Shri Dharma Mittra is an elder statesman of yoga [0] in America, a revered master—67 years old on May 14th—who has been mentor, guru, and spiritual guide for countless students and teachers. Born in Brazil, he came to New York in 1964 and studied for many years as a disciple of Swami Kailashananda [1], also known as Yogi Gupta. Mittra is well-known as the artist and yogi behind the Master Yoga Chart of 908 Asanas [2], the seminal poster that shows him demonstrating a stunning lexicon of poses. He continues to teach from his Manhattan studio, Dharma Yoga Center [3], and travels [4] throughout the country and abroad to share yoga teachings and philosophy.
Mittra recently finished work on his first-ever DVD series, Maha Sadhana Level I [5] and II [6]. The collection features spiritual discourses, asana classes for beginner and intermediate students, guided meditations, and instruction in pranayama [7]. The series also includes vintage footage as well as a segment about the creation of his influential poster.
Mittra's physical practice remains as vital today as it was decades ago; he can do asanas those of us half his age wouldn't even attempt. But he emphasizes that the physical poses aren't the point. In this discussion, he reflects on the importance of following yoga's ethical precepts, on the ongoing process of improving his asanas, and on yoga's holographic future.
LIME: Why did you decide that this was the right time to do a DVD project?
MITTRA: As technology improves, you have to go into some actual movements, because the pictures that are motionless are not enough to give more information about the poses. Also, I had lots of requests for years: “When are you going to have your DVD?” . . . I think it was the time to bring something on DVD instead of just the poster.
LIME: How did you select the teachings for this project?
MITTRA: For the first DVD, I emphasized greatly the foundations of yoga: What is yama [8]? Because without yama, there is no success in yoga. No success in meditation. No spiritual bliss, no samadhi [9], and no real yogis. The real yogis are those who keep the ethical rules, especially the yama and niyama [10]. Just keeping these two is the first step, and you may consider yourself a good yogi. If you do all the other postures and pranayama and all the kundalini [11] without the foundation—nothing. It's just a waste of time. There are benefits, like you keep your body nice, and maintain good health and even mental power. But without the yama, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.
For this DVD, I also chose a nice series of exercises that will prepare the students for the advanced poses. . . . and I also teach breathing [exercises]. Everything in this DVD is the foundation that prepares you for more advanced techniques, for advanced knowledge. After the foundation is ready, then you will easily be able to pass through all the other steps.
LIME: How has your role as teacher has changed over the years?
MITTRA: Well, everything needs an update. The teachings are according to the people. In New York City, the people are more rajasic [12], more active. I cannot teach yoga here in a traditional way. Nobody is ready for that. So the yoga has to be adjusted to the type of people... For the past years, we have to be a little more geared to the more active practice, because the nature of people is to be very active.
LIME: Do you feel as though you're still discovering new asanas?
MITTRA: With asanas, I think every month, I find out new variations. The asanas are made by the teachers, especially those teachers who are established in the state of sattva [13]. Sattva means no I, no me, no feeling of “doer”: “I am the one who figured out this pose.” No, there is nothing like that. From inner intuition and through practice, variations are born and turn into new poses. . . . But of course, we have to see if the postures are beneficial, and what their purpose is.
LIME: You've been practicing for almost 50 years. Can you talk about the relationship between your asana practice and growing older?
MITTRA: In the physical aspect, the asanas, the practice is still almost the same. The difference as you grow older is that, it takes a little longer to warm up [laughs], but it's still the same. And I notice I'm still improving my postures. Watch out for the food: That is greatly important, that the food you eat should be vegetables and without much cooking. For four months now, I have been eating just live food [14], and my postures are improving greatly. Despite the fact that I'm 67, they're getting much better.
LIME: Do you think there's a connection between sustainability [14] and spirituality?
MITTRA: Of course. We should try to be more natural, to not waste, to recycle, to be independent from oil. Everybody should have a bicycle here [in New York], like in Holland. I myself have a Segway [15]. Everyone should have a Segway, shouldn't waste food, and should be natural.
LIME: In terms of new media, do you think that in the future there will be new ways in which we use media to do yoga practice and teaching?
MITTRA: I think very soon where the technology is going, we're going to be able to contact the guru not only with a cellphone, but with maybe in a holographic way, a more vivid way. And the classes too, maybe, will be transmitted from live classes directly. But I think I see it very soon in a 3D way, where people can really have the full image.
LIME: How do you see your own relationship and your students' relationship to what's happening in the world now?
MITTRA: For the past few years, since all this violence began, I started imparting more the knowledge of ahimsa [16], yama, encouraging [students] to be more peaceful, to become vegetarians, to be more loving, to spread more peace, to be involved more in meditation. Especially to be in good health, just in case of radioactivity or flus, like this bird flu, all kinds of diseases that are coming. Weather problems. . . . But the main thing is to get [the students] involved in yama, the ethical rules. And automatically, they start spreading the word.
Photo: Dharma Yoga Center [17]