Dr. Yogananth Andiappan: Founder of Anahata Yoga
Dr. Yogananth, born into a lineage of esteemed yoga masters, is passionately dedicated to sharing the therapeutic benefits of yoga as his life’s mission. His journey in yoga began under the guidance of his father, Dr. Asana Andiappan, a renowned yoga guru in India.
About Guruji Dr. Asana Andiappan
Dr. Asana Andiappan, a distinguished yogi known for his extensive research on yoga and its therapeutic applications. Dr. Andiappan has authored over 30 books in Tamil and 3 books in English addressing various health conditions, significantly advancing the field of yoga since the early 1960s. He also founded the first exclusive yoga monthly journal, Yoga Kalai, where he regularly contributed articles that highlighted the numerous health benefits of yoga.
As the Vice President of the Central Council of Yoga and Research, a specialized department under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Andiappan has tirelessly promoted yoga as a vital component of physical and mental health in government schools and hospitals. His influence in the educational sector includes formulating policies and establishing standards for yoga courses at universities across India. His significant contributions have been recognized by the government, culminating in the prestigious Maharishi Patanjali Award from the Government of India.
Master Yogananth’s mother, Smt. Sugatha Andiappan, is also a renowned yogini who has authored two books on yoga for women’s health, one in Tamil and another in Malayalam.
His sister, Dr. Lakshmi Andiappan, is a qualified medical doctor and a world champion in yoga. She teaches and trains yoga teachers and currently manages the Andiappan Yoga Centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Dr. Yogananth's Qualifications and Expertise
Dr. Yogananth is highly qualified in the field of yoga, holding both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Yogic Science, as well as a Postgraduate degree in Yoga and Naturopathy, and a Ph.D. in Yoga. He has studied the integrated sciences of Yoga, Siddha, and Ayurveda from a young age, specializing in the application of yoga as a therapeutic practice. He develops tailored yoga sequences that align with the tridosha elements of the body, drawing on the principles of Siddha and Ayurveda Medicine.
Driven by his mission, Dr. Yogananth arrived in Hong Kong in 2003 and founded Anahata Yoga in 2007. Since then, he has launched a variety of therapeutic yoga sequences and tailored classes designed for individuals with busy lifestyles, creating the Andiappan Yoga Therapy series, which includes:
- Back Care Yoga
- Detox Yoga
- Destress Yoga
- Slimming Yoga
- Prenatal Yoga
- Pavanamuktasana Series
He has conducted research on yoga therapy as a rehabilitative practice for breast cancer patients, leading to the implementation of yoga as a therapeutic option in hospitals across Hong Kong. His specialized yoga therapy programs are now available for breast cancer survivors, individuals in pain, stroke patients, and those with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and joint replacements.
Contributions to the Yoga Community
Dr. Yogananth serves as the Editor of Asana – International Yoga Journal www.asanajournal.com and is the founder of the exclusive yoga resource platform, www.yogafromtheheartlive.com. Master Yogananth is also the author of the world’s first yoga coffee table book, Yoga from the Heart, and has produced several therapeutic yoga sequence DVDs.
He has conducted numerous workshops on yoga and its therapeutic benefits, training thousands of yoga graduates in Hong Kong alongside his team of Andiappan Yoga Tradition Teachers.
Additionally, he founded the Andiappan Yoga Community, www.yogacommunity.org a registered NGO dedicated to bringing the benefits of yoga to disadvantaged populations in Hong Kong, including low-income individuals and breast cancer survivors.
He regularly travels internationally to conduct workshops and intensive training programs, educating students and teachers on the therapeutic benefits of yoga.
Today, Anahata Yoga proudly stands as the only studio offering traditional yoga practices combined with a unique approach to tailored yoga therapy sequences for various health conditions, making a significant impact on the wellness of the community.