'TV gurus spoiling essence of yoga'

Fri, Jul 18 01:05 AM

Angry at yoga being turned into a product and sold as a quick-fix for ailments ranging from obesity to cancer, Yogi Ashwini of Dhyan Foundation is trying to restore the original glory and teach yoga based strictly on ancient principles like 'guru-shishya parampara'. "Yoga has become the new way of making money.

It is being sold like commodities and people with little or no knowledge of the subject are fooling the masses by giving them false hopes of curing diseases," he said, in a chat with Hindustan Times. Terming yoga preachers on TV as "jokers", Yogi Ashwini stated yoga is an individual way of life.

Since every person's lifestyle and problems are unique, there can't be a common cure for everyone suffering similar conditions. "To claim that yoga can cure cancer is preposterous.

The assertions made by people in TV programmes are all false and hospitals across the country have thousands of patients whose conditions have worsened after following the advice of TV gurus," he said. Yogi Ashwini alleged most yoga experts don't follow the principles themselves and have no control over their desire to seek donations, publicity and security.

"We are totally against commercialisation of yoga. Nowadays, even Bollywood starlets have released videos on yoga.

Wherever there is pomp and extravagance, there can't be true yoga," he said. Maintaining yoga doesn't have any cure for any disease and it's a way of bringing one's body into control and balance, he further blamed TV experts of blackmailing viewers to sell medicines.

"These days most yoga gurus are in the business of selling medicines. What's the difference between a guru and a shopkeeper if that is happening? Let's leave business to boardrooms and markets," he said.

Blaming both the electronic and print media for projecting yoga as a group of complicated postures that can cure diseases, Yogi Ashwini urged them to highlight its true essence and educate the public to be aware of gurus who assure readymade cures.

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