10 Comments

1. 

   Ian Richardson on August 5, 2019 at 1:55 pm

   Hi Mike

   I totally agree that it must have been a very difficult blog to write. Thank you for being open, honest and sharing your thoughts.

2. 

   Merel Rip on August 5, 2019 at 3:58 pm

   Thank you Mike. This is one of the most compassionate and loving responses I have read on this topic so far.

3. 

   Baxter on August 5, 2019 at 4:00 pm

   Thank you Mike. This is a brave perspective and I admire you even more for sharing it this way. I absolutely think we need to be talking more (and listening more) to various experiences like yours. Arohatinonui e hoa.

4. 

   Elena on August 5, 2019 at 6:41 pm

   So well said, Mike. Thank you for your leadership. I felt the same about it as Victoria did then, and I wholeheartedly agree with you now.

5. 

   Mike Berghan on August 6, 2019 at 2:37 pm

   Hi Elena. I am so glad you got to read this and that it resonates for you. Thanks for the kind response.
   Lots of love,
   Mike and Victoria

6. 

   Mike Berghan on August 6, 2019 at 2:40 pm

   Hi Baxter. Thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate it.
   Nga mihi nui,
   Mike

7. 

   Mike Berghan on August 6, 2019 at 2:42 pm

   Hi Merel. Thank you for the kind words. Glad it came across to you as I intended it to.
   Cheers,
   Mike

8. 

   Mike Berghan on August 6, 2019 at 2:44 pm

   Hi Ian. Yes, very difficult to write but something that I felt I need to share. Thanks,

   Cheers,
   Mike

9. 

   Marama Mayrick on August 7, 2019 at 5:02 pm

   Thanks for writing about this Mike. I have to say that given what has come out about how he touched his students, I struggle to say those lines in the opening chant. As a survivor of sexual assault myself, I feel triggered by seeing photos of him in practice spaces. I’m pleased I’ve managed to still hold on to the value of the teachings, but certainly want to distance my practice from him, and also Sharath (since he was so slow to respond on this issue). Arohanui, Marama

10. 

    Mike Berghan on August 9, 2019 at 1:42 pm

    Hi Marama.
    Thank you so much for replying. It is good to get your perspective. Great that you can retain the yoga practice and I think if you consider the chant as paying respect to the whole Astanga lineage, rather than any individual teacher, that may make it easier for you.

    It is so difficult to get across my feelings, especially I think, to people who were never in Mysore. I have thought long and hard about my experiences there and in my heart I still can’t see Guruji as a sexual predator. This is just my feeling and in no way do I intend it to condone his actions and I make no claim to understand his motives. I regret that I did not understand then how damaging they could be.

    As to Sharath, yes, he could have addressed this sooner, but when I think about how hard this has been for me, I cannot imagine how hard is must be for him. Guruji was his mentor and grandfather for decades within a very different social and cultural situation from what we experience here in NZ, one where traditionally, the younger generation accepted without question the actions of the older generation. I am sure this is changing there now, but when this was all going on in Mysore 25 years ago it was pretty different. Sharath was also required to step into a role, as a young man with a young family, that carries unimaginable pressure. It must be incredibly tiring for him to carry the Astanga mantle the way he does. For the most part he has managed that with grace and dignity. It would certainly have absolutely crushed me.

    Marama, I know that I have the pictures of Guruji up and that I chant the prayer but I hope that you can still consider Te Aro Astanga Yoga a safe place to come and practice.

    Arohanui,
    Mike.