LOS ANGELES: So Cal had every reason to celebrate last week as they welcomed Swami Ramdev to Los Angeles. He was here to conduct a five-day yoga camp at the Anaheim Convention Center. The camp began July 09 and concluded on July 13.Organized by the PYP Yog Foundation Inc, this camp brought together almost over 2000 people from not just So Cal but also from Northern and Central California and neighboring states.

Held daily for five days in a row from 6 am to 8.30 am, the camp began with the ritual lighting of the lamp. Swami Ramdev spoke in detail about Yoga and the various Asanas and their relevance and benefits. In these two and a half hour Yoga session the yogis were put through a scientifically designed regiment of exercises aimed to nurture the body and mind.Swami Ramdev believes that there is a connection between breaths, thought and how we feel and his Yoga sessions are based on this principle.According to the Swami, the human body is composed of five elements - space of vacuity, air, fire, water and earth.

The most important of these is air as it maintains and keeps the body alive. This air, when pulled into the body by the process of breathing is called Pran. Pran enters the body through the nostril. Respiration maintains life and is the basis of Pranayama. When we inhale, it is not only the air or oxygen that enters our body, but also divine energy which keeps the body alive,

This energy, it is believed, permeates the entire universe and what we inhale and exhale is just a fragment of it.Practitioners of Pranayama believe oxygen fills the lungs and fills up the entire body, thereby providing it with essential food, and energy. Then, the veins collect the dross elements from the body, take them to the heart and then to the lungs, where the useless materials like carbon dioxide and other fatal toxins are expelled out of the body through the act of exhalation.

Where does the mind come into play? The Swami believes that, 'through Pranayama and meditation we attain a transcendental sate of consciousness where the mind has no thoughts or impressions. In that state, our neuro-endocrine system becomes limbic -hypothalamus; pituitary, adrenal axis becomes strong and precise.

As a result our stress hormones- ACTH, cortisol and prolactin and adrenaline and noradrenaline go down. And good hormones like beta-endorphins and enkephalins, etc., go up. As a result, stress-related diseases like HTN, D.M, obesity and heart disease, etc., start reversing."The Swami says his techniques can also help people suffering from, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, leucoderma, depression, Parkinson, insomnia, migraine, thyroid, arthritis, cervical spondylitis, hepatitis, chronic renal failure, cancer, cirrhosis of liver, gas, constipation, acidity etc.

"Yoga with Swami Ramdev is not Yoga as we perceive it. Yoga with Swami is a personal experience…a spiritual and a physical adventure. Extrmely humorous and witty the Swami had everybody in splits with his anecdotes and jokes. He also took humorous jibes at doctors and lawyers.Swami Ramdev met with medical professionals at the Jain Center Saturday July 12. Organized by the Anekant Community Center, the event brought together some of California's leading Medical luminaries.

These include Indian Medical Association of Southern California - Dr Jayshree Vyas, President Punjabi Dental Society - Dr DP Singh Nagra, Chairman, Dr R Salwan, President Indian Dental Association of California - Dr Kishore Shah, President Dr Raj Prasad and President Indian Pharmacists Association of California - Dr Anil Badlani.Moderated by Dr Nitin Shah this group of highly accomplished professionals discussed a number of issues with Swami Ramdev.

Amongst these various issues were Healthy living through Yoga and Pranayam, Power of Breath and The Way to Good Health.Sunday, July 13 saw Swami Ramdev with kids and he just did not seem to have had enough.

The kids too enjoyed themselves to the hilt. All expenses of hosting this Yoga Camp (approximately $250,000) were borne by the organizers and sponsor partners with the entire proceeds from the sale of entry passes going to Swami Ramdev's mission- Good Health is Humanity's Birthright. Swami Ramdev firmly believes in the famous hymn of the Vedas, 'Let everyone be healthy and happy...Let no one face any suffering.'