On the Light

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I ask Prashantji to help us understand the difference between practice and sadhana . He not only defines practice, but also shares why it’s so essential—and what it truly asks of us as yoga students. I think you’ll find his perspective both clarifying and inspiring. Please enjoy this episode of On the Light . Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light.  In this episode, I have a lively conversation with Tori Milner from the Iyengar Institute of New York. Tori shares about her introduction to  Iyengar Yoga, from her early influences at home to discovering Unity Woods Yoga Center and learning from John Schumacher and Mary Dunn. She also shares some significant experiences while studying in Pune with t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light.  Today I’m honored to speak with Dr. Rajvi Mehta, a senior Iyengar Yoga teacher who began studying with Guruji in 1979. She’s been teaching at the Light on Yoga Research Trust in Mumbai since 1987 and is the creator and editor of Yoga Rahasya. In our conversation, Rajvi shares how her family came into the practice of yoga and shares lessons and insigh...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I’m honored to share an illuminating conversation with Prashantji. In this episode, he reflects on how teaching in Mumbai exposed Guruji to Western students and how, had he remained in the South—where he could have taught in his mother tongue—the evolution of Iyengar Yoga might have taken a very different path. He also offers insightful guidance on how we might approach a q...

Send us Fan Mail Dear listeners of On the Light , This week, I’m taking a short pause to catch up on interviews and prepare new episodes, so there won’t be a new release today. Still, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to share my heartfelt gratitude—for listening, for supporting the podcast, and for joining me on this journey. On the Light launched in February 2024, after more than a year of r...

Send us Fan Mail Today I have a delightful conversation with John Schumacher. John began practicing yoga in 1970 and teaching in 1973. A former professional musician, he was drawn to yoga through a deep interest in consciousness and transformation. In 1975, he encountered Light on Yoga , which eventually led him to study with B.K.S. Iyengar in India in 1981. That relationship profoundly shaped his...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light . In this episode with Prashant Iyengar, he gives us a lot to consider about the proper approach to practice, and he gives us some insight into the difference between practice and Sadhana. He discusses the importance of pranayama and the pranayamic aspect in asana.  For the listeners, I have an advantage with all of these interviews on the podcast, esp...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light . In today’s episode, I have the pleasure to be speaking with James Murphy.  James began practicing Iyengar Yoga in 1988 and was a founding member of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York in 1992. He studied extensively in India with B.K.S. Iyengar, Geeta, and Prashant, making over 25 trips. A former professional dancer, James trained under Mary Dunn...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light . In today’s episode, I have a meaningful conversation with George Dovas. Originally from Australia, George moved to Hong Kong in 2001 where he is now the director of the Iyengar Yoga Centre. I had the good fortune of meeting George this past January during my trip to Bellur for Prashantji’s teaching. One afternoon in the dining hall, my friend Sara Ru...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light . In today’s episode, I ask Prashantji about the history of Iyengar Yoga. As always, he is able to take a mundane question and offers a response filled with depth and insight. In this conversation, he reflects on his father’s teaching and practice, offering a unique perspective that only he can provide. I’ve listened to this recording multiple times, a...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light . In today’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Stephanie Quirk. Stephanie shares the story of her first Iyengar Yoga class and the deep, lasting impact it had on her. Stephanie’s journey took her to the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune in the early 90s — a visit that turned into a two-decade stay. During that time, she gained a rare depth of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of On the Light , I had the distinct honor of speaking with two of Guruji’s daughters: Vanita, the second eldest, and Savita, the youngest. It was a truly special conversation, and I was deeply moved by their warmth and generosity in sharing their time and stories. With grace and joy, they reflected on their parents’ lives, the profound role Geetaji played in their...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light. In today’s final episode of season 2, I have a delightful conversation with Patricia Walden. Patricia met BKS Iyengar in 1976. In this interview, she shares memories and insights from her decades of experience studying under B.K.S. Iyengar.  Please enjoy this episode of On the Light Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light. In today’s episode, I have a very engaging conversation with Joan White. Joan began her studies with BKS Iyengar in 1973. In this episode, Joan will talk about Guruji’s incredible power of observation, his continuum of practice over the years, how he loved to be a grandfather and much more. Please enjoy this episode of On the Light. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light. In today’s episode, Prashantji discusses the auspiciousness of yoga. He explains anustanum and emphasizes that yoga is not merely about practice but also about exploration and understanding the self. He encourages us to aspire to a higher level of understanding in our practice of yog. Please enjoy this episode of On the Light.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light. In today’s episode, I have a conversation with Faith Russell. Faith is a level 3 teacher at the Yoga Co-Op of Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. Faith talks about the unique way in which Guruji could teach us with such firmness and compassion. She also elaborates on the importance of being quiet and reflecting and how Geetaji advised her to “let the yoga...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light. In today’s episode, Lee and I had the pleasure of talking with Neeta Datta. Neeta is one of the few people who was fortunate enough to be able to study with Guruji from a very young age. Her father began taking classes from Guruji in the 70s and encouraged her and her siblings to go to yoga classes. Neeta was a reluctant teenager who didn’t want to go...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode I had the pleasure of talking with Bobby Clennell. Bobby began studying Iyengar Yoga in the early 70’s. Shes been teaching for over 30 years and has authored several books including, The Women’s Yoga Book: Asana and Pranayama, Yoga for Breast Care, and the children’s yoga book titled, Watch Me Do. Bobby is from London and currently lives and teaches in NYC. Bobb...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Lee and I are joined by Prashant Iyengar. This interview took place on August 18, 2024 … a little over a month from today. When Prashantji joined the call he knew exactly what he wanted to talk about which is not unusual for him. In this episode Prashantji gives us a history of Iyengar Yoga and shares with us the ways in which Guruji was a revolutionary.  Please en...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to On the Light. In this episode I have a very meaningful and inspiring conversation with Garth McLean. Garth was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996. He shares with us how that unfortunate fate brought him to Iyengar Yoga. We hear about how the Iyengar Method helped him with his illness. We also hear Garth tell us about his first trip to Pune and his conversati...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I was able to sit down with Chris Saudek who I’m sure many of you are familiar with. Chris is an incredible teacher of yoga and resides in the La Crescent Minnesota and teaches across the river in LaCrosse Wisconsin. In our talk Chris shares with us her unique journey into the Iyengar method as well as her first experience with Guruji in the practice hall. She also...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 2 of  "On the Light". I’m very happy to be releasing this special episode of an interview about Guruji given by his daughter, Geeta Iyengar. This interview took place in 2003. Kristin and Lee were in Pune for Guruji’s 85th birthday celebration. Our region was busy preparing for the 2004 convention that would be held here in Saint Paul. Neither Geetaji n...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of  "On the Light" a podcast dedicated to illuminating the profound teachings and legacy of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar.  Today we acknowledge Guruji’s 10 year Punyatithi. Lee and I were able to sit down with Prashant, as he tried to impart the greatness of his father and his life’s work. At one point in our talk he says that Guruji was as lofty as...

Send us Fan Mail In this final episode of season 1, I have a very rich conversation with  the grandson of BKS Iyengar, Srineet Sridharan. Srineet talks about how the practice of yoga was always in the family and how he remembers as a child going to Model Colony to take the children's classes at RIMYI. Srineet also talks about the scope of his own learning of the philosophy of yoga and the imp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Prashantji tells us the colorful story of Guruji’s first flight on an airplane in May of 1954 . Guruji was going to Switzerland for a month to teach Yehudi Menuhin. Prashant recalls that day when the whole family went to the airport to see him off and what it was like for them. He was just 5 years old at the time.  Prashant also explains to us how everyone can come...