So this past weekend was the birthday of my dear yoga teacher Sri. Dharma Mittra (not to be confused with my guru- who is Paramahansa Yogananda), who turned 70 years young! Humble and gentle and psychic, Dharma has been teaching yoga in New York for over 45 years (another !!). He is commonly known in the yoga world as “the Rock of Yoga,” and for his experience and knowledge as “the Teacher’s Teacher.” There were many times that I would take class and catch Dharma’s eye for a second- and know that he knew exactly what I was thinking. Often too, I would come to class with a question in mind, especially if I was going through a hard time, and he would always say something to address my question or thought- without me having to even ask the question. My schedule doesn’t allow me to see Dharma 5 days a week, the way I used to, but I know we are still connected whether we see each other physically or not.
Dharma has had a major impact on my life, and I can only humbly put my hands together for him and bow my head in thanks. He taught me that yoga is about devotion, love, and presenting your asanas (poses) as an offering. Though he is one of the most accomplished yogis that ever lived in terms of asanas, he is the very FIRST to say that the poses are not the end goal of yoga, or what yoga is all about. The poses merely help discipline the body and mind to prepare for meditation and the higher limbs of yoga, and again, can be seen as an offering past the limited ego.
An avid proponent of Karma Yoga- doing acts of love and kindness with absolutely no expectation of any return, Dharma’s very name, “dharma” means performing our highest duty.
Dharma is also the person that introduced me to raw food!! I was already a vegetarian when I met Dharma, who tirelessly promotes Ahimsa (non-violence) thru veganism and kindness to all living beings, especially our inferior brothers (the animal kingdom). But his teachings on how raw food greatly benefit your meditation practice, freeing up the energy to go up the spine, were new and fascinating concepts to me. Dharma always said, “If you want to feel cooked, fried, and dead…then eat that food which is cooked, fried and dead!”
I did indeed try raw food to help my yoga practice and meditation- which it did! And then it just mushroomed from there into a major, major passion of mine- exploring the nutrition behind this way of eating foods that help burn fat!
“The one message of all saints and sages is the message of love. Ahimsa is the highest of all traits found in the mind, speech and actions of all perfected souls. There is only one religion- the religion of love, or peace. There is only one message, the message of unconditional and universal love. Ahimsa is the supreme duty of a Yogi. If you are established in Ahimsa, you have attained all virtues. All virtues spring forth from Ahimsa.
Ahimsa may appear to merely imply non-killing. But, non- injury is not merely non-killing. The true meaning of Ahimsa is non-harming in thought, word, and action. The absence of causing any harm to any living creature. Ahimsa is true strength. No Self-realization is possible without Ahimsa.”
– Sri Dharma Mittra
Well, not much to say after the great Dharma’s closing words! Except that I wish you a great week, and great, unlimited love in your life.
Shanti and Love,
Kimberly
In 1984 Dharma completed the Master Yoga Chart of 908 Postures, as an offering to his Guru, and for all Yoga aspirants. This original masterpiece was meticulously assembled from over 1,350 photographs of posture variations he took of himself, all hand done before the computer age. He held the camera clicker in his mouth! He said in each and every picture he took of himself in a yoga asana, he was thinking of God. Over 300 of these postures that are very popular today are created by Sri Dharma (of which he will only say “came through” Divine intuition). It has been an invaluable teaching tool over the past decades. You will find it in just about every yoga school and Ashram worldwide including India.
Hi Kimberly,
Read your article “Tribute to my Teacher” with great interest. I am a Yoga student in Mumbai, India. I have had the same experience with my teacher able to read my thoughts and talk on the subject that has been on my mind for some time. I also feel the connection with my teacher whether we meet each other or not. Any thoughts how that happens.
btw, really nice website.
Regards
Hi Nikhil!
Wow, Namaste to you in India! One of my very favorite countries. :)
I really believe that thoughts travel, and thoughts are things. Having to communicate in verbal words is not really necessary, when you get really tuned into the finer methods of communication and carrying your thoughts. Dharma teaches classes on “Psychic Development” and teaches how to “broadcast” ideas through your third eye. Powerful yogis communicate in so many other ways than through words!
Shanti,
Kimberly
Hey Kimberly,
Again, what a great post! I forgot to mention before that I started doing yoga again in large part thanks to you! It is helping so much with managing stress, maintaining my weight, mental clarity, and just overall happiness. So many, many thanks!
Take care,
Larnies
Hi Larnies-
That is awesome and I am so humbly happy that in some way I can channel something that helped you come back to the practice.
Yay!!
Om Shanti, Kimberly
Thank you for this beautiful post on our beloved teacher Sri Dharma Mittra. His 70th Birthday Celebration was a blast wasn’t it. May we all be receptive to the Grace of God. Om Shanti Shanti Shantih
I will begin teaching Dharma’s psychic development sequence (which he learned from his guru) and, in looking for a good verbal description for the class, came across your blog. I feel reminded of the my good fortune to come across this teacher. Most people I know who are on a spiritual path are trying to figure things out on their own. To be on this path with a guide such as Dharma Mittra has provided me clarity and direction, such that I do not waste this life and its wonderful opportunity to be embody my highest and best self. Thank you for your posting.
Wow Ari that’s great. I love Yogi Gupta’s books also.
Hope to see you at the Center!
Om Shanti,
Kimberly
WHERE CAN I GET A POSTER OR PRINT OF THE PICTURE OF DARMA MITTRA IN TIME SQUARE DOING A HEAD STAND?
COMPLETELY BEAUTIFUL
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Hi Kimberly,
I came across your article, “Tribute to my Teacher”, after watching Arthur’s video. What you’re doing is awesome. Your teaching includes the whole gamut of life: health, spirituality, nutrition, relationship, and “everything else”. Having written about your teacher, we know where those concepts came from. Please continue doing what you love. The world is hungry for the lifestyle you live and teach.
Aloha,
Virg
can u plz tell me how to maintain fuller face while having the athletic body building body at the same time.. i like dat u use lord ganesha at the last of ur pages..but i recomnd 2 use that at the top.. and end the page with OM..
thanks