The Department of Yoga Vidya was auspiciously started in the year 1995 at Gujarat Vidyapith, a prestigious and historically renowned institution of India established by Mahatma Gandhi, with the cooperation of University Grants Commission, New Delhi, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and Kaivalyadhama Lonavala Yoga Institute founded by Swami Kuvalayananda, the pioneer of modern scientific yoga. Keeping in mind the objective of maintaining cordiality and communication between students and teachers in the university, implementing the suggestions of the Kothari Commission, with the financial assistance of the University Grants Commission, the Department of Yoga Vidya was established in seven universities of India, Gujarat Vidyapeeth was one of them. To ensure that all the students studying in the various courses of Gujarat Vidyapith get complete physical, mental and intellectual development, the seed of the Department of Yoga Vidya was sown in the beautiful environment of this Karma bhoomi of Bapu with the inner enthusiasm of the then respected Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Shriramlalbhai Parikh. Today, with the good wishes of thousands of yoga lovers, as a result of the hard work of thousands of students and growing under the loving shadow of parents, the Department of Yoga Vidya has entered the youth of 25 years.
The new building of the Department of Yoga Vidya was ceremonially inaugurated by the then Education Minister of Gujarat, Hon. Shri Nalinbhai Bhatt. The first Yoga class was started by the Department of Yoga Vidya for the students of the undergraduate hostel on 7th July, 1995.
In the beginning, the department used to organize regular Yoga classes for the students of Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad Campus, undergraduate hostel and girls of girls hostel. Thereafter, keeping in mind the positive attitude of the Gujarat Government towards yoga teaching in primary and secondary schools, to ensure availability of yoga experts as per requirement in schools and colleges, this department has given direct training of yoga to about 50 thousand people through various programs like Karmayoga Camp for Gujarat Vidyapith, Mahadev Desai Social Service Employees, Yoganidra Workshop, Vipassana Meditation Workshop, Prekshadhyan Workshop, Mahayoga Camp, Earthquake Fear Relief Camp, Exam Fear Relief Camp for Board Exam Candidates, Naturopathy Workshop, Alternative Medicine Workshop etc.
At present, Post Graduate Diploma, Master in Yoga and PhD courses are going on in the Department of Yoga Vidya. Yoga training is being given by the Department of Yogavidya to the graduate and post-graduate students of various departments practicing in Gujarat Vidyapith.
Total Credit: 80
Course Credit: 20 Credit per Semester
Duration: 2 Years
Eligibility: Graduation (with 50%)
Intake: 60
Total Credit: 40
Course Credit: 20 Creadit per Semester
Duration: 1 Year
Eligibility: Graduation (with 50%)
Intake: 30