga Accreditation International.
It publishes books on yoga and Indian cultural arts, a monthly International journal “Yoga Life” and offers a 52-module correspondence course in yoga. Its main service is the six-month International Yoga Teachers Training Course from October 2 through March 25 every year. More than 108 Asanas , 44 Pranayamas and 56 Kriyas are taught in the six months. The course involves rigorous study of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras , Upanishads , Vashistha , Hatha Pradipika , Gheranda Samhita , Bhagavad Gita and other important Yogic texts. Training is also given in Bharatanatyam and carnatic music. ICYER also offers a one-year International Diploma in Yoga Education instituted since 2001. The founder’s work is continued by Ammaji Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, the Director and Ashram Acharya, an internationally acclaimed yoga expert and author of about a dozen books.
