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Welcome to On the Light, a podcast dedicated to illuminating the profound teachings and legacy of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar and the auspicious subject of Yog. I’m your host, Susan Johnson.

In this conversation, I speak with Prashant Iyengar about a book Guruji published on the occasion of his 60th birthday in 1978, titled Body the Shrine, Yoga Thy Light. Prashantji helps us explore the significance of this title and what it reveals about Guruji’s understanding of yoga as a spiritual pursuit.

Our conversation moves beyond the physical practice of asana into some profound questions. What does it mean for the body to become a shrine? How is contentment different from happiness? What might we discover when we turn our attention inward rather than continually seeking fulfillment outside ourselves? And how might we begin to understand asana not simply as a posture to be perfected, but as a means of cultivating the mind and consciousness?

Prashantji also challenges us to reconsider familiar ideas about yoga practice, from the role of prayer and invocation to Guruji’s teaching of “pose and repose.” He offers a great deal to contemplate about the deeper culture and purpose of yoga.

If you haven’t yet registered for our live Zoom conversation with Prashantji on Sunday, October 18, there’s still time! We’ll have an opportunity to continue the conversation and ask questions about this episode or any of Prashantji’s previous appearances on On the Light. You can find registration details at iyengaryogawithsusan.com/on-the-light. I hope you’ll join us.

Thank you for listening. 🙏🏼

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Today I am delighted to welcome back Eric Small. Eric has been teaching for more than sixty-five years and has devoted much of his life to working with people living with multiple sclerosis, a condition he himself was diagnosed with as a young man.

In this conversation, Eric reflects on his first encounters with Guruji, the extraordinary guidance he received from teachers returning from Pune, and the path that eventually led him to create programs for people with MS. We also explore how his own practice has evolved over the decades, what it means to continue practicing and teaching at age ninety-six, and why preparation, observation, and gratitude remain at the heart of his work.

Eric's stories are rich with history, wisdom, humor, and humanity. More than anything, they remind us that yoga is not simply something we do—it is a lifelong relationship that continues to deepen and unfold.

Please enjoy this conversation with Eric Small.

I would like to remind listeners about our upcoming live event with Prashant on October 18. At the event Prashantji will be addressing questions from any of his episodes on the podcast. The event is free for paid monthly subscribers as a thank-you for supporting the podcast.

For more information about the live event, the podcast, and ways to support the show, please visit iyengaryogawithsusan.com.

Thank you for listening, Namaskar

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Today's episode with Prashant Iyengar is one of my favorites. If you're a regular listener to my conversations with Prashant, you'll notice that I often begin by posing a topic or question in a rather mundane way—one might even say with a somewhat unintelligent delivery—and Prashantji responds with something profound and extraordinarily insightful. His wisdom and ability to expound upon the subject of Yog never cease to amaze me.

In this episode, Prashant examines the meaning of Sanatana Dharma and its relevance in the modern world. Drawing on the wisdom rooted in the traditions of India, he explains why Dharma is not merely a system of beliefs or practices, but a universal principle meant for all beings.

If today's conversation sparked a question, I'd like to invite you to a special live On the Light event with Prashant Iyengar on October 18. If you have questions from this episode—or from any of Prashant's previous appearances on the podcast—you'll have the opportunity to ask them during this exclusive live event.

As a token of appreciation, the event is free for all paid monthly subscribers of the podcast. Don’t worry … Registration is also open to non-subscribers.

For event details, information about becoming a supporter, and access to all podcast episodes, please visit:

iyengaryogawithsusan.com/on-the-light

Thank you for listening to On the Light.

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