Yoga is booming in China and other south-eastern countries. The good thing for India is that the Chinese prefer to learn from Indian yoga teachers, as they feel Indians have a better grip over the science behind Yoga. Thousands of Indian yoga teachers, trained in Rishikesh and Haridwar (home to several yoga schools) are already teaching in China, and the number is expected to grow in the future.
Ashish Bahuguna, who has been teaching yoga in China for over a decade now, learnt his asanas at the Parmarth Niketan ashram in Rishikesh. He runs his own studio ‘WeYoga’ in Beijing. “The Chinese prefer us since we have a grip over the basics of the science,” says Bahuguna (was conferred the title of ‘The Most Beautiful Yogi of China’).
Mohan Bhandari, one of the first yoga teachers from Rishikesh to settle in China, says that the Chinese are very particular about learning yoga “the right way.” “It is a characteristic of the Chinese that they want to learn things from people who they consider as subject natives. That is why the demand for Indian yoga teachers is high in the country.” Bhandari, who went to China in 2003, now has a chain of ‘Yogi Yoga’ studios across China.
“I have seen a sizeable number of well-qualified boys from Rishikesh come to China to teach yoga. All of them are earning upwards of Rs 1 lakh per month.”
Although there are several types of yoga styles being taught in China, Iyengar Yoga (which uses props) is a big hit with the Chinese. Iyengar Yoga, despite being tough, gives great results and has impressed the Chinese.
“Yoga has given me great benefits and rejuvenation. Last year, I got the opportunity to visit the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh and became completely enamoured with the practice. I soon enrolled in an Indian yoga studio in my city. I think I must have done some good deeds that I am able to learn this ancient practice from traditional teachers,” David Li, a Chinese yoga practitioner.
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