The Fourth Niyama

Christian Pisano reflects on his own evolving process of the exploration of consciousness through the practice of Yoga. He also shares insights into Kashmiri Shaivism, and how studying this philosophy has influenced his approach to teaching Yoga.Christian teaches at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Nice, France, and leads Yoga workshops across Europe.___https://christianpisano.com/https://www.instagram.com/yoga_iyengar_nice/

Christian Pisano has been practicing Yoga for over 40 years and is one of only three people to have received an Advanced Senior Diploma from Guruji BKS Iyengar. He lived in Pune for several years and studied directly under Guruji, Geetaji and Prashantji at RIMYI.Christian shares that, over the years, his learning process has involved a lot of unlearning and deconstruction of previous understandings in order to uncover what is truly dear to his heart. His philosophical inclination has led him toward a non-dual approach rooted in the Trika system, more widely known as Kashmiri Shaivism.Christian teaches at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Nice, France, and leads Yoga workshops across Europe.In the first part of our conversation, Christian speaks about how a sense of dissatisfaction and a deeper search in life led him to yoga, and what some of his first lessons were under the guidance of BKS Iyengar. He emphasizes that each person follows their unique process, and that the process itself becomes both guide and teacher. Christian also reflects on ideas of progress, personality, and the phenomenon of the student–teacher relationship.___https://christianpisano.com/https://www.instagram.com/yoga_iyengar_nice/

Birjoo Mehta is a senior student of Yogacharya BKS Iyengar and a world-renowned Iyengar Yoga teacher from Mumbai, India. He grew up in a family where the practice of Yoga was an essential part of life; his parents and sisters all studied under Guruji.Birjoo Mehta has built a successful professional career with Tata Communications, a leading telecom company in India, and has held leadership roles for many decades. While very successful in his profession, he has also been teaching Iyengar Yoga for over 40 years.In this interview, Birjoo reflects on the benefits of Yoga for the development of leadership skills, creativity, and lucid thinking. He shares his experience of how Yoga practice helped him be more effective as a leader and individual. ___Birjoo Mehta teaches at Iyengar Yoga center in Mumbai - Iyengar Yogashraya ⁠https://iyengaryogashraya.in/⁠Master class from Guruji BKS Iynegar's 85th birthday, where Birjoo is demonstrating on the stage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OspEAmmcS2A&t=1343s

Nivedita Joshi's journey in Yoga is an example of how the scientific Iyengar's method, coupled with earnest and sincere practice, could bring about remarkable results. In her teens, Nivedita was stricken by slipped disc and cervical spondylosis. No doctor in India could cure her or diagnose her correctly. She lost the ability to move her hands and legs, and by the time she was 26, after 12 years of struggling with the condition, she was completely bedridden. In 1996, Nivedita met BKS Iyengar in Pune and joined his medical classes as a patient. Her transformative experience of healing nurtured her commitment to Guruji's teachings and motivated her to help others experience the health-giving benefits of Iyengar Yoga. In 2004, Nivedita opened the first Iyengar Yoga center in Delhi, Iyengar Yogakshema, where she teaches general and medical classes. In this interview, Nivedita reflects on her remarkable experience of recovery and healing through the Iyengar method. She shares her take on what makes Guruji's approach to mind-body work so effective for health. She also recounts some episodes from her 22 years of close association with Guruji and offers some guidance to the younger generation of students and teachers. ___ More information about Nivedita Joshi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOghTM9NkeQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb89zTipXOE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9MezxWaGdw Iyengar Yoga center in Delhi - Iyengar Yogakshema https://www.iyengaryogakshema.org/ ___ Glossary: सूक्ष्मशरीर - sukshma sharira - subtle body, the vehicle of consciousness with which one passes from life to life. स तु दीर्घकाल नैरन्तर्य सत्कारा असेवितो दृढभूमि: - 1.14 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Long, uninterrupted, alert practice is the firm foundation for restraining the fluctuations.

This is the second part of a conversation with Arti Mehta, a senior student and teacher of Iyengar Yoga from Mumbai. For over 20 years, Arti has been working with kids with special needs, helping them to cope with their conditions through the practice of Yoga and improve their quality of life. In this episode, Arti reflects on her challenges and learnings from guiding children with special needs. She shares that acceptance is the starting point for change. Once a teacher can fully accept and connect with a child, a positive and fundamental shift is bound to happen. ___ Iyengar Yoga center in Mumbai - Iyengar Yogashraya https://iyengaryogashraya.in/⁠ Iyengar Yoga demonstration by kids with special needs led by Arti Mehta ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ccTO2TnC5A

Arti Mehta was 10 when she was introduced to Iyengar Yoga and joined Guruji's classes in Mumbai. She comes from a family where Yoga is an essential part of life; both her parents and all her siblings were studying Yoga from Guruji for many decades. Today, Arti Mehta and all her siblings - Neeta Datta, Birjoo Mehta and Rajvi Mehta are among the most senior Iyengar Yoga teachers globally. For over 20 years Arti has been working with children with special needs and helping them to cope with their conditions through the practice of Yoga and have a better quality of life. In the first part of our conversation, Arti recounts the early years of her Yoga practice and her journey into teaching. She speaks about the importance of building an emotional connect with students and shares her experience on how the practice of Iyengar Yoga can make an effective impact for people with dyslexia, autism, and ADHD. ____ Iyengar Yoga center in Mumbai - Iyengar Yogashraya https://iyengaryogashraya.in/ Iyengar Yoga demonstration by kids with special needs led by Arti Mehta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ccTO2TnC5A

Gabriella Giubilaro is a long-time practitioner and a highly regarded teacher of Iyengar Yoga from Florence, Italy. She joined her first Iyengar Yoga class in 1973, and with curiosity and focus committed to a serious practice. Gabriella quickly developed a deep passion for the subject, since 1983 she has been studying at RIMYI with the Iyengar family. Gabriella holds a Ph.D. in Physics. She was teaching physics at the University of Florence, before she decided to fully devote herself to studying and teaching Yoga. Today Gabriella teaches in her studio Istituto Iyengar Yoga Firenze in Florence, Italy and conducts workshops around the globe. In this conversation, Gabriella talks about her journey in Yoga, and recounts her first classes in Pune. Gabriella shares her guidance on how the practice of non-harmfulness towards every human and nature can help deepen our Yoga practice. She also reflects on how her asana practice has evolved over 52 years and why compassion and generosity are key qualities for a good teacher. ___ Istituto Iyengar Yoga Firenze where Gabriella Giubilaro teaches: https://www.istitutoiyengaryogafirenze.it “After the ecstasy, the laundry” by Jack Kornfield https://www.amazon.in/After-Ecstasy-Laundry-Heart-Spiritual/dp/0553378295 “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” by Edwin Bryant translated to Italian by Gabriella Giubilaro https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Gabriella-Giubilaro/dp/8827229752 Videos of Gabriella's classes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAHbhYCwb_4XslWw7m0KQBfCCsYNwxJAb ___ Glossary (Sanskrit words and sutras from the interview): Karuṇā (Sanskrit) - compassion. tapaḥ svādhyāya iśvarapraṇidhānāni kriyāyogaḥ - Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2.1.

In the second part of the interview Lois Steinberg reflects on how her Yoga practice has evolved over the years, and what young and senior practitioners should be mindful of for their practice. Lois speaks about the effects that Yoga has on health. In what ways could Iyengar Yoga make an effective impact for women in coping with various women's health issues? How could Yoga make a difference when dealing with the diseases like cancer? ___ Classes, books and other Lois's work mentioned in the interview: Guidance for cross bolsters asana https://vimeo.com/604054070 Lois's article on L-shapes https://www.loissteinberg.com/l-shapes Videos of BKS Iyengar's workshop in Panchgani for his 75th birthday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwTqIgP8U6E&list=PLTw0jsrwaLC1vA7A2xZ8fxYzkrr44zTxd&index=1 Iyengar Yoga therapy workshop with Lois Steinberg for Russian students https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=KN8AoPbRrGI&embeds_referring_euri=https://www.google.com/&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE “Geeta S. Iyengar's Guide to a Woman's Yoga Practice” https://www.loissteinberg.com/products/geeta-s-iyengars-guide-to-a-womans-yoga-practice-2006 “Iyengar Yoga Cancer Book” https://www.loissteinberg.com/products/iyengar-yoga-cancer-book-2013 Lois's work for Botswana wildlife rescue https://www.loissteinberg.com/botswanawildliferescue

Lois Steinberg is a highly regarded teacher and devoted practitioner of Iyengar Yoga from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, USA. Her first encounter with Iyengar Yoga was in the 1970s when a friend gifted her the book Light on Yoga. She was mesmerized with the man in the photos and the postures he was able to do, as if he had no spine. Soon after, she met her first Iyengar Yoga teacher and committed to serious practice. With her hard work and focus, she was quickly asked by her teacher to begin teaching. Since 1982 Lois has been studying with the Iyengar family, regularly making annual and extensive trips to RIMYI in Pune. Lois has authored several books on Yoga, including Geeta S. Iyengar's Guide to a Woman's Yoga Practice and the Iyengar Yoga Cancer Book. She serves as a member of and assessor for the Certification Committee of the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the US. Lois also holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences, with a focus on the impact of infant nutrition on their behavioral states. In this episode Lois reflects on how Yoga impacted her life and catalyzed her personal transformation. She shares her thoughts on how we as practitioners of Yoga should look at progress; how junior teachers could learn to guide students effectively, and how teachers can evaluate themselves. ___ Lois Steinberg https://www.loissteinberg.com/ “Geeta S. Iyengar's Guide to a Woman's Yoga Practice” https://www.loissteinberg.com/products/geeta-s-iyengars-guide-to-a-womans-yoga-practice-2006 “Iyengar Yoga Cancer Book” https://www.loissteinberg.com/products/iyengar-yoga-cancer-book-2013 Books by Lois Steinberg https://www.loissteinberg.com/products Videos of online classes with Lois: https://vimeo.com/loissteinberg https://roadstobliss.wordpress.com/guests/lois-steinberg-ph-d/ Articles by Lois Steinberg (in multiple languages) https://www.loissteinberg.com/practice-sequences

Episode 20. Join me for the third part of an insightful conversation with Neeta Datta, a highly regarded Iyengar Yoga teacher, as she reflects on her nearly 50 years in Yoga. In this episode, Neeta speaks about the meaning of svādhyāya, self-study; why it is essential to give ourselves time to observe and examine our reactions and mind. Neeta offers some crucial advice on how to approach our Yoga practice with an open mind and seamlessly integrate it into our daily lives.

Episode 19. In the second part of the interview Neeta Datta speaks about the importance of developing the ability to observe, reflect and connect for a Yoga practitioner. “If we just pick the words of Guruji and repeat them, they will have no value because we are not connected with ourselves, and we are not true to our nature. We have to learn to develop our own understanding. Be true to our nature,” says Neeta. Neeta also reflects on her learnings and experience of assisting Guruji in his classes in Mumbai. What a trainee teacher should be mindful of at the beginning of their teaching journey? How to learn to observe and what to observe when guiding your students? May this interview give you encouragement and direction in your own practice!

Episode 18. Neeta Datta started attending Yoga classes with Guruji in Mumbai in 1975. Her father, Hasmukh Mehta, who had also been studying under BKS Iyengar, guided all of his children to join Guruji's classes. Neeta started assisting Guruji after a few years and continued to do so until she moved to the US in 1987. Neeta now lives and teaches Yoga in Cupertino, California. She is the elder sister of Birjoo, Rajvi, and Arti Mehta, who are also highly regarded Iyengar Yoga teachers. In this episode, Neeta speaks about the importance of going beyond the words and instructions in Yoga. She reminds us that words have limited meaning, and that language cannot express everything. We have to observe and absorb, be open about everything, rather than just take words. May this interview be of help in your own journey!

Episode 17. Father Joe Pereira is a Roman Catholic priest from Mumbai. He is a devoted disciple of both Guruji BKS Iyengar and Mother Teresa. He is also the founder of the Kripa Foundation, now the largest non-profit organization in India that helps people affected by substance abuse, addictions, and HIV/AIDS in their rehabilitation process. After meeting Guruji BKS Iyengar in 1968 at a concert of Yehudi Menuhin, Father Joe joined Guruji's classes in Mumbai and since then has been his close disciple. At 82, Father Joe practices Yoga every day. He teaches Iyengar Yoga and conducts Yoga workshops around the world. He also does various research on the effectiveness of Yoga in detoxification and healing people with addictions. Father Joe is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences. In his Yoga classes, Father Joe keeps sharing Guruji's message that “every asana is a prayer.” He also emphasizes the importance of calming the body to calm the mind. For his commitment and contributions to society, Father Joe has received numerous awards. These include the Padma Shri Award, one of the highest civilian awards bestowed by the Government of India, and a Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received from the President of India. Today, Father Joe shares his story and insights from practicing Yoga for over 50 years and learning it directly from Guruji BKS Iyengar. __ Links to the videos, books and articles mentioned in the interview: Kripa Foundation: https://kripafoundation.org/about-fr-joe-kripas-founder/ "Relaxation response" by Dr Herber Benson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Relaxation_Response “Jesus Christ, My supreme Yogi" Father Joe Pereira: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/christ-the-supreme-yogi/articleshow/4382443.cms BKS Iyengar on Kripa Foundation and Fr.Joe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIA8XDVs1eA&t=311s "The Blissful Brain" by Shanida Nataraja: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/3087740 Glossary (Sanskrit words and sutras from the interview): Ida, Pingala and Sushumna nadis - are the three principal energy channels running from the base of the spine to the head. Sushumna is in the center with Ida on the left and Pingala on the right of it. Antaratma - a Sanskrit word contains of 2 parts: antara meaning "inner" and Atma meaning "soul" or "Self.” Antaratma generally refers to the "inner Self" or "inner consciousness”. Anga - limb (asta anga means eight limbs). pinda vritti nirodha - pinda refers to the physical body or the corporeal form of a being. pinda vritti nirodha emphasizes the importance of calming both the physical body to reach a state of inner stillness and clarity. yo māṁ paśhyati sarvatra sarvaṁ cha mayi paśhyati tasyāhaṁ na praṇaśhyāmi sa cha me na praṇaśhyati Bhagavat Gita Chapter IV verse 30. “He who sees(experiences) Me in all beings and all beings in me never becomes lost to me, nor do I become lost to him". When the individual self has become one with Atma, the individual and the supreme Self live together. Atma trupti - self-gratification. Brahmacharya - religious study, self-restraint, celibacy. Bahiranga - is a Sanskrit term which means “external” or “outside”. In the 8-fold path of Yoga, it is associated with the first 5 limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara. Antaranga - “internal,” “inner” or “inside.” It is typically associated with the last three limbs of the 8-fold path of Yoga: Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. chitta vritti nirodha - Yoga Sutras of Patanjali I.2. “Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind”. snayu vritti nirodha - snayu refers to the muscles and ligaments, tissues that control body movements. Hence this verse could be translated as “cessation of the fluctuations of the fascia”, or “eradication of the dysfunctions of the muscles, fascia, ligaments, tissues”. yat pinde tat brahmande - is an ancient Sanskrit verse from the Vedic texts. It can be interpreted as “All that is outside you is within you,” or “Your body is a miniature universe.” Panchatatva - Panch means five and tatvas mean elements. Panchtatva connotes the five elements i.e. ether (Akash), wind (Vayu), fire (Agni), water (Jal) and earth (Prithvi). These five elements form the warp and woof of the entire cosmos. Pranamaya kosha - kosha means "sheath”, prana is vital energy, breath, air. Koshas are sheaths which are covering the Atman, Self. There are 5 koshas, pranamaya kosha is the breath body, energy sheath. It includes 5 elements: apana, udana, samana, vyana, prana. prayatna shaithilya ananta samapattibhyam - Yoga Sutra of Patanjali II.47. “Perfection in an asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached”. Bhishmasana - an asana intended for rest and relaxation, allowing the practitioner to recover and rejuvenate. There are 3 kinds of Bhishmasana: 1 - lying on 7 bricks, 2 - sitting in front of the chair, 3- standing and bending over a trestler. tato dvaṅdva-an-abhighātah - Yoga Sutras of Patanjali II.48. "From then on, the sadhaka is undisturbed by dualities". The practice of asana results in victory over the dualities of life. There is no longer joy or sorrow, heat or cold, honour or dishonour, pain or pleasure. Anandamaya kosha - the most subtle of all 5 koshas, the bliss body.

Episode 16. In this episode with Dr. Rajvi H Mehta we explore the essence of Guru-shishya tradition and the principle of non-duality, and why it is critical for a Yoga teacher to fully incorporate it into their life. Can we have ambitions and goals when it comes to our Yoga practice? What makes a good teacher, and what makes a good student? How does a teacher know that he or she is good at what they are doing? How should we understand the instructions in Iyengar Yoga? May what you listen to give you encouragement and direction in your Yoga practice. Glossary (Sanskrit words mentioned in the interview): Guru-shishya parampara - the ancient tradition of teaching where teachings are transmitted directly from a Guru (teacher) to a shishya (disciple).This tradition reinstates a sense of belongingness towards one's teacher and a complete surrender to him. It also meant spending the entire duration of education at the abode of the Guru until the student attains perfection at the art or skill he is learning. It could be Yoga, any forms of art, music, spirituality. Gurukul - a type of education system in ancient India with shishya (disciple) living near or with the Guru in the same house for a period of time where they learn and get educated by him. If you are an Iyengar Yoga student yourself and you have a specific question you'd like to ask a senior teacher, feel free to share your question with me on Instagram @thefourthniyama or by email hello@thefourthniyama.com 

Episode 15. Dr. Rajvi H Mehta is among the most senior teachers of Iyengar Yoga from Mumbai and has been studying directly under BKS Iyengar since 1979. Rajvi grew up in Yoga, and ever since her childhood it has been a natural part of her life. Her parents and siblings all studied Yoga directly under Guruji. All of Rajvi's siblings - Neeta Datta, Arti Mehta, and Birjoo Mehta - are also among the most senior students and teachers of Iyengar Yoga. Dr. Rajvi H Mehta has a master's in Microbiology and a doctorate in IVF, and is one of the first clinical embryologists in India. Since 1994, Rajvi Mehta has also been a founder-editor of Yoga Rahasya, a quarterly publication of RIMYI which aims to share the essence of Guruji's teachings. In this episode, Rajvi ji shares how she came to Yoga, her first memories of Guruji and his classes in Mumbai, and why even as a kid she was mesmerized by him. You'd also hear the story of Yoga Rahasya, how it started and turned into a personal opportunity for Rajvi to explore the subject of Yoga close to Guruji and the Iyengar family. Rajvi Mehta's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rajvi.mehta.562/?hl=en Yoga Rahasya https://bksiyengar.com/modules/referen/yr/yr.htm

Episode 14. Join me as I continue my conversation with Italy-based Iyengar Yoga practitioner and teacher David Meloni. In this episode, we discuss how and when to introduce "advanced asanas" into your asana practice, why strong commitment and the practice of tapas are essential for your progress and transformation in Yoga. Evolution or illusion: how to understand whether what you practice is working for you, and not against you; and why a sincere practitioner of Yoga should be ready to face critique with mildness, and not just easily get offended by it. May what you listen to here give you inspiration and direction in your Yoga practice.  David Meloni's website https://www.davidmeloniyoga.com/  David Meloni's instagram https://www.instagram.com/davidmeloniiyengaryoga/?hl=en  Glossary (names and Sanskrit words mentioned in the interview): YSP 1.7. pratyakṣa-anumāna-āgamāḥ pramāṇāni - Correct knowledge is direct, inferred or proven as factual. prajna - awareness. jnana - knowledge, wisdom.

Episode 13. David Meloni is a devoted practitioner and highly regarded teacher of Iyengar Yoga from Italy. David began his Yoga journey in 1996, initially learning from BKS Iyengar's book, "Light on Yoga."  When the light of Yoga sparked within him, David committed to this path, seeking not just any guidance but direct guidance from BKS Iyengar himself. Since 2003, he has been visiting Pune, staying there continuously for months and studying under Guruji's direct guidance. "Guruji's verdict was, 'Your practice is empty,'" David recounts. "You must unlearn everything, return to the foundations, and grasp the connection between correct actions." Through David's unwavering efforts, perseverance, and devotion, he not only learned from his Guru but also delved deeper into the subject of Yoga. This experience also made him realise the importance of moving Yoga practice beyond its physical aspects.   In the first part of the interview David talks about his experience of learning Yoga from the book, his learnings and the challenges that new students should be alert to. We also discuss the difference between Iyengar Yoga and Guruji's teachings; why it is critical for a practitioner of Yoga to understand the importance of experiential knowledge and not simply rely on dry information from notes or books; what the true purpose of props is and how they could support your progress on the path of Yoga. May what you listen to here give you encouragement and direction in your Yoga practice.  David Meloni's website https://www.davidmeloniyoga.com/  David Meloni's instagram https://www.instagram.com/davidmeloniiyengaryoga/?hl=en 

Episode 12. Welcome to the second episode of an insightful conversation with Corine Biria, a devoted student and a highly regarded teacher of Iyengar Yoga from Paris. In this episode Corine reflects on why it is important to work on the yogic path within regular life and why Guruji never wanted his students to renounce the world but face the reality and learn to deal with the daily struggles as a practitioner of Yoga. We also explore why it is essential for a Yoga teacher to be truthful about their personal practice at all times, and what was it like for Corine to walk on the path of Yoga together with her life partner Faeq Biria. “Svādhyāya is the subject of every minute,” Corine says. "It is a continuous wondering and examination of one's actions and behaviour".  I hope this interview will be a great support and inspiration in your Yoga practice and in your own svādhyāya, in your own study and discovery of the Self. Glossary (names and Sanskrit words mentioned in the interview): saṃskāra - conditioning, mental impression. Vishvamitra - one of the most venerated sages of ancient India; through long meditation, he gained a number of spiritual powers. brahman - the class of men who are the repositories and communicators of sacred knowledge. Vasishtha - a sage and the Guru of King Dasharatha (one of the figures from the Ramayana epic). bhoga - indulgence, enjoyment, sensual pleasure. "Astadala Yogamala" - is book and a collection of works of B.K.S. Iyengar (a set of 8 volumes). If you are an Iyengar Yoga student yourself and you have a specific question you'd like to ask a senior teacher, feel free to share your question with me on ⁠The Fourth Niyama Instagram⁠ or email me at hello@thefourthniyama.com. 

Episode 11. Corine Biria is among the most senior direct disciples of BKS Iyengar and a highly regarded Yoga teacher from Paris. Corine embarked on her Yoga journey in 1981 at the age of 20, and from the very beginning, it was clear for her that this was her path. Shortly after starting her Yoga practice, she met her husband Faeq Biria, one of the most devout students of BKS Iyengar and an internationally recognized Yoga teacher who has been spreading Yoga through his courses, intensives, and by training hundreds of teachers around the world. In 1983, after two years of intensive Yoga practice, Corine came to Pune to establish herself more firmly on the path of Yoga and to study directly from Guruji. This was a transformative experience for her, forming a strong foundation for her Yoga practice to this day. In this interview Corine is reflecting on her journey in Yoga, her initial steps on this path, her first intensive course in Pune led by Guruji, her experience studying directly from him and why she felt protected and full of confidence while being guided by her Guru BKS Iyengar.   What does it truly mean to be humble? Why could the wrong perception (branti darshana) be a serious obstacle to your progress on the path of Yoga? What does it mean to have a Guru, and what is his purpose in his students' lives? These questions and more will be addressed in this episode with Corine Biria. Iyengar Yoga Center in Paris where Corine Biria teaches. https://centreiyengar-paris.fr/le-centre-iyengar/ I hope this interview will be insightful and beneficial for you and would serve you as an inspiration in your Yoga practice.

Episode 10. Join me in the second part of my conversation with Uday Bhosale, a highly regarded Iyengar Yoga teacher from Pune, India, currently residing in the UK. In this conversation we'll explore the meaning of compassion and why it is the core part of Iyengar Yoga. Uday will share his guidance for junior Yoga teachers on how to navigate through the challenges and uncertainties in the beginning of their teaching journey, so one could thrive and serve their students. We'll also explore what svādhyāya means for Uday, and why it is important to reflect on your Yoga practice with radical honesty. Uday Bhosale's website https://www.yogawithuday.com/ Uday Bhosale's instagram https://www.instagram.com/udaybhosaleyoga/

Episode 9. Uday Bhosale is a highly regarded Iyengar Yoga teacher originating from Pune and currently based in the UK. Uday embarked on the path of Yoga in his late teens, when in 1998 he enrolled in classes at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) as part of his martial arts training. Gradually, his passion for yoga overtook his interest in martial arts. For fifteen years, Uday has been studying, assisting, and teaching at the RYMYI in Pune with the Iyengar family. He also assisted in Geetaji's therapy classes. In this interview, Uday shares how his journey in Yoga has evolved over the years, what drives him today to practice Yoga and teach his students. He also recalls some moments and sweet memories of Guruji and the Iyengar family. Uday was awarded a British Empire Medal  for fundraising services to National Health Service charities and for supporting the mental health of yoga practitioners during COVID-19. Currently based in Reading, UK, Uday teaches online and in-person classes and workshops in the UK, India and Europe. Uday Bhosale's website https://www.yogawithuday.com/ Uday Bhosale's instagram https://www.instagram.com/udaybhosaleyoga/

Episode 8. A bonus episode with Sri H.S. Arun. After the release of the first interview with Arunji, we both realized that the recording quality wasn't great. Listeners had to put in a lot of effort to hear what was being said in many parts of the conversation. Therefore, we've decided to make a new interview—a bonus episode—with far better audio quality. In this chat, we address the challenges that junior Iyengar Yoga teachers encounter when beginning to guide students and how to navigate through these challenges. Arunji provides practical advice for young teachers on guiding beginner students who at times bring resistance to their learning process, not following teacher's instructions properly. We also discuss why it's important to approach every asana with a fresh mind, and what a young teacher should be careful of to not get carried away and fall from grace. H.S. Arun website https://yogashraya.org/ H.S Arun Instagram

Episode 7. Join the second part of my conversation with Eyal Shifroni, a senior Iyengar Yoga teacher from Israel. Here we explore how a practitioner of Yoga should look and approach global crises; what a Yoga teacher should be mindful of when promoting their work on social media, in order to remain authentic and avoid becoming commercial; and how Yoga could transform not only an individual but the whole society. Eyal Shifroni's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/eyalshifroni/⁠ Eyal Shifroni's website: ⁠https://eyalshifroni.com/ I also welcome you to help me shape 'The Fourth Niyama' podcast, so that as many Yoga students as possible can benefit from it.  If you are an Iyengar Yoga student and you want to ask a question to a senior teacher, share your question with me and I will make sure it gets answered. Contact me at hello@thefourthniyama.com

Episode 6. Eyal Shifroni is among the most senior Iyengar Yoga teachers in Israel. His journey in Iyengar Yoga began in 1982, and since then, he has been studying, teaching, and writing about the Iyengar method. In 1988, he went to Pune for the first time, where he studied directly from Yogacharya BKS Iyengar. Eyal is active in the Iyengar Yoga Association of Israel. He conducts teacher training courses and actively participates in the certification process. He has also written 8 books on Iyengar Yoga. His first book, “A Chair for Yoga,” was internationally acclaimed, and is also the reason why some practitioners from the Iyengar Yoga community affectionately call him a "Chairman". His recent book, “Yoga in Nature and Natural Props for Yoga,” is a personal exploration of the Yoga asana practice with natural props. Eyal has also translated two of B.K.S. Iyengar's books into Hebrew: "The Tree of Yoga" and "Light on Pranayama." In this episode of the podcast, we explore the three major practices that define any spiritual path; why the world leaders should study Yoga; and how to find the "natural Yoga props" and use them in your practice. Eyal also shares his impressions from his first visit to Pune, and what Svadhyaya, the study of the Self, means personally for him. Currently, Eyal teaches at his school, the Iyengar Yoga Center of Zichron-Ya'akov, in Israel, and conducts Yoga workshops in Israel and around the world. Eyal Shifroni's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyalshifroni/ Eyal Shifroni's website: https://eyalshifroni.com/

Episode 5. In this episode, I continue my conversation with Sri H.S. Arun, a senior Iyengar Yoga teacher from Bangalore. Join us as Arunji shares a touching story of Guruji's visit to the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Bangalore, Prashant Yogashraya. You'll also discover why the practice of Maitrī (friendliness, loving kindness) is so crucial for a Yoga teacher, and what is Arunji's favorite Yoga asana. Help me shape 'The Fourth Niyama', so that as many Yoga students as possible can benefit from this project. If you find any mistake or inaccuracy in the episode or the website, please let me know. If you are an Iyengar Yoga student yourself and you have a question that you want to ask a senior teacher, you could share your question with me and I will make sure it gets answered. Contact me at hello@thefourthniyama.com

Episode 4. Sri H.S. Arun is a senior teacher of Iyengar Yoga from Bangalore. He met his Guru, BKS Iyengar, in 1978 and became his devoted disciple. Sri Arun has been teaching Yoga at his Yoga center, Prashant Yogashraya, for nearly 40 years. His wife, Shreematha, is also an ardent student of Iyengar Yoga; she teaches yoga when Arunji travels abroad to conduct workshops for his students around the world. For Arunji's outstanding grasp of the subject and teaching skills, the state government of India and various institutions have honored him with numerous titles, such as Yoga Praveena and Adarsha Yogacharya. How can you connect with your teacher when they are no longer around? In what ways should a practitioner of Yoga correct and adjust their body in asanas to attain calmness of mind? Which yoga prop Arunji calls “the star of the props”? How does experimenting contribute to our yoga practice? And, how could the practice of yoga influence relationships with your partner? These questions will be addressed in this interview with Arunji. Prashant Yogashraya website https://yogashraya.org/

Episode 3. Firooza Ali Razvi is among the most senior Iyengar Yoga teachers and based in Mumbai. She has studied with Yogacharya BKS Iyengar since 1977. Firooza was in her early twenties when she started her Yoga journey with her first Yoga teacher Father Joe Pereira. Father Joe later became a medium between Guruji and Firooza, and introduced her to BKS Iyengar. She shares how Yoga has taught her to live with honesty, how it has helped her develop a stronger personality, gain the courage to face any challenge, break out of her shell, and not care much about what the world thinks of her. Firooza is also a Master of Arts in Philosophy and she has taught philosophy to undergraduate students. How should a student of Yoga think of progress in Yoga practice? When should a Yoga student look for a new teacher? How can a student of Yoga find the balance between knowing the philosophical aspect of Yoga and doing the practice of yoga? These questions and more will be addressed in this episode with Firooza.  Firooza currently teaches at Iyengar Yogashraya in Mumbai and conducts workshops in India and globally.

Episode 2. Siddharth Bangera is a third generation student of Yogacharya BKS Iyenagar and a highly regarded Iyengar Yoga teacher based in Mumbai. Siddharth has been practicing Iyengar Yoga since the age of 9. He formally started attending Guruji's classes in Mumbai in 1989. His grandfather, Honnaya Guruva Bangera, started learning from Guruji in the late 1950s. Siddharth's father, Jawahar Bangera, a Senior Iyengar Yoga teacher, has been studying with Guruji since 1969. Siddharth's natural humility and warmth, combined with his strict and creative teaching approach, have made him a sought after teacher among students. Why is it important to preserve the subject of Yoga in its pristine purity? Why doesn't Iyengar Yoga mass-produce teachers, as some other schools do? What principles can a Junior Iyengar Yoga teacher follow to build a sustainable and balanced life during the early stages of their teaching journey? Why is it important to serve humanity after addressing one's own life first? These questions and more will be addressed in this episode with Siddharth Bangera.

Episode 1. What are the essential qualities that every Yoga student should cultivate? How can we conquer our fears through the practice of Yoga? How can Yoga help in recovery and healing after serious life accidents? Usha Devi, a senior teacher of Iyengar Yoga, and a direct disciple of Guruji BKS Iyengar, has learned through her own experience that hard work, determination, humbleness, and fearlessness are the key practices to achieve physical and mental health, develop a deeper understanding of one's true nature. Usha Devi teaches at Patanjala Yoga Kendra, Iyengar Yoga Center in Rishikesh, India. It was November 2022 when I had the opportunity to study with Usha Devi for the first time, and I was immediately astonished with the depth of the practice and the level of awareness I was able to achieve during her classes. In the first episode of 'The Fourth Niyama' we talk with Usha Devi about her remarkable journey of self discovery, as she recounts her first meeting with Guruji, the challenges she faced in her practice following two serious road accidents, and how the power of Iyengar Yoga and Guruji's teachings enabled her to conquer her fears and embark on her path to healing.

'Yoga is the journey of the Self, through the Self, to the Self,' says Bhagavat Gita. Studying and discovering the Self is the essential part of Yoga practice. Yogacharya BKS Iyengar, who was the greatest teacher of Yoga in modern times, was continuously studying and examining his physical, physiological, and mental body during his Yoga practice. He gained all his knowledge about Yoga through his direct experience, and encouraged his students to explore the asanas (Yoga postures) firsthand to gain a deeper understanding of their effects on the body and mind. BKS Iyengar made Yoga accessible to people worldwide and helped many, regardless of their physical condition, to benefit from it. His distinct style of practice was called 'Iyengar Yoga' by his students to emphasize that Iyengar was a teacher they follow and study from. In this podcast we explore the vast subject of Iyengar Yoga with Senior Iyengar Yoga teachers, who are direct disciples of BKS Iyengar. Here they reflect on their Yoga journeys, share their lifelong lessons, and recount moments of joy and growth when studying under the guidance of their Guru.  In this podcast trailer you'd also learn what is niyama and why this podcast is called 'The Fourth Niyama'.