Upcoming event

Balayogi SUMMER CAMP

CAMP DATES

JUNE 10 - JUNE 14

Full-Day Camp: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

30 hours! of YOGA, Brain Gym, Creativity for KIDS (Ages 6-9), YOUTH (Ages 10-16)

Camp Location: 7600 Cottonwood Street Frisco TX – 75033

A fun way to do Physical Gym with YOGA, Personality Development, Mind Gym with Fun Games, Arts and crafts, Shloka Chanting

Early Bird Discount - $25 off ($274) till May 19th Regular $299

Limited spots! Register early

For more information, call 469-740-1244 or 469-584-3322


Pre-IDY Event

Yoga Retreat for Healthcare Providers

[Sponsored by India Bazaar, DFW Metroplex, Media Sponsors: IAsia News]

SATURDAY, APRIL 6th 2024

8 am to 5 pm CST

Venue: 2589 County Rd 447, Princeton, TX 75407

Fees: $149 (Yogic Snacks and Lunch included); Medical Students receive 50% discount

* PS: A minimum of 20 registrations are required to conduct the Retreat *

Registration Deadline: March 31st 2024

Who can attend: MD/DO and other Health professionals, including chiropractors, PT, Nurse practitioners, yoga therapists, nutritionists and Ayurveda practioners

What to bring: Reusable water bottles | Yoga mat | Yoga straps and blocks (optional) | Loose clothing to stretch during yoga sessions

Join us for a day-long experiential yoga retreat with practices, yoga therapy research, and talks by medical practitioners, nutritionists, and yoga therapy practitioners, and take home content on,

  • Yoga for preventive health

  • Yoga as therapy for the management of psychosomatic disorders such as cardiac, metabolic, mental health, and pain management

  • Yoga based nutrition

Learn from the experts.

  • What is Yoga and Yoga Therapy? What are the types of yoga?

  • How can Yoga help you destress and improve your physical and psychological well-being?

  • How can you incorporate yoga into your practice as a complementary and alternative therapy?

  • Understand the benefits and limitations of Yoga therapy.

  • When should you refer to a yoga therapist?

  • Who is a Yoga Therapist and Scope of their practice?

  • Effectively counsel your patients about yoga and do's & don'ts.



Yoga Retreat Agenda:

Morning Sessions: 8 am to 12.30 pm

  • A yoga session focused on positive health and well-being, preventive care, and reducing physician burnout and fatigue. (40 min)

  • Meet and Greet with Yogic snacks.

  • Keynote Speech on understanding yoga, types of yoga, and what it is ‘not.’ How can yoga destress and improve physical and psychological well-being by Dr. Sunil Thummala

  • Talk on yoga therapy by a guest speaker.

  • What impact do you think yoga can make in Healthcare [break out preassigned  groups] 

Stretch Break

Mid Morning Sessions:

  • Therapeutic Yoga Session for Diabetic Management focused on (30 min) followed by a presentation - by Dr. Sumana Gangi on Yoga and Type 2 Diabetes management

  • A presentation on Cardiac health based on case studies, empirical data, anecdotal evidence, literature review on research and evidence-based practices - by Dr. Anand Rohatgi

Lunch: 12:30 to 1 pm

Post Lunch Sessions: 1 pm to 5 pm

  • Relaxation-based meditation session.

  • Yoga-based nutrition, vegetarianism, facts on protein and water requirements, and Ayurvedic principles - Sujal Sancheti, certified sports nutrition specialist

  • Dosha Questionnaire - Find out your Ayurvedic/Yogic personality trait

  • Integrated Approach to Yoga Therapy - A framework of Yoga based on five sheath personalities of physical, vital energy, mind, intellect, and bliss. What is yoga therapy, who is a yoga therapist, what is the scope, and when should you refer to yoga therapy - Savita Joshi, C-IAYT

  • Presentation on Mental health - Dr. Sejal Mehta

  • Yoga Therapy practices by the Yoga Bharati therapy team;

  • Integrating Yoga into Psychotherapy | Optimal and ethical views and personal journey - Dr. Manju Goyal

    Stretch break

  • Presentation on Pain management and Neurological disorders - Dr. Sunil Thummala and Dr. Joysree Subramanian

  • Yoga for Pain Management practice - YB Team

  • Panel Discussion based on the Q/A and Takeaways for the participants

  • Bhramari Meditation (Humming bee sounds as a meditation technique)

Esteemed Speakers:

Keynote Speech: Dr. Sunil Thummala, M.D., MBA, 1st US Board Certified Neurologist, also Certified as a Yoga Teacher. Amateur photographer. Physics, Astronomy, & Vedantha enthusiast. A being in SathyaShodhana, President Yoga Bharati, Dallas chapter.

Clinical expertise: Stroke, Movement disorders, Headache medicine, Multiple sclerosis, Dementia, Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy, Peripheral nerve disorders, Traumatic brain injury-related psychosis, Headache disorders, EEG, EMG, VNG, EKG, Ultrasound

Dr. Anand Rohatgi, M.D., M.S.C.S., FACC, FAHA, is a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He specializes in preventive cardiology.

Dr. Rohatgi’s research focuses on the role of novel biomarkers in improving risk prediction for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Specifically, his main area of interest is the role of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in cardiovascular disease. He also focuses on high-risk populations, including those with diabetes and people of South Asian ancestry.

Dr. Sumana Gangi, M.D., FACE, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Internal Medicine. Dr. Sumana is the President of TIPS (Texas Indo-American Physicians Society)

Dr. Sumana Gangi, MD is an endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism specialist in Mesquite, TX and has over 26 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Gangi has extensive experience in Osteoporosis & Screening, Thyroid Disorders, and Diabetes & Glucose Monitoring. She is affiliated with medical facilities such as Dallas Regional Medical Center and Baylor Scott And White Medical Center Lake Pointe.

Dr. Sejal Mehta, M.D. M.B.A. received her medical degree from B.J. Medical College, India. She completed her residency and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She worked in Kansas City for four years in a private hospital. She moved to Dallas in 2004 with her family and started a private practice with PMA. She has been actively practicing in the Dallas metro area and providing excellent state-of-the-art patient care.

Dr. Sejal is a Physician Advisor for the Yoga Bharati Dallas Chapter.

Dr. Manju R. Goyal is a board-certified psychiatrist who cares deeply for her patients and seeks to help each individual acquire life-long coping skills. She completed her medical schooling with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery from Government Medical College, Patiala, India in 1975.

With 30 years of experience, Dr. Goyal believes that a combination of medication and therapy works best for helping her patients achieve their goals. Currently Dr. Manju is pursuing Yoga Teachers Training at Yoga Bharati Dallas Chapter and is a believer and avid yoga practitioner.

Dr. Joysree Subramanian, M.D. MBBS, R.G.Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, Calcutta University, American Board of Anesthesiology certified and Pain Board Certification-ABA

Dr. Joysree Subramanian, is a health care provider primarily located in Iowa City, IA, with other offices in Carrollton, TX, and Oklahoma City, OK. She has 40 years of experience. Her specialties include Anesthesiology and pain Medicine. Dr. Subramanian is affiliated with Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Carrollton.

Dr. Joysree is a Physician Advisor at Yoga Bharati Dallas chapter and is an avid yoga practitioner and believer of yoga. She integrates yoga therapy in her practice.

Sujal Sancheti is the founder of Nutrifitworld, an online coaching company specializing in guiding South Asians toward healthier lives through vegetarian and plant-based lifestyles. With over 8 years of dedicated service, Sujal, a Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist, has become an expert in weight management, enhancing body composition, and improving blood sugar and cholesterol levels, all while allowing clients to enjoy their traditional vegetarian meals. Sujal believes in integration and understands Ayurvedic principles.

Savita Joshi, C-IAYT (certified yoga therapist), Executive Director and Chief Yoga Therapy Consultant, Yoga Bharati Dallas Chapter, is a B.E, M.B.A., has completed the Diploma in Yoga Therapy from SVYASA University and is a Certified Yoga Therapist from IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists). Savita has dedicated her time to serving the community through yoga therapy. Savita has more than 18 years of Yoga teaching experience and 10 years of yoga therapy experience.

After moving to Dallas last year, she started the Yoga Bharati chapter and has been conducting yoga therapy classes and workshops. She is also a faculty member for the Diploma in Yoga Therapy (DYT) course and Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) course at Yoga Bharati. Savita mentors and guides the Yoga Therapy Interns in their local training in Dallas and the leading online batches.


Yoga Bharati Dallas Suryathon 2024! - A Report

As a commitment to bringing well-being to the community, Yoga Bharti offered yet another committed and ever-inspiring annual free public Suryathon - an initiative event across ages and cultures.

This event took place on the Presidents Day weekend in Frisco on Sunday, Feb 18th, between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. CST. Despite being on Sunday and a long weekend, this year’s event attracted close to 30 enthusiasts in person and over 30 online.

The event started with Maha Yagna and powerful chanting of Aditya Hridayam, a devotional hymn dedicated to Āditya or Sūrya, found in the Yuddha Kānda of Vālmīki's Rāmāyana. (It was recited by the sage Agastya to Rāma on the battlefield before fighting with the Rakshasa king Ravana.). The chanting was conducted with utmost devotion by the volunteers of Yoga Bharati.

We then followed Surya Namaskar's practice. We used a recorded, beautifully flowing, rhythmic sequence song, Totakashtakam, which is used to guide each of the twelve moves in one Surya Namaskar round. The recording itself contains 12 rounds of Surya Namaskar. After each set of 12 rounds, we took a short, two-to-three-minute break. During each of these short breaks, Yoga Bharti volunteers read the uplifting words of Swami Vivekananda. These readings pertained to the meaning and significance of the Surya Namaskar mantras and the benefits of the practice at various levels. Seeing this great synergy and meeting ardent yoga practitioners was heartwarming. Everyone was strongly urged to keep the practice within their physical strength and endurance limits. They were encouraged to take short breaks as and when needed. Of course, a good percentage of the participants could complete 108 rounds without taking a break.

Following the invigorating session, the Suryathon session ended with a Deep relaxation technique from head to toe. The event, spanning approximately 2 hours, concluded with a nourishing healthy breakfast, fostering a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment among all involved.  Several enthusiastic yoga students cooked the food lovingly.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Sunil Thummala ji (MD, MBA. Board Certified Neurologist), a certified Yoga teacher and practitioner, as well as the President of Yoga Bharati Dallas Chapter, who delivered a brief but insightful speech on the profound benefits of yoga for our overall health and well-being. The know-how of Yoga at the gym was indeed a takeaway.

Testimonials from our participants

Participant 1

“At some point, I would like to add as I started doubting myself , whether I can finish it or not. I thought of “one step at a time “and that helped me to get going. I just stayed in the moment and listening to the count of the sets as well as all twelve steps , and I was able to complete 108 Namaskars and Somewhere in the middle, I felt an extreme surge of energy as my body heated up”, Dr. Manju Goyal, YTT Student

Participant 2

“Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a yoga Suryathon, where we embarked on the challenge of completing 108 Surya Namaskars in one session. Initially, I doubted my ability, accustomed as I was to practicing only 10-15 Surya Namaskars at a time. But spurred on by curiosity and determination, I decided to give it a try. To my amazement, not only did I persevere, but I also completed the challenge alongside 30 other participants.

I sincerely thank Yoga Bharati for orchestrating such a meaningful and fulfilling event. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to participate again next year, furthering my journey of self-discovery and well-being through yoga” Nagesh P, YTT Student.

Participant 3

“With so much joy on my face and my cells thumbing as I practiced Yoga in the energy field of participants with like-mindedness. It was a very enriching experience and experience that is self-accomplished and truly deserving,” Mamta Aithani, YTT Student.

From the feedback received from the various participants during breakfast and later through emails and other communications, it is clear that the participants extremely well received the program. Many of them suggested having these sessions at least twice a year.

If you attended the program, we would love to hear from you about your experience during and after the program.

Whether Surya Namaskar is used as a family activity, a health initiative in underserved areas, or a warm-up for a sport, there are undoubtedly significant physical, mental, and spiritual benefits to the exercise, and we must share it for the benefit of society, So join us for a healthy next year too!  

Acknowledgments

The success of the Dallas Suryathon 2024 was made possible through the dedicated efforts of current YTT students, volunteers, and the Yoga Bharati Dallas team. Their collective contribution underscored the spirit of Karma Yoga, ensuring a smooth and impactful event.

Effect of Suryanamaskars on general health and well-being

21-day Feasibility Study of the Effect of Surya Namaskars on various public concerns, metabolic health, cardiovascular health, pain management, and mental health. The Study began on January 13th, 2024,  with over 500+ people receiving the study details, 300 considered to begin, and 100+ got on board and started their journey. February 2nd, the study concluded, and the participants were provided with the online post-study form. 

Yoga Bharati provided 57 free yoga classes over 21 days with 20 volunteer yoga teachers and therapists. This was a nonfunded study with at least 300 + combined volunteer hours. 

While many participants have verbally given feedback about their flexibility, weight, and mental health, the study data is yet to be systematically analyzed and will be shared soon. Please stay tuned; the results will be shared on this page soon. 

Study Background: It is well known and studied that Surya Namaskar can be a very powerful influence on all body systems: nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. Combining all asanas performed as cyclic practice has many health benefits, such as weight loss, vitalizing the entire body, sharpening the mind, and reaching optimal health. Keeping these benefits in mind, we would like to bring it as a formal study.


Documentation and Editing team

Anusha Patil, Mona Panchal, Vijay Pasapula, Ishwarryah Ramanathan

Medical professional and Review team

Dr. Sunil Thummala, M.D. Neurologist, Dr. Joysree Subramanian. M.D. Pain medicine, Dr. Anand Rohatgi, Preventive Cardiology, UT Southwestern

Research head

Chinmay Surpur

Principal Investigators

Savita Joshi, Ashwini Surpur


Please complete the consent form below as an initial step, which takes 2-3 minutes.

2-Online Orientation Sessions on the Surya Namaskar Study on Saturday,

  1. Jan 6th, 5.30 am PST/7.30 am CST/8.30 EST

  2. Jan 7.30 am PST/9.30 am CST/10.30 am EST

You will receive the Zook links after completing the consent form.



Past events in 2022-23

1. Suryathon event - Culmination of the Suryanamaskar Yagna into 108 SN practice with the group

Dallas Suryathon 2023 took place on Feb 26th, 2023 in McKinney, Texas close to Frisco city in the Dallas metroplex with more than 30 participants. YouTube video on the Suryathon 2023 event created by our youth volunteer Amruta Joshi - https://youtu.be/2Y9dFFx-fXk

2. Kids Balayogi Winter Camp and Spring Kids BalaYogi Camp

We had an excellent kids camp at 10YEC ranch for the past 5 days and a small closing event on December 30th, 2022. Thank you to all the volunteers Rupa, Sheela, and Bhavana working hard to make this happen. We are also very proud of our youth yoga teachers Amruta and Vibha for their equal participation and enthusiasm. Special mention for Srini ji yoga class and of course providing us the entire facility to conduct the camp. The children had a blast!

Kids camp came to an end with cheer and joy.

Thanks to our youth teacher/volunteer Amruta Joshi for creating this short video for you all to enjoy and check out what went on: https://youtu.be/nMAhtZVZD_o

3. Effects of a Yoga Intervention on Attention and Memory in Children (ADHD study) began Jan 21st, 2023. We have successfully completed the 8-week online classes in the Dallas area to support the main Research team. For more information please visit https://yogabharati.org/research

4. International Day of Yoga, A festival of Unity

Yoga Bharati-Vyasa Dallas brought a vibrant International Day of Yoga celebrations as Festival of Unity, Dallas IDY 2023 in partnership with Greenvest Capital. Here is a short report on Yoga Day celebrations:

Exhilarating and Uniting event for the Communities of Dallas.

The International Day of Yoga 2023 was conceived by a few Fearless Community Leaders with the sole aim of bringing the Community together and Celebrate the Spirit of Oneness as aptly highlighted by IDY Theme this year of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - Yoga for the Whole World as One family”. The tagline “One Earth, One Health, One Future“ effectively set in motion a few firebrands to bring a Wonderful Event that would showcase Yoga and also bring the various Community Organizations to Unify and work in harmony. In this regard, the Collin County Commissioner was an Inspiration who embraced it with wide open arms and stated that she would give a Proclamation for this Event.

Hemant Kale a Business Leader and a big advocate of “Democratizing Wealth Creation” along with Savita Joshi a Seasoned Yoga Therapist and Executive Director of Yoga Bharati started the journey by building a Team of Volunteers and Supporters to bring this program to the Community.

Thoughts came to fruition on Saturday, June 24th at the Collins College Frisco campus attended by 300+ yoga enthusiasts from more than 25 partner organizations and 10 sponsors. It was a groundbreaking first-time historic event for our Yoga Bharati-Vyasa organization. With the help of local community support, we will continue to do many more such events in the coming years. Dallas Yoga Day's focus was yoga as therapy, yoga in schools, and an institutional journey to create many more trained and certified teachers to work in the community and spread the authentic message of yoga.

Here is the FULL Institutional Report https://yogabharati.org/june-24th-dallasidy2023-eventdayreport

The event highlights video to show some visuals. https://youtu.be/pgZkgKIT-y4

5. An event with Aarogya Seva. Yoga Bharati presented a yoga session focusing on the role of Yoga Therapy and how can medical professionals incorporate this modality into his/her practice will be covered. Yoga Bharati-Vyasa Chief Yoga Therapy Consultant and Executive Director Savita Joshi offered a Therapeutic Yoga session in the morning.