The 7th International Conference on Yoga Philosophy, called Yoga Sastra Sangamam, was held at Vivekanandapuram Kanyakumari from 2nd to 4th February 2024. There were 458 delegates, of whom 202 were Men and 256 were Women. The delegates are from 16 states (Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bengal, Bihar & Delhi) of Bharat and eight other countries (USA, Japan, Bali, Australia, Canada, Ethiopia, Namibia, Tanzania).
Thirty-three renowned Yoga and Sanskrit institutions (Academy of Yoga Consciousness, Amrita Vidyalaya, Arunayoga Training & Research Institute, Bharat Yoga Vidyalaya, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Central University of Kerala, Chaitanya Wellness Yoga Academy, Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, DAVV School of Yoga, Indian Yoga Association, Karnataka Samskrita University, Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Kusha Yoga, Mahatma Gandhi University, Bodhi School of Yoga, NIMHANS, Padma Yoga Sadhana Terna Medical Collage, PSGR, Sadhana Jyoti Mandir, Sanatana Yoga Kendra, Sanchi University of Buddhist Indic Studies, Sataguru Yoga Vidyalaya, Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir, Shri krushna Yoga Institute, Sree Shankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Sreepuram Yoga Mandir, SVYASA, University of Patanjali, Yenepoya Naturopathy and Yoga Medical College, Yoga Bharati, Yoga Certificate Board, Ministry of Ayush, Yoga Vidya Niketan, Yogaarthi) were represented in this Sangamam. There were four plenary and twelve parallel sessions at four venues. There were 124 scholarly papers presented from 20 Yogopanishads. Daily in the morning, on an average 100 delegates participated in the Patanjala Homam, performed with the chanting of the Yoga Sutras and the 108 names of Maharashi Patanjali.
World-renowned Yoga and Ayurveda Acharya Vamadeva Shastri Dr David Frawley was present along with Yogini Shambhavi Devi for all three days. Their presence and knowledge inspired all the delegates and added immense depth to the discussions and interactions.
Inaugural Session: The Inaugural session of the Yoga Sastra Sangamam was held in the Vivekananda Sabahgriham on 2nd Feb. Mananeeya Sri Balakrishnanji, President Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra, Acharya Vamadeva Shastri, Yogini Shambhavi, Dr Harilakshmeendra Kumar, Honorable Director of Centre for Yoga and Naturopathy, Mahatma Gandhi University, Yogasri Sri NV Raghuram, Founder Director Yoga Bharathi, Bengaluru blessed the delegates with their were presence.
In his inaugural address, Dr David Frawley emphasised the importance and necessity of such conferences to unearth the contents and knowledge of Yogopanishads in the present world, wherein yoga has been getting recognition for mere health and fitness. The effect of such philosophical conferences will correct the direction of understanding of Yoga in theory and practice.
A 174-page Conference proceedings containing the abstracts and synopsis of all the papers presented was released during the Inaugural function. Delegates were treated with an enthralling dance recital by the students of VKMHSS, Kanyakumari. A visit to the Rock Memorial was arranged to glimpse the towering bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda.
Plenary Session: The plenary session were addressed by Dr David Frawley, Yogini Shambhavi, Dr K Subrahmanyam,Pro-Chancellor, SVYASA, Bengaluru, Yogashri NV Raghuram, Sri T Raghunandan, Dr K Padmanabhan, Visiting Faculty of Yoga in MGU, Kottayam. The valedictory function was held on 4th Feb with the chanting of the Yoga Sutras by all the delegates. All the 124 scholars who presented papers received their certificates from Acharya Vamadeva Shastri and Yogini Shambhavi.
