Department of Yogic Sciences & Human Consciousness

Foundation and Evolution of the Department

1. In 1997-98, under the Ninth Five-Year Plan of the University Grants Commission (UGC), a Yoga Centre was established at Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, through the efforts of Hon'ble Vice Chancellor Prof. P. L. Chaturvedi.
2. The main objectives of this centre were health promotion, health research, and the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of Indian sages.
3. A ten-year contract was signed with Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (Bengaluru) for teaching and training. Initially, certificate and diploma courses in Yoga were introduced.
4. To design the curriculum, experts like Padma Shri Dr. H. R. Nagendra (Bengaluru) and Dr. Pushplata Gupta (Jaipur) were invited. Locally, Dr. Badriprasad Pancholi and former Vice Chancellor Prof. M. L. Chhipa also contributed.
5. The first Yoga teacher at the centre was Ms. Ila Khandelia (Bengaluru), who trained both students and university staff.
6. Initially, Certificate and Diploma courses were offered with 20 seats each. Though student interest was low, seats were filled through personal counseling.
7. In 1999, with increasing student enrollment, Dr. Vasundhara (Bengaluru) and later Mr. Manoj Thakur joined.
8. In 2001, Dr. Aseem Jayanti Devi, an International Yoga Champion, took charge and continues to serve in the department.
9. On November 1, 2004, Dr. Lara Sharma joined as faculty.
10. In 2005-06, a Bachelor's degree in Yoga and Naturopathy was introduced.
11. In 2006-07, the Yoga Centre was expanded into the Department of Yoga Science and Human Consciousness, shifting to its own dedicated building.

Objectives of the Department

1. To promote Yoga education, research, and practice.
2. To provide Yoga-based solutions for modern challenges like stress, depression, lifestyle disorders, and health problems.
3. To preserve and promote the cultural and spiritual heritage of ancient Indian sages.
4. To establish Yoga as an effective tool for health promotion, disease prevention, and personality development.
5. To develop Yoga Science as a strong, research-oriented academic discipline.

Laboratory

• Practice hall with Safety Tools
• Meditation hall with wooden floor
• Naturopathy Practical room with High Quality tools
• Bio Feedback Machine

Teaching Laboratory

The Teaching Laboratory of the Yoga Department is equipped with modern facilities to support practical learning in anatomy and physiology relevant to yogic studies. It includes anatomical models, educational charts, and physiological kits that help in recording and understanding various vital parameters of the human body such as pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate. These resources enable students to correlate theoretical yogic concepts with scientific physiological understanding, thereby enhancing their grasp of how different yogic practices affect the body systems.

Body Composition Laboratory

The Body Composition Laboratory is equipped with a Body Mass Analyzer, which assesses multiple parameters including Body Mass Index (BMI), Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Lean Body Mass, and Fat Body Mass. This laboratory is essential for evaluating physical health, fitness, and nutritional status of individuals practicing yoga. It assists in studying the impact of yogic interventions on body composition, metabolic functions, and overall wellness.

Yoga Practice and Research Integration

All laboratories are integrated with practical yoga training and research-based learning. Students perform asanas, pranayama, and meditation while simultaneously recording physiological changes to understand the scientific basis of yoga. These facilities encourage evidence-based research and contribute to developing a holistic understanding of human health through the lens of modern science and traditional yogic wisdom.