Sri Dharma Mittra is the teacher with the most mileage. Since 1967, he has spent more than half of his life teaching the yamas and niyamas of Yoga thru daily practice of Hatha-Raja Yoga to ten's of thousands of students. He was born in 1939 in the small remote village of Pirapora, Brazil, and was raised Catholic in a poor family of 5 children. In his early teens Dharma became involved in esoteric teachings and Yoga through books his younger brother was studying. Dharma had started to practice Body Building, Wrestling & Jiu-Jitsu. In 1962 was awarded the title "Mister Minas Gerais" ( a state in Brazil ). From 1958 thru 1964 he served in the Brazilian National Air-Force. Dharma had only practiced yoga through books, but his younger brother had already come to NYC and found the Guru. Within Sattya's letters, about Swami Kailashananda, was an invitation to come to New York City and stay with him. Dharma immediately left the Air Force and gathered enough money for a flight to the United States. On September 14, 1964, he and his brother sat in Cafe Reggio on MacDougal Street, near his Leroy Street apartment in the heart of Greenwich Village, filled with the colors of the times, and a soon to be final cappuccino and smoke. The next day he had scheduled a private consultation with the Guru, with his brother as the translator.

The path ahead was now unfolding. The next two years Dharma immersed himself in every class and course, had private consultations, sat at the Guru's feet, and immersed himself in self-less service. Dharma was initiated into the family of Bramacharya , as a sanyasin, one who renounces the world in order to achieve liberation.

In 1967 after much perseverance, practice and experience, he was asked to teach Ashtanga Yoga, specifically the 3rd and 4th limbs, asana and pranayama. Between the years 1967 to 1975 Dharma lived at the Yogi Gupta Ashram, at that time the main Yoga school in New York City. He was assigned to attend to all the needs of his Guru, as in preparing his food, clothes and shaving his head, and by receiving the blessings of Karma Yoga practice (self-less service or action without attachment), he served all the needs of the Ashram. Dharma was the main handyman, juiceman, and most beloved Hatha teacher, giving two classes and privates daily. When the Guru gave lectures to the public, Dharma was asked to give the Hatha Yoga demonstrations with him.

Dharma imparts: "This was an absolute blessing for me, to be constantly near the Guru and be charged with his aura and grace, showered in love, compassion, thoughts of renunciation, self-realization, surrender and fortitude. Thu realizing that spiritual knowledge can only be imparted psychically, mentally and mostly spiritually". In 1975, after becoming self-realized, knowing that Krishna is all, and saturated with sattva (spiritual bliss caused by knowledge, realization and discipline), Dharma left the ashram to live his destiny. A life dedicated to sharing and spreading the truth, knowledge and light of God and Yoga in the most humble and quiet of ways. There is a long story involved in the telling of the opening of his first school, the Yoga Asana Center, penniless, and of it's many locations to come, but that may be told at a later time.

Just let it be known that he has provided 38 years of dedicated teaching, for years only enough to pay for the rent of the center and for his food (giving out free posters & sprouts). He taught thru the 1970's and 80's when there were no independent teachers outside of a larger organization and there was little interest in Yoga. Dharma has always persevered and maintained a loyal growing following.

Yogi Dharma Mittra is a pioneer in the popularity of Yoga today. Years ago, he was the only one teaching Ashtanga and a vinyasa flow of advanced postures. Teachers from all schools came to Dharma to learn, practice and then teach elsewhere. Dharma is truly a sweet, gentle master who sets the greatest example of Yoga by living what he teaches and asking nothing in return. He continues to be that same self-less, shining example today! Most teachers throughout the USA and especially in NYC have studied under Dharma.

In 1984 Dharma completed a beautiful work of art and inspiration: " The Master Yoga Chart of 908 Postures". He took all the photographs by himself of himself. The chart was all hand made before the computer age, was dedicated to his Guru, and offered to all for their Yoga practice. This chart is as beloved by many as he himself is, having touched hundreds of thousands of lives over his past years of service. It has been recognized with the greatest of esteem in the Yoga community enhancing the walls of most Yoga schools and centers worldwide. The chart has also been seen in many Hollywood movies and television shows and is still asked for to assure that the set represents a yoga studio or health resort.

Yogi Dharma continues to teach daily in the Kailashananda Temple at his school, the Dharma Yoga Center in the Gramercy Park section of Manhattan. Students, friends and teachers get one on one attention, and their questions reassuringly answered after all classes. He holds teacher training, and retreats upstate in the Catskills, as well as giving workshops to those who wish him to come to their schools. Little do they know they are making a friend for life! Hari Om Tat Sat

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STRENGTH:  Dharma you are the “Rock”, you are “the Teacher”, you are “Yoga”, you are “The Force”, you are the “Diamond”, you are the “Yoga Master of the Universe.”  You give us such strength and fortitude in our life, our goals, and our participation in the Divine Plan.  Thank You,  Dharma.
 
COMPASSION-AHIMSA… Non-violence, Vegetarianism, and Respect for All Beings.   Thank you, Dharma for demonstrating compassion to all, and serving as an example and model for us to emulate.
 
HONOR:  Yamas, Niyamas.  Your character is praiseworthy.  You keep us principled and respectable.  Thank you revealing these tools on the path of purification and cultivation of good Karma.  
 
JOY:  Laughter, Lightness, and Fun.  Dharma this is such a serious endeavor we have undertaken with you.  Thank you for taking the edge off and making it effortless and graceful. 
 
DIVINE:  The spark of light is in all of us.  In some, however, it shines brighter.  In Saints, the Supreme Self manifests 99.99%.  Well, Dharma in you it radiates 100%.