Yoga
Yesterday I observed a children's class taught by Guruji's granddaughter Abbhy (not sure how to spell her name). For those of you who don't know, Guruji means "my teacher". This is what Mr. Iyengar's students call him. It was far different from the adult classes - short holds, lots of jumpings, no props at all (except for a mat for headstand). The kids had lots of fun and I learned some new things to bring back for the adults. Abbhy is very knowledgeable and already a good teacher in her mid-20's.
Today our practice time was early, and Guruji came in right away. He always sets up in the same spot so I had the honor of practicing 15 feet away from him. He was in a good mood and flashed Karen a big smile and said namaskar when she paid him her respects. Perhaps tomorrow I will work up the nerve to approach him.
Today I once again got the feeling that I know so little, even after 12 years of study. It was informative to watch the advanced practices of the others, and to try to memorize the inventive prop setups being used. It is a privilege to be here!
Rickshaw rides
Karen and I took two rickshaw rides in the past couple of days.
The first was with Naana. Naana is a rickshaw driver patronized by the American students. The ride was exciting, fun and Naana organized our itinerary for us. He also acted as tour guide, telling us the name of rivers, bridges and hotels. Yes Bill, I said hi for you and Naana was pleased to know that I knew you. He asked how you were doing.We did some shopping and got some gifts for people back home. We arranged a Tuesday trip with Naana to a tailor to have some clothes made. This was the good rickshaw ride.
Today we had booked Ayurvedic massage appointments and decided to take our chances with a rickshaw driver. We were told - easy to get there, 10 minute ride. Bad decision! We never got to our destination - even though we had a business card with a map on it. He pulled over numerous time to ask pedestrians for directions and we went in circles for 30 minutes. Finally, he asked and English speaking person for help, and we asked our good Samaritan to tell the driver we just wanted to go back home. I think the rickshaw driver felt embarrassed he couldn't get us there, but we had long missed our appointments. So instead of getting relaxed, we were wiped out by the ride, fumes and frustrations. Next time we will go with Naana!
Personal Notes
Come on people, more posts back would be great! Especially KA! Thanks to the 5 people who posted yesterday. It made my day to read these post from home after our rickshaw ride from heck. Marion from the UK, I am glad you are enjoying the blog. Dad, thanks for the note and Nitin, I will check out the laughing yoga.
Julie, I had a chat with Glennis last night and she remembers you and kept saying over and over how nice you are.
The power went off in the middle of this post - thank goodness for autosave.
That's it for now!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sounds of India and More
One of the hardest things to get used to is the cacophony of sound. The typical day begins with the din of thousands of birds at daybreak. I don't know how anyone could sleep through it! Then the rickshaws, motorcycles, cars, buses and truck begin hitting the streets and the honking begins. Honking seems to be the preferred way of letting another vehicle know that you are going to pass them. So the honking isn't in anger, but more of a courtesy. Still, it can grate on the nerves after listening to it all day! Of course, all of these vehicles also have loud motors, and there are so many of them. Another sound in the mix is the generator - this morning the electricity failed, and they fired up the generator to get things back up and running.
Another noise I have had to get used to is the elevator in our flat. Not the sound of the elevator traveling up and down, but the song the elevator plays. That's right - the elevator plays a musical number, in our case "Fur Elise". It goes on all day and night, like a cell phone that a inconsiderate person never turns off.
Now a comment about the students at the Institute. Us Americans are out numbered. There are Indian students of course, but there are also Greeks, Spaniards, Italians, Canadians, Belgians, Chinese, Polish, German, Russian, French, English and Irish students! And also one women from Iran. I am sure there are other countries represented, as these are the students I have encountered in the first two days of classes. I look forward to getting to know some of these people from around the world.
My second class was great and I was much less intimidated. Today is a day off and we indulged in some shopping.
If you would like to post me a message, please do, I would love to hear from you!
Another noise I have had to get used to is the elevator in our flat. Not the sound of the elevator traveling up and down, but the song the elevator plays. That's right - the elevator plays a musical number, in our case "Fur Elise". It goes on all day and night, like a cell phone that a inconsiderate person never turns off.
Now a comment about the students at the Institute. Us Americans are out numbered. There are Indian students of course, but there are also Greeks, Spaniards, Italians, Canadians, Belgians, Chinese, Polish, German, Russian, French, English and Irish students! And also one women from Iran. I am sure there are other countries represented, as these are the students I have encountered in the first two days of classes. I look forward to getting to know some of these people from around the world.
My second class was great and I was much less intimidated. Today is a day off and we indulged in some shopping.
If you would like to post me a message, please do, I would love to hear from you!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Sleep and Yoga
Finally, some sleep! While I never felt sleepy during the day, I could not sleep at night for the first 3 nights here. But yesterday Karen and I moved into our flat (a huge improvement over the Ambience hotel) and I finally slept like a rock. Life will be pleasant here - we are directly next to the institute, and my room overlooks the courtyard between the Iyengar family home and the Yoga hall. Our host, Sanjeev, is incredibly nice and generous.
On Thursday, I attended my first practice. You are given a practice time everyday to work individually and access all the yoga props the institute has to offer. I was intimidated the moment I walked in. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing, and many of the practices seemed quite advanced. I set up, hoped no one was watching me, and started in. Then, Mr. Iyengar showed up for his practice and also to work with others. It was amazing to watch this almost 90 year old man do his practice and speak about yoga! By the end of the practice session I was feeling better and slightly more confident.
Yesterday was my first class with Geeta. I was terrified when class started. The hall was packed - I thought there were at least 120 people and everyone was working to get a spot for their mat. It was humid and hot, and I didn't know anyone around me. But once we got underway, there was no time to be anxious. Geeta worked us hard, even though we mostly did basic poses - downward dog, tadasana (about 12 times), and the basic standing poses. Geeta was in a good mood and made many jokes. When we first laid down in savasana, she joked "the shouting is over!".
Personal notes:
Julie, Norma from SY says hi. Glennis is not staying in our flat, but will be in our building. She doesn't arrive for a few days. Karen knows Glennis and will point her out to me. Ryan and Lindsey, thanks for the post! Nitin, it was nice to see you. Barb, I had dinner with Anne (from Portland) and we discussed classes in Portland. I also chatted with Jeff from NY (FPR Anne's teacher).
Time to head to my second class!
On Thursday, I attended my first practice. You are given a practice time everyday to work individually and access all the yoga props the institute has to offer. I was intimidated the moment I walked in. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing, and many of the practices seemed quite advanced. I set up, hoped no one was watching me, and started in. Then, Mr. Iyengar showed up for his practice and also to work with others. It was amazing to watch this almost 90 year old man do his practice and speak about yoga! By the end of the practice session I was feeling better and slightly more confident.
Yesterday was my first class with Geeta. I was terrified when class started. The hall was packed - I thought there were at least 120 people and everyone was working to get a spot for their mat. It was humid and hot, and I didn't know anyone around me. But once we got underway, there was no time to be anxious. Geeta worked us hard, even though we mostly did basic poses - downward dog, tadasana (about 12 times), and the basic standing poses. Geeta was in a good mood and made many jokes. When we first laid down in savasana, she joked "the shouting is over!".
Personal notes:
Julie, Norma from SY says hi. Glennis is not staying in our flat, but will be in our building. She doesn't arrive for a few days. Karen knows Glennis and will point her out to me. Ryan and Lindsey, thanks for the post! Nitin, it was nice to see you. Barb, I had dinner with Anne (from Portland) and we discussed classes in Portland. I also chatted with Jeff from NY (FPR Anne's teacher).
Time to head to my second class!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
We Are Here
After 48 of travel, Karen and I arrived in Pune. Things went extremely smoothly. The planes were on time, the ride to Pune was not quite as crazy as I thought it would be and we are now settling into our room.
My first taste of India was the airport. The Mumbai airport was completely torn apart, with dozens of men sitting around the work areas. When we left the airport we were greeted by a crowd of hundreds of people, apparently waiting for other passengers. Then, the skies opened and a couple inches of rain came pouring down. After some confusion, we found our driver and headed to the Leela hotel, where we had tea and cookies before bed.
Our car ride to Pune was four hours and our driver did not speak much English, but he tried to point out the sights. The vegetation reminded me of the North shore of Kauai - lush and dark green. And just like Kauai, there were beautiful waterfalls coming down the hillsides from the heavy rain. Our driver pointed out monkeys on the highway barriers, the Arabian Sea and the herd of goats on the road.
Yoga starts in two days, and I am hoping that I can hold my own under the watchful eyes of Geeta Iyengar!
My first taste of India was the airport. The Mumbai airport was completely torn apart, with dozens of men sitting around the work areas. When we left the airport we were greeted by a crowd of hundreds of people, apparently waiting for other passengers. Then, the skies opened and a couple inches of rain came pouring down. After some confusion, we found our driver and headed to the Leela hotel, where we had tea and cookies before bed.
Our car ride to Pune was four hours and our driver did not speak much English, but he tried to point out the sights. The vegetation reminded me of the North shore of Kauai - lush and dark green. And just like Kauai, there were beautiful waterfalls coming down the hillsides from the heavy rain. Our driver pointed out monkeys on the highway barriers, the Arabian Sea and the herd of goats on the road.
Yoga starts in two days, and I am hoping that I can hold my own under the watchful eyes of Geeta Iyengar!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Return of Anxiety
My last post said that I had moved from anxiety to anticipation. I should have known that my usual travel anxiety would resurface, like a prickly weed that resprouts after repeated attempts of eradication. Yesterday I had a morning of worry about family (what if they forget that they like having me around?) and flying (how can I spend 20 hours in a plane?). What I needed was physical effort to clear my head. So I whacked at the camellia bushes, and then my son, husband and I took a short hike. To cap these efforts I practiced for an hour. By dinner time I felt much more centered and calm.
Today will be a day of packing, cleaning and hanging out with the family. I hope to keep my anxieties to a minimum with positive thinking - I can do this!
Today will be a day of packing, cleaning and hanging out with the family. I hope to keep my anxieties to a minimum with positive thinking - I can do this!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Almost There
I am less than one week from departure and everything is almost ready. The goodbyes and well wishes have begun as I wind down my teaching schedule this week. I feel I have moved beyond anxiety to anticipation.
I am fortunate to be travelling with my best yoga friend Karen Allgire, from Cleveland. Karen has already made one trip to Pune, and I have already relied on her experience and guidance to prepare and pack. Karen has reassured me as I have my expressed fears about both the travel and studying with the Iyengar family - thanks Karen!
One of my students asked me what expectations I have of the trip and what I hope to learn. I answered that I didn't have specific expectations of what I wanted to learn, rather I am eager to experience the effects of uninterrupted yoga practice. I am extremely thankful that I will have the opportunity to spend a month focused on my practice and studies - I realize this is an chance that many people never get. Thanks to my family and everyone at SYC who has supported me!
I am fortunate to be travelling with my best yoga friend Karen Allgire, from Cleveland. Karen has already made one trip to Pune, and I have already relied on her experience and guidance to prepare and pack. Karen has reassured me as I have my expressed fears about both the travel and studying with the Iyengar family - thanks Karen!
One of my students asked me what expectations I have of the trip and what I hope to learn. I answered that I didn't have specific expectations of what I wanted to learn, rather I am eager to experience the effects of uninterrupted yoga practice. I am extremely thankful that I will have the opportunity to spend a month focused on my practice and studies - I realize this is an chance that many people never get. Thanks to my family and everyone at SYC who has supported me!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Acceleration
19 days and counting! Life seems to be accelerating like a jet takeoff - I feel pinned back in my seat as my final preparations take shape. My travelling friend and I are emailing each other twice a day, figuring last minutes details. I have purchased numerous items from both the "natural remedies" area of New Seasons as well as more traditional things found in a medicine cabinet. I am prepping my mom and Jen to keep the yoga center running smoothly while I am gone. I realize I need a bigger piece of luggage!
Admidst this preparation I am managing to keep my daily pranayama and asana practice. Some days my practice seems superficial as I try to stay focused. Other days I feel confident that I am prepared and and my pracice is filled with discipline and self-study. I know that my time in India will be another type of acceleration - of my practice and of my understanding of yoga.
Admidst this preparation I am managing to keep my daily pranayama and asana practice. Some days my practice seems superficial as I try to stay focused. Other days I feel confident that I am prepared and and my pracice is filled with discipline and self-study. I know that my time in India will be another type of acceleration - of my practice and of my understanding of yoga.
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