Yogabhavan International Gurukulam - Parlamanto Argentino de Religiones

Yogacharya

Shri Guru

Dileepji

Director

Internacional

International Gurukulam ( Divine Life Research Center for Yogic Arts, Sports, and Medicines) was created in 1979 by Yogacharya Dileepkumar, otherwise known as Dileepji, with the blessings of his masters and family.

Guru Dileepji
(Yogacharya Yogabhaskara

Yogashiromani

Yogarshi Dr. Dileepkumar)

Dileepji was born in Tripunithura, India, also known as the capitol of Cochin kingdom, a town historically celebrated as a center of cultural and spiritual arts including martial arts, dance, and music. A practicing yogi from the age of three, Dileepji learned his first lessons from his mother Kanakamma, an accomplished Head Mistress from a family well known for its knowledge of Kalari (martial arts), natural treatments, Sanskrit, philosophy, and spirituality. Notable members of her family include the famous writer Sarasakavi Mooloor S.Padmanabha Panicker, and Guru Nithya Chaithanya Yathi, an internationally renowned scholar-sanyasin and a regular companion of Dileepji.

His father Thankappan, was a homeopathic doctor noted for his treatments of all diseases including numerous cases of cancer. Also a practicing Hatha yogi, he had a vast knowledge of many subjects including alternative medicines. Notable members of his family include ArchBishop Devanios Chepadu and Evangelical Association of the East ArchBishop Gheevarghese Mar Policarpose.

Dileepji received many divine visions from a young age, causing him to develop an intense desire to preserve and pass on the timeless wisdom existing in his native lush state of Kerala (known as God's own country) and travel throughout India. In his journeys, he met and studied with self-realized masters according to the ancient Gurukula system. He also received training and did service in several spiritual organizations, hospitals, and clubs.

Dileepji has been active in sports and arts throughout his school and university years. In 1984, he learned rock climbing in Neyyar Dam and in 1988 received advanced training in the Himalayas, with the help of Indian Military and National Cadet Corps. In 1996, he became a doctor of acupuncture (D. Ac) and alternative medicines (D.M AM). In 1998, he completed his Ph.D. in alternative medicines.

Dileepji is currently teaching yoga classes worldwide and running ExtraVertical Climbing Center, an indoor climbing wall in New York City. He runs an Indian Gurukulam in Kothamangalam, and a city center in Cochin.

Dileepji is an Honorary Life Member of the World Yoga Council of the International Yoga Federation (IYF) and the United Nations delegate. He is president of the North American Yoga Federation and patron for the United States Yoga Federation.

Yogacharini

Sri Mata Nandita Deviji
(Dr. Stephanie)

Yogacharini Nandita Deviji has been practicing Yoga from childhood and has had a lifetime interest in gaining spiritual knowledge. Her mother, Anne-Marie, a native of France and a follower of Yogananda Paramahamsa, was her first spiritual companion. Her father, Donald, a practicing doctor in New York City, inspired her to seek out a scientific approach.

Growing up Nandita Deviji maintained a strong interest in spirituality, studying with different masters. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Psychology and Eastern Religion. Her longstanding interest in stones and their healing properties led her to obtain a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. She also has a Practitioner Certificate in clinical Gestalt Psychology, and is a certified Yoga Therapist with several Yoga Teacher Training certifications. Further, she received her Master of Business Administration (MBA), and completed her Ph.D with a specialization in spiritual leadership and organizational change.

Nandita Deviji has always had an adventurous spirit, which has led her to travel to more than thirty countries around the world, including to India where she has lived, studied, and taught for several years. She has been an avid rock climber for over 13 years and has climbed in several countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. She is currently teaching yoga in Yogabhavans in New York and India, New York Sports Clubs, and other centers as well as running ExtraVertical Climbing Center, an indoor rock climbing wall in New York City.

Nandita Deviji is the Honorary Secretary of the International Yoga Federation for the U.S.A., a member of the World Yoga Council, president of the United States Yoga Federation and director of the North American Yoga Federation.

Yoga has become a household word, but few people have understood its deeper meaning. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj meaning to join. It represents the joining or union of the Jivatman (individual consciousness) and the Paramatman (universal consciousness). Few people would doubt that they have a body or that they have a mind. The Jivatman is neither the body nor the mind, but is the soul or spirit of a person. At the time of birth, there is a moment when energy enters the body, and at death, this same energy leaves the body. We can refer to this energy as the Jivatman. Yoga says that the source of the Jivatman is the Paramatman. Some people refer to Paramatman as God, Ishwara, Allah, or by many other names.

This state of Yoga or union, has been heralded as the ultimate goal of human existence, as those fortunate to experience it are absorbed in unending bliss, beyond the dualities of pleasure and pain. Sage Patanjali defined Yoga as "chitta-vritti-nirodhaha" (the cessation of mental thoughts or actions). The average mind is full of thoughts, and the average body also cannot be controlled. The mind tells the body one thing, and the body does another. When practicing to attain Yoga, the body is used as a vehicle to bring the mind and body into harmony. Once the mind and body function as a union, spirit can be known and bliss experienced.

In order to make the goals of Yoga accessible to all people, it is divided into four types of paths: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga. Here, the word Yoga is used to refer to the path or method of attaining the goal of Yoga. Karma Yoga is the practice of selfless service, or surrendering the fruits of all our actions. Bhakti Yoga is the path of unconditional devotion to the Supreme. Jnana Yoga is the way of realization of the Supreme through knowledge. Raja Yoga is the study of the body and mind with the purpose of discovering the ultimate Truth. Raja Yoga, also known as Ashtanga Yoga, is divided into eight limbs. These eight limbs are Yama (restraints), Niyama (observances), Asana (postures), Pranayama (control of breath), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (superconscious state). Through the practice of Yoga, we purify our body, mind, and spirit, bringing us closer to the Paramatman.

Most people begin to learn about Yoga through the practice of the third limb, Asanas or physical postures called Hatha Yoga. Asanas are a vital method for bringing happiness, relaxing the body, calming the mind, and eliminating physical and mental diseases. Traditionally, Asanas were taught in combination with the eight steps of Ashtanga Yoga through the Gurukula system. A Gurukula was a place in ancient India where a master or Guru lived with his family and students and trained them in a wide range of subjects related to Sanathana Dharma (eternal truth). In this century, the Gurukula system is fading and becoming more and more rare. The International Gurukulam was created to preserve this traditional system. Since people cannot always find the time to leave everything and practice Yoga, Yogabhavans have been created as a way to pass on the necessary knowledge in a way that can be universally applied by all people.

Upcoming: Free Satsang in NYC on Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 6:00pm. Yoga Grandmaster Guru Dileepji will lead the Satsang. The program will include a guided meditation and bhajans (music) followed by a talk. All are welcome to join.
Past:
Dileepji was a special guest in Romania for the first congress of the European Yoga Federation. Thousands of people attended the event which received live tv coverage.
Dileepji attended the annual International Yoga Federation conference and festival in Argentina. The week long program was attended by representatives and religious leaders. from over 60 countries.
Yogabhavan in NYC celebrated its anniversary June 26, 2005. Dileepji led bhajans and guided a group meditation. Nanditaji talked about the history and future of International Gurukulam.
Sri Swami Bua Maharaj, 117 years old and famous for his vast spiritual knowledge and wisdom gave the inaugural speech and blew the conch shell for over fifteen minutes without stopping.
Archbiship H. E. Mor Titus Yeldho Pathickal performed a space clearing ceremony, blessed the center, and gave a congratulatory talk. Dileepji ended the program with a closing prayer. All guests were invited to a South Indian vegetarian meal at Udipi Palace around the corner from the center. We thank our special guests and all who attended as well as those who could not attend for their support and best wishes!