Swami Ramdev coming to Britain!
For the first time, superstar yoga-guru Swami Ramdev is set to hold a yoga camp outside of India. And the venue is right here in Britain! The event is set to run from 15th July through to 22nd July 2006, and is to be held at the Elmbridge Club in Ilford.
June 21st, 2006 at 1:29 am
I LIVED IN HOUSTON TEXAS,
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO VISIT HOUSTON,
THANKS
RAMESH
PH 713 475 9612
June 21st, 2006 at 5:05 am
How does one see the Swami with appointment as my wife suffers badly from arthrities and mobility is bad and it may not be possible for her to go to the park and sit there?
Will wait for your reply
Thanks
June 21st, 2006 at 8:20 am
SWAMI RAMDEV’S YOGA PRACTICE REMAINS REMARKABLY UNCHALLENGED
manju dhiri puri - London
June 21st, 2006 at 3:00 pm
Swami Ramdevji is blessings of all the mankind on this planet
He will be very much welcom to london and I wish him best and very comfordable stay
June 21st, 2006 at 6:38 pm
I was wondering if i need to buy a ticket or we can go there for free? and what time it starts and finish?? i can’t seem to find a website for this particular topic with information anywhere… any suggestions or heard something as such??
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:33 pm
BE PREPARED to part with your hard earned cash; £500-MAXIMUM to £100-MINIMUM is what the price I was quoted is.
This has put us off going at all, very dissapointed.
This is the money grabbing greed usually seen when bollywood comes to town.
June 22nd, 2006 at 6:01 pm
I think it is £70 minimum for seven days registration. I’m gonna research this and post up the info in a bit.
June 23rd, 2006 at 12:18 am
I heard of Ramdev Swami during my visit in India 2005 and watched a few T.V. evening exercise. I was very impressed and practised a few which were very simple. Since then in the last year I have reduced a little weight, do not feel tired and feel active and young. All my joints in the body works and all the aches and pains have disappeared. I feel that your body just requires lot of fresh air(oxygen), good amount of water to purify the body organs. And no junk food. Just 20 minutes of regular exercise and one can see the difference in living style, when you feel healthy, active and full of energy. Truely, he is God’s gift to all of us.
June 23rd, 2006 at 2:33 pm
Can someone tell me where i can get his yoga cd’s i cant commit to attending a 7 day event. I tried searching on google but cant find anything, is there a particular website.
June 25th, 2006 at 8:47 pm
In response to Sumeet Sharma’s message, I would like to say that it is your choice if you wish to attend. People often spend lot more than this on slimming programmes without any lasting benefit. Many have benefited beyond their imagination. Therefore Swami’s visit is blessing form many who will benefit.
June 26th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Please find below the information which I have received that may address some of the queries posted here:
Information on the yog camps are available on the Aastha TV web site (donor passes for Ilford can also be purchased):
http://www.aasthatv.com/swamiramdev_venue.htm
There are 4 camps scheduled in the uk :
1. ILFORD WORKSHOP : 15 th to 22nd July, 2006 .
2. LEICESTER WORKSHOP : 29 th July to 4 th August, 2006 .
3. BOLTON WORKSHOP : 5 th to 11 th August, 2006 .
4. MIDDLESEX WORKSHOP : 12 th to 18 th August, 2006 .
The information that I have received on the Ilford camp regarding prices are as follows:
VIP - £ 500
DIAMOND - £ 300
GOLD - £ 140
SILVER - £ 70
I too initially thought the “tickets” were highly priced as I would be purchasing for my household of 5 to attend however it is for 8 sessions and we would be receiving a lesson from one of the greatest teachers! In addition the words “FUNDRAISING YOG SCIENCE WORKSHOP” have been used for these camps which suggests to me (please correct me if I am wrong) that a high percentage if not all the ‘donor pass’ funds will go to the Patanjali Yog Peeth trust.
I bought some Yog material from http://divyayoga.com/main.htm last year - but I think the site is in the process of being redesigned as the facility to shop online is not currently available – an alternative suggestion would be http://www.aasthashop.com/video.
In answer to Kishor’s statement – I would like to add that in one of the Swami Ramdev’s yoga shown recently shown on Aastha TV, I did hear him discuss his visit to the UK in which he specifically mentioned that for people in really poor health they will in the first instance at least be seen by one of the Ayurveda Practitioners and that this service would not be denied if they have not or cannot afford to purchase a donor pass.
Hope this information is useful.
Urmila Kanbi - London
June 28th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
Aparna was asking about the CDs and material on Swami Ramdevji yoga. I bought my CD and books in Leicester, phone number 0116 261 1303.
I am very glad we bought the CDs and books, my whole family now benefits.
July 2nd, 2006 at 9:24 am
VIP ticket - £500
This sucks. My issue with this is not the cost. How can you have a VIP in a so called religious / dharmic place? It goes against the whole philosophy/teachings. Everybody is VIP as they have a portion of the Paramatman in them.
I know this is not Swami Ramdev setting this stuff - but rather the elitist ignoramuses who are organising the event in the UK.
July 3rd, 2006 at 1:41 pm
dear sir, madam,
know there is a lot of resentment on the price being charged. But can you think for a moment, how much do you pay to see mumbai stars shows per family? or a meal in a london restaurant?
eople should pay with pleasure as they can afford it and this money is to be spent on hospitals in ndia.
B N Bhanot
July 3rd, 2006 at 6:05 pm
FYI - Hindu Human Rights have issued a press release against the pricing policy of the organisers of this event. It can be read at:
http://www.hinduhumanrights.org/pressrelease/discriminationPrices.html
July 3rd, 2006 at 6:19 pm
FAO of “b n bhanot”:
Here are the details of a Bollywood event that took place in London. Look at the costs:
Zee Carnival 2006
10 – 12 March 2006
Olympia
Hammersmith Road
London W14 7EX
TICKETS: £7-25
They are NOT as extortionate as this Yoga camp.
If you think people in UK (asp Hindu community) can easily afford spending hundreds of £s on anything easily, then you are pretty mistaken.
Furthermore, as “Raju” said: how can somebody be classed a “VIP” (very important person) at a SPIRITUAL event, just because they paid more money to go? That is the antithesis of what dharma teaches. A poor man with higher principles is more of a VIP even if he cannot afford £500 tickets. The organisers need to fix their pricing policy.
If they want to raise money - they are going about it in the wrong way. People love Baba Ramdev. A fund raising campaign in his name would raise lots of money. But charging this much money to attend is paramount to limiting the availability of spirituality to the rich.
July 3rd, 2006 at 10:18 pm
I must confess my ignorance. I had never heard of this man before reading of him here - a good example of the educational role of Hindu Voice; many thanks.
However, I too am saddened, though not surprised (in itself an unfortunate commentary on the prevailing situation), by the details of costs, etc. and what appears to be a situation of the rich being able to buy access to a spiritual leader. But then, in a society where mandirs regularly embarrass their worshippers by announcing names and donation amounts at ardaas, etc., what more can one say? To each his own..
July 11th, 2006 at 9:56 am
Dangerous, are you involved with Hindu Human Rights? If so, I’d be interested to know what kind of response you have had to your work from:
1. Hindu youth
2. Hindu organisations
3. British institutions
4. Wider public
Many thanks.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
^^ No I am not involved with Hindu Human Rights. I visit the website quite regularly though.
July 14th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
Undoubtedly 500 pounds for a yoga shivir is very expensive even for us British Asians who fly by British Airways to India, and charity should never be made compulsory ! ! But I feel, if some people can donate time, some people donate their talents and energy, some people donate money. Mutual cooperation as in a gurudwara is how it happens in India. The same model is difficult in UK. That said, as far as I know, you can also learn the very same things about Yoga and hear our beloved Baba Ramdev while sitting in front of Astha TV channel in the comfort of your drawing room and save your 500 pounds. But dont spend it on pizzas and dhoklas, ok, donate it to a charity of your choice if you get any benefits.
July 14th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
I have been practising yoga since 1951. However after seeing Swami Ram Dev teaching Yoga on Astha Channel, I found that he has carried out lot of reach and presented the art of yoga in a simple form for the common man with the sole aim to benefit the man kind. Being impressed by his style, I along with my wife Dr Mrs S.K. Sharma attended camp of Baba Ram Dev at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in the year 2004., to rectify the mistakes we were committing while practising Yoga and to clarify our doubts. We were mighty impressed and benefitted by his simple style of teaching which would directly hit the heart and mind. Since than we have been practising yoga as per his teaching and have been immenesely benefitted in getting rid of our ailments and to keep ourselves fit.
Salient benefits:
self. Relief from BP, constipation, spondilosis, toning up of muscles, reduction of wasteline and freedom from tension, resuling in happy and relaxed life.
Wife Dr Mrs S.K. Sharma : Relief from 10 year old sever pain in her left ankle, dibetes, BP and old colitis, toning up of muscles and shaping up of body.
The tickets to my information are decided by the organisers to cover the cost of holding the camp and to raise subscriptions for establishing largest Aurvedic Hospital, dispensary of Ayurveda and also Yoga University at Kankhal Haridwar. This is a great mission for the benefit of mankind. No mission can be accomplished without funds. The teachings of Baba help in leading a healthy and happy life, free from disease and tension. When compared to the cost of treatment incurred by people, the cost of tickets is negligible. However those who cannot afford, Baba allows people to attend the camp free also. Moreover, those keen may watch his TV programmes, available free on various channels in over 100 countries of the world. The system of Baba is tested by time and relevant even today.
His mission to relieve the humanity from disease is admirable.
We wish wish him long life in the service of man kind and all the success in his mission. We also wish our brothers and sisters in Britain to be benefitted by the discourses of Baba Ram Dev.
G.K. Sharma
S.K. Sharma
July 14th, 2006 at 11:18 pm
I agree with alot of the price issues above as I called up the organisers and asked where these “donations” are going and which charity projects does swami ramdev support and they had nothing to say or any information to give me. An “insider” of the organisation did tell me however that all the business men involved were making a lot of money from this for themselves. Basically swami ramdev takes his fixed fees and the rest is profit for the organisers! This to me is complete exploitation of our hindu hereditary knowledge in the name of yoga!
July 16th, 2006 at 8:14 am
It is funny that we make a issue about money when the great teacher of yoga is here. You dont pay him any money when he daily teaches us yoga on Aastha Channel. This is time for us to make good use of this opportunity to learn yoga during his prescence you may not get a second chance. This the time to make donation to his efforts and take blessings from him. As in hindu dharma when some makes donation dont look at what you donate think how much you can and to whom. He is making good use of donation to improve health of mankind and spread the word of hinduism ………let him continue his mission further.
Do you know how much money christian missionaries collect to spread christianity in the name of treatment running missionary hospitals in India, Pakistan and China. Hindus dont even make an effort to let other religions know how good and advanced our religion is. Nothing comes free and you have to pay for quality.
So lets make his mission a success and stop cribiong on how much is charged.
July 17th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
I agree that this is a worthy cause and that it is only right that what may well be in part a fundraising event should be entitled to raise funds and supported in so doing. However, I feel that there is a difference between voluntary donation and fixed ticket pricing. In a sense, five pounds from a poor pensioner means considerably more than five hundred pounds from a wealthy businessman.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
I have read conflicting comments on fund raising in the name of Baba Ram Dev with interest. I along with my wife visited Divya Yog Mandir Trust Kankhal, Haridwar founded by Swami Ram Dev.during June 2004. I was impressed to see and learn about Baba and his Ashram, which I reproduce in brief as under :
1 OPD being run by qualified Vaidyas( Medical practictioners in Ayurvedic Medicine) from 8 AM to 8 PM. My wife also consulted one of the Vaidyas. The advise has been useful At that time 15 Vaidyas used to attend the patients. I understand now the number has increased. Every day over 2000 patients, suffering from various chronic diseases, used to visit the OPD. The number is increasing every day. On speaking to some of the patients, I learnt that theystarted coming to this place after seeing programme of Baba Ram Dev on Astha Channel. They were suffering from chronic diseases like Heart ailment, Diabetes, Epileppsy, spondylosis,obesity and the like. They were prescribed different types of Pranayams and Ayurvedic medicines. However, they were told that medicine expedite cure, but if one can avoid medicine, he will still be cured. by Prayanam and Asans(postures) and simple diet suggested by the Vaidyas and Baba Ram Dev during his discourses. Along with Pranayam, they were advised to take simple diet of cerials, vegitables, fruits, milk, curd etc, which differed in ingredients depending on the ailment. In certain cases, no medicine was prescribed. They were also advised that they may continue with the medicines being taken by them, and reduce its dose gradually commensurate with the cure. Swami Ji preaches that most of the ailments can be cured without medicines by only Pranayam and Asanas and appropriate simple vegetarian diet. These people had tried various systems of medicine and had spent lot of money trying to get cured in India and abroad, but to no result. However, they were getting astonishing results and were getting cured, which strengthened their confidence in the system propagated by Baba Ram Dev. Therefore they were coming again and again to this place to consult the Vaidyas and collect medicines.
I realised that it is not publicity but the benefit being derived by these patients which motivates them to follow the teachings of the Baba and his system of treatment. It is an old saying “Chmatkar Ko namaskar.”
Dispensary.
I found the patients purchasing medicines from the dispensary run by the Trust. The patients themselves vouched from the quality of medicines and comparitive cost that the same were cheap and effective. Thease medicines are manufactured under the supervision of Shri Balakrishan, chief medical officer of the Ashram.
Yog Sandesh :
This monthly Yog magazine is published from Divya Yog Mandir Trust, in several languages, besides Hindi and English. It is carries useful articles and tips to get cured and live healthy, happy and positive. we are regulaga subscribers and readers of this magazines.
Mission :
of Swami Ram Dev :
To create consiciousness amongst all humans of the world to lead a healthy life and to achieve this goal take assistance of Yog and Aurvedic therapy invented and developed by Patanjali and Other sages of India.
Baba has no conflict with other types of medicines or pathies. In case of ailments needing surgery, he advises them to go for Allopathic system. He also follows the system of carrying out various tests, like other medical systems, before prescribing treatment. However, in most of the cases, by practising system of Baba, requirement of surgery becomes minimal. He also does not insist on buying his medicines.( for example, my wife was suffering from ankle pain for over 10 years. The Orthopadic surgen gave two injections at an interval of six months, when not cured he told her to live with it since there was danger of the foot getting fixed if surgery was carried out. The third injection may damage the bone. However with regular Prayanam for three months she has been totally relieved of the pain.) He advises to continue the same medicine, which a person is taking and reduce it as he gets relief. He may give it up when he is fully cured. He carries out strict quality control in the manufacture of medicines at the Ashram. The medicines are prescribed after seeing all the required test results, which have to be carried out as the treatment progresses.
Fund raising :
Swami Ram Dev has no Bank Account. He is a Sanyasi and does not touch any Ticket and donation money. All collections, donations are decided by the organisers of the camps to cover the expenses of the camp. Part of the Donations which are given to the trust are received by the Divya Yog Mandir Trust and used for the good of the mankind namely :
Biggest Ayurvedic Hospital and Yoga Centre is being established at Kankhal Haridwar at the cost of 100 Crors, out of which OPD has already been constructed at the cost of 25 crors, which was inaugurated during April 2006 by Vice President of India. It has the capacity to receive/attend 5000 patients daily. Indian Rly Minister has committed to Open a Patanjali Yog Mandir Rly Station and extend Rail service to this Station.
Uttaranchal Govt has passed An Act to establish Patanjali Yoga and Ayurvedic University, of which Swami Ram Dev will be life long Chancellor.
So far no aid has been given by any Govt. Baba is running around all over the country and now has gone abroad to run camps to accomplish his mission, with no selfish aim but for good of all of us. He works round the clok for the good of the humanity.
Dispute over Tickets and VIP Passes :
VIP passes and Tickets are decided by the Organisers, to cover cost of organising the camp and to raise funds for the Mission of the Swami. This not for profit or to fill coffers of the organisers or industrialists.
Baba does not proclaim himself as VIP. He is a Sanyasi. His belongings includes two changes and three pairs of Khadaun(Wooden chappals). He is unmarried. His diet includes only fruits and Milk. He does not consume cereals.
His mission is for the good of humanity to create consiciousness amongst one and all to be healthy and for that purpose to follow Yoga and Ayurvedic Medicine if they so desire. It is not for spreading Hindu religion as has has been wrongly commented. Health is primary requirement of every humanbeing and not Hindus alone. Merely Baba is Hindu, to give it a Hundu colour is unfortunate. He is not doing all this for his good or to make money Hence the criticism in this regard is unfortunate and uncharitable. It is a hard truth that no mission can be accomplished without money. He is running free camps also. The tickets are at a sliding scale, to suit the pockets of people. Considering that a sick person is prepared to spend any amount of money he can afford, this should be taken in such light only.
Baba all the success in his mission and thank the Organisers for organising camps in London for the benefit of people.
Col G.K. Sharma
Dr Mrs S.K. Sharma
Poway. California, USA.
July 26th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
If some responsibles are read this & bring in notice of Shri Ram Dev JI.
Recently in April I visit Haridwar.Their was realy big catastrophy which relate to those handycaps which are living in Hardwar near Ghat.Their are around 50-100 Hanycaps.They are bussy as bigger.Police ,Staff maneging Ganga Ghat & Resturents & Dhaba wala are exploting these innocents.
Unfourtunetly nobody is pay attention to these peoples.Guru Ram Dav ji is living their & I belive He must find aut the practical possible way to these needy Human beings how can help them & collect them from streets & bring these to Joga metho treatmet & final build a Hospital for them & other possibilities like western contries for them.
July 28th, 2006 at 10:11 am
A bit late to join this debate but……I don’t have satellite TV and can’t afford the ticket price or the time to visit the camp. But I regularly follow Swami Ramdev Ji’s DVD and books - very helpful. I got my books and DVD from www.richesofindia.co.uk Telephone: 0207 7236633 Prompt Service
August 9th, 2006 at 9:30 am
Is there any way of seeing the Swani for chat about specific conditions at the workshops or othertimes?
Will wait for your reply.
Thanks
August 15th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
I have just finished the Bolton workshop, I travelled 3am every morning from Bradford. I bought the DVD a month ago but found doing the pranayam with Swamiji I was able to correct my technique. I also paid for in full for my 10yr old boy. At his age they don’t question but follow parents. It was the best money I had spent. Its been 4 days since the workshop but already my son and I are in a routine which we practice pranayam and assan. Mostly who came had illnesses, I like Swamiji belive in Prevention rather than cure. So any parents out there it is a must you and your children attend. This is the best present in life you can give them and yourself - do not miss. We are so lucky for the camps to be held in the UK. I definatley will attend if they make it a yearly thing.
Its devotion and determination which will get you the results in life you want.
August 18th, 2006 at 12:32 am
^^^ I’m very pleased you got something positive out of it. God bless.
October 13th, 2006 at 10:21 am
Anything you buy from Swamiji’s official website i.e. http://www.divyayoga.com/ , the profit that Swamji makes is used for charity , R & D etc. There are many sites where you can buy Swami Ramdevji’s CD & books on pranayam & yoga, some of these sites are even named after Swamiji, but keep in mind that the products you’ll buy from such sites will only fill the pockets of its promoters. Swamiji’s only official website is http://www.divyayoga.com/. One can buy CDs , books, ayurvedic products at actual price from there. By buying products directly from Swamiji you are supporting him & you are also doing charity.
Also anyone with life-threatening ailments should consider visiting Swamiji’s ashram in Haridwar, India.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
What invaluable is being offered through visual media is unque and Ramdevji is the Bhagirath of the day. He has brought down the all blessings showering Ganga that continues to purify body and mind and Praanayam ! All diseases turn to eases ! May you live for eternity.