The Children's Yoga Fellowship has three purposes: First purpose is to develop a cultured personality, to imbibe positive samskaras, impressions, to develop a cultured, virtuous personality which will be our attainment in life. Independence, the ability to stand on their own two feet, is the second aspiration of the Bal Yoga Mitra Mandal. This is important for we have to allow our creativity to manifest. We have to learn to take our own decisions, to know that they are correct and to stand by them. This is called swavalamban, independence. The third purpose given to the children, is the love for their own culture. Any culture in the world must have two aspects, the material and the spiritual. To imbibe the material and the spiritual aspects of the culture enriches our life and gives greater understanding of the relationship that we have with nature, our society and with God. Therefore, samskaras, swavalamban and sanskriti, cultured life, are the foundation of Bal Yoga Mitra Mandal, the Children's Yoga Fellowship.
Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati
During the four-day celebrations of Basant Panchami and the Foundation Day of BSY, the annual Bal Yoga Diwas, children's yoga day, was celebrated on 14th. The children displayed their skills in yogasana, karate, dance and painting. Bal Yoga Mitra Mandal, a yoga movement of children initiated by Swami Niranjan in 1995, has a membership of over 150,000 children throughout India.
For four days, the children delighted all with their flawless chanting of Sanskrit mantras and stotras and the graceful manner of conducting havan.
In the lead-up to and during the program of the WYC the children of BYMM were fully engaged in seva throughout the ashram and WYC venues. 600 BYMM children from Munger attended the WYC. Of these, 250 were selected to contribute to the following areas: pandal management, seating, chanting and kirtan at the Polo Ground, akhand kirtan at Satyam Vatika, pooja and havan, bhet, diksha, crowd control and coordination, serving in the kitchen area and Swamiji's security.
The children were dedicated to their seva. They came early in the morning, some of them from far away, on bicycles or by foot. As soon as they arrived they reported, had a quick breakfast before joining their assigned area. The children spent the day absorbed in their duties, any free time was spent practising for the various BYMM evening performances.
The children were fortunate to have the opportunity to perform dances and karate for people from all over the world. This was a highlight for them as they worked hard to perfect the performances. This was evident in the presentations which were appreciated by all. Many children were able to express their talents and new stars shone forth.
One BYMM child was selected to hold a workshop on 'Research in the Effects of Yoga on Children – an Experience'. Over 100 people attended the workshop and gave positive feedback, impressed by the research and the professional presentation given by BYMM.