Sussex’s secret Swami is unimpressed with modern Yoga fashion – Jane Flockhart
(Jane Flockhart is a University student at Brighton doing her journalism degree. During her stay in Battle and surroundings she used to attend regular Yoga classes at the Ashram and was deeply involved into its philosophy. She had once attended a course at the Ashram while Bernard was also with Swamiji.
After a year or so course at the University, she wanted to spread the Ashram’s message around and asked Swamiji if she could come and interview him about his views on the practice and philosophy of Yoga being followed/spread in this country and the West as a whole. She stayed at the Ashram for a day or so, and this was the result of her interview.
Swamiji wishes her a great success in her career so that she continues spreading the right message through her writing.)
Over the last 18 years, Sussex’s own yoga ashram has been quietly growing in size. The Patanjali Centre for Classical Yoga in Battle is run by Indar Nath or Swami Indrananda Ji, as he is known to his students. The 82-year-old, Indian born Swami is happy yoga has increased in popularity; however he feels it may be for the wrong reasons.
Clad in the white robes of a teacher, or Swami, this little man with soft white hair is as flexible as a toddler, out-bending most students. With a stern approach and gentle voice he tells me that “Yoga is the pure and only way to achieve a healthy body and mind.” Reading from the Indian Scriptures, Swami Indrananda Ji follows the path as laid out by the Father of Yoga, Patanjali (200BC). He is unimpressed with the increasing number of fashionable yogas, and suggests students today “should consider honesty. They should look at themselves inside, not outside. Are they honest towards the science of yoga? Are they honest towards their teachings?”
His approach is strict and traditional, reminding that “The Science of yoga is laid out in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. These books teach you the practical way of yoga. The Bhagavad-Gita teaches you the ability to understand it”. Aware that most yoga students today don’t read these early teachings, Swami Indrananda Ji believes it is because they don’t have a proper understanding. “Those who come to me, although they may not read the scriptures, I can assure you I keep on pressing it all the time. That is why I say of the Bhagavad-Gita, if you read some of the articles written by other people, all the scriptures are explained.”
The devoutly spiritual man believes the current yoga trend is a result of greed. “This explosion has come from the desire to earn money. We have moved from the spiritual side to the wealth side: this is how I feel. There are new teachers developing their own forms of yoga, but that is not the original. Many people have twisted the meaning of yoga to suit themselves.”
Whatever your level of yoga, the ashram is the perfect escape from busy life. Swami Indrananda Ji’s soothing voice encourages students in his popular classes, and his gentle demeanour is a contrast to his strict views. He places emphasis on repetition and breathing, encouraging students to hold their positions and continually practise. He advises those new to yoga to “look at their own minds, don’t get too attached to teachers, and judge for themselves. They should consult the scriptures; otherwise we want to get the sweetness first without buying the sugar!”
The yoga way of life extends beyond flexibility and into food. The ashram is renowned for delivering wholesome aromatic tasty meals to its visitors, most of which are prepared by Swami Indrananda Ji himself. “Diet is important; you can say it’s the Ground of your Mind. Unless you have a Sattvic diet, your mind will not be Sattvic.” Swami Indrananda Ji recognises every guest as a “seed of God” and so feeds them well. “A pure mind will only come through a pure diet. Thoughts are also there, but along with the thoughts, you have to keep your purity of food, so your mind is not polluted. If you drink too much your mind is polluted, it’s the same with food.”
Wishing to devote more time to his own practise, the good-humoured octogenarian prays to God for release from work. “I don’t want to do these things!” He laughs, “God has placed this responsibility upon me, and until HE will let me go, I will stick to this and carry on. I want someone to replace me, so I can do my practise in peace.” Reflecting on this he adds, “Perhaps it is good for me as I’m keeping my discipline, getting up early and practising even when no-one is here, but soon it will become too much. With my practice, if I don’t do it, I feel I’m missing something, so I try to do it even if I’m ill, even though my bones are cracking a little bit. But this is all God’s way.”
The pretty ashram and garden is nestled on the edge of Great Battle Wood, and has easy access to the many nature walks around the area.. Pictures of Yoga Gurus and Spiritual Masters adorn the walls of the old cottage. A welcome hideaway with comfortable accommodation for up to 15 people, it has built up a steady community of members. With weekly classes, cleansing and silent retreats and monthly fire ceremonies, the ashram has a busy calendar; however it is perfectly situated for those who want rest and solitude.
Jane Flockhart