Yoga Archives - Pragya Bhatt

How a Boy from Uttarakhand Became “Lord of the Universe”

May 15, 2026

A look at Prem Rawat (Guru Maharaj Ji), the Divine Light Mission, Millennium ’73 and the cult-like movement that attracted millions of followers in the 1970s…

I recently watched a documentary called Lord of the Universe. It was about a teenager who, at one point, had millions of followers across the world. He called himself Guru Maharaj Ji, but he was actually Prem Rawat from Uttarakhand. By the time he was 16 he was going on tours globally.

This documentary is about an event called Millennium ’73, which was basically a huge concert/satsang he did in November 1973 where followers from all over the US converged. The whole documentary felt fictional — so bizarre that I immediately fell into a rabbit hole afterwards. I found out all I could about this “guru”.

Here’s what I found.

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RIMYI Experiences

Reclaiming the Teacher Within

November 8, 2025

This is the last night of the workshop. As always, I feel like I’m taking a lot back with me – things I may not even be aware of yet, but that will manifest themselves in my practice, my studies and in my life.

Something I really like about classes at RIMYI is that they aren’t so much about learning asanas, but about the wisdom woven into the teachings. Students often ask

How do I practice?

How do I know I’m doing it right?

How do I sequence?

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Pregnancy/Parenting Notes Postpartum RIMYI Experiences Wellness

The Pigeon

November 7, 2025

A pigeon, symbolizing motherhood and calm reflection.

There’s a pigeon who has laid eggs outside the window of my bathroom. Every time I open the door of the bathroom, no matter how quietly, she gets disturbed. I feel bad, acutely. When I was shown into this room Dheeraj told me they noticed the eggs for the first time when they came back from Diwali break, and they didn’t have the heart to push them out. Every time the pigeon flutters in alarm and walks away from her eggs I feel an ache in my heart. I know how the pigeon feels. I don’t want to be responsible for its fear, I want it to know her eggs are safe.

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RIMYI Experiences Yoga

Day 1: A Full Day of Practice and Learning

November 7, 2025

For many students who have come to this workshop, this is their first time. Students have come from as far away as Surat – a testament to their commitment to growth and Iyengar yoga. Their enthusiasm is awesome.

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RIMYI Experiences Books Postpartum

Back to the Mothership – RIMYI After 7 Years

November 6, 2025

Back to the Source

In 2019, on my last trip to the Iyengar Yoga institute in Pune, I would have never thought it would take me 6 years to come back to the Iyengar institute in Pune. Over the years many visitors I was in touch with have told me about the changes – there’s a new entrance, even a waiting area. The old order (Pandurang Sir), has given way to the new.

A pandemic and a baby later, here I am, back in Pune’s verdant climes awaiting the commencement of the weekend workshop at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune.

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