Yogarosa Blog

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...

“Abhijata, I’m recovering from having a very bad cold for 5 days. Shall I take the class today or observe?” She answered me, It’s up to you. You decide. I’ll do what I can and see how it goes. I was excited she didn’t say no, but already exhausted from walking to the venue, I knew I had to pace myself. When Raya started teaching the class, I realized I had set myself up right under the fan. Ugh. Blanket around my shoulders. Problem solved temporarily. Raya started to say we were doing standing poses, so ladies on their period and those not well could use the wall. My chance to find a fan less wall. Lucky for me there was space on a column. Never mind my back would be to the stage. I’ll make it work. Prasarita Padottanasana. Ok. Don’t need the wall for that. Already out of breath and we haven’t even started. Why are people so slow in getting a wall? Ok standing poses against the wall. Vriksasana, Trikonasana, Parsva Konasana, Ardha Chandrasana. Body happy to be moving, grateful for th...

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 fo...

I Just finished a yoga class taught by a master. I could say taught by the granddaughter of a master, but in her own right, she shines on her own. I am talking about Abhijata, grand daughter of legendary yoga master, BKS Iyengar. After 6 weeks in Pune, I have taken many classes, with different teachers, and have been inspired and have learned and deepened my practice with all of them. Each and every teacher has something to offer. But it is not so much about what they give, it is really more about what I have received, as Prashant Iyengar says. My eyes, ears, and mind pay attention. But I offer myself as a student full of samskaras, or imprints from past lives. In addition, I have the imprints and the scars of this life. So I come with some knowledge, or my own perceived knowledge. As a student, I am not fortunate to have the opportunity of taking classes with a regular teacher in my hometown. Perhaps this has been a blessing in disguise, as well as a curse, as I am forced to figure...