Read more about Guruji Prof Laxmankumar's achievements...

Positions Held
  • Founder Director, Utsahi Yoga Foundation, Dharwad, Karnataka State, India
  • Founder Chairman Institute of Yoga Studies, Karnatak University Dharwad, Karnataka State, India
  • Founder, Department of Yoga Studies, Rani Chennamma University, Belagavi, Karnataka state, India
  • First Yoga Professor Deputed by Govt. of India , ICCR to J. N. C. C. Embassy of India Moscow (Former USSR)
  • Advisor and Honorary professor for various Universities and institutions in India and USA
Awards and Honors

Honored and felicitated for remarkable achievements and valuable service in the field of Yoga
on several occasions in India and abroad. Some of them are given below ‐

Recognitions in USA

  • Milana, Kannada Koota of Milwaukee honored him with the Rajyotsava award in 2008
    for his on‐going contribution to Yoga at Milwaukee and surrounding areas.
  • VSNA honored him at their annual convention in Chicago in 2009.
  • In Milwaukee, Guruji is honored every year of his visit, for his free social service. Latest visit
    was in November 2019, when Guruji was honored by the Temple Committee, Yoga students
    and Milana Kannada Koota on the occasion of 13th year celebration of initiation of Yoga classes there.

National and State awards and honors

  • “Seva Ratna” Karnataka State award 7th Dec 2019 by Poojyashri Dr Shiva Basappa
    Swamiji for Guruji’s selfless and immense contribution to the field of yoga.
  • “Yoga Shri” Karnataka State award 3th Dec 2017 by State education minister Shri Suresh
    Kumar.
  • Was honored by the Government of Karnataka State, India, with the
    prestigious award of Patanjali Gold Medal for the year 1994‐95 for the outstanding contributions
    to Yoga, Yoga Therapy and Naturopathy.
  • Awarded Basavaguru Karunya Prashasti in 1996 by Dr.Mahanta Swamiji of Chittaragi
    Ilakal Sansthana Math.
  • Conferred “Yoga Ratna” award in 1989 by Maratha Mandal.
  • Awarded Silver medal by APMC Hubli for Yoga programme during silver jubilee function
    in 1968.
  • At Bijapur, India by the Rotary Club, Lions Club and the community in 1970.
  • In December 1987 was blessed and honored at Shree Murughamath, Dharwad by his
    Holiness Pujya Mahanta Swamiji of Shree Murughamath for having rendered free
    service in teaching yoga to more than 200 students staying in the hostel (dorm) at the
    Math.
  • In the beginning of 1957, got a Rolling Shield as the best speaker on Science in Elocution
    Competition held at Reddy League, Dharwad, India.
  • Got many medals prizes and awards in the NCC Camps for the best lecture‐cum‐
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    demonstration in Yoga and all‐round activities etc, during student career.
  • Got a Silver Cup as the best Camper at the Annual Camp held in 1958 during his studies
    in the college of Physical Education, Dharwad.
  • Was honored by the Giants Club, Hubli at Hotel Woodlands, Hubli for the excellent and
    valuable service in the field of Yoga.
  • Was honored by the D.G.Melmalgi Smaraka Samithi, Gadag, at the National Level
    Ayurvedic Conference held on 27th December, 1987 for valuable services in the field of
    Yoga.
  • External member of the Committee to attend the confidential work of other Universities
    in India and Government of Karnataka pertaining to Yoga, Yoga Therapy and
    Naturopathy.
  • At Hungund on the occasion of the 6th State Conference of Karnataka Veerashaiva
    Reddy Samaj on 10th May 1994 for the valuable service rendered in the field of Yoga.
  • At Koppal on the occasion of the 7th State Conference of Karnataka Veerashaiva Reddy
    Samaj on 10th May 1995 for receiving Government of Karnataka State Patanjali Gold
    Medal.
  • At the Public meeting held at Gujarat Bhavan on 29th July 1994 by Shantivan Trust
    S.D.M.Yoga and Naturopathy Hospital of Dharmasthala, Lions Yoga Society and Prabhu
    Seva Sangh of Hubli. Was blessed by Pujya Rajarshi Padmabhushan Dr.Veeredra
    Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Shree Dharmasthala and by Pujya Jagadguru Dr.Gangadhara
    Raja Yogindra Mahaswamiji of Murusavirmath, Hubli.
  • By the Rotary Club and Lions Club and the community at Bijapur for introducing Yoga in
    all the schools, clubs and the public during the year 1969 to 1971 for the first time.
  • By the Post‐graduate Teachers Association, Karnatak University, Dharwad on the
    “Teachers Day” Celebration held on 5th September 1995 at the Senate Hall, Karnatak
    University, Dharwad.
  • At the Mallasajjana Vyayamashala and college of Physical Education, Dharwad on
    Teachers Day on 5th September, 1999.
  • At SDM college of Dental Sciences and also SDM College of Engineering and Technology,
    Dharwad during the week‐long celebrations of “Virasat‐99” organized by SPIC MACAY.
  • Unity in Yoga: Delivered key note Address at 10 am on 3rd October 1990, the First
    Soviet‐ American Unity in Yoga Conference held at the Institute of Engineers (Architects)
    Mission, from 3rd to 10th October, 1990 organized by center for Soviet‐American
    Dialogues.
  • Was a guest speaker and spoke on the “the qualification and qualities of Yoga Teachers”
    on 6th October 1990 at the International Yoga Conference held at Moscow State
    University from 6th to 8th October 1990.
  • A short‐term research project was conducted at the post graduate Gymkhana, Karnatak
    University, Dharwad to study the effects of Yoga practices subjectively. Subjective
    evaluation of effects showed excellent results in improving the health of the trainees.
  • Felicitated by the Maruthi Temple Trust, Line Bazaar, Dharwad by His Holiness Vijayandra
    Swamiji of Shree Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashram Dharwad.
Pioneering Achievements to introduce Yoga
  • In the prestigious Karnatak University Dharwad, India –
    1. First Yoga Coach, Sports Department.
    2. Established the Institute of Yoga Studies and served as the First Instructor in Yoga there 
    3. First Reader in Yoga at the Institute of Yoga Studies
    4. Founder Chairman, Institute of Yoga Studies, Karnatak University Dharwad
    5. Today, Karnatak University is the World’s premier University having 4 long‐term
      courses in Yoga studies running simultaneously – M.A. of 2 years (commenced
      2017), PG Diploma of 1 year (1981), certificate course of 1 year (1975) and an
      optional subject at college level (1992).
  • In Rani Channamma University, Belgaum –Established department of Yoga studies with
    Laxmankumar Sannellappanavar 8
    a Post graduate Diploma Yoga course of 1 year in 2013.
  • A certificate course in Yoga at Basavajnyana Gurukula, Hunnur‐Madhurakhandi
    (Karnataka state) in 2016
  • Diploma in Yoga at Embassy of India, Moscow, USSR in 1991‐92.
  • Yoga Coach and Hostel Warden G.S.College of Yoga, Kaivalyadhama, Lonavala
  • Yoga Teacher, S.V.Yoga Chikitsa Kendra (Treatment Center), Dharwad
  • Founder Yoga Teacher, Lions Yoga Society, Sawai Gandharva Hall, Hubli
  • Yoga Teacher for all educational levels from pre‐school to University level, in India and
    abroad. –
    1. Karnatak University Dharwad
    2. J.N.C.C. Embassy of India Moscow (former U.S.S.R. on deputation by Govt. of
      India)
    3. Prof. K.S.Sharma Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy , Basaveshwar Nagar, Hubli
    4. Shri Siddharameshwar Margadarshi, Dharwad
  • First to introduce Yoga in the following institutes:
    1. At the Young Writers‐Special Training Camp held at the Public School from 11th
      to 22nd May 1975 organized by the Karnatak Sahitya Academy (Kannada Sahitya
      Parishad), Bangalore, India
    2. Sainik School (Military School), Bijapur for the first batch of studentsfrom
      27.8.1969 to 14.9.1969 and other batches afterwards.
    3. The Police Recruits at Bijapur as early as 1969.
    4. The Police Training Centre, Rayapur and Police Headquarters, Dharwad on 16th
      October, 1995 and after.
    5. In schools, colleges and universities in Karnataka State, India and many republics
      of former USSR.
    6. Taught Yoga at Dr.Stiner’s Curative Education Institute for the mentally retarded
      children and patients at J.S.S. campus, Vidyagiri, Dharwad, India during 1981.
    7. The First Yoga Teacher deputed to Foreign Service by the Government of India to
      propagate Yoga through Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Embassy of India,
      Moscow (former U.S.S.R.)
    8. Military School, Belgaum during the year 1994‐95 and 1995‐96.
Publications and Paper Presentations:

Publications

  • Edited and published “Utsahi” Kannada Monthly devoted for Yoga and Culture for more
    than three years from 1966 to 1969.
  • Paper “Effective Teaching of Yoga Practices” was accepted for publication by the Yoga
    Research Society, Philadelphia, USA during November, 1975.
  • Translated “Hathapradipika” by Yogi Swathmaram from Sanskrit into Kannada along
    with Dr.Mallikarjun Paraddi.
  • Text‐book for conducting Yoga Classes in U.S.S.R. (with Russian Co‐author,1991).
  • Yoga for Cardiac Problems and other papers read at various International Conferences
    held in former U.S.S.R.
  • Yoga and Holistic Health Practices book (2007) and articles in few publications in USA.

Some of the Papers Presented

  • “A Case Study of Some Patients Treated by Yogic Method” was presented in the
    International Conference held at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi held from 22nd to
    24th March, 1984 organized by the joint efforts of Indian Academy of Yoga, Institute of
    Medical Sciences and Yoga Sadhana Kendra of Banaras Hindu University.
  • A similar paper, “The case studies of some other patients treated by Yogic Method” was
    presented at the International Conference on Yoga held on 8th and 9th March, 1984 at
    Bangalore.

Performances and Exhibitions

Thousands of performances in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi States in
India since 1949 at different educational institutions of all levels from pre‐school to Universities
and other places from remote villages to personal training at legislatures home, judicials clubs,
chief minister’s function, Rajbhavan (Governor’s home) etc.

  • At Bijapur for foreign delegates in 1969.
  • At Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu for French delegates in 1972.
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  • At the Patanjali Yoga Research Institute , Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh on 24.12.1973
  • Karnataka State Information Centre, New Delhi on 22nd March1975.
  • At the National Level Conference in Ayurveda and Yoga held at Gadag on 26th and 27th
    December, 1981. In many prominent Ayurveda colleges like Hubli, Belgaum, Bijapur,
    Bellary etc in Karnataka.
  • At a similar Ayurveda Conference held at Belgaum.
  • At Delhi Kannada School on 22nd December 1970.
  • At the world Conference on Yoga and Research held at Vijnana Bhavan, New Delhi from
    19th to 23rd December 1970.
  • At a similar conference on Transcendental Meditation (T.M.) held at Sagar University ,
    Madhya Pradesh on 22.12.1977.
  • Conducted Yoga Training classes at the National Integration camp held at Karnatak
    University, Dharwad from 9th to 19th October 1988 for the benefit of Lady
    Representatives representing 12 different universities of 9 states.
  • On invitation participated actively at the International Conference on Yoga held at
    Kaivalyadhama, Lonavala, from 28th to 30th December, 1984 and participated in the
    special workshop on Pranayama conducted for 10 days.
  • On invitation attended the seminar on Yoga Science and Man held at Vijnana Bhavan,
    New Delhi from 14th to 17th March, 1975.
  • In Karnataka Medical College, Hubli, Rampure Medical College, Gulbarga, conducted the
    Yoga Training Classes for the benefits of the students and the staff of both the genders
    separately in both the colleges.
  • Gave lecture‐cum‐demonstrations in Yoga at the Indian Medical Association (IMA),
    Belgaum and IMA, Hubli.
    Have been conducting Yoga training classes since 3 years for a group of 25‐30 members
    coming from Croatia, Russia and other countries to take training in Yoga at Tapovan,
    Dharwad.
  • Was instrumental in establishing the “Institute of Yoga Studies” at Karnatak University,
    Dharwad and to introduce Yoga at three different levels viz.,
    i. At the Undergraduate Level – By starting one year long certificate course in
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    Yoga education from 1975‐76.
    ii. At the Post‐Graduate Level – By starting the P.G.Diploma course of one year
    duration in Yoga Education from the year 1981 onwards.
    iii. At the Degree level by introducing yoga as one of the optional subjects atthe
    Karnatak Arts, Science and Commerce College, Dharwad from the year 1993.

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