It is said that yoga was created in India, thousands of years ago, by wise men, for their well being harmonizing body and mind.

For centuries and centuries, the masters have transferred their knowledge to few selected students. This transmission was a long term process, far from modern speed.

The 21st century is rushing with fast food, fast Bollywood dances and higher speed almost everywhere.

Yoga is adjusting to the modern times. The yoga lessons are no more given as a secret ritual of initiation. Nowadays yoga is provided to hundreds and thousands of participants at the same time. The new yoga gurus are using mikes, loudspeakers and TV in huge open air fields.

Television is a perfect relay to bring yoga at home for millions of people. The new yoga users are mainly middle age and elders are looking to natural tools for curing their illnesses and as a spiritual pathway. This is a big difference with yoga in the West done for calming the mind and moving the body.

Swami Ramdev is the most well known of the Indian yoga teachers because every morning many cameras show detail of his yoga exercises. He is talking about the benefits of Pranayam, the specific breathing yoga exercises, and various movements which are similar to aerobics and fitness classes. As he is both powerful and flexible, he appears as a perfect master to follow. He explains that easier breathing exercises and postures are more efficient and less dangerous than the acrobatic ones, so more people can practice safely and easily.

He says that anybody can prevent or cure diseases by practicing yoga and natural diet. We heard when he was teenager he was suffering from half paralysis of the body. Now he looks like an acrobat.

He is also advising to follow a healthy way of living. He says that the stomach is the guest house of the diseases and he recommends eating fruits and vegetables.

His morning TV program, two hours long, which is available in 139 countries, generates enthusiasm because the lessons are free and practical at home. The right advices are given to different kinds of practitioners. Some of them take part in interviews live, and all questions are getting answers.


NEPALESE YOGA IN KATHMANDU

Because Swami Ramdev and his TV program are well appreciated in Nepal they are inspiring Nepalese people.
Every morning, from 5 to 7 AM, there are hundreds of people of both genders and of all ages who are taking part in big yoga lessons, free of charge. The main yoga group is found at Tudhikhel Park, one kilometer south of the Royal Palace, close to Army headquarters. Free yoga lessons are also provided in others parks of Kathmandu.

Lila Nada Yogi, a young Nepalese guru looks like Swami Ramdev. He is slim and very flexible. He stays on a platform and one of his assistant is demonstrating the exercises when he is giving explanations. He is also demonstrating the postures. His talks are very clear and healthy. When Swami Ramdev heard about this Nepalese yogi , he went to Kathmandu for yoga civic delivering a seven day training course, supporting Nepalese yoga practice.

At the end of each session, some people are asking personal questions to the guru about their diseases. It is said that yoga can bring a natural solution to each problem: this is why more and more ill and old age people are interested to practice, provided for free.

Most of the practitioners are beginners, but some of them are coming regularly since three years.

The more regular students are taught as yoga assistants, and then to become yoga teachers. The aim of the Yogi Guru is to spread yoga in various places and villages of Nepal.

Janga Bahadur Shahi: Life Story
Janga is the sixth child of a family from Kalikot district, Midwest of Nepal. All the children died from illnesses before the birth of Janga and the last one also died soon. His mother died when he was almost two years old. His father lost two wifes and he did not get married again.

From five to sixteen Janga get a good education in Kathmandu.

At sixteen, Janga went back to his village with his old father and he did hard agricultural works.

When Janga was nineteen, his father died. Janga left Nepal and he went to India, as he father did.

Janga was working as a porter at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering when he met Eric Lon, a French medical masseur physiotherapist and mountaineer who was trekking and giving lectures with free training in the mountains. Eric Lon honorific Indian nickname is: “Shivling doctor”.

Janga has requested from Eric Lon to teach him a good occupation, to get a better living.

A new life
For five years Janga travelled with Eric Lon in various Asian countries and in France learning more and more about Yoga and Massage. Janga studied in different massage and yoga schools and he has seven certificates.

Janga’ story life is already depicted in the French book of Eric Lon: “ Des Ecrins à l’Himalaya”.

Return to Katmandu
Janga is back to Kathmandu to upgrade his knowledge in connection with Nepalese yoga trainers.

Hotel Holy Himalaya is proposing free morning yoga to his guests as well as a morning yoga lesson on a terrace and a healthy breakfast for the visitors. It is located in Thamel, the more touristic place of Kathmandu: this is where you can meet Janga.
To know more about Janga and his French yoga and massage trainer: www.travel-healthy.com