Facebook event page – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178860962152586

What is a Surya Namaskar?

Surya Namaskar means salutations to sun, traditionally performed at dawn facing the rising Sun. It consists of a set of simple body postures for full body workout and stress relief. Surya Namaskar is an exquisite miniaturized version of all that Yoga embodies.

What is a Yoga Marathon?

Hindu YUVA has been conducting Surya Namaskar Yajna (SNY) for past three years as part of a nationwide yoga marathon resulting in more than 10,000 participants, 250 centers and 1 million sun salutations. The purpose of SNY is to create awareness about yoga and its benefits in achieving a healthy body, mind and spirit – “health for humanity”. The idea of a marathon is of dividing into teams of 4-5 people and at least 2 members of each team are doing Surya Namaskars at any point of time in those 2 hours.

Why should we take part?

The goal of this unique Yoga Marathon is to inculcate yoga practice in our daily lives for physical and mental well being by performing Surya Namaskar together. And what’s better than to start this with your friends!

Hindu YUVA presents

Understanding India

“India, her Culture and Contributions”
A lecture seminar

Building on the success of the “Speaker on Campus” events organized by Hindu Yuva at UW over the past 3 years, we are happy to announce this year’s event.

When : May 1st ,2010, 3-6PM.

Where : University of Washington, Husky Union Building, Room 310

Indian traditions have had a tremendous impact in the USA over the last 50 years : Yoga, various meditation techniques and herbal remedies, to name a few, have improved the lives of millions across the country. Indian culture is thousands of years old and has many other fascinating aspects and secrets that the modern world can benefit from. This seminar aims to make some of these accessible to the people on campus. This year, we bring two eminent speakers:

1. Introduction to Indian Culture and Tradition: (Yashwant Pathak, Ph.D.)
2. Introduction to Ayurveda (Indian Herbal Medicine system) (Harry Terhanian)

Dr. Yashwant Pathak is the founder member and the international coordinator of International Center For Cultural Studies and a member of World Council of Elders. He has lectured widely on the comparative study of ancient traditions and cultures including Native Americans, Africans, Maories, Australian aboriginals, Hindus and Others. A Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical technology, an American Heart Association Fellow, Dr. Pathak is currently a Professor and Assistant Dean of Research at the Sullivan University College of Pharmacy in Louisville, KY.

Harry Terhanian (Harivilas Das) is the owner and CEO of Uncle Harry’s Natural Products which manufactures and distributes health and beauty products based on the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda and modern nature cure. He traveled and studied languages, cultures and traditions in Europe, the Middle East and India. Harry is the Director of the Vedic Cultural Center (VCC) at Sammamish, widely known as ISKCON, Sammamish..

We will conclude the seminar with a panel discussion on topics relevant to the theme, with active participation from the audience.

The seminar is free of cost. We look forward to seeing you there!

Regards,
Hindu Yuva Team

HinduYUVA at the University of Washington has been conducting Surya Namaskar Yajna (SNY) or Health for humanity Yogathon for last three years.

Date: Sunday, 31th January

Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Venue: Room 200AB, Husky Union Building

Similar events are being conducted nation wide by Hindu YUVA local chapters. Our goal for this year is 10,000 participants and 1 Million Surya Namaskars by January 31st, 2010.

Benefits of Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation include:

1. Surya Namaskar consists of 12 different bodily postures that ought to be performed in particular sequence.

2. Practicing Surya Namaskar is beneficial for the health of digestive system. It stretches the abdominal muscles. Regular practice of Surya Namaskar helps to lose excessive belly fat and gives flat stomach.

3. Surya Namaskar is the ideal exercise to cope with insomnia and related disorders. Surya Namaskar practice calms the mind, thus helps to get sound sleep.

4. Surya Namaskar practice regulates irregular menstrual cycles. Practicing Surya Namaskar ensures the easy childbirth. It helps to decrease the fear of pregnancy and childbirth.

5. Surya Namaskar practice boosts blood circulation and helps to prevent hair graying, hair fall, and dandruff. It also improves the growth of hair making it long.

6. Regular practice of Surya Namaskar helps to lose extra calories and reduce fat. It helps to stay thin. Practicing Surya Namaskar is the easiest way to be in shape.

7. Sun salutation exercise helps to add glow on your face making facial skin radiant and ageless. It is the natural solution to prevent onset of wrinkles.

8. Regular practice of sun salutation boosts endurance power. It gives vitality and strength. It also reduces the feeling of restlessness and anxiety.

9. Daily practice of Surya Namaskar makes body flexible. It improves flexibility in spine and in limbs.

10. It is beneficial to practice Surya Namaskar early in the morning. The early morning sunrays are rich source of vitamin D that is necessary to get strong bones and clear vision.
More details here:
http://www.hssus.org/sny/

Hindu Yuva’s Dandiya Dance Night is back in its biggest avatar ever!

Dandiya is an ancient Indian cultural dance form performed in large groups with decorated wooden sticks. Today, it is usually performed during the festive season of Navratri. Everybody is invited and you are welcome to sport your own cultural dress to make the atmosphere more eclectic and diverse!

It does not get better than this!

• Live Dandiya music by band Dholida.
• Dance lessons for first timers.
• Dandiya sticks provided.
• Lots of prizes to be won.
• Awesome Indian snacks (2 samosa and a mango lassi) included in the ticket.
• Coupon for free Indian dessert + tea provided by  Garam Masala with advance tickets.

Date: Saturday, 7th November

Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Venue: Room 316, South Campus Center

Click here for directions

Tickets:

Tickets available at HUB ticket office or buy online below. RSVP on facebook event page.

Prizes and food sponsored by:

Buy Tickets Online (Online ticket sales have been closed. Buy the tickets at the door):

• Remember to exchange your online ticket for your free food coupon on the day of the event upon entry.
• Remember to bring your Husky Card if buying a student ticket.
• Online tickets sales will close a day before the event.

YUVA Sangam

When : From 5^th Sept 1 PM to 7^th Sept 1PM,  2009

Where : Lewis and Clark State Park, Washington

In the YUVA Camp, You:

Learn about Hindu values and culture

Learn yoga and exercise

Enjoy games

Explore your hidden talents

Interact with youth across different universities

Online registration available

To register online: Click here

$25 for University Students

$40 for Young Professionals ($30 for each additional family member)

Organized by

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (USA)

www.hssus.org

An amazing trip to one of the tallest mountain peaks and one of the most beautiful tourist attraction in Seattle. A jaw dropping view of the Mount Rainier that you might have never seen. Here are a few pics from the Rainier trip:

A few other pics from Shobhit’s Cam:

Hindu YUVA is organizing a lecture seminar titled, “Religious Pluralism in the USA: The Case study of Hinduism” on June 6 in HUB 209A from 2 to 6PM. The Seminar is aimed at understanding the development of Hindu American identity and the challenges faced by the Hindu American community. A group of eminent speakers will present their studies on the challenges and opportunities faced by the Hindu community in the West esp. in the United States.

A brief bio of the speakers:

Linda Johnsen: (born 1954 in Chicago) is an author on yoga and other aspects of Hinduism. She earned a Masters degree in Eastern Studies and did post-graduate work in Comparative Religions at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. In addition she spent decades studying Eastern traditions with Shakta and Shaivite yogis in India and North America. Johnsen’s essays have appeared in numerous magazines including Yoga International, Yoga Journal, and Yoga Plus, as well as in many anthologies. She has written many books along with the bestseller, “A Complete Idiot’s Guide to Hinduism.”

Jeffery Armstrong: Jeffrey’s first degree was in Psychology followed by one in Literature. He studied the occult and Metaphysical philosophers of all world cultures until the age of 23 when he met his first Guru from India, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Phabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. He is a master of Sanskrit, Ayurveda and Astrology and a mystical poet. As a charismatic guest speaker, Master of Ceremonies or speaking on his award-winning book, he is a sought after guest on TV and talk radio. For 15 years, he was a corporate executive in Silicon Valley, and a speaker for Fortune 500 companies. He is the founder director of Vedic Academy of Sciences and Arts, Vancouver, Canada.

Sankrant Sanu: Sankrant Sanu is a former Microsoft manager, freelance writer and now a full time volunteer of Art of Living. He was instrumental in shaping Microsoft’s online Encarta encyclopedia article on Hinduism. His articles in various journals and magazines on matters related to Hinduism, esp in the Western and academic world are very scholarly and thought provoking. He also pens regular columns on Indian and International current affairs.

Holi, also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India, Nepal, and countries with large Hindu diaspora such as Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, the UK, Mauritius and Fiji. In West Bengal of India and Bangladesh, it is known as Dolyatra (Doljatra) or Boshonto Utsav (“spring festival”). It is the most fun frolic festival among all the Indian festivals.

Hindu YUVA plans to organize a Holi party this year for the first time and that too on a beach!! Besides coloring each other, we’ll also play games like volleyball or cricket or any other creative games you can think of.There will be some Bollywood music, so you can try some bollywood dance steps. And of course there will some good food. We plan to have a potluck for the event. So, please bring some food good for 5-6 people. It surely sounds a lot of fun!

Here are some of the details of the event:

When: Sunday, March 22, 2009 (12:00pm – 3:00pm)
Where: Golden Gardens Park. Golden Gardens Drive NW, Seattle, WA
To view the map: Click here

Please RSVP if you plan to come to this event. Click here to go the facebook event page.

If you do not have an account on facebook feel free to email us on hyuva@u.washington.edu

To pray for the departed souls in Mumbai’s terrorist attack,
To offer condolences and support to the families of those affected,
And to make a resolve to unite and fight against terrorism anywhere…

… a candle-light vigil and prayer service has been arranged in Seattle on Wednesday, Dec 3rd by Hindu YUVA and other student organizations on UW campus in collaboration with other Indian organizations in Greater Seattle Area.

Date:   3rd December
Time:   7pm
Venue: Red Square, University of Washington

Let’s join hands, come together, pray and observe a  moment of silence for the victims of Mumbai terror.