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🌿 Pandharpur Wari: The Living Yoga of Devotion and Community

Yoga, at its deepest, is more than postures and breath. It’s about aligning our entire being—body, mind, and heart—with something larger, something timeless. Being from Pune, I’ve always known about the Pandharpur Wari—but recently, I was deeply moved to look at it through the eyes of our yoga practice. This 800-year-old pilgrimage from Alandi near Pune all the way to Pandharpur beautifully weaves together discipline, devotion, community, and profound spiritual spirit.

Each year, as the monsoon clouds gather over western India, millions of pilgrims known as Warkaris set out on foot across the green plains of Maharashtra, the same state where Pune—so close to our Iyengar Yoga roots—stands as a beacon for yoga seekers from around the world. From Pune itself, it’s common to see groups joining or supporting the Wari, reinforcing just how deeply this tradition is woven into local life.

The Warkaris walk nearly 250 kilometers over 21 days, starting from the small towns of Alandi and Dehu, just outside Pune. They carry the symbolic sandals (padukas) of the revered saints Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram, all the way to the sacred temple town of Pandharpur. There they offer their long journey at the feet of Lord Vithoba, a beloved form of Krishna. This culminates on the auspicious day of Ashadhi Ekadashi, usually falling in June or July.

For us as yoga practitioners—especially in the Iyengar tradition where we cultivate precision, steadfastness, and mindful alignment—there is so much resonance in this pilgrimage. The Warkaris rise before dawn, walk in rhythmic cadence barefoot over dusty roads and muddy fields, chanting and playing small cymbals. Their days are filled with simple living, shared meals, collective singing, and an unwavering focus on their spiritual goal. Watching this, it feels like witnessing a vast moving meditation, a living embodiment of tapas (austerity), bhakti (devotion), and sangha (community).

What’s even more beautiful is how seamlessly seva, or selfless service, is woven into the fabric of this journey. Villagers along the route set up free food stalls, offer water, shelter, and medical aid, without expecting anything in return. This spirit of generosity mirrors the essence of karma yoga—acting without attachment to results, serving simply out of love.

There are countless small rituals along the way. The palkhis (palanquins) carrying the padukas are elaborately decorated and move with a particular discipline, halting at appointed places for rest and worship. Special events like the Ringan, where a sacred horse circles devotees seated on the ground, reinforce themes of purification and surrender. Even the simplest acts—washing feet at the end of the day, sharing a humble meal of flatbread and lentils—become offerings on this collective path.

When the pilgrims finally reach Pandharpur, they bathe in the Chandrabhaga River, then stream into the temple for darshan—a chance to glimpse and bow before the deity. This culmination echoes our own inner journey: after consistent effort, mindful movement, and letting go, we stand quietly before the inner altar of the heart, touched by something beyond words.

For my fellow Iyengar Yoga friends around the world—many of whom know Pune intimately as a place of learning and transformation, and my own hometown—I feel the Wari is a powerful reminder that yoga is ultimately about union and inner change, wherever it is practiced: whether on a mat in a quiet studio or on dusty roads under open skies. It shows how discipline and joy can live side by side, how community uplifts individual effort, and how devotion can soften even the hardest journeys.

I’ve included this video that beautifully captures the spirit of this ancient pilgrimage:
https://youtu.be/7-HhjDAZ2Vc?feature=shared

May this inspire us to deepen not just our asanas or pranayama, but also our capacity for service, surrender, and love—qualities that truly complete the path of yoga.

PANDHARPUR WARI | A Story of 8 Centuries Old Tradition On 11th day of waxing moon period, in a Hindu month of Ashadh, the spiritual process of Pandharpur Wari begins. It is a 800 years old tradition in which a Pa...

🌸 Gudi Padwa & Iyengar Yoga 🌸
Welcoming the New Year with Clarity, Discipline, and Upliftment

As the Indian sun begins to warm the earth more intensely and the days grow longer, a quiet but powerful transformation unfolds in nature—and within us. On March 30, 2025, we celebrate Gudi Padwa, the Hindu New Year and the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra.

This festival, deeply rooted in Indian tradition, aligns beautifully with the path of Iyengar Yoga. Whether or not you celebrate it culturally, as a yoga practitioner—especially in the Iyengar tradition—there is something profound here for all of us.

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🌿 What Is Gudi Padwa?

Gudi Padwa is the celebration of new beginnings—a clean slate, a time to realign with our values, health, and nature’s rhythm. On this day, homes raise a Gudi: a bamboo stick adorned with a bright silk cloth, neem and mango leaves, garlands, sugar crystals, and an inverted metal pot.

This Gudi faces the rising sun, symbolizing light, clarity, victory, and spiritual awakening. Beyond ritual, it is a symbol of inner discipline and upliftment—the very principles we practice on the mat.

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🧘‍♂️ The Yogic Symbolism

In Iyengar Yoga, we are taught to stand tall, lift the chest, and move with intention. The Gudi mirrors this beautifully—it’s the upright energy of Tadasana in symbolic form.

As B.K.S. Iyengar Guruji said:
“Asanas maintain the strength and health of the body, without which little progress can be made. Asanas keep the body in harmony with nature.”

Each element of the Gudi represents life’s contrasts: bitterness and sweetness, effort and surrender. Just like every asana requires balance, every year asks us to embrace both joy and challenge with awareness.

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☀️ The Seasonal Shift: Summer Begins

Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of Grishma Ritu—Indian summer. It’s a time to adapt, cleanse, and simplify. Just as nature changes pace, so should our yoga.

In summer, our Iyengar practice shifts:
• Focus on cooling asanas
• Restorative postures like Supta Baddha Konasana and Viparita Karani
• Gentle forward bends and supported backbends
• Cooling pranayama like Sheetali and Sheetkari
• Practice in cooler hours (early morning or evening)

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🕉️ Inner Cleansing and Reflection

Traditionally, this is a time for seasonal detoxes, oil baths, neem-jaggery mixtures, and sattvic food. All of this aligns beautifully with yogic niyamas like tapas (discipline) and shaucha (purity).

“Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility and joy.”
— B.K.S. Iyengar

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🌅 How to Celebrate Gudi Padwa—Wherever You Are

You don’t need to raise a Gudi to honor the day. Instead:
• Start with a quiet asana or pranayama session
• Set an intention or write in a journal
• Reflect on what you wish to uplift in yourself this year
• Cook a simple, balanced meal to honor the body

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Gudi Padwa is more than a cultural celebration—it’s a yogic invitation.
To rise with dignity.
To align with nature.
To begin again, with steadiness and light.

Wishing you all a joyous Gudi Padwa and a graceful, grounded journey!

The Incredible Journey of Rohan Bopanna: A Comeback Fueled by Iyengar Yoga

Rohan Bopanna, a world-renowned tennis player, has had a remarkable 20-year career marked by significant highs and lows. Known for his powerful serve and impressive height, Bopanna has earned several nicknames, including 'Bops', 'Bofors', and 'Greybeard Evergreen'. However, in 2019, he found himself at a crossroads due to severe knee pain, which led him to consider retirement. His knees, worn out from years of intense play, were in such bad shape that even treatments like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and hyaluronic injections didn't help.

The turning point in his life and career came during the Covid lockdown in 2020 when he discovered Iyengar yoga, a type of yoga known for its use of props and emphasis on body alignment. Bopanna credits this form of yoga with not only strengthening his legs and body but also making him calmer on the tennis court.

Another key to Bopanna's longevity is his serve, which earns him easy points and helps conserve energy. A lot goes into perfecting this shot, including hours of gym work and target practice. A piece of advice from the late Bob Brett, former coach of big servers Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic, greatly improved Bopanna's serve. Brett suggested tossing the ball closer to his body, which made a significant difference and strengthened Bopanna's second serve.

At 43, Bopanna became the oldest World Number 1 in Men's Doubles, a feat that resonated with many around the world, including Sachin Tendulkar. Much of this success can be attributed to yoga. Bopanna's story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the transformative power of Iyengar yoga and its potential to rejuvenate one's career and life. It proves that with determination, resilience, and the right approach, it's never too late to turn things around.