(Dec. 14, 1918 – Aug 20, 2014)
Biggest news in the yoga community – B.K.S. Iyengar, 95 year old legendary yoga master passed away today.
We lost a giant…Luckily, there are so many of his students teaching around the world – like my teachers Judith H. Lasater and …there are many…as his brand of yoga spread around the world to some 70 countries. He made yoga accessable to all – sickly and weak with many physical ailments Iyengar suffered many challenges from an early age, but the turning point came when Iyengar trained under a renowned yoga guru as a teen. He, then over 4-5 years, healed himself through the dedicated practice of yoga. Not only did he heal himself to ultimate vitality of health and fitness but he went beyond to become strong and masterful. Having started from a very weak and sickly state, using yoga as a therapy, he is all about customizing the practice, individualizing the sequence according to each unique student’s needs – in a way, he was that old fashioned doctor who prescribed doze of yoga for each ailment that plagued the suffering student – headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, mental fuzziness, aches and pains… the list goes on. His entry and introduction to yoga came from a slightly motivation than his contemporary, K. Pattabhi Jois (July 26, 1915 – May 18, 2009), another legend who spread the Ashtanga style of yoga in the West. It’s all good, whether focused on vinyasa or flowing movement or precision & alignment in poses that are held.
“ Illuminated emancipation, freedom, unalloyed and untainted bliss await you, but you have to choose to embark on the Inward Journey to discover it.”
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It was reported that he continued to practice as much as he could remarking, “practice is my feast” and apparently still able to do the sirsasana – or the headstand – for half an hour until last year. It is also reported that he used around 50 props! (Yes, there are ways to do inversions without ruining your cervical spine and still get all the anti-aging, gravity defying benefits.)
On his website, this gem – he lived a full life of service – may he rest in peace:
I always tell people “live happily and die majestically.”
Thank you BKS Iyengar – your book, Light on Yoga (one of the textbooks used in my teacher training), shed so much light. It will remain a go-to textbook for anyone studying yoga forever. Whatever “style” you practice, he’s all about the foundation – grounded and yet uplifting, whether he’s defying gravity or not. He knew all about lavitation and floatation … now he’s truly liberated and up above in the sky, probably smiling and laughing, having a time of his life as life is eternal post death.
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BKS Iyengar (himself comes from family of 12 kids!)and his wife Ramamani, together had 6 children(!) even though they were struggling financially and life was not easy for the couple…
In the Big Apple, on Wall Street… truly shows that today yoga is not some exotic esoteric Eastern practice but an inclusive practice, embraced by all people, beyond religious divide or fixation on Eastern or Hindu roots – Iyengar contributed a lot to bring about that acceptance of yoga for modern life, for anybody and everybody. As Mind & Body connection is made, East – West connection is made – it’s separate and different but at the same time, oneness and wholeness prevails when we transcend that duality.
Child rearing can be challenging – Family Yoga available at Trinity on Wall Street – how about that? Christian church offering yoga practice to bring people together, strengthen ties and turn up the …JOY:) Pure Joy – it’s all good – Nice!
At a yoga teachers’ workshop some years ago, the topic turned to how we hate to sub – to which, I found myself to be in minority opinion – a heresy…receiving looks of horror as though I was a heretic – or someone with very serious self-esteem problem – But really, I actually preferred subbing at the time – no commitments – freelancing seemed to fit my lifestyle – not being tied down and not having to commit more permanently had its appeal – My thinking changed after meeting a mentor yoga teacher who entrusted me with her class – with an advice to teach more – Then my mind changed, when I attended Judith’s advance training – her training is about teaching as much as it’s about yoga – her thoughts on this subject went something like this: If you really love Yoga, then we need to spread it because this world needs it. I interpret that to mean, only through teaching, your devotion to the practice is realized. Her teachings have a devotional aspect. Not to sound evangelical, it is a tool and a technique to yield optimal health – sharing it brings about this sense of wholeness and …more joy.
Sometimes serving as a sub instructor, and also sometimes, running into subs, I know how it feels both ways – I have a yoga class I love going to – I really love this teacher’s class because in his class, … I can relax at all times knowing, after his class I will feel so much better than 90 minutes ago – it’s been tested through my (for me) relatively regular attendance and there’s a built-up trust and confidence in knowing that my needs will be met. Well, last couple of times, it’s not him, it’s a sub …ahhh, nooo ~ SO I know how it is – Subbing a class means dealing with disappointments if there’s a fan-base, a follower like me in this case. From the very onset when the students discover, the teacher is not who they came for – they fear if their 90 minutes will result in the same feel-goodness. You feel like turning back as soon as you hear that the class you came for is subbed out – In my case, had I known, maybe I would have stayed home or I might welcome some change and be willing to try and see – and as it turns out, while she was an excellent teacher by all measure, it wasn’t the kind of class I wanted – Whereas some new students who happened to walk in – it might have been just what they were looking for – just what they needed.
So my particular experience demonstrates how it’s not so much about the competency of the teacher, it’s all about the expectation – and to play that safe, it’s widely recommended that a sub should do what the regular teacher normally does – to just follow that same blueprint lesson plan- as no one enjoys “not meeting the expectation” and being a “disappointment” – and needs to overcome what you are up against from the very get-go. So usually a new sub tends to either serve as an assist to earn the regular teacher’s trust first or play a student and spy the class beforehand to figure out how to replicate it. When it’s between peers though, boom, you might be in there on an emergency – as a favor – and I’ve bombed it once when I walked in rather unprepared and actually with a stomach ache – what do you do? Grin and bear it and it is as it is – as a sub, we tend to play it safe, not going all out and keeping safety the #1 priority – sticking to the level of lowest denominator for fear of causing injuries when you see the diversity. Fitness clubs tend to be risky as beginners show up to what is called level 3 – how did they skip level 1 and 2? When you see stark mis-alignments and scary flawed angles, you worry that they may be straining themselves too much in an effort to strike a pose – to get that in – it’s a schedule thing – it’s one thing to challenge yourself but it’s another thing to hurt yourselves… SO… striking a balance to a whole new audience of mixed level is rather … challenging… so we tend to make it a rather conservative vanilla class – No wonder subbing is not a popular proposition for some.
Soooo…
Today, I think less and have become practical – it’s a gesture of service so students still get that yoga class in that particular style, that school of yoga, moreover, I see it for what it is, beyond the ego – more for exactly what it is – merely covering for a fellow instructor, a show of friendship, as they too deserve a vacation or time to attend to something – as I do – kind of a reciprocal kind coverage – so that they can come back recharged and fresh, to be an even better teacher for her/his students. Today, more than ever, FOR ME, it has become an opportunity to just practice the concept of “Ichigo-Ichie”…cherished moments, short lived.
Literally, the characters represent, “one time, one meeting”… Ichigo-Ichie （一期一会） is a term often used in Japanese Tea Ceremony which is a practice – a ritual really – always repeated the same WAY – step by step with focus – of brewing a pot of green tea and then serving it in a formal setting (it’s not what you think – it’s not really brewing a pot of leaves – it’s actually more pre-boiling hot water poured into a tea bowl with green tea powder called Matcha you whip up with a bamboo whisk – in individual ceramic bowl per guest – into this frothy deep green tea) – sounds simple enough? You brew your pot of tea everyday or pour hot water over a tea bag everyday? Imagine, wearing your best silk formal outfit, the kind that you need to dry clean; Imagine, if you will, the ritualized tea preparation and serving and drinking the cup/bowl of tea in such attire, all done in a ceremonial Zen space, then enjoying that tea with a group of people after you serve it … that is called the “Ichigo-Ichie” experience. It’s special; it’s unique; it will never happen again… in our transient, fleeting life. You feel it more BECAUSE it’s the same repeated ritual each time – no deviation in the form and formality in a somewhat relaxed but sharpened sensory experience that comes from mindfulness over each formalized step.
I TRY to treat subbing with that attitude – of course quite a bit casual but kind of a Ichigo-Ichie experience and try not to get ego-centric which would be about attachment to idea of acceptance by others, performance, and imitation … Going against the risk-free route, I decided I will not try to re-create and copy someone else’s class as that would be a dis-service. My intention would be to not replicate as no-one can be as special as the instructor you are filling in for – Unlike the prevalent belief system in some corporate culture that just about anyone in replaceable – I think otherwise, everyone is irreplaceable. No-one is replaceable. So with that in mind, please accept my apology in advance: Please accept no imitation:) Just being authentic is the best service to the regular teacher (thank you for entrusting me) and her/his students I serve just this time. Your experience, your feelings, sensations – the energy – is never repeated if you live in the present.
A cup of tea anyone?
No time for a tea break? A cup of green tea to contemplate how sometimes things start to feel a bit Deja Vu-ish … that Ground Hog Day feel (Bill Murray) – this is where you make a conscious effort to be in the present, moment to moment – & go to the right yoga class – you will feel the difference.
* BTW, hope you realize that the video is meant to be a parody – it’s making a joke out of the minute details and rules, protocols involved in traditional Matcha tea ceremony – the video is a spoof – humorous look at how this tradition is being lost by the coffee drinkers. Hands with tremors as she roughly puts the tea leaves into the pot is … too funny. A vast contrast to the formality involved in Matcha tea frothing step…
The location of these classes – atop Squaw Valley at 8600ft. is just… breath-taking. Jason taught basically Bikram yoga in a non-heated environment and since I used to do Bikram yoga, the progression brought me back memories of my old practice. Jason really has ways with words – very articulate – such mastery of detailed instructions. He might have been talking non-stop for 90 minutes… Marty’s class was Dharma Mittra flow-ish and he also brought his charm…and a playlist:) I especially enjoyed Jes Rosenberg’s class – Her class is essentially vinyasa flow served like a “cocktail” – no, no, not that kind of cocktail – just very very lovely. It’s not your sweaty workout but plenty sweaty in a euphoric way – but at the same time, tranquil …and soooo fun!Her enthusiasm, her quick wit and quirky sense of humor in addition to a very blended style that draws from multiple styles, traditions and teachings appealed to me greatly. I would love to take her class again (next time on a mat!) – too bad she’s from Minnesota. I will just have to re-create it with my own blend and a twist – and serve up my fruity version of a “cocktail”!
So all of the above-teachers were new in that it was their first time ever teaching at Wanderlust and for that, it was so refreshing to encounter them. This is in stark contrast to the kind of teachers I learned from last year – Last year, I took Tantric Yoga from Rod Stryker; Vinyasa Flow from Sean Corne; then another Vinyasa Flow with MC Yogi. As they are “celebrity” instructors, the classes were packed, maybe 300-500 large. That kind of class is of course so amazing but I also enjoyed this year’s more low key, smaller classes with teachers with little name recognition. Unlike the rockstars from last year, Jes kept on exclaiming how thrilled she was to be teaching us, so thrilled to be there at a most beautiful place – she exuded gratitude & electric excitement – and she was so genuine. Just such a lovable and lovely yogini with an infectious energy – she is brilliant.
This year, I took classes from the following Three:
Live with Love Yinyasa(vinyasa flow paired with yin) taught by Bashi Saunders Becoming Like Angels – Experiencing the Kindness in you, taught by Gurmukh … goosebumps, yes, Gurmukh! Kula Flow: Sweetened with Honey taught by Schuyler Grant
I loved Gurmukh’s class – there’s so much wisdom she imparts as probably the oldest yoga teacher there, at age 70, she was glowing with aura… you literally can feel the vibe as you step into her presence. Her fills the void and brings the gift of sacred space and community – her teachings to a packed adoring audience – so many in their 20’s and 30’s, hearing the words of the legendary teacher. She must be one of the few remaining Flower Child from the 60’s still teaching – I mean, who can talk about Woodstock and Hippies with the authenticity that she has. She’s lived it.
I took her class on Saturday but apparently, her Thursday class had cancelled because of the thunderstorm brewing – she said something like (not with conceit but with humility and humor) – “you know, it seems every place I go, I seem to bring the place down with rain” – then guess, what?! There was an exclamation among students who were not under the tent because… yes, it started raining… Those students in the periphery of the crowded tent weren’t trying to stay dry in seeking refuge under the tent – they sort of dashed out onto the green lawn and really, and we under the cover of this huge tent were witnesses to some impromptu rain dance:) Perhaps many of us, at that point became convinced that she’s indeed a rainmaker:) What California needs!
Towards the end of the session, my belly was in stitches laughing – I couldn’t stop the ripples of laughter from taking over – when we realized how ridiculous we must look doing some of her “poses” – she really makes us “feel” what “relief” from pain and suffering is all about. In the end we were all rolling on and off the mat and just laughing! Her class is pure “LOVE FEST”! Pure Joy! Sat Nam!
