August 16, 2014 Pune, India I have spent now almost 19 years studying, practicing and teaching Iyengar Yoga. And I have come to the conclusion that I have not learned anything. Everything I've learned has been mostly from my own imagination and perspective. And I suspect, that Except for those with the actual name of Iyengar, most Iyengar Yoga teachers are deluded. Let me explain. There is only one man, BKS Iyengar, who began to share yoga in an innovative way, that he himself does not call Iyengar Yoga. We (the students and fans) call it that. He says he just teaches yoga. But wow, how he teaches yoga! I had the great fortune to be in his presence as a student on a few occasions. The first one was memorable because it was his 80th Birthday Celebration. I was very much a beginner, but the experience propelled me into a whole new world. One memorable moment was, while he was teaching Virabhadrasana 2, and he told us we needed to let our soul spread all the way into the fingert...
Patanjali: Do I Invoke or Do I Not Invoke? A the beginning of most Iyengar Yoga classes, there is a chant that is done in a call and response fashion. What is the purpose of this? I will share with you my thoughts on this subject. When I was in India, and had the privilege of being in classes taught by BKS Iyengar, his daughter, Geeta, and his son Prashant. All the classes always began with this chant. At the time, I had no idea what the chant meant and what the purpose of it was. All I knew is that I was in India, being taught by the most knowledgeable authorities on yoga, and I participated in the experience, even though for the most part I was inventing the words. After a few days of chanting the invocation, it became an essential part of my focal direction. My mind knew it was time for yoga, and it was almost like the cells of my body received the announcement that it was time to be in yoga mode. My body and my mind became accustomed to the foreshadowing of ...
Day 1 RIMYI a Teachers Programme Pune, India Iyengar Yoga Teachers who mentor students from around the world were invited to this special program December 7-15. It took place at the private club PYC Hindy Gymkhana in Pune. The program will be very full, and we were asked not to schedule appointments during this event, as most days would begin in the morning and end in the evening. As we were awaiting Prashant, Abhijata asked us if we were jetlagged. We all said yes. She asked if we wanted her to teach a 5 minute class. We laughed. She said, no I’m serious, Parsva Swastikasana, Twist to the right! Open eyes. Open the outer corners of the eyes and look up, roll the right shoulder back! Uttanasana same Sirsasana head placement. Recover! Stand up. Padmasana right leg up. As many started to sit down, she said, no, standing! Now you will not be sleepy! Wake up! Eyes at the horizon level. Paschimottanasana Namaskarasana open the chest!! Sit down. After we gr...
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