Here, You Will Experience Yoga

‘Mother’- Smt. Sitadevi Yogendra was a pioneer of yoga education for women

- Chakresh Jain,

A prominent landmark in existence for several years, in Santa Cruz (E), is The Yoga Institute, set amidst lush surroundings. It was founded by Shri Yogendraji in 1918. He worked with untiring zeal, dedication and devotion to help the Institute grow and develop and was ably assisted by his wife Smt. Sita Devi. Soon after their marriage (Sita Devi was barely sixteen then), Smt. Sita Devi decided to devote herself to her husband's mission. She joined the Institute and after a through training started conducting yoga classes for women. She was later appointed the Secretary of the Institute. Sita Devi also worked in the capacity of associate editor of Yoga and Total Health - the monthly magazine of The Yoga Institute.

To her goes the credit of authoring the book – ‘Yoga Physical Education for Women’ - a pioneering work. In recognition of her contribution to health as adapted to her sex, she was invited by the Women's Health Federation of America to their Health Welfare Congress held in New York in 1939.

She earned yet another distinction. Her book is preserved in the Crypt of Civilization (at Oglethorpe University near Atlanta, Georgia) - a rare honor, to be read after 6,000 years.

I met this remarkable lady at the Institute where she lives. She was busy conducting afternoon classes. Clad is a spotless white sari, her face exuded warmth. Though eighty-six, she continues to be active in her chosen field.