Chair Yoga with Vidya Nahar

09/29/2025

12th Continuous Year of Alternate Day Fasting – Let’s Talk!

Curious about fasting?
Join me on Sunday, Oct 5 at 10:30 a.m. CST via Zoom, as I share my 11+ year Alternate Day Fasting journey!
On September 1, I stepped into my 12th continuous year of eating only every other day—doing a 36-hour water fast every alternate day for the last 11+ years.

I’m deeply thankful to the universe for the support I’ve received along the way—from my family, friends, and even kind strangers. ❤️
Over these 11+ years, many of you have asked me:
“How did you begin?”
“What do you eat?”
“What’s the toughest part?”
“How do you stay consistent?”
Now’s your chance to hear it all!
Join me for a live Zoom conversation as Dr. Kusum Knapczyk (Senior Lecturer & Hindi Coordinator at Duke University) interviews me about my fasting journey.

We’ll dive into:
How and why I started, and the lessons learned.
How I prepare for a fasting day—body, mind, and meals.
The physical, emotional, and spiritual side of fasting.
Tips for anyone curious to start their own fasting routine.
This free session is for you if you’ve ever been curious about fasting—or simply want to know how consistent habits can transform one’s health and mindset.
Interactive Q&A is encouraged!

Event Details-
Date: Sunday, October 5, Time: 10:30 a.m. CST / 9:00 p.m. IST
Join via Zoom: https://bit.ly/VidyaADF12
Zoom Meeting ID: 862 3099 0276 | Passcode: 403949

06/19/2025

Hello All.
If you have not yet signed up for our free International Day of Yoga ( https://tinyurl.com/idy25 ) and free Sunrise Yoga in the Park ( https://tinyurl.com/sunriseyoga2025 ), please do so ASAP.
We have exciting raffle giveaway prizes at both the events. Once you register at the links above, you will receive separate RSVP links for each of the events to be entered for raffle drawing.
No purchase is necessary for entering the raffle drawing, but you must RSVP through the separate raffle links, and attend the event in person to claim the prize.
Eleventh International Day of Yoga 2025 (June 28) Raffle Prizes
No. Raffle Provider Raffle Prize Estimated Value
1. Amitha Fashions - Free Clothing Store Gift Card $25
2. Ayurveda for Healing - Free 60 Min Ayurvedic Consultation $200+
3. Best Brains of Buffalo Grove - Free 2 Weeks of Any Subject Class $149
4. Chicago Vastu - Free Online Vastu and Astrology Consultations $103-$160
5. Ekjut Theater - Free Arts Rendezvous Entry and Table Set-up $20-$50
6. Gandharva Mahavidyalaya - Free Classical Indian Music Concert Ticket $30-$50
7. Hemaveda - Free 90 Min Ayurvedic Consultation $250
8. Indian Dance School - Free 1 Month of Group Dance Classes (4 classes in a month) $80
9. Kandisa Dance Studio - Free Entry to 1 Session of Kathak Dance Class / Workshop $20
10. Mandi Theater - Free Entries to Theater Festival and Play Contest $20 - $50
11. National India Hub - Free Saree and Salwar Suit Set $20 - $50
12. Poornamidam Yoga - Free 4 Yoga Classes in a Month $60
13. Shirani Nayar Creatives - Free 30 Minute Family Photo Session $75
14. Smart Sakhi - Free Organic Turmeric and Ghee Combo $15
15. VYAYAM - Free 1 Month Live Online Group Yoga Classes (access to 72 classes) $95
16. Yoga With Komal - Free 1 Hour Private Yoga Session $150

Thirteenth Annual Sunrise Yoga 2025 (June 27) Raffle Prizes
No. Raffle Provider Raffle Prize Estimated Value
1. Amitha Fashions - Free Clothing Store Gift Card $25
2. Best Brains of Buffalo Grove - Free 2 Weeks of Any Subject Class $149
3. Ekjut Theater - Free 1 Arts Rendezvous Entry Ticket $20
4. Gandharva Mahavidyalaya - Free Classical Indian Music Concert Ticket $30-$50
5. Kandisa Dance Studio - Free Entry to 1 Session of Kathak Dance Class / Workshop $20
6. Mandi Theater - Free 2 tickets to a Play Contest $20
7. National India Hub - Free Saree and Salwar Suit Set $20 - $50
8. Shirani Nayar Creatives - Free 30 Minute Family Photo Session $75
9. Smart Sakhi - Free Organic Turmeric and Ghee Combo $15
10. VYAYAM - Free 1 Month Live Online Group Yoga Classes (access to 72 classes) $95

Looking forward to seeing you all at both the events.

05/23/2025

Grateful for the opportunity to share yogic breathing and stretching techniques to support mental well-being as part of this week’s Mental Health Awareness initiative at a local corporate office. 💚

A heartfelt thank you to Olga for the invitation to guide your colleagues through these practices and for helping create such a welcoming environment. I’m so glad to hear everyone enjoyed the session!

Appreciate the kind words shared on Google:
"Great workshop/yoga class from Vidya for our mental health awareness day at work! Everyone enjoyed the class! Thank you!"

As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month this May, it’s a timely reminder that the heart of yoga lies in calming the mind. Physical benefits are just one aspect—at its core, yoga (through Asanas and Pranayama) helps us find emotional balance and deeper inner connection.

Keep practicing to nurture your body, mind, and spirit. 🥰

05/06/2025

Eleventh International Day of Yoga ( ) is being organized by Icon Shakti in cooperation with the Consulate General of India, Chicago, and co-hosted by VYAYAM, VYANJAN, Balodyan, AIM for Seva, Sohum Realty, Association of South Asian Real Estate Professionals, Lake County Ganesh Mandal, Smart Sakhi, Yoga with Komal, HUM-USA, Ayurveda Union of Midwest, VT Seva, Sewa USA, Lake County Indians Association, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mandi Theater, Best Brains Buffalo Grove, Maharashtra Mandal of Chicago, Friends of Madhya Pradesh in IL, Chinmaya Mission - Yamunotri, U S Kids 4 Water, Art4Hearts, Sanjeevani, A3N Media, ANCSOS, Chicago Agrawal Association, & HSS - Buffalo Grove.

Members of the community are invited to join us with family and friends to celebrate the joy and gift of yoga for physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.

While this is a free event for all, registration is mandatory.

Please register at: https://forms.gle/i85JKz7ZrAAdFxfY7 .

Program details may be found at https://tinyurl.com/idy25 .

Free Sunrise Yoga in the Park is being organized on all Fridays in June from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. ( https://tinyurl.com/sunriseyoga2025 )

Free Poster and Speech contests (cash prizes and no entry fees) are planned for kids and adults on the topic of Yoga for One Earth, One Health to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga.

Poster contest ( sign up at https://tinyurl.com/idy25poster ) entries will be displayed at Raupp Museum of Buffalo Grove from June 1-25, and on June 28 at the community practice event.

Speech contest ( sign up at https://tinyurl.com/idy25speech ) will take place at National India Hub (930 National Parkway, Schaumburg, IL 60173) on Sunday, June 22, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Selected speakers in each age category will be invited to deliver their speeches live at the Community Yoga event on June 28.

General timeline of the program on June 28, 2025 at Rotary Village Green (265 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove, IL, 60089) :

8:00 - 8:15 a.m. - Check-in

8:15 - 9:15 a.m. - Yoga (warm-ups, Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Laughter).

9:15 - 9:30 a.m. - Prize Distribution for the Speech and Poster Contests

9:30 - 9:50 a.m. - Light refreshments

9:50 - 10 a.m. - Wind up

We look forward to your participation in these free community yoga events to celebrate India's wellness gift to the world - Yoga.

Happy International Day of Yoga to all.

10/26/2024

Happy to share that two of Vyayam's prenatal yoga classes' two participants from our very first batch that started in July of this year have delivered their babies successfully this month with normal deliveries. Both are first time moms. Babies and moms are doing well. Congratulations to both the families upon the arrival of your bundles of joy

10/15/2024

Namaste!
With Shri Bhagwan Dhanvantari’s blessings and your continued support, we are once again ready for a holistic event - Ayurveda Day 2024. This year's theme is “Ayurveda for Women Empowerment”.

You’re cordially invited to celebrate Ayurveda Day 2024 with us all ❤️

Join us for a special event dedicated to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, focusing on health, wellness, and holistic living🎊✨

Experience enlightening talks and demos by professionally qualified Ayurveda and Yoga experts. Discover the benefits of Ayurveda and Yoga for your mind, body, and spirit.

We look forward to celebrating wellness with you at our beloved India Hub in Schaumburg on Sunday, October 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

While the event is free, registration is mandatory. Please register by October 22 at https://forms.gle/uWoPwsajeYCX1roPA.

This event will be streamed live. The link will be sent to the registered attendees via email.

🌿Warm cooked light and healthy dinner will be served
🌿Children above age 10 are welcome.

09/29/2024

07/10/2024

Happy to share that we are starting group yoga classes at beginning this Saturday. Please share with all who might benefit from these classes

06/10/2024

See info and sign up at https://tinyurl.com/idy24yoga to join us for this free community yoga practice to celebrate the 10th 🥰

06/06/2024

Our 12th free annual Sunrise Yoga in the Park starting tomorrow will meet at Rotary Village Green Pavilion, 265 N Buffalo Grove Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, in the month of June, every Friday 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., to thank the sun for the energy and light in our lives, to soak in vitamin D, to spend some time with mother nature while going within.

While this is our free offering to the community, registration is mandatory to attend the program. Please sign up at: https://forms.gle/6kysguCc15phu4u37 .

Please bring your yoga mats / towels / water bottles to every sunrise yoga in the park class.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow in class.
Have a wonderful evening ahead. ❤️

04/21/2024

Check out our exciting free community yoga events this summer on the occasion of 🥰
Free Community Yoga Practice: https://tinyurl.com/idy24yoga
Free Sunrise Yoga in the Park: https://tinyurl.com/sunriseyoga24
Yoga Speech Contest for kids and adults: https://tinyurl.com/idy24speech
Yoga Poster Contest for kids and adults: https://tinyurl.com/idy24poster
❤️

02/27/2024

ANCIENT INDIAN HEALTH TIPS IN SANSKRIT TRANSLATED IN ENGLISH

A MUST READ

1. अजीर्णे भोजनं विषम् ।
If previously taken Lunch is not digested, taking dinner will be equivalent to taking poison. Hunger is one signal that the previous food is digested.

2. अर्धरोगहरी निद्रा ।
Proper sleep cures half of the diseases.

3 मुद्गदाली गदव्याली ।
Of all the pulses, green grams are the best. It boosts Immunity. Other pulses all have one or the other side effects.

4. भग्नास्थि-संधानकरो लशुनः।
Garlic even joins broken bones..

5. अति सर्वत्र वर्जयेत्।
Anything consumed in excess, just because it tastes good, is not good for health. Be moderate.

6. नास्ति मूलमनौषधम् ।
There is no vegetable that has no medicinal benefit to the body.

7. न वैद्यः प्रभुरायुषः ।
No doctor is capable of giving longevity. (Doctors have limitations.)

8. चिंता व्याधि प्रकाशाय ।
Worry aggravates ill-health.

9. व्यायामश्च शनैः शनैः।
Do any exercise slowly.
(Speedy exercise is not good.)

10. अजवत् चर्वणं कुर्यात् ।
Chew your food like a Goat.
(Never swallow food in a hurry.
Saliva aids first in digestion.)

11. स्नानं नाम मनःप्रसाधनकरंदुः स्वप्न-विध्वंसनम् ।
Bath removes depression.
It drives away bad dreams..

12. न स्नानमाचरेद् भुक्त्वा।
Never take bath immediately after taking Food. (Digestion is affected).

13. नास्ति मेघसमं तोयम् ।
No water matches rainwater in purity..

14. अजीर्णे भेषजं वारि ।
When there is indigestion, taking plain water serves like medicine.

15. सर्वत्र नूतनं शस्तं, सेवकान्ने पुरातने ।
Always prefer things that are fresh.
Whereas rice and servant are good only when they are old.

16. नित्यं सर्वा रसा भक्ष्याः ।।
Take the food that has all six tastes.
(viz: Salt, Sweet, Bitter, Sour, Astringent and Pungent).

17. जठरं पूरायेदर्धम् अन्नैर्, भागं जलेन च ।
वायोः संचरणार्थाय चतर्थमवशेषयेत् ।।
Fill your stomach half with solids,
a quarter with water and leave the rest empty.

18. भुक्त्वा शतपथं गच्छेद् यदिच्छेत् चिरजीवितम् ।
Never sit idle after taking food.
Walk for at least half an hour.

19. क्षुत्साधुतां जनयति ।
Hunger increases the taste of food.
In other words, eat only when hungry.

20. चिंता जरा नाम मनुष्याणाम्
Worrying speeds up ageing.

21. शतं विहाय भोक्तव्यं, सहस्रं स्नानमाचरेत् ।
When it is time for food, keep even 100 jobs aside.

22. सर्वधर्मेषु मध्यमाम्।
Choose always the middle path. Avoid going for extremes in anything.

Golden words of wisdom in Sanskrit by our sages.

Please share with your loved ones.