The fifth international conference of the International Yoga Teachers' Association was held, with the collaboration of the Friends of Yoga Society at Panchgani, India from 20th Dec. to 29th Dec. 1976 under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Maria Helena de Bastos Freire of Brazil. One hundred seventy four delegates, from ten countries, apart from twenty speakers specially invited from India, and two experts nominated by the Ministry of Health and Family planning, Govt. of India and two other observers, participated in the deliberations of this International Conference which was the first of its kind held in India, the birth place of Yoga.

The daily programme of the conference started early in the morning at 6:30 A.M. with meditation which was followed by Hatha-yoga and Pranayama classes. The main proceedings of the conference were divided into four different sessions, viz. the specific yoga sessions, the scientific sessions, the philosophical sessions and satsanga. In-between, special I.Y.T.A. sessions were also organized to discuss the formation of the International Yoga Co-ordination Centre. All these sessions were formally presided by Mrs. Maria Helena de Bastos Freire as the Chief Co-ordinator.
The conference was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Dr. U.Nu, ex-Prime Minister of Burma, who graced the occasion with his enlightening paper on "Meditations and How to Practice Them". This programme was quite appropriately covered by the Television Services of the Bombay Studio from where it was telecast subsequently.

One of the most outstanding achievements of this conference, apart from its technical and spiritual deliberations, was the resolution passed by all the delegates unanimously agreeing to establish the International Yoga Co-ordination Centre (Yococen) in India as the first concrete step to give Yoga a common international base and a form above petty regional and religious overtones.
The aims and objects of the proposed institution were clearly defined and a Board of Trustees was also formed to take care of the activities of the centre. National representatives were appointed for different countries to open the branches of the centre in their respective regions. These are detailed below.

The Aims and Objects of YOCOCEN

(1) To collect, co-ordinate, store and disseminate information on yoga and allied subjects.

(2) To co-ordinate and conduct studies, seminars and congregations on yoga and allied subjects - regional, national and international.

(3) To help and co-ordinate propagation of yoga in different parts of the world.

(4) To conduct and co-ordinate researches in different aspects of yoga.

(5) To conduct and co-ordinate training programmes for students, teachers and research workers of yoga in different parts of the world.

(6) To establish a yoga university to facilitate full imple­mentation of various programmes.

Photos

Panchgani Seminar

• Seminar on yoga slated for dec

• Kanchi sage is a presence

• Speekers