Daijiworld Media Network – Beijing (NP)

Beijing, Jun 22: It is now international face of Yoga, B K S Iyengar’s turn to criticize Baba Ramdev’s yoga style after brickbats by Baba’s Indian counterparts terming him lacking mental toughness on breaking the fast in eight days.

Speaking to group of Chinese yoga enthusiasts on Tuesday June 21, Iyengar (93) came down heavily on people “selling programmes like kapalbhati", thus corrupting Patanjali’s yoga. He was of the opinion that publicizing specific aspects like 'kapalbhati' is wrong. Short-cut best avoided, he stressed. 

Though Iyengar did not name Ramdev it was obvious as the latter had built the fan-following spreading 'kapalbhati' through television.
 
Iyengar is on a five-day visit to China as the country has over 10 million yoga practitioners.
 
It can be recalled here that ending of fast by Ramdev on ninth day had invited ire of several yoga teachers. Baba’s health was also compared with that of now deceased saint-activist, Swami Nigamanand, who bravely remained on fast for 68 days.

Not only Nigamanand, but several others who are older have managed to fast for much longer suration, says one of the yoga practitioners.