Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari conducts the residential camp Yoga Shiksha Shivir twice every year. This camp offers an introduction to yogasanas and pranayama, and is designed to help participants begin their journey into yogic living. The May 2025 batch of Yoga Shiksha Shivir was held at Training Center, Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari, from 1st to 15th May 2025. A total of 41 participants attended the camp, coming from various states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Formal reporting and registration took place on the morning of 30th April. Later that evening, following the Bhajan Sandhya and supper, an introductory session was held to orient the participants about the structure and expectations of the camp. The camp was conducted in both Hindi and English. Based on language and ease of communication, participants were organized into five groups named after saints—Thiruvalluvar, Aandal, Tulsidas, Mirabai, and Surdas.
The camp followed a structured daily routine that included morning prayers, yogabhyas, pranayama, shram samskar, lectures, group discussions, chanting practice sessions, bhajan sandhya, and prerana se punrutthan sessions. In yoga practicals, participants were taught loosening exercises, Suryanamaskars, and various asanas. Pranayama practice was taught progressively, focusing on specific techniques and their benefits. Lectures covered a wide range of topics such as the concept of yoga, yama, niyama, asana-pranayama, antaranga yoga, kriyas, bandhas, mudras, the Bhagavad Gita, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, ananda mimansa, the Pranava mantra, yoga and health, and Indian culture. Additional sessions were held on the lives and messages of Swami Vivekananda and Mananeeya Eknathji, Vivekananda Kendra - a thought movement, activities of Vivekananda Kendra, Kendra Prarthana, and Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah. Each lecture session was followed by Manthan, a group discussion intended to enhance understanding and internalization of the subjects.
In the chanting sessions, participants were taught selected mantras and verses such as Shanti Mantra, Aikya Mantra, Pratah Smaran, Bhagavad Gita shlokas from karma yoga, Shivir Geet, and other devotional chants and songs. As part of yogic cleansing practices, the participants performed shuddhi kriyas like jal neti, sutra neti, and vaman dhauti twice during the camp. They also practiced trataka, and experienced sessions of Omkar Dhyana and cyclic meditation.
Each evening had Bhajan Sandhya which helped emotional culturing through chanting of devotional Bhajans. The food provided during the camp was pure and sattvik, supporting the participants’ sadhana. The shram samskar sessions gave participants an opportunity to cultivate a disciplined mindset by engaging in campus cleaning and maintenance work. The prerana se punrutthan sessions included games, the story of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, introspective activities, and interactive question-and-answer rounds.
On 5th May, participants visited the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and had darshan at the Kanyakumari Devi Temple along with nearby places. On 10th May, they undertook a trek to the Marutvamalai Hill, and on 11th May, they explored the Vivekanandapuram campus, visiting Ramayan Darshanam, Gangotri, and the Vivekananda Pictorial Exhibition.
The camp was conducted in a spiritually uplifting and congenial environment, where affection and moderate discipline went hand in hand. Many participants expressed their willingness to offer their time and energy in the service of society through activities of the Kendra.
