Pranava Yoga Institute

06/08/2025

The Misuse and Misunderstanding of Yoga: A Call for Respect and Awareness

A recent social media post promoting with some kind of drinking and partying activities has raised serious concern within the yoga community in Mauritius and among those who hold deep respect for this ancient and sacred practice.

What may appear to some as a trendy or fun fusion is, in truth, a glaring example of the widespread misunderstanding and misuse of yoga—a sacred and holistic discipline that deserves deep respect, not distortion. While such events may be marketed as fun, relaxing, or modern, they are rooted in a serious misunderstanding - and often outright ignorance - of what yoga truly is.

Yoga is not a form of entertainment. It is not an activity to be paired with alcoholic beverages, cocktails, or any object of sensual indulgence. Yoga is a spiritual science—a lifestyle rooted in discipline, purity, and the pursuit of inner harmony. It is a holistic lifestyle, a complete science of life that aims to bring balance, clarity, healing, and ultimately, liberation. It is a path of inner refinement—not of outward amusement.

The very word yoga means union, referring to the deep integration of body, mind, and soul. This sacred union is achieved through disciplined practice, ethical living, mindful breath, and meditation. The journey of yoga does not conclude with a toast—it culminates in samadhi, the highest state of consciousness and inner peace. To associate this noble path with intoxication is not only disrespectful, but also deeply harmful.

Our ancient yoga texts have clearly outlined the root causes of human suffering: avidya (ignorance), asmita (false ego), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (clinging to life). When we turn yoga into a party, we are falling exactly into these traps—allowing ignorance and ego to guide our choices instead of awareness and wisdom.

Unfortunately, the trivialization of yoga has come through various new brand names. In recent years, we have witnessed a wave of bizarre and superficial trends: goat yoga, puppy yoga, naked yoga, screaming yoga, beer yoga, bunny yoga, heavy metal yoga, and even yoga raves. These gimmicks not only misrepresent the purpose of yoga, but they also distract from its deep inner work by turning it into a spectacle. While animals may bring comfort or joy to some, using them as props during a sacred practice shows a lack of sensitivity and understanding. Likewise, blasting music or introducing nudity and chaos into a practice that is meant to cultivate stillness, modesty, and inner reflection is a dangerous departure from yoga’s true essence.

It is especially disheartening to see such distortion find its way to our beloved paradise island, a place known for its cultural respect and spiritual openness. We have always welcomed diverse ideologies with grace. Yet today, ignorance and false ego appear to be predominating, leading us away from the essence of ancient wisdom and into the realm of superficial trends.

As a Doctor in Yoga, I feel it is my responsibility to sound the alarm. Yoga as a therapy, along with its sister science Ayurveda, has been used since ancient times as a powerful system of healing and self-care. It treats not just the physical body, but the mind and spirit. When we mix yoga with substances that dull the senses and distract the mind, we are not just diluting its effect—we are reversing its healing capacity. We are creating more disease than wellness, more confusion than clarity.

This is not a matter of cultural rigidity—it is a matter of integrity. Let us not reduce yoga to a fashionable social gathering. Let us honour it as the sacred science it is. Let us approach it with humility and understanding, not ego and ignorance.

Let us remember:
Yoga leads to self-realization—not self-indulgence. Yoga concludes with samadhi, not in a state of intoxication

May we return to the true path of yoga—where healing, harmony, and higher consciousness await.

Dr Arjan Anand
Pranava Yoga Institute

19/07/2025

Become a Certified Yoga Teacher: Unlock the transformative power of yoga with our internationally accredited 200-hour teacher training course. Dive deep into ancient philosophy, master alignment techniques, and learn to guide others with confidence. Whether you are starting your journey or advancing your practice, this flexible program blends tradition with modern insight - perfect for wellness professionals, educators, and passionate seekers.

Deepen Your Practice: The yoga teacher training provides an immersive experience to deepen your understanding and personal practice of yoga.

Transformative Personal Growth: Engaging in a comprehensive training program offers more than just physical benefits. It provides a space for self-discovery, personal growth, and a holistic transformation that extends beyond the mat, impacting various aspects of your life.

Community and Connection: Joining a yoga teacher training creates a supportive community of like-minded individuals. The shared journey fosters strong connections, providing a network of support that can extend well beyond the training itself.

Explore Yoga Philosophy: The training courses delve into the philosophical aspects of yoga, offering insights into ancient wisdom and guiding principles.

Live the Experience and share it others: As a student you will live the experience in the journey of your course and as a yoga teacher you will be able to share it with your students.

Under the instructions and guidance of Dr Arjan Anand (Yoga), empower yourself, inspire others and begin your teaching path today 🧘‍♀️.

15/07/2025

Shiv Sadhana - Samarpan

This is your special rendez-vous with Mahadev.

Samarpan is complete surrender, where you offer your entire being to the divine will. In this Samarpan Sadhana, one lets go of personal desires and ego, creating space for divine grace and guidance to shape their life. Therefore, be ready to go deep and align body, mind & soul and become one with Shiva.
Based on techniques of the ancient wisdom, as taught by our Gurus and tailored for your unique journey.

It is the realisation that nothing exists without Shiva and nothing can exist without Shiva. Surrender to Shiva as the ultimate power (nameless and formless) who is the source of this entire universe. This Shiv Sadhana is to raise one’s consciousness so as to experience the Divine presence and embrace spiritual bliss.

Homa, Katha, Meditation, Kriyas, Bhajans, Vedic Chanting, etc.. are included in this journey of Shiv Sadhana for chakra alignment, ⁠emotional detoxification, ⁠mental clarity, nervous system healing and much more...

The retreat will start on Saturday 26th at 0900 am and will end on Sunday 27th at 0300 pm.

Donation-based.

For more information contact Dr Arjan Anand on 59562626 or Ritesh Mohabir on 52542565

06/07/2025

Happening this Shravan Maas (2025)

Shiv Sadhana (Samarpan) – offering and surrendering to Lord Shiva.

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July 2025 at Grand Bassin. Weekend Retreat.

A spiritual journey in the realm of Devon Ka Dev Mahadev.

This is for those who are ready to go deep and align body, mind & soul and become one with Shiva.

Based on techniques of the ancient wisdom, as taught by our Gurus and tailored for your unique journey.

It is the realisation that nothing exists without Shiva and nothing can exist without Shiva. Surrender to Shiva as the ultimate power (nameless and formless) who is the source of this entire universe. This Shiv Sadhana is to raise one’s own consciousness so as to experience Divine presence and receive spiritual abundance within oneself.

Homa, Katha, Meditation, Bhajan Singing, Vedic Chanting, etc.. are in the menu list of this Sadhana for chakra alignment, ⁠emotional detoxification, ⁠mental clarity, nervous system healing and much more...

03/07/2025

Yoga Nidra to celebrate and connect with the wisdom of the full moon.

Take a pause and a sacred breath to rest back into the full radiance of your being. Like the full moon, shine in your brilliance as you illuminate your inner landscape. Yoga Nidra is sometimes described as dynamic sleep that takes the practitioner on a journey through the multidimensional layers of human experience. In this journey we'll be exploring breath and awareness techniques including to explore these multidimensional layers of our human reality.

The techniques of Yoga Nidra systematically relax the body and mind, effortlessly guiding the practitioner into progressively deeper brainwave states. It is time to relax and to restore.

You can use this time to clear emotional and mental tension, creating spaciousness within yourselves. By releasing what you no longer need, you open up space for true rest, inviting peace and stillness into your hearts and minds.
Join us for a soothing Full Moon Yoga Nidra that will be guided by Ola Satya from Spain. Ola Satya, with her unique and charismatic style makes the process a spiritual practice for the participants by aligning them with the frequency of truth, gradually progressing toward the most ultimate expression of consciousness known as self-realization.

Let this Yoga Nidra be your time to pause, to connect with your natural rhythms, and to prepare for the quiet introspection ahead.

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01/05/2025

Dr Arjan Anand has a PhD in Yoga. He teaches yoga in a holistic and traditional way and promotes yoga as a lifestyle. He usually guides his students at physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and spiritual levels so as to achieve their goals through yoga.
He is an affiliate of the Paramanand Institute of Yoga Sciences and Research, Indore, India and an Ambassador of the International Association of Yoga.

He launched the Pranava Yoga Institute in Mauritius and has since formed numerous yoga teachers in Mauritius who they have been awarded with the Yoga Alliance worldwide recognition certificate.
People from around the island are connected with him and often come to him for Yoga Therapy, Yoga Coaching, Meditation, Kundalini Yoga, Chakras Workouts, Breathwork, Personality Development, Marital Yoga and others.

He likes the yogic way of challenging the mind during his yoga postures/asanas. He lives 'Yoga as a Lifestyle'. Yoga for him is a transformational path in life.

Be passionate about your depths, zest and radiance. Be connected and content, grounded and elongated, empowered as divine the sun and moon, practical and spiritual, all of duality harmoniously woven together to create a unified experience.

Whether it is Hatha, Yin. Ashtanga or Vinyasa yoga feel the harmony of just being there and experience the highest bliss of this holistic yoga.

This Yoga with its ripple effect of consciousness, shimmers fourth and uplifts you.

Dr Arjan Anand with his unique approach to yoga will make it happen for you.

06/04/2025

18/03/2025

Yoga for Menopause Program (10 Sessions)
Yoga is a holistic approach to our well-being and it affects all the systems of the body: the brain, the nervous system, the digestive system, and the immune system, to name a few. And they are all affected at once.
Yoga can be a valuable tool for managing menopausal symptoms by reducing stress, improving sleep, and potentially alleviating hot flashes and joint pain through the holistic practices.
It does this by compelling your body to slow down, your mind to become calm, and you to become more in tune with yourself as you go through this transitional life stage.
Yoga for menopause offers guidance far beyond just physical yoga. It can also offer psychological and emotional support for symptoms that arise during menopause. Research shows that one of the triggers for increased menopause symptoms is stress, this can be both internal and external stress factors. Yoga is proven to reduce stress levels, bring us into the calming parasympathetic nervous system, and balance the hormones.
Yoga helps you learn how to deeply rest, to understand how to move in ways that boost your physical, mental and emotional health, and also how to listen to your intuition more.

Dr Arjan Anand (AyurYoga)

Assisted by professional yoga teachers (Sandrine, Emmy and Yashwinee)

Program Coordinator – Maa Shakti Anand

+230 59562626
+230 58269202
arjananandyoga@gmail.com

06/02/2025

Full moon meditation is a practice that leverages the potent energy of the full moon to facilitate emotional and spiritual healing, clarity, and personal growth. The full moon is often associated with heightened energy and illumination, making it an ideal time for introspection, releasing negative emotions, and setting intentions. Benefits of full moon meditation include: Emotional Release: Letting go of stress, anxiety, and negative thoughts. Clarity and Insight: Gaining deeper understanding and insights about oneself and one’s life. Spiritual Connection: Feeling more connected to the universe and one’s inner self.

Meditating at the holy feet Mangal Mahadev connects you to the divine energy and helps you find balance amidst life’s chaos.

Come, connect and surrender yourself to the source.

28/01/2025

Yoga can help reduce stress by promoting relaxation and balance in the body and mind. Yoga can also help with stress-related mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

Yoga represents a multidimensional practice which can be adapted to suit the needs of each individual.

Among yoga’s blessings: We learn balance within the polarities of opposites. As we learn the art of bilateral integration within the body, we also learn the same in life. We do not seek approval or cower under disapproval, real or imagined. As teachers and as students, we learn to stay centered in the midst of attachments and aversions, praise or blame, criticism or compliment. Through āsana, we learn to give up goal orientation, to give our all to the present moment, and then to release it, as we learn to release in Śavāsana. We learn to let go of the past and come into the present moment within our classes and within our lives.

21/12/2024

Wish you all a blissful International Meditation Day.

Meditation is a specific technique for resting the mind and attaining a state of consciousness that is totally different from the normal waking state. In meditation you are fully awake and alert, but your mind is not focused on the exter- nal worlc or the events taking place around you. Neither is your mind asleep, dreaming, or fantasizing. Instead, it is clear, relaxed, and inwardlly focused.

The root of the word meditation is similar to that for medical or medicate. The root of all these words implies the sense of " attending to" or "paying attention to" something. In meditation, you pay attention to dimensions of yourself which are seldom known-your own deepest, innermost levels, These cleeper levels are more profound than the processes of thinking, analyzing, daydreaming, or experiencing emotions or memories.

Meditation involves a type of inner attention that is quiet, concentrated, and at the same. time relaxed. There is nothing difficult or strenuous about creating this inner attention; in fact, you will find that meditation is a process that is restful for the mind. In the beginning, the greatest difficulty is that the mind has never been trained to create this inner attention.

Meditation:
will give you a tranquil mind.
will make you aware of the Reality deep within
will make you fearless
will make you calm
will make you gentle.
will make you loving
will give you freedom from fear.

Meditate daily 🪷🪷🪷

03/12/2024

Full Moon Ocean Meditation: A Journey to Tranquility

Pranava Yoga Institute in collaboration with Villas Caroline Hotel is organizing the Full Moon Ocean Meditation on Sunday 15th December 2024 at 1800 hrs on Flic-en-Flac Beach.

As the full moon rises over the ocean, its silvery light dances on the gentle waves, creating a serene and magical ambiance. This is a moment to connect with nature and your inner self, to find peace and rejuvenation.

The full moon is believed to have powerful energy that can influence emotions and spiritual practices. It represents completeness and illumination.

The ocean's rhythmic waves provide a natural soundtrack that can be incredibly soothing and meditative.

Full Moon Ocean Meditation is a practice that combines the serene environment of the ocean with the mystical energy of the full moon. This meditation is designed to help you connect with nature, achieve inner peace, and reflect on your life’s journey.

This meditation brings you peace, clarity, and a deeper connection to the natural world. Embrace the full moon's energy and let it guide you on your journey to inner tranquility. This practice fosters a deeper connection with the water element, thus cleansing, healing and promoting overall well-being.

The program includes: Sunset Yoga Flow, Full Moon Ocean Meditation, Immersion and Healing and Dinner (Indian Vegetarian – with starter and desserts) at Villas Caroline Hotel.

Sunset yoga is a peaceful and reflective form of yoga with the calming and beautiful backdrop of the setting sun, providing a unique and serene experience.

Join the session to embrace the full moon's energy, embark on a journey to inner tranquility and enjoy the dinner in the cosy, harmonious and festive settings of Villas Caroline Hotel.