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[…] Tom Sutherland traces the roots of the Bishnu Ghos lineage of 84 Asanas… […]
Good writing but I have to admit it’s a bit sad that this mission to unveil the lineage is weighted with the agenda to discredit Bikram. Just tell us the stories. You’re going to encounter all kinds of messages (pride and jealousy), why filter them with a lens of skepticism or suspicion. Just give us the facts and let us decide. Write your cynical review later.
Thank you, Ana, for your comments and feedback. It was never my intention to discredit Bikram, but to compare and contrast the yoga training between him and Bose. If anything I believe I gave Bikram more credit than what is real based on the facts that are now being revealed. But to your point I do admit that I took a prejudiced approach, wrongfully so, that possibly would have been received more objectively had I not let the experience in these findings characterize the stories’ theme. I appreciate you stepping forward to say the point of view in which this article was written was ‘out of line,’ and I will certainly be more mindful of my perspective in any future writing.
i wonder what the meaning of the greeting was with the hands circling the heart with a biw
It was actually “namaskar” (or namaste). Sometimes the folded palm is degenerated into a circle.
I agree with Ana above. If one looked I’m sure their are many more schools like this in India with just as many stories. It’s got a heavy slant to it Tom.
Hi Kristina,
Yes, you and Ana are both correct. I now realize how it was inappropriate of me to interpret these findings based on my own assumptions, instead letting the facts speak for themselves. Thank you for helping me see a much clearer, bigger picture in the communication of this article.
Tom
Nice clarity Tom. Great having you as a writer on the website, being so open to receiving and acting on feedback.
Many blessings,
Kara-Leah
I find the same narrative I disappointedly found in most of Tony Sanchez’ posts and writings. All subjects pass through the ” Better than Bikram” filter.
Hey Carlos,
I’m not sure if Tom was operating through a ‘better than Bikram’ filter. Perhps a ‘different from Bikram’, or ‘more than Bikram’, or ‘other than Bikram’. It’s also great to see Tom’s comments showing how he’s taking this feedback on board – something you didn’t comment on.
Thank you for writing Your story. Your perspectives are valid and appreciated. It has been fascinating to discover that I was quite capable of forming my own perspectives, after reading about your experiences, and don’t feel that my perspectives have been tarnished in any way as a result of navigating through yours. I am also thrilled to convey that it was beneficial to me that you confirmed the purity of the lineage, as I was recently concerned due to Bikram’s unfortunate fate. Had you not shared your perspectives and findings, I would still be uncertain. Your generous insights listed above ARE valuable to others. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Karen,
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. It was quite the trip, being in Calcutta alone and just by luck navigating my way around. It was an incredible experience and I too was relieved to find that the purity of the yoga, the teachings, and most importantly its value to others lives on quite strongly over there. There is lots of information about the “Ghosh Lineage” being released now and it’s interesting to see how the West is responding to it. We’re seeing a lot of previously exclusive Bikram studios go off in their own ways and create their own branding and methodologies, I could be happier for them. It’s great to see how the yoga itself continues to break down tightly held barriers and encourages people to journey on their own path, and theirs alone. What an amazing instrument.
All the best to you and thanks again for writing. Makes my day!
Tom
Thanks for sharing, I didn’t drink to much coolaid at Bytt. I think ur on point stick with your quest and dream big.
Thankyou immensely for writing this article. As a very long time practicing bikram yoga in aust/nz I had wondered always how it all fitted in. Bikram yoga, the yoga changed my world. I never got/suited yoga until fell up bikram yoga. Transformed my health plus had an enormous impact on my stillness. Then I watched Netflix documentary of Bikram, the man, this last week … and was deeply saddened. Then I read your article and was refocused. Heart soared. Thankyou. Thankyou. As you shared, Shib Nath reply, doesn’t change Anything. It works. You’ve guvdn me a map to the lineage and I’m inspired to visit yoga cure inst as am in India now. Thankyou so very much.
Jerome Armstrong’s book Calcutta Yoga is an excellent read, it is the epic story of how Buddha Bose, Bishnu Ghosh and Yogananda took yoga from Calcutta to the rest of the world.
https://ashramsofindia.com/calcutta-yoga-how-modern-yoga-traveled-to-the-world-from-the-streets-of-calcutta-by-jerome-armstrong/