Letters from the Yoga Masters
Teachings Revealed through Correspondence from Paramhansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Sivananda, and Others.
Written, researched, and created with love by Marion (Mugs) McConnell & Foreword by Erich Schiffmann. Published by North Atlantic Books. Distributed by Penguin Random House.
Mugs McConnell shares in her book the techniques that her teacher, Dr. Hari Dickman was taught by yoga masters such as Paramhansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Sivananda, Swami Vishnu Tirth, and many others.
The first section of the book lays out the fascinating history of Hari’s relationship with several yoga masters. The mid-section of the book is a vast array of yoga techniques these yoga masters taught to Hari. And the last section is “Delicious Stories” that were found in the letters, and were just too rich not to include. As you read the book, move around these sections and enjoy! It isn’t intended to necessarily read the book from cover-to-cover.
About the Author
Marion, or “Mugs” to all who know her, is one of Canada‘s Yoga Pioneers. She is the founder of SOYA with her husband Bob.
In 2023 Mugs celebrated 50 years as a yoga student and 45 years as a certified yoga teacher. Mugs’ early training was in the Sivananda lineage under Swami Vishnudevananda. During and after her time in the ashram, she was the last disciple of Sri Yogiraj Dr. Hari Dickman, whom her book is about. Over the years her teaching style has been greatly influenced by additional studies with Erich Schiffmann, Namadeva Acharya, and Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani (son of Dr. Swami Gitananada Giri). Erich taught her how every action can be an expression of love towards self and others. Namadeva played a huge role in her appreciation and understanding of mantra, and Dr. Ananda has taught her so much about the breadth and depth of pranayama and mudra. Dr. Ananda continues to teacher her. Mugs considers him as her current living guru.
Classical Teachings From Our Great Yoga Masters of the Past by Mugs McConnell
Presented by Marion “Mugs” McConnell of SOYA Yoga at the International Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) 50th Anniversary Celebration – Sydney Town Hall, 20-22 October, 2017.
Yoga in Latvia
An unfinished documentary on The History of Yoga in Latvia…
Marion (Mugs) McConnell participated in the making of this documentary about Dr. Hari Dickman and his historical role teaching yoga in Latvia prior to WWII. As McConnell was the last disciple of Hari, she was interviewed in the documentary, sharing stories and information about her time with Dr. Dickman. Unfortunately, Dzintars Vilnis Korns, who was the inspiration behind the documentary, passed away in August 2022. Funding is now an issue for the completion of this historical document. Nevertheless, Dzintars did create a webpage to capture much of the history, reflecting the huge role Dr. Hari Dickman played in establishing the Latvian Yoga Society (see below). Yoga continues to thrive in Latvia today.
The Latvian Yoga Society
Learn more about the Latvian Yoga Society established in the 1930s by Dr. Hari Dickman. This webpage, created by Dzintars Vilnis Korns, shows an impressive array of passionate students in yoga prior to WWII, when yoga was forbidden in Latvia.
Contact Mugs
Please contact Mugs with your questions or to book your event & discuss Covid-19 protocols.
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Letters from the Yoga Masters: Techniques
“Some things should never be lost. Letters from the Yoga Masters is a uniquely valuable book containing wisdom and advice from most of the well-known and respected yoga masters of India in the twentieth century. McConnell has done a commendable job preserving this knowledge and presents the stories and teachings in a very entertaining way.” Bernie Clark, author of Yinsights: A Journey into the Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga.