Melbourne-Based Vasudeva Kriya Yoga Wins Global Recognition at Prime Minister’s Yoga Awards: Melbourne-based organisation Vasudeva Kriya Yoga has earned global recognition after being named among the recipients of India’s prestigious Prime Minister’s Yoga Awards. The honour places Australia firmly on the world map for its contribution to the promotion and development of yoga.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred the awards at the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi. During the ceremony, leaders honoured individuals and organisations from seven countries for their outstanding work in advancing yoga as a holistic practice for health and wellbeing. Notably, Vasudeva Kriya Yoga emerged as the only Australia-based organisation to receive this distinction.
Alongside Vasudeva Kriya Yoga, the global awardees included Amira Ahmed Fahmy Ibrahim from Egypt, Prof Geo Lyong Lee from South Korea, Yogacharya Jadranko Miklec from Croatia, Dr Karen Mustian from the United States, Marcus Vinicius Rojo Rodrigues from Brazil, and The British Wheel of Yoga from the United Kingdom. Together, the recipients reflected yoga’s expanding international influence across cultures and continents.
Importantly, the Prime Minister’s Yoga Awards highlight yoga’s growing global appeal and its vital role in promoting health, harmony, and wellbeing. In today’s fast-paced world, this recognition underscores yoga’s relevance as a unifying and restorative practice.
Vasudeva Kriya Yoga received the award for its strong community-led approach and its long-standing work across Melbourne and beyond. Under the guidance of founder Rajendra Yenkannamoole, the organisation has consistently focused on service, inclusivity, and social impact.
Originally from a small village on the border of Karnataka and Kerala in South India, Rajendra Yenkannamoole began practising yoga at the age of 10 under the guidance of Sri Yogeeshwar in Bengaluru. Subsequently, he deepened his spiritual and yogic training under his guru, Paramahansa Swami Maheshwaranandji. At the same time, he pursued academic excellence, earning master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration.
Rajendra started teaching yoga in Melbourne in 2004 at the encouragement of Swami Ramaswarupanandaji. Guided by the belief that knowledge should be shared for the benefit of society, he expanded yoga instruction across multiple locations in Melbourne. Significantly, all proceeds from these classes support humanitarian charity projects around the world.
Furthermore, his work extends well beyond conventional yoga studios. He regularly hosts workshops for elderly residents in aged-care homes, conducts sessions for children with special needs, and leads classes and seminars in schools and villages across India. As a result, his efforts have touched diverse communities across age groups and social backgrounds.
Vasudeva Kriya Yoga classes remain inclusive by design, welcoming participants regardless of age, gender, physical ability, or religion. Over the years, hundreds of participants have reported physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual benefits, with noticeable improvements in their daily lives.
This international recognition not only celebrates Vasudeva Kriya Yoga’s impact but also highlights Melbourne’s vibrant wellness community. More importantly, it showcases the meaningful contribution of the Indian diaspora in Australia in preserving and sharing ancient traditions within a modern, multicultural society.
