We were all standing on the front lawn waiting for the airline limousine that would bring Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, Director of The Yoga Institute, Santa Cruz, India and Hansaji, Dean of The Institute to our home in Ottawa. As it pulled up, there was a feeling of excitement and joy that after all the months of planning, they had finally arrived. We had prepared garlands in the tradition of India and presented them with Namaste. It was July 3, 1994, another step in the on going journey of The Yoga Institute which was founder in 1918 by Shri Yogendraji. Dr. Jayadeva and Hansaji, following in Founder’s footsteps, travelled to Britain and then to North America, just as Founder did in 1919. In their one and a half month tour of Britain, Canada, USA, and Germany they conducted lectures, workshops and seminars that were organized by their students. Their aim was to inspire and support their students who teaching the Classical Yoga tradition of The Institute, as well to let the world know more about their work in India. Dr. Jayadeva and Hansaji were accompanied by Captain Saudamini Deshmukh, a student and close friend of Hansaji. She organized all their travel arrangements, looked after their personal needs, did all the food preparation and generally took care of their every need. They stayed in our home with Gail, Gita, myself and or dog Cinnamon. It was a wonderful experience of living and working together. The Classical Yoga Community, being the Sadhakas living in the Ottawa area and their students, organized a full schedule of activities during their 12-day stay. Their visit inspired further learning, a reaffirming of commitment and a feeling of care and openness, as Dr. Jayadeva and Hansaji spoke so fully on how Yoga can be of benefit to our lives and that of society. They introduced a new concept that put a more personal perspective on their teachings. They called it the "Yoga of Caring". They emphasized that an attitude of caring while performing our practices, doing our duties and having recreational time, would allow a greater balance and more positive states of mind. It was a reminder to function with more "heart", more positive feelings, more dedication and commitment. It is this "Yoga of Caring" that allowed their whole trip to happen. Dr. Jayadeva and Hansaji’s care and sense of duty led them to visit their students many thousands of miles away, in their respective countries, offering their support and teachings. The Sadhakas and students in the various countries fully devoted themselves to helping make their trip possible. Dr. Jayadeva’s and Hansaji’s visit has been such a blessing. It has been one of opening our hearts and our minds to a more spiritual outlook on life; and it has brought us again the challenge of integrating Yoga more into our day to day lives, to deepen in our experience. This compilation of their talks is dedicated to all those who continue to take up this challenge.
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