98-year-old Yoga Master Tao Porchon-Lynch Shines Bright in India – Part 1

PART 1   PART 2   PART 3   PART 4   PART 5   PART 6   PART 7   PART 8

June 18 – 19, 2017 – At 98 years young, yoga master and historical icon Tao Porchon-Lynch had a momentous trip to India to receive multiple awards, teach yoga and dance. I was delighted to accompany her as I’ve done previously. This time was extra special with seven days in Bangalore and four in Mumbai. India is home for Tao. Her mother was from Bihar, and she spent the first twenty years of her life in Pondicherry. Even when she was in Hollywood in the 1950s and 1960s, she would always go back to study yoga and produce films. She has led many retreats throughout India over the years–particularly to her favorite place, Kerala.

This trip was organized by SHWAASA, a philanthropic organization founded by Shwaasa Guru Sri Vachananand Swamiji, in memory of his guru, His Holiness Sri Marulashankara Devaru of Karnataka. We arrived in Bangalore at 3:00 A.M. on the 18th and there was an entourage of people and cameras waiting to greet us. It was a tad overwhelming given the twenty-hour trek from New York, but Tao stepped off the plane like she was walking onto a movie set, elegantly dressed and ready to go. Shwaasa Guru had flowers and cars waiting for our transport to the gorgeous Shangri-La Hotel. It was all very well planned.

There were actually TWO award ceremonies and a lot of other honors during the trip. On the 19th, Tao was on stage to receive her first award along with other notable spiritual leaders including Mahayogi Sri Pilot Baba and Yogmata Keiko Aikawa–whom we met last year at the United Nations for International Day of Yoga 2016. I think Tao was a bit surprised by the pomp and circumstance, including her crown! During the festivities, we also met Jagadananda Das, whom we both hit it off with instantly. We are very grateful for the help of Nimma Seenu, Anuradha Prabhu and her daughter Aarya, among others.

See pictures below from the 18th and 19th. Click on each image to make it larger. You can Like and Share each image, as well as spread the light by sharing this link and these hashtags: #ThisIs98 #TaoExp #TaoPorchonLynch  Be sure to check out pictures from the other days. There were so many activities and pictures, we split it into eight parts.

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