Latest news with #SahajaYoga
Hamilton Spectator
15-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
A Community United in Spirit: Burlington Celebrates 20 Years of Sahaja Yoga and International Yoga Day
This year marks a special milestone in Burlington as Sahaja Yoga celebrates its 20th anniversary in the city. At the heart of the celebration is Ioana Popa, the founder of Burlington's Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network and their meditation classes, and the passionate force behind International Yoga Days in Halton. Her journey began in Romania, just after the fall of communism — a time she describes as dark but transformative. 'There were no materials about yoga or spirituality during communism, but my grandfather had books hidden away. When I started reading them, it felt like finding light in the dark,' she recalls. That inner spark of curiosity eventually led her to Sahaja Yoga, guided by the teachings of Shri Mataji, a spiritual teacher she refers to with deep reverence. Popa says, 'Yoga means union — connection. The goal is self-realization. Everything that is essential should be simple, born within us. That's what 'Sahaja' means.' After arriving in Burlington two decades ago, she searched for free yoga classes but found none. So, she rented a space at Brant Hills Community Centre and began offering classes from the heart. 'For more than a month, no one came. But I kept showing up. I wasn't doing it for business or ego — I was doing it because yoga is meant to be shared.' From these humble beginnings, Sahaja Yoga in Burlington has grown into a vibrant network of community partnerships, volunteer support, and multicultural celebration. This year's International Yoga Days has expanded into a three-day experience, featuring meditative concerts, public yoga sessions, and community gatherings designed to nourish the mind, body, and spirit. 'This is not just a celebration, it's a reflection of what can happen when you plant the seeds of joy,' Popa says. 'We called our campaign 100 Seeds of Joy, and in one year, we ended up doing over 450 events.' The events kick off with a flag-raising ceremony on June 20, newly proclaimed by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward as Sahaja Meditation Day in Burlington. 'It's so meaningful to have the city acknowledge what we've been doing for years. It's about bringing people together to recognize the light that shines in every person.' Among the weekend's highlights is a gentle yoga flow accompanied by live Indian bamboo flute at Spencer Smith Park, a guided meditation at the Burlington Public Library, and the Festival of New Beginnings at the Burlington Lions Club, which features live music, chakra workshops, and community tea moments. Artists like Mari Joël and Kenny Clarys — international musicians who blend Celtic, Dutch, and meditative influences — will perform throughout the weekend, creating a rich cultural tapestry. The Burlington-Apeldoorn twinning agreement with the Netherlands added another meaningful layer to this year's celebration. 'When I learned that Burlington had a treaty with the Netherlands, and our guest musicians happened to be available for a week, it felt like alignment,' says Popa. 'We invited the mayor and wanted to highlight that this is about global connection — about being a global personality.' But what sets Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network apart isn't just its free offerings or cultural scope. It's the deep-rooted intention behind every class and event. 'This isn't physical yoga. It's about meditation and connection, about experiencing peace from within. It's closer to the original state of yoga — ending thought and feeling the oneness with the universe,' explains Popa. 'Our motto this year is 'One Earth, One Health.' The best way we can contribute to the world is through self-realization — respecting our own freedom and that of others.' Accessibility remains a cornerstone of Sahaja Yoga's mission. Every event and class is free and open to all, driven by a spirit of inclusivity and service. 'We've never charged for a class. We're volunteers, many of whom started as participants. Our events are for everyone: newcomers, seasoned yogis, people of every background. That's how we create real community.' From school visits and senior wellness sessions to collaborative events with local venues and musicians, Popa and her team of volunteers continue to spread their message across Halton. 'We don't need fancy things, just space, music, and intention. Let's make Burlington proud by showing that wellness is for everyone and that joy is something we cultivate together.' Whether you're joining a lakeside yoga session or sipping tea in shared silence, the goal is always the same: connection, joy, and the gentle reminder that everything you need is already within. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Yoga Awareness Van Launched to Promote Healthy Living in Rural Bengaluru
Bengaluru: In a bid to promote the benefits of yoga and meditation in rural areas, a mobile awareness campaign was launched in Bengaluru Rural district on Tuesday, ahead of the International Day of Yoga in June. It is stated that it is the first endeavour to launch a Yoga educator on wheels. The initiative, flagged off by Bengaluru Rural MP and noted cardiologist Dr. C.N. Manjunath, aims to raise awareness about lifestyle diseases and the role yoga can play in preventing and managing them. The campaign is organised by the Life Eternal Trust, Bengaluru, in association with the Sahaja Yoga Collective of Karnataka. Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Manjunath said lifestyle-related illnesses account for over 60% of deaths in India and called for preventive healthcare measures rooted in traditional practices. 'Yoga is not merely a form of exercise. It is a holistic science that integrates the mind, body and soul,' he said. Dr. Manjunath described yoga and meditation as 'powerful tools' that can counteract the stress and pace of modern life, adding that such practices should be incorporated into daily routines to improve physical and mental well-being. The awareness van, inspired by the teachings of Sahaja Yoga founder Mataji Nirmala Devi, will travel across villages in Bengaluru Rural to offer free demonstrations and guidance. Organisers said the initiative is designed to bridge the urban-rural gap in awareness and access to yoga-based wellness. 'In urban areas, there is already growing awareness about yoga. But in rural areas, we still have a long way to go,' Dr. Manjunath noted. 'This mobile campaign will take the message of yoga directly to people's doorsteps.' Gurumurthy, an 83-year-old practitioner of Sahaja Yoga who addressed the gathering, said regular practice has kept him from ailments. 'Yoga is nature's medicine. I hope this van encourages more people in villages to try it.' The event was attended by Dr. Manoj Kumar, Chairman of Life Eternal Trust, as well as members of the Sahaja Yoga Collective from Bengaluru.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
14-Year-Old ‘Human Calculator' Breaks 6 World Records in 1 Day: 'One in a Billion Kind of Person'
A 14-year-old Indian math prodigy known as the "Human Calculator" says yoga meditation keeps his brain nimble. Aaryan Shukla, of Maharashtra, India, recently broke six world records in math in one day, according to Guinness World Records. In lightning fashion, Shulka now holds the record for the fastest time to mentally add 100 four-digit numbers (30.9 seconds), the fastest time to mentally add 200 four-digit numbers (1 min, 9.68 seconds), the fastest time to mentally add 50 five-digit numbers (18.71 seconds), the fastest time to mentally divide a 20-digit number by a ten-digit number set of 10 (5 min, 42 seconds), the fastest time to mentally multiply two five-digit numbers set of 10 (51.69 seconds) and the fastest time to mentally multiply two eight-digit numbers set of 10 (2 min, 35.41 seconds). In a video displaying Shukla's acumen, the teen is seen answering complex math problems faster than a man inputting them into a calculator. Related: Woman with a Tongue That's Wider Than a Soda Can Nabs World Record: 'It's Pretty Weird Looking' As he sets the first record, the boy can be seen mentally computing 100 four-digit numbers that flash on a screen while he waves his hands in quick succession. After 30.9 seconds, he inputs his answer — which matches the computer's calculation exactly. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. After performing the feat, Shukla shared some of the reasons for his success. 'Sahaja Yoga meditation helps me to keep calm and focused,' he said. Related: Teen Who Wears Size 23 Shoes — and Got Help from Shaquille O'Neal — Sets 2 World Records When he's not also practicing his math skills daily, Shukla enjoys traveling, reading, playing video games and cricket, he says. The teen's mother recalls that her son has always been 'very good with numbers.' 'At the age of 6 he started the practice of mental calculation, and he was very good, so we started doing some research on this,' she told Guinness. Related: 25-Year-Old with Dwarfism Holds 2 Twin World Records with Identical Sister Who Is Over a Foot Taller (Exclusive) The proud mom adds, 'At the age of 8 we went for an international competition and he won medals and trophies, which were great achievements.' Shulka practices math 'five or six hours daily,' he says. His family members seem to think his gift isn't genetic. 'We are a normal family,' his dad told Guinness. 'Aaryan is a one in a billion kind of person, but I don't think that we are a family of mental calculators.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
14-Year-Old ‘Human Calculator' Breaks 6 World Records in 1 Day: 'One in a Billion Kind of Person'
A 14-year-old Indian math prodigy known as the "Human Calculator" says yoga meditation keeps his brain nimble. Aaryan Shukla, of Maharashtra, India, recently broke six world records in math in one day, according to Guinness World Records. In lightning fashion, Shulka now holds the record for the fastest time to mentally add 100 four-digit numbers (30.9 seconds), the fastest time to mentally add 200 four-digit numbers (1 min, 9.68 seconds), the fastest time to mentally add 50 five-digit numbers (18.71 seconds), the fastest time to mentally divide a 20-digit number by a ten-digit number set of 10 (5 min, 42 seconds), the fastest time to mentally multiply two five-digit numbers set of 10 (51.69 seconds) and the fastest time to mentally multiply two eight-digit numbers set of 10 (2 min, 35.41 seconds). In a video displaying Shukla's acumen, the teen is seen answering complex math problems faster than a man inputting them into a calculator. Related: Woman with a Tongue That's Wider Than a Soda Can Nabs World Record: 'It's Pretty Weird Looking' As he sets the first record, the boy can be seen mentally computing 100 four-digit numbers that flash on a screen while he waves his hands in quick succession. After 30.9 seconds, he inputs his answer — which matches the computer's calculation exactly. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. After performing the feat, Shukla shared some of the reasons for his success. 'Sahaja Yoga meditation helps me to keep calm and focused,' he said. Related: Teen Who Wears Size 23 Shoes — and Got Help from Shaquille O'Neal — Sets 2 World Records When he's not also practicing his math skills daily, Shukla enjoys traveling, reading, playing video games and cricket, he says. The teen's mother recalls that her son has always been 'very good with numbers.' 'At the age of 6 he started the practice of mental calculation, and he was very good, so we started doing some research on this,' she told Guinness. Related: 25-Year-Old with Dwarfism Holds 2 Twin World Records with Identical Sister Who Is Over a Foot Taller (Exclusive) The proud mom adds, 'At the age of 8 we went for an international competition and he won medals and trophies, which were great achievements.' Shulka practices math 'five or six hours daily,' he says. His family members seem to think his gift isn't genetic. 'We are a normal family,' his dad told Guinness. 'Aaryan is a one in a billion kind of person, but I don't think that we are a family of mental calculators.' Read the original article on People
