By Lucy-Claire Saunders

After a year of being pleaded with and prodded at, beloved and controversial Indian guru Swami Ramdev will be gracing Metro Vancouver with his presence . . . and one of his world famous yoga camps.

Adored by millions around the globe, Ramdev has made a name for himself with claims he can cure illnesses - from acne to cancer - through yoga and breathing techniques.

"His message is to bring all the communities together. And when I think about our problems here - we have a lot of drugs and violence and theft - everyone will benefit."

Over 100,000 guests are expected to attend the five-day yoga camp at the Cloverdale Rodeo Fair Grounds from July 30 to August 3, where Ramdev will teach pranayam, or breathing exercises. Tickets for the camp went on sale Monday.

Banwait, who owns a business consulting company, says he has been transformed by Ramdev’s teachings. He is better able to deal with stress and has managed to keep his blood pressure down.

"People here are very happy and excited," said Banwait. "They have been calling us ever since they found out about the camp."

The closest Canadian followers have ever gotten to the guru is a satellite feed of his lunchtime show on Aastha TV. Everyday 20 million Indians dutifully watch and mimic his impressive movements and calming breathing techniques.

Even the Indian army, the second largest in the world after China’s, follows a routine based on Ramdev’s teachings.

But behind all the talk of healing and spirituality hides a lot of cash. Besides the television show, Ramdev has spun out a web of CDs, DVDs, oils, medicines, clinics and camps such as the one coming to Metro Vancouver.

Currently on board a luxury liner off the coast of China, Ramdev is holding a week-long meditation and pranayam camp for 1,000 middle and upper class travellers from 15 different countries.

"The aim of the camp is to provide a chance for participants to understand the essence of life and to show people that entertainment does not mean loud music and dance alone, a popular modern way of amusing the self," said Ramdev, whose support base includes politicians, celebrities, business leaders and millions of devoted housewives.

The price tag to cruise it up with the guru: Almost $2,000.

On board the Star Cruise Virgo, Ramdev announced plans to develop an overseas branch of his Hardwar-based Patanjali Yog Peeth meditation centre in China within a year - the first yoga centre in the communist country.

Yoga is the perfect form of spirituality for China because "it is above everything," he said.

"The Chinese are hard working and enterprising and like others they also look for ways to de-stress themselves during their energetic lifestyle," added Swami Ramdev, who just last month condemned Chinese "atrocities" in Tibet and called for a boycott of the Olympic torch run.

"Let India show guts and express solidarity with the Tibetans," he proclaimed, adding those who carry the torch in India could not be "true sons of the Indian soil."

As if expanding his school, producing multi-media packages and hosting yoga camps isn’t enough, the guru is also planning on entering politics. A logical step, perhaps, for a man who has never hesitated to criticize other politicians, including U.S. President George Bush.

When Bush blamed the "improved diets" of India and China’s growing middle classes for the global food crisis and inflation, Ramdev fired back, pointing out that most of the world’s obese people reside in America.

"The U.S. should look at itself before commenting upon others," said the vegetarian yoga guru, also known as Baba Ramdev.

Ramdev’s anti-Western rhetoric has earned him a name as a populist muckracker - perhaps just the plank he needs to launch a political career.

According to Ramdev, politics has become big business and India badly needs a "king who is restrained, honest and universal in approach to politics."

The revolution will come through yoga, he believes. And so, in his quest, he will be training 100,000 teachers for 600,000 Indian villages until July 20 – just 10 days before he comes to B.C.

Although Banwait hadn’t heard that Ramdev plans to play el politico, he has no doubt the yoga master could win any seat he chooses.

"If Ramdev wanted to run two years ago, he would have already won," he said. "He could have beaten anyone."

But not all are intoxicated with Ramdev’s approach to health. High-profile Indian communist legislator Brinda Karat accused the teacher earlier this year of using human and animal parts in drugs made at his herbal pharmacy.

"The impotency drug contains testicles of animals, crushed to powder. Human bone and skull powder was also detected," Karat told her national press. "This is a huge breach of trust to his followers."

Karat sent two samples of Ramdev’s remedies from his pharmacy in Haridwar in northern Uttaranchal state to the Health Ministry for testing.

Without releasing any details, the ministry confirmed it had conducted the tests.

"The matter now lies with the Uttaranchal government," said an Indian health ministry official.

But politicians aren’t the only masterminds Ramdev need be wary of.

He is also under attack from terrorists. In April, Indian intelligence agencies began tracking suspects believed to have threatened Ramdev via e-mail.

But for all those who have a bone to pick with Ramdev, there are millions more who would cherish the chance - and pay a hefty sum - to see the famed Godman in person.

"He makes attaining a healthy life style very easy to do," said Charan Gill, president of the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society, which is helping organize Ramdev’s B.C. appearance.

"Millions around the world are convinced that his ways lead to a better life."