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MUMBAI:
B.K.S Iyengar is credited not only for bringing the ancient practice
of yoga to the West but also for simplifying a complex discipline
and enabling it to be practiced by the masses. 'Iyengar yoga', as
it is now branded worldwide, is a term the yoga master actually
dislikes, preferring to simply call it yoga. On this week's TALK
ASIA, Iyengar takes Anjali Rao on a tour of his institute in Pune
and explains why he disapproves of the commercialisation of this
ancient tradition.
 Growing
up in a poor family in India Iyengar suffered from tuberculosis
and was told he would only live to the age of 25. He then devoted
his life to yoga and strongly believes it was the key to his subsequent
recovery. His personal mission was to propagate the ancient Indian
tradition of yoga and transform the practice into a science, therapy
and art accessible to everyone. As a teacher, he ensured he pushed
his body to its limit to perfect yoga postures, enabling him to
perform thousands of demonstrations to his students.
Named
one of the "100 most influential people in the world"
by Time Magazine, Iyengar now operates one of the world's largest
yoga organisations with schools across five continents. His fortuitous
meeting with acclaimed violinist Yehudi Menuhin in 1952 was his
turning point. Menuhin, impressed by Iyengar's demonstration, took
him to Europe so he could spread his teachings.
But
Iyengar recalls his first trip to Europe back in the 1950s partly
because of the discrimination suffered by people of color. He describes
two such humiliating moments when he was refused entry to a London
hotel's breakfast hall and when he was ordered to wait in line behind
the 'whites' at an airport.
Today
he is hugely respected in the world of yoga and realizes the powerful
influence he has on practitioners around the world. He even takes
on a new pupil in Anjali Rao and teaches her some key yoga postures.
For
a full transcript of the interview after the first airing and more
program information on Talk Asia, visit www.cnn.com/talkasia
Airtimes:
Indian Standard Times
Saturday, Sept 22 at 0500 & 2030
Sunday, Sept 23 at 0600 & 1830
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