Spiritual training (Sadhana) has nothing to do with theoretical study, but rather leads you to a new way of life. Just as sesame seeds are crushed to extract the oil and the wood is ignited to extract its heat, the student must be unshakable in his practice to extract the latent knowledge of himself and find his own identity. When the student realizes that he is a spark of the divine flame that is present in the entire universe, then all his past impressions (samskaras) are burned up, and he becomes enlightened. It is then when he becomes a guru himself.

Luz sobre el Pranayama, B.K.S. Iyengar

 

In the photo: Jawahar Bangera with Guruji at Guru Poornima 2007. Also in the photo is Herta Hogg, founder of the IYC in Mexico. Also in the photo is Guruji’s granddaughter, Abijata.

Before the next arrival of our teacher Jawahar Bangera, which is our most direct connection with the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and remembering the importance of having a teacher to guide the path of yoga, we talked about this interesting topic.

Guru = teacher, sisya = student, referring to the transmission of spiritual knowledge.

The Sanskrit word guru comes from gu (darkness) and ru (light). As a teacher of spiritual knowledge, he removes the darkness of ignorance and leads the student towards enlightenment and truth.

In the tradition of yoga, knowledge is transmitted from teacher to student and that is why they talk about lineages in yoga schools.

The guru of B.K.S Iyengar was Krishnamacharya, he was also the teacher of Pattabhi Jois, founder of the Ashtanga Yoga of Indra Devi,  A.G. Mohan y de Desikachar, who initiated Viniyoga.

The father of modern Yoga

Krishnamacharya was married to the sister of B.K.S. Iyengar, at 16. B.K.S. went to live with them to learn yoga and improve his health, because in his childhood he was very poor and suffered from multiple illnesses. He learned yoga under the heavy hand of his teacher, but although he later followed his own path, he always recognized him as the light that illuminated his path.

Krishnamacharya performed at the Mysore palace for the Maharaja, subjecting his students to intense training.

Reenactment of the performances in the Mysore Palace. Although Krisnamacharya taught children and youth in Mysore Palace, his public demonstrations attracted various congregations. He enjoyed the challenge of presenting Yoga to audiences with different backgrounds and education.

Indra Devi

Patabhi Jois y B.K.S. Iyengar

Jawahar Bangera y B.K.S. Iyengar

Jawahar Bangera studied at a boarding school until he was 18 years old. When he graduated and returned home, his family in Mumbai was already practicing yoga, so they invited him to take classes as well. For many years B.K.S Iyengar would travel 3-4 hours every weekend to teach a group of Iranians, then he caught the attention of his connationals. It was in these classes that Jawahar met his Guru in 1969, who is called Guruji.

Iyengar became interested in his student and invited him on numerous occasions to travel with him as his assistant and teach around the world. One day Jawahar left his personal business to dedicate himself completely to yoga, now he has three centers in Mumbai and is a member of the Iyengar family in several of the institutions (Light On Yoga Research Trust) created to promote Iyengar yoga. More Information: Iyengar Yohashraya.

Jawahar travels all over the world spreading the teachings of his teacher with fidelity, dedication and devotion.

He has come to Mexico for nine years, sharing with us anecdotes and teachings of Guruji .