Lois Steinberg - Transformation and self-realization through a life of practice and serving | Part 1 of 2

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 Aarti 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 [email protected] 

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