International Yoga Grand Master Award
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Presented by Padma Shri H.H. Jagat Guru Amrta Suryananda Maharaj
Only previous recipients were Padma Vibhushan Shri B.K.S. Iyengar and Padma Shri Dr. H. R. Nagendra, SVYASA University, Bangalore
Paul Harris Fellow Award, 2007
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Received from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Naples, Florida in appreciation for tangible and significant assistances given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among people of the world.
Best Foreign Yoga Practitioner, 2007
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As Great Yoga Exponent Awarded by the World Yoga Society at the 15th All India UNI Yoga Competition Kolkata, India
Bhaskar Award, 1998
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New Delhi India highest award of Bharat Nirman in recognition of outstanding services rendered to mankind.
Global Service Award, 1994
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Presented by the Kripalu International Network (KIN) that Amritji established
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Gurudev Shri Amritji founded the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in 1983 which grew to be the largest thriving international yoga & health center in North America with 350 full time resident volunteer staff, accommodating more than 300 guests and hosted great yoga masters from all over the world
Yogacharya, 1993
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Awarded by the Pan-American Yoga Association Recognized by the Government of Buenos Aires
Unity in Yoga Plaque, 1993
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Presented by Unity in Yoga Teachers Association celebrating 100 years of Yoga in America
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In deep appreciation and honor for years of dedicated services to yoga in the Americas
Padma Vibhushan Nomination, 1992
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Nominated by the late Prime Minister of India, Shri Chandra Shekhar, with a positive response from then Prime Minister Shri Narasinha Rao for 1993
SIGFA RATNA, 2017
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Presented by Dr. B. K. Chandra Shekhar Guiness World Record holder in Education, Asia Book of Records holder in Education, India Book of Records for inventing Mind Testing Machine
Maharishi Sandipani Award, 2014
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The Ujjain Yog Life Society International at the 4th International Yog Conference, held January 2014 in Ujjain, M.P. India
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International Yoga Grand Master, 2013
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Presented by Padma Shri H.H. Jagat Guru Amrta Suryananda Maharaj
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Only previous recipients were Padma Vibhushan Shri B.K.S. Iyengar and Padma Shri Dr. H. R. Nagendra, SVYASA University, Bangalore
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Shown in photo from right: Padma Shri Dr H.R. Nagendra, Ambassador of India Dr Jitendra Nath Misra, Gurudev Shri Amritji, Padma Shri H.H. Jagat Guru Amrta Suryananda, Dr. Bawa Jain
Inaugural Fellow, Council for Yoga Accreditation International (CYAI), 2012
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The council recognized four inaugural Fellows who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement and contribution to the field of Yoga
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Grand Master of Yoga, 2012
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Conferred by the Portuguese Yoga Confederation on the World Yoga Day Celebration, Lisbon, Porgugal
Lifetime Achievement Award, 2011
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Tathagat Foundation, Dubai and International Ayurveda Academy (IAA), Pune, India
Yogiraj, 2011
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Awarded by Parmanand Institute of Yoga Sciences & Research Indore, India
Lifetime Achievement Award in Yoga, 2010
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Presented by Natural Awakenings Magazine
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Voted by the readers as one of the top 5 Organizations
Patanjali Award, 2010
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Awarded by the Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA)for Excellence in Yogic Research and Teachings in North America
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Professor of Yoga, 1988
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Awarded by the Latin American Confederation and the Union of National Ferderations of Yoga, Montevideo, Italy
Yogacharya, 1987
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Conferred at the 19th Convocation of the Vishwa Unnyayan Samsad, Pitambar Bhavan Ananda Ashram
Vishwa Yoga Ratna Award, 1987
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Award conferred by the World Development Parliament of India
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Presented by the President of India in recognition of life long dedication and service in the field of Yoga to 10 world renowned teachers from 10 countries (India, USA, England, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, France). Gurudev was selected to represent the USA
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In a letter by Swami Shri Gitanandgiri from Gitanand Ashram Pondicherry to Amritji: "I am writing to congratulate you ...for the award of 'Vishna Yoga Ratna'...This (is a) great distinction for your lifelong work in the field of Yoga."
Maharishi, 1986
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Awarded by 105-year-old H.H. Sadguru Swami Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj, Udasin, chancellor of Udasin Sanskrit University, Benares, founder of 12 ashrams in India and 600 Ved Mandirs
Jagadacharya, 1986
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Conferred by the World Religious Parliament, New Delhi, India, established by Swami Vivekenanda in 1894
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This honorable title was awarded to five world renowned teachers for spreading Hindu philosophy and wisdom worldwide
Yogcharya, 1980
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Conferred by H.H. Swami Shri Kripalvanandji, Amritji’s guru and founder of Kayavarohan Tirtha Shiva Temple, Malav Ashram, and Lord Lakulish Yoga Institute, in honor of years of intensive study, teachings and practice of philosophy and spiritual principles of yoga
Acharya Pravaraha, 1975
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Awarded by Shri Swami Vedavyasanadaji, Chancellor of Rishikul Sanskrit University in Haridwar
Doctor of Yoga Science, 1974
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Awarded by H.H. Jagadaguru Shankaracharya Maharaj, Dwarka, spiritual leader of Hinduism, for outstanding contributions to humanity
Honorary Doctor of Philosophy, 1971
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Florida Research Institute, Melbourne Florida
Title of "Yogi", 1969
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Conferred by H.H. Swami Shri Kripalvanandaji for significant knowledge of philosophy, principles and practice of yoga
Publication & Book Awards
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Seven Literary Awards: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Master (2012)
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1st place in the Yoga and Meditation division from the Living Now Book Awards
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Honorable Mention in five festivals
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Paris Book Festival
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New York Book Festival
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London Book Festival
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Hollywood Book Festival
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Southern California Book Festival
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Book of the Year Finalist for Biography in the Foreword Reviews
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Three Awards: Love and Bliss: Meditations on the Art of Living (2014)
- 2nd place in the poetry division from the Great Midwest Festival
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2nd place in the Southern California Book Festival
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Honorable Mention in the Florida Book Festival
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Cover page painting by Gurudev Shri Amritji
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Five Awards: Yoga of Relationships (2015)
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Winner of the Nautilus Book Award
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1st place in the Great Midwest Book Festival
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2nd place in the Spiritual Division in the London Book Festival
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Honorable Mention in the Southern California Book Festival
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Honorable Mention in the Paris Book Festival
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Cover page painting by Gurudev Shri Amritji
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Amrit Yoga: Explore, Expand, Experience, The Spiritual Depth of Yoga
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Amrit Yoga and the Yoga Sutras
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Embodying the Power of the Zero Stress Zone
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A Yogic Perspective on the 12 Steps
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Kripalu Yoga Meditation in Motion (Books 1 & 2)
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Magazines and books featuring chapters or writings by Gurudev Shri Amritji include:
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The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer
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Homegrown Gurus, Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic, American’s Alternative
Religions, Ultimate Happiness by Peter Mellon, Transformative Adventures, Vacations, and Retreats, Voices on the
Threshold of Tomorrow, The Spiritual Seekers Guide, and Kundalini Evolution and Enlightenment. He is the author
of the manuals of Amrit Yoga teacher training and Amrit Yoga Nidra teacher training, as well as hundreds of audios,
videos, CDs and DVDs
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Humanitarian Recognition
2007 Paul Harris Award received from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in Naples, Florida for tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
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The Yug Prabha newspaper, Halol, India stated in a 2007 article:
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“Yogishri Amrit Desai was honored in his home town of Halol for his humanitarian works known to offer scholarships to the poor and approximately 5,000 women are helped financially through the Bhuriben Trust he established... Helpless and poor patients receive free medicines and medical treatment... [H]e has financed the building of the new children’s school in Halol.”
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Yogi Desai’s humanitarian projects in India include:
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Bhuribhen Trust - Provides medical aid, supports children’s education and widow’s home industry
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Lord Lakulish Temple, Kayavarohan; Kripalu Ashram, Malav (founded by Shri Amritji's guru, H.H. Swami Shri Kripalvanandji) - provided Services to the humanitarian works connected to these organizations
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Ambulance provided for the town of Halol
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The Urmila Amrit Desai Shrishuvihar – children’s school established in 2009
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Computer College in Halol - Donation of computer equipment