I grew up in a family where women have made things happen with or without men. And that enlighten me with the verve and enthusiasm to live a life irrespective of my gender. Well, our Motherland India has generated many women who have contributed their existence to the service of mankind and the upliftment of females in our society. However, many of them remained uncelebrated. So this year, with the Onset of Navratri we at ChewDa are going to applaud some of the unsung women of India.
On the commencement of the Navratri, the woman that we are going to remember is Smt Sita Devi Yogendra. She is the pioneered Yoga for Women. Initially, Yoga was a practice specifically accustomed to men but with the dedication and unswerving sacrifice of Smt. Sita Devi, women were introduced to the divine pursuit of Yoga. Sita Devi was born on 1st June 1912. In September 1927, she tied the nuptial knot with Shri Yogendraji. Yogendraji is regarded as the pioneering head of The Yoga Institute in Santacruz. Sita Devi was introduced to the practice of Yoga after her marriage and within two years of marriage, Sita Devi had acclaimed ample skills and perception about Yoga. Soon she became the mother of two boys. She very well balanced the personal life as a homemaker and competent life at The Yoga Institute. Sita Devi worked as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Institute and was heading the lady’s department.
Sita Devi had contributed her perception and learnings about Yoga in many journals over the years. She had also inscribed articles for the journal of the Yoga Institute and certain International Journals. While writing articles, she started teaching Yoga to women and children in the institute itself. In her lifetime she had handled more than 5000 cases which were penned by her in one of her books. All her knowledge and understanding of Yoga were heeded as appropriate by medical professionals. She had achieved immeasurable knowledge about the science of Yoga, personal health and self-improvement.
She believed that Yoga is a universal pursuit and hence shall not hold any gender prejudice. According to her both men and women should practice Yoga as nowhere it is engraved that Yoga is restricted to women. In one of her speeches, she had said that Yoga authorities even allow a prostitute to practice Yoga. Sita Devi speculated that although men and women have their psychological and physiological differences, the purpose of Yoga remains the same for both genders. With her years of learning and experience, she had found out that even Modern age women would need Yoga for their physical and mental health. She had written several books and articles which speak about women and their need for Yoga.
No doubt Sita Devi was convened as Mother. She was an epitome of love, care, and sacrifice. All her students and followers admired her for her irresistible service towards them. Her assistance in making Yoga a part of Indian woman’s life is to be cherished for years to come. Mother Sita Devi departed in 2008 at an age of 97. Her unswerving dedication and service towards Yoga have cleared up paths for women and the improvement of their spiritual and physical health. Her unparalleled service for improving health has raised the curtain of physical education in India. This Navratri, we bow down to Mother Sita Devi Yogendra, whose contribution has transformed lives.
This is an article from our Navratri: Celebrating the Indian women series