Mysore/Mysuru: Yoga should be retained and preserved in India for our future generations, said Yoga exponent and First State Level Yoga Sammelana President Dr. K.L. Shankaranarayana Jois, here yesterday.

Delivering the valedictory address at State-level Yoga Sammelana organised by Federation of Yoga Teachers at Kalamandira, he said that there was a circus that was being run in the name of Yoga and added that one should practice yogasanas according to the body structure.

Speaking on the occasion, BJP OBC Morcha State President Raghu Kautilya said, those who practiced yoga led a healthier life adding that yoga was an integral part of Indian lifestyle.

“There is no need to see yoga with a new dimension but the importance of yoga would be felt when there is change in lifestyle. Yoga conventions should not be restricted only to International Day of Yoga celebrations but should be organised during Dasara celebrations as well,” he said.

Stating that Mysuru was home for many ancient tradition and culture, Raghu Kautilya added that yoga was popularised across the world during the rule of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar who with the help of  Yogacharya Krishnamacharya ensured yoga was passed on to future generations.

Raghu Kautilya also mentioned that practicing pranayama helps in keeping the mind under control.

Suyog Hospital Chairman Dr. S.P. Yoganna, who spoke on the occasion, said yoga was not only a morale booster but also helped in building confidence.

He also added seminars on various topics including ‘Yoga for Women Empowerment’, ‘History of Yoga, ‘Yoga in Scientific Research’, ‘Yoga for Spirituality’ among others were held during the two-day event. The Yoga Sammelana also passed few resolutions which including establishing yoga units by State Government in all hospitals, introducing yoga in schools, appointment of yoga teachers, establishing a spiritual university and memorials for Yogacharyas Krishamacharya and Pattabhi Jois.

The organisers also honoured senior yoga teachers Dr. A.R. Seetharam, A.N. Murthy, Dr. C. Ramesh Shetty and M.S. Ramesh Kumar, Yoga and Ayurveda Expert Dr. H.S. Shashirekha with ‘Yogarathna Award’ on the occasion.

The book titled ‘Yogiraja Krishnamacharya,’ authored by A.N. Murthy, was also released.

This was followed by yoga dance performances by students of various yoga schools.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal, Social Worker K. Raghuram Vajpayee, Mysuru Hotel Owners Association President C. Narayanagowda, Vice-President Ravi Shastri, Government Naturopathy and Yoga Mahavidyalaya Principal Dr. Radhakrishna Ramarao, Social Worker Sridhar Dixit, Yoga Sammelana Vice-President Dr. P.N. Ganeshkumar, Chief Convenor N. Ananthu, Treasurer Arvind Sharma and others were present.