Abhijata

Abhijata’s Pranayama Class

I remember when Abhijata was first coming to the US for the first time. There was a lot of talk about her “qualifications”, as she is so young. What could she possibly teach the more senior teachers who had been studying with Guruji for so many years? She ended up shining, and proved herself in her own right as a knowledgeable, confident, strong and charming teacher. Growing up with a yoga master has certainly given her a gift. I remember watching Guruji two weeks before he passed away teaching Abhijata. And watching her wondrous eyes as he told her in their Marathi language some details about Sirsasana. Then Guruji giving her some other points in Urdhva Dhanurasana. I watched as she obediently followed her Guru’s words. And how she would run to him to make eye contact in between postures. They seemed to have a very special bond between them. The love could be felt. What a beautiful way to learn, not only from this century’s greatest yoga master, but for him to be your grandfather. There is no such teacher training anywhere on this planet. 

Now that her grandfather is not physically here, Abhijata is blessed to now being groomed by her aunt, Geeta Iyengar, a master herself in the art and understanding of Iyengar Yoga. It even feels like a blessing to be a witness to this “training”. Perhaps I am witnessing the making of a Guru. As I watch Abhijata, as a student in her aunts class, I realize that she is in a way the heiress to the throne of Iyengar Yoga. As a woman, it is very inspiring to see Geeta, the matriarch, and Abhijata, the one who makes sure her aunt’s wishes are carried out. In the medical classes, in the advanced classes, and around the world. They see the problems of having such a big family, and they are clarifying many elements that have been misunderstood. Abhijata even clarifies in the class when her aunt’s words or instructions are not being fulfilled. Her eyes are everywhere, helping, adjusting, and still learning to observe and to correct.  

Last night, Abhijata taught a pranayama class like a master. She emphasized that we have been practicing pranayama very rigidly, and so the experience doesn’t come. We are not machines, so we should be more natural. She told us how her grandfather first had the experiences of yoga, then he found the words. We started with the words, too many words, and now are searching for the experience. We have to let go of our rigidity, and find the experiences ourselves. No one can teach us the experiences. We have to practice ourselves until they come. Even as we begin sitting, we are sitting and going through a list of things to do and things to adjust. We sat off the bolster, and then re-sat in a natural manner. Then, once we were seated, we began observing what really needed to be adjusted. Not just because of the instructions of the teacher. We must adjust based on what we see. Which leg is closer to the floor? Which side of the body is sinking? Only after we observe, should we adjust. And there’s a point where we must stop adjusting and moving, and just be. 

In Savasana, we observed ourselves to see where we must let go. We began with Ujjayi 1, only observing. And when the breath came naturally, remained. Abhijata told us that the breath should come naturally, and not forced. So even when we do Viloma, it’s just a continuation of Ujjayi. Maybe we only breathe into two parts instead of three, but it’s natural. Not forcing ourselves to capacity trying to get the three breaths.  It should be natural, and the effect should be quiet and soothing to our nerves. 

We don’t necessarily have to do.  We observe the lift of the chest. This is why our asana informs our pranayama, and then our pranayama informs our asana. They go together. Asana teaches us to move, pranayama teaches us to be sensitive and to observe. Then our asana will become more subtle. And we will be more refined in our observation in pranayama. We must learn to be more natural in our pranayama. We did reclined, and then prone savasana, without props to bring the sensitivity to the back muscles moving towards the skin. Then when we did in a natural seated position, our back muscles had been sensitized. The effect was very quieting and soothing. 

Abhijata has her own way of getting across subtle, and specific actions and instructions. With clarity, simplicity, and intelligence. The icing on the cake is how she weaves in stories from her grandfather to help us understand. There is a link and progression from class to class, and the result is a masterful experience for those of us present. And even in the moments where many of us space out and miss a moment, somehow it seems we are all receiving the gifts that are being poured into our vessels, no matter how closed or open we may be. So. If you come to RIMYI, leave all your expectations, knowledge, and fears at home, and be open to receive cascades of wisdom and love. And don’t worry about who the teacher will be. They all know more than we do anyway.