Shakha is the core activity of Hindu YUVA. Below are some resources to help start and run a yuva shakha. 

What is Yuva Shakha?

Yuva is simply the Sanskrit word for youth. More than the physical age, youthfulness comes from the state of one's mind. One can be old at 25 and youth at the age of 85. For practical purposes, we can consider anyone falling in the age group of 18-35 as yuva. According to one of the Hindu scriptures - "Ashistha Balishta Drudhishta Yuva Adhyayi" i.e. yuva is one who has aspirations, courage, strength and steadfastness. YUVA is also an acronym for Youth for Unity, Virtues and Action. Continue reading...

Set of Activities

Basic Set of Activities:

• Dhwajarohan (flag hoisting)
• Yoga
• Games
• Baudhik
• Prarthana (Prayer)

Additional Activities:

• Niyudha/Dand (Martial Arts)
• Shloka/Subhashitam (Verses from Hindu Scriptures)
• Geet (Song)

Sample Timeline

Sample Timeline #1

• 0:00-0:05 (5 minutes) - Dhwajarohan
• 0:05-0:25 (20 minutes) - Yoga (Surya Namaskar, Yogasana, Pranayam)
• 0:25-0:55 (30 minutes) - Games
• 0:55-1:25 (30 minutes) - Bauddhik (Presentation, Discussion, Workshop)
• 1:25-1:30 (5 minutes) - Prarthana

Sample Timeline #2

• 0:00-0:05 (5 minutes) - Dhwajarohan
• 0:05-0:15 (10 minutes) - Yoga (Surya Namaskar, Yogasana, Pranayam)
• 0:15-0:30 (15 minutes) - Niyuddha (Indian martial arts)
• 0:30-0:55 (25 minutes) - Games
• 0:55-1:00 (5 minutes) - Shloka (Prayer) or Geet (Inspirational song)
• 1:00-1:25 (25 minutes) - Bauddhik (Presentation, Discussion, Workshop)
• 1:25-1:30 (5 minutes) - Prarthana 

Beyond Shakha

Sangh work begins with shakha but it is not limited to just weekly shakha. It is said that actual Sangh work begins after shakha is over. Some activities that can be done in addition to weekly shakha. Continue reading...