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Welcome back to On the Light.

In today’s episode Prashantji continues the discussion on practice where he tells us that practice is not something that should be belittled. It is necessary in our formative periods of our education. He says that any effort to be steady the citta is abhyasa. Then he goes on to explain Sadhana and the importance of Satsangha.

Please enjoy this very educational episode of On the Light. 

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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.

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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 the Iyengar family. Additionally, Tori gives us a look ahead to the 2026 convention with Abhijata Iyengar, aimed at bringing together our large community to experience Iyengar Yoga with the theme: Cultivating Freedom.

If you’ve been enjoying On the Light and would like to support the podcast, consider making a small monthly donation. Your support helps cover production costs and allows me to continue sharing meaningful conversations like this one. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference — and I’m truly grateful for your support.

Please enjoy this episode of On the Light. 

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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 insights of her decades of study with Guruji. 

Please enjoy this rich and inspiring episode of On the Light.

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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 question many of us are asked: “What is Iyengar Yoga?”

Please enjoy this episode of On the Light.

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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 reflection and planning. As a longtime podcast listener, I often wished for a space dedicated entirely to Guruji and Iyengar Yoga. With encouragement from friends, I finally looked into what it would take to bring this vision to life—and then took the plunge.

I’m especially grateful to Prashantji, whose generous support and deeply insightful interviews have been at the heart of this project. I also want to thank all of the teachers who’ve sat down with me to share their memories of Guruji and their reflections on this profound subject that connects us all. Each conversation has been a privilege and a learning experience, and I feel honored to host them.

To you—the listeners—thank you. Every time I check the podcast stats and see listeners tuning in from around the world, I’m truly humbled and inspired.

I also want to extend a heartfelt thanks to the editors who have generously volunteered their time and skills. I couldn’t do this without them.

While this podcast has never been a money-making venture, there are monthly costs involved. If you’re able to contribute a small monthly donation to help sustain the podcast, it would be deeply appreciated. A special thank you to Rebecca, Ruth, and Courtney for already stepping forward with your support!

Finally, if you have suggestions for teachers you’d love to hear from—or if you’d like to be interviewed yourself—please don’t hesitate to reach out. I can be reached at [email protected].

New episodes are on the way soon. In the meantime, thank you for being part of this unfolding journey.

With gratitude,
Susan

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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 practice, teaching, and life.

John is a certified Advanced Iyengar Yoga teacher and the founder of Unity Woods Yoga Center in Maryland. He has taught for over 40 years, leading workshops across the U.S. and internationally. 

In our conversation, John recalls the intensity of his first experience in Pune, as well as the sweet memories of hosting Guruji in his home. 

If you’ve been enjoying On the Light and would like to support the podcast, consider making a small monthly donation. Your support helps cover production costs and allows me to continue sharing meaningful conversations like this one. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference — and I’m truly grateful for your support.

Namaskar

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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, especially in the episodes with Prashantji, because through the process of preparing the episodes to go out, I get to listen to them multiple times. Through that process I pause the recording often and really contemplate what Sir is teaching us. As many of you know, Prashantji has a beautiful way of orchestrating the presentation of his teachings. If you don’t already do so, I encourage you to listen to the orchestration again and again, the same way you would listen to a musical masterpiece. 

If you’ve been enjoying On the Light and would like to support the podcast, consider making a small monthly donation. Your support helps cover production costs and allows me to continue sharing meaningful conversations like this one. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference — and I’m truly grateful for your support.

Without further ado, please enjoy this episode of On the Light. 

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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 and assisted her until her passing. James teaches a wide range of classes at the institute from Level 1 to Level 4, Specific Needs, and a free weekly class for the LGBTQ community. He also mentors teachers through the Institute’s Teacher Education program. 

This was such a fun episode for me to record. I enjoyed Jame’s positive outlook. He is very humble and sweet and personable. 

If you’ve been enjoying On the Light and would like to support the podcast, consider making a small monthly donation. Your support helps cover production costs and allows me to continue sharing meaningful conversations like this one. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference — and I’m truly grateful for your support.

Please enjoy this episode of On the Light.

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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 Russell and I were searching for a place to sit for lunch. George, who was sitting with James Murphy, noticed us looking around and they kindly invited us to join them. Both George and James were warm, welcoming, and easy to talk to. We ended up having a great conversation AND I was able to get them to commit to interviews for the podcast! I felt like I left the table after lunch with two new friends … and I don’t say that lightly. 

Please enjoy this episode of On the Light.

If you’ve been enjoying On the Light and would like to support the podcast, consider making a small monthly donation. Your support helps cover production costs and allows me to continue sharing meaningful conversations like this one. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference — and I’m truly grateful for your support.

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