TRR photo by Tom Kane The Himalayan Institute spiritual head Pandit Rajmani Tigunait attended the VIP Opening with his wife, Meera. (Click for larger image)

Himalayan Institute comes to Main Street

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA — The Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy which is based in Bethany, PA has opened a center on Main Street in Honesdale.

The center will emphasize a holistic approach to health.

“We will have affordable courses in yoga, dieting, nutrition, stress management, weight loss and the body-mind connection,” said Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute. “We’re very excited about bringing the center here. There’s no place like Honesdale.”

Some classes will be for one day and others for a few hours, he said. Classes will be held six days a week, Monday to Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Visiting lecturers will talk about psychology, health and women’s health in particular, he said.

“The ground floor will house a store selling books, clothes, herbal products, incense, magazines and hand-crafted artifacts from around the world,” said Brian Fulp who conducted tours at the VIP Opening on Thursday, December 19. A cafeteria will open soon on the ground floor, he said.

Store hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The second floor has areas for yoga classes, other classes and lectures. Some courses will be free for students, youths and seniors. The third floor will house the public relations headquarters for a major conference planned for 2007.

“The Honesdale community is enormously excited about this new center,” said Carson Mader of the Greater Honesdale Partnership. “First of all, it brings an old building back to life and it will bring people to the village who would not otherwise come. It’s going to be wonderful for business.”

The three-floored building at 630 Main Street had been vacant for at least five years.

For more information and for a schedule of classes, drop in at 630 Main Street or call 570/647-1550.