I know you must have heard of hot yoga, but do you know its origins? .
I find that in today’s yoga scene, respect for tradition and lineage is often lost. Sadly, most yoga teachers teaching or practicing hot yoga don't know the rich legacy of Bishnu Ghosh and his contributions to the yoga practiced today.
Bishnu believed that the root of all disease is stress. He taught that the body's energy centers around the spine, so spinal health is key to physical, emotional, and mental health. He combined weightlifting and bodybuilding with Hatha yoga practice to promote physical and mental wellness. The school that Ghosh founded—now called Ghosh’s Yoga College and run by Ghosh's granddaughter—continues this tradition of guru-student instruction, along with the addition of group classes and Bikram yoga.
The Legacy of Bishnu Ghosh
Early Life and Influences Bishnu Ghosh was born on June 24, 1903, in Kolkata, India. Growing up in a spiritually enriched environment, he was deeply influenced by his elder brother, Paramahansa Yogananda, a renowned yogi and spiritual leader known for his work "Autobiography of a Yogi." While Yogananda's focus was more on the spiritual and meditative aspects of yoga, Bishnu Ghosh dedicated his life to the physical aspects or Hatha Yoga, emphasizing the importance of a strong and healthy body as a foundation for spiritual practice.
Physical Culture and Bodybuilding
Bishnu Ghosh was not only a yoga master but also a prominent figure in the bodybuilding community. He believed that physical strength and muscle development were essential for overall health and well-being. Ghosh's commitment to physical culture led him to become one of the first Indian bodybuilders to gain international recognition. His impressive physique and strength were testaments to his disciplined practice and innovative training methods. Ghosh was known for performing feats of strength such as allowing a car to run across his chest and bending an iron bar into a coil.
Ghosh's College of Physical Education
In 1923, Bishnu Ghosh established the Ghosh’s College of Physical Education in Kolkata. The institution combined traditional Indian yoga with Western physical training techniques, promoting a holistic approach to fitness. Ghosh's college became a hub for those seeking to improve their physical and mental health through a structured regimen of yoga and bodybuilding exercises.
Ghosh Yoga in India and Japan
In India and Japan, Ghosh Yoga has always been individual and prescriptive. Each person/student has different needs and limitations, and the yoga teacher's job is to prescribe to each student the appropriate exercises, asanas, and meditations to heal their ailments and develop their physical, mental, and spiritual potential.
Mentorship of Bikram Choudhury
Among Ghosh's most notable students was Bikram Choudhury. Under Ghosh's guidance, Bikram mastered the 84 asanas that later formed the basis of Bikram Yoga. Bishnu Ghosh's influence is evident in Bikram Yoga's emphasis on physical postures and the systematic approach to practice. Bikram credits Ghosh with helping him recover from a catastrophic injury through yoga asana practice.
When Bikram Choudhury brought this yoga to the West in the 1970s, it took on a slightly different form. Bikram brought this yoga to the West in the 1970s, it took on a slightly different form. Bikram picked up 26 poses and 2 Breathing exercises from the 84 poses and intelligently and systematically put it together in one routine which today is known my Bikram Hot Yoga
Contributions to Yoga
Bishnu Ghosh's contributions to yoga are vast:
He was one of the pioneers in integrating physical culture into traditional yoga practices.
His teachings have influenced countless yoga practitioners worldwide, particularly through the popularization of Bikram Yoga.
Ghosh's approach has helped demystify yoga, making it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Celebrating His Legacy As we celebrate Bishnu Ghosh's birthday, we honor his dedication to the physical and mental well-being of individuals through yoga. His legacy lives on through the countless practitioners who benefit from the practices he championed.
Reflecting on His Impact
Bishnu Ghosh's teachings remind us of the importance of balancing physical strength with mental clarity. His holistic approach to yoga serves as an inspiration to deepen our practice, not just physically but also mentally and spiritually.
On this special day, let us reflect on how Bishnu Ghosh's contributions have shaped our understanding of yoga. How has the integration of physical culture and yoga influenced your personal practice? In what ways can you honor his legacy by committing to a more balanced and holistic approach to your own yoga journey?
Written and Published by
Sumit Banerjee
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