Swami Sivananda, a 127-year-old yoga practitioner and Padma Shri awardee, participated in an event in Mumbai ahead of the upcoming International Yoga Day on June 21.
The esteemed yogi was honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri by former President Ram Nath Kovind in 2022.
“Yoga is the only process which can give longer life,” Swami Sivananda asserted, mentioning the transformative power of the ancient practice. The centenarian yoga guru, who has been teaching and practising at the ghats of Kashi, is the oldest person to have received the Padma Shri award to date.
Indian film director Subhash Ghai, who was also present at the event, stated the common misconception that yoga is solely for the elderly. “People often think that yoga is for elderly people. It’s a tool to concentrate, to focus, to control your senses,” he said, expressing the universal benefits of yoga.
Swami Sivananda’s remarkable longevity and vibrant health have attracted the attention of doctors across India, who have conducted numerous health checks to study the structural and functional health of his vital organs. Additionally, he is an active supporter of the Covid-19 vaccine and is among the oldest individuals to have received the jab.
The yoga practitioner maintains a disciplined routine, waking up at 3 am every morning to engage in his spiritual practices. His diet consists of rice, boiled lentils, and a cup of green chillies, and he sleeps on a mat on the floor, using a wooden slab as a pillow.
Swami Sivananda has been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the Yoga Ratna Award, Basundhara Ratan award, and the Padma Shri, in recognition of his yogic teaching and humanitarian service to the needy.
Follow us
