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...

If you know what Supta Baddhakonasana is, and the effect, recall how you feel in class when the teacher announces it in class. In my 20+ years of teaching, it is the second Sanskrit name of a pose my students recall (first one is Savasana!) So imagine how I felt this morning, when I arrived for Prashant’s class, and the thick black cushioned mats were out instead of our regular sticky mats. That could only mean one thing. Restorative and pranayama class. YES!! It’s just what the doctor recommended. After I settled into my space with my pranayama pillows and blankets, I embarked on a Prashant expedition.  We started with rope Sirsasana or supine poses. Our choice of supine poses. (When I have a choice, I find myself asking , body, which one do you need?) Since I had extra blankets and pranayama pillows, I gave some away to share with some of the latecomers, as sometimes the props are not enough for all. It is expected for those who need less props to practice aparigrahah (non ...

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...

There are events in our life, where time stands still. And as we look back, in that interval of a moment, we remember exactly where we were. September 11, the assassination of John Lennon, perhaps even the day we landed on the moon.  A year ago, I was on an airplane back from Pune. As soon as I landed, the first text I read said, "Guruji has passed." I knew it was coming, but it still seemed unreal. I had seen him just a few days before he went into the hospital.  He looked tired.  He had offered his final goodbyes. He had shared everything he knew about yoga with so many people. It seemed unfair to be sad for someone who embodied his teachings.  He taught us about the Cosmic Breath, and then he joined it.  He offered his devoted prayers, practice, and work to The Lord. His final offering was himself. He deserved to rest.  This selfless man taught us about feeling unworthy, and then conquering the world through his teachings of yoga. He ta...