There is an article at Elephant on Yogis that had tremendous influence in the West but never set foot outside of India, or at least never came to the US.
I remember devouring the books by Swami Radha. Of particular interest to me was the story
on how she was meditating one day in Toronto and got a vision of Sivananda -one of such influences who never left India- calling her.
She left her life behind and traveled to India where he guided her into the spiritual path. Her fascinating story drew me to the Sivananda tradition, and even led me to visit Radha's ashram in British Columbia., their center in Paris and the one in Quebec. For a while I even daydreamed of their teacher training program in the Bahamas.
Krishnamacharya makes it into the list as well, of course. The current object of my fascination and inspiration for the path of yoga.
Phillip Goldberg, the author of the article is actually more interested in the other three:
Full article here.
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| Sivananda and Radha meditating by the Ganges |
on how she was meditating one day in Toronto and got a vision of Sivananda -one of such influences who never left India- calling her. She left her life behind and traveled to India where he guided her into the spiritual path. Her fascinating story drew me to the Sivananda tradition, and even led me to visit Radha's ashram in British Columbia., their center in Paris and the one in Quebec. For a while I even daydreamed of their teacher training program in the Bahamas.
Krishnamacharya makes it into the list as well, of course. The current object of my fascination and inspiration for the path of yoga.
Phillip Goldberg, the author of the article is actually more interested in the other three:
"Sivananda and Krishnamacharya dispatched ambassadors to the West. More intriguing to me is the huge influence of three gurus who sent no one anywhere to do anything. Two of them passed away more than six decades ago, the other nearly four."
The other three? Ramana Maharshi, Sri Aurobindo, and Neem Karoli Baba.
I actually do not know that much about these three. Wonder why.
I actually do not know that much about these three. Wonder why.
Full article here.
Claudia
ReplyDeleteFortunately for me both Swami Sivananda and Krishnamacharya are my Yoga inspirations . I first got interested in Yoga because of Sri.Krishnamacharya but destiny had it that I had to start my yoga journey through the Sivananda System and I really enjoyed it and for more than 10 years I was associated with the Sivananda System of Classical Hatha Yoga and have completed all their 3 levels of Certifications but from mid 2010 onwards I have started my Ashtanga Vinyasa Journey ( i.e back to Sri Krishnamachara ) .I still continue to teach the Sivananda Style of Classical Hatha Yoga while for my own personal practice I practice the Ashtanga Vinyasa Style on my own .I always thank the almighty for bringing me closer to the teachings of Swami Sivananda and Sri Krishnamacharya .
Hi Krishna, I was actually thinking about you when I wrote this post, it is interesting how you were associated with Sivanada in the beginning. Me too, although I did not do all the certifications you did, I mostly just read everything Swami Radha wrote and visited her ashram for a workshop, which I loved, then practiced in their centers... I find his approach of self exploration very useful and I am deeply influenced by him as well.... And I agree with you that it is a blessing to be on the Krishnamacharya umbrella of lineage as well... We are lucky people!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
ReplyDeleteThanks for ur comments .I wish to add one more beautiful coincidence between Sivananda and Ashtanga in my case .Last year in Sept-Oct 2010 I visited Rishikesh to have my first formal initiation to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga under Louise Ellis ( one of the few advanced female Ashtanga teachers Certified by Pattabhi Joise ) . Rishikesh is the land famous for Swami Sivananda and here I am getting my Ashtanga Initiation from a teacher who started with the Sivananda System in early 70s and became a Sivananda teacher first and later became a full fledged Ashtanga teacher .So even my first Ashtanga teacher was a product of both the systems and I felt very happy with the same .
So I wanted to add this one more comment .
HA, that is amazing Krishna, a beautiful coincidence. I actually think that coincidences are direct messages from spirit... I think Sivananda would agree...
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