Swami Veda at the International Association of Yoga Therapists
March 6-9, 2008
Swami Veda flew halfway around the world from India, to be keynote speaker at the second annual International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) conference on March 6-9, 2008, in Los Angeles. The conference, held at the LAX Hilton, was attended by more than 600 practitioners of yoga therapy, most of them with years practicing and teaching yoga. Swamiji gave his address on the opening evening of Thursday March 6. Only 25 minutes were allotted to him on the schedule. He led a 15 minute meditation followed by a very brief lecture on the spiritual roots of yoga therapy, in which he reminded all present that yoga therapy, as defined by the ancients, is aimed at supporting the recipient's health so s/he can practice yoga and gain spiritual wisdom. As is always the case, many people found the brief keynote address to be way too little of Swamijis presence. Several people expressed a great interest in Swamiji, and felt moved by what they had experienced.
The previous evening a small satsang was held in Swamiji's hotel room with a local group of L.A. students, all eager to witness the teachings firsthand. They were effusive in their praise of Swamiji a week later.
A booth staffed with volunteers from across the country saw a steady flow of people interested in all of the upcoming activities and offerings the Himalayan Tradition presents, along with books and CDs.
By Saturday, it became clear that Swamiji was in demand. Through the tireless work of Amy Gage, a room was secured for a meditation in the evening and the word spread through the conference. When the time came, the large room was filled with eager yoga therapists, who were led by Swamiji in a long meditation. After that, the interest in Swamiji increased further, and rumors were heard that Swamiji was being called "the real thing". The organizers of IAYT took the step of inviting SVB back next year.
The conference closed on Sunday with Vedic chanting performed by Sonia Nelson, all the richer by Swami Veda's attendance. We left the gathering with a long list of contacts eager to further be a part of the Himalayan Tradition- many looking to go to see SRSG in India, some ready to attend the event in August at Ranch La Puerta and many more ready to join the monthly full moon sittings.