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To Be a Teacher at RIMYI

Yesterday I was talking with one of the teachers, Kishor, at the Yoga Institute where I've been studying, Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (named after Guruji's wife). When teaching here, the teachers have the possibility of any of the Iyengars, including Guruji, to walk into your class and observe, correct or discipline you while you are teaching. This is what happened to Kishor the other day in the medical/pranayama class when Guruji took over the class he was teaching (see "Guruji's Words"). I asked him if it rattled his nervous system when this happened. He said it could but that you had to have these 6 characteristics in tact to be a good teacher and then you are okay.

Shamu: Mind Restraint
Dhama: Sense Organs Control
Tititksha: Tolerance
Upavati: Be on the Right Track
Shrradhha: Faith
Samadhana: Contentment

Lunch at Nana's

Again, this year Nana's wife, Nirmala made a delicious meal for a few of us. Laurel and Anna joined me. Nana and Nirmala's son got married a couple of years ago, and the girl on the right is the beautiful new daughter-in-law, Archana. Both she and Nirmala made us: veg. pakoras, a cabbage dish, a sprouts dish, a meti (fennel) dish, dal, rice, chapati, papadam. All was fresh and quite tasty. While eating we watched the wedding DVD.

Nana said they moved into this new house a few months ago. Although the temperature was close to 100 outside, it was quite cool in their house with the fans. The house they lived in 2 years ago was one room. this new house had a large mainroom, a good size kitchen and a bathroom.

Chanting at the Ganesh Shrine

While walking in the park, I heard chanting and bells coming from the Ganesh Shrine (same shrine as in "Art in the Park + more"). I wish I could add sound to this blog. Two men played the bells and all 3 chanted.

Guruji's Words

We were very fortunate to experience Guruji teaching during the Restorative/Pranayama Class for the Medical Students yesterday, February 24th. The following excerpt of Guruji's words are from notes that both myself and another student from Israel took while observing the class.

Usually these students have their own sequence but are assisted one-on-one (or two or three) by a number of teachers. In this class the students followed group instructions and were being taught to be responsible for their own actions. The class was originally taught by Kishor, a teacher at the Institute, but then the minute Guruji entered the room, it became his class. The excerpt below came toward the end of the sequence.


SAVASANA with vertical pranayama pillow for the back, blanket under head
(the support alerts the spine!)

The eyes – the vision should go beyond the back of your heels.
Watch your spine; how it moves when you are breathing.
Take your eyes-vision beyond your heels.
When you inhale do not move the vision. The body should move up not the eyes!
The roof of the nose and upper pallet of the mouth are the breathing elements.
Don’t let the lids of the eyes open while you inhale!
The lids of the lungs should open!
Descend the lids of the eyes on the inhalation, while lifting the lids of the lungs.
Lids of lungs need to open, not the eyes.
Outer edges of diaphragm are eyes of diaphragm – this should be stable.
Listen to the resonance and the sound in your ears.
Synchronize the sound of your breath with your eyes and ears.
When exhaling watch passivity of eyes; no load on eyeballs; that’s why look down with vision, not muscles.
Let your eyes be on the floor of the platform.
Let me not move my mind or my sight.
Be humble.
Look down; send eyes to the feet.
Surrender the eyes to the feet.
Sound of the inhalation, exhalation should not vary.
Connect the eyes to the ears to keep the melody of the sound of the inhale exhale unbroken.
Sound – peace - smooth.
Quiet yourself now.
See if your normal breath is longer or shorter than before.
Let the intelligence taste the breath before it comes in and out like the smelling of a flower.
Unless you are sure that your exhalation is over, do not inhale!
Make sure the muscles of your abdomen are completely soft before you inhale.
The abdomen (muscles/organs) should be soft like feathers.

Feel the quietness inside.

Now the brain is cool.

Backbend Week

Every day Geeta teaches a class I think this is the best class she has taught all month and then Anna reminds me that I said that about the last class or last Saturday’s class or a class 2 weeks ago. Today she taught us drop backs from Tadasana (standing pose) to Urdhva Dhanurasana (backward bow pose). There were many different levels of students and while she taught all the different levels, she also taught the teachers how to teach and assist in the poses and progress the students so they could deepen their practice and become independent of the assistance. Although I was far from being able to place my hands independently, I continued to persevere over and over and over and over. By the time we did Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) my legs were quivering. I certainly have my work cut out for me when I leave Pune!

Geeta’s eyes are sharp and her instructions precise. She was feeling so energized by the class that she stepped down off the platform and was assisting herself (tapping frontal sternum areas that needed lifting and lifting shoulder blades, spines and sacrums that needed to ascend from the back) on many of the students. Geeta assisted Anna with some memorable moments. I had some excellent assists from Raya (the son of my landlords, Uma and Datta Dhavale) who’s lifts from my shoulder blades were just what I needed. It was a lot of fun and hardwork. My legs are still sore.

After class I was talking with Uma about my back body and the scoliosis that resides in my back ribs. She said she has cervical spondolosis, scoliosis, lordosis and on and on and on. She said she had so much and was a very wealthy woman! Her metaphor was funny and touching. Instead of complaining, she spoke about them as attributes and how she had to work differently and thus learn more.

Uma has been assisting in the medical classes for many, many years. Every so often when she sees me in the medical classes observing or assisting, she pulls me aside and gives me an asana to do along with the patient she is assisting. She has been slowly teaching me things that will help my practice.

Art in the Park + yoga

There is a beautiful park between my flat and the Institute. Many people are seen walking and jogging there in the early morning. There is also piped in Indian Music. It really is quite pleasant. No vehicles are allowed. At the far end of the park are a series of non functioning traffic signals and vehicle instructions. It looks like an art installation. Anna says that 10 years ago or there about, the residents of Pune were instructed on how to drive according to traffic signals by driving thru the park and learning how to stop and go according to these signals. Now, there actually is order in the streets of Pune ….. more of less. I’ve also noticed that there is less honking then I remember. Honking used to be preferable to using turn indicators or arm signals. Pune is getting modern.

The bottom photo is a Ganesh Shrine on the street behind the park. Ganesh is very well appointed.

Laurel Thomas has returned from a trip back to the states and she and I have been practicing together at the Institute. She has been
teaching me many new ways to manage my scoliosis. My particular favorite has been a variation on Salamba Sirsasana (Headstand). For once I’m not getting neck aches. Today she taught me a variation on Shoulderstand. All are fairly prop intensive so when I get home, I either have to buy more props or figure out how to use what I have to get the same effect.

In practice today it was the boy show. Guruji was instructing some of the men how to do arm balances. It was entertaining.

Hangin' with Anna, Lek and Justin + more

Justin Herold is originally from L.A. and helped build (literally!) the original IYILA on Third Street. He moved to Bangkok in the early 90’s and opened a yoga studio there. I had lunch with him, his wife, Lek and Anna this afternoon. Lek teaches yoga, too. He said to say hello to you, Bonnie!

This is back bend week and Geeta has been teaching some gems. I thought I understood a pose and then she teaches it and it feels like nothing I’ve done before. I had that experience today with dhanurasana (bow pose) and ustrasana (camel pose). Last week I had that experience with Malasana (garland pose) and Garudasana (eagle pose). I have been very sore (good sore) from all the backbends this week. Yes, my vertigo is definitely gone. Last night my glutes and abs were really singing. My new years resolution is to do more rope work when I get home.

Shiva Temple, 2-15-09

Anna, Nana and Linda at The Shiva Temple. Nana is making an offering. The guard opened up that back room especially for us. The little kids wanted to be in the pictures so Nana acquired some new friends.

Aga Khan Palace, 2-15-09

Once the residence of Imasultan Muhammed Sha Khan III, built in 1892. Gandhi and his wife Kasturba were interned here by the British for almost 2 years in 1942. Kasturba and Gandhi’s trusted secretary died here. Their ashes and some of Gandhi’s ashes reside here.

Scenes from around town

1 Temple in middle of street

2 Happy Anna getting her cell phone to work thanks to this nice merchant.

3 On the streets of Pune

Ruhaniyat: Sufi and Mystics Music Festival

Sufi saints and mystics from Egypt, Punjab Bengal, Rajasthan and Ajmer perform at the Empress Botanical Gardens in Pune. This photo is from a group from Rajasthan. The musician on the left played something that resembled castenets. He really moved! Many of the performers performed compositions from hundreds of years ago.

Yoga for Vertigo

Yoga for Vertigo

From instructions by Dr. Geeta Iyengar, Monday Feb. 9, 2009

1 Continue with forward bends – (head higher than chest – this variation came from Stephanie. I used 2 bolsters, can use chair or halasana bench)

2 Standing poses: look down; twists: against wall with neck lifted or temples resting (on tressler)

3 Sirsasana against wall

4 Sarvangasana on chair; first Niralomba then Sarvangasana. Ardha Halasana on box. Setubanda on bench.

5 Backbends: on Feb. 16^th if you continue with vertigo, come Tues. 4 p.m. Medical Class so some hints can be given

This is the sequence I was using when I had active vertigo:

Adho Mukha Virasana

Adho Mukha Svanasana – head supported

Uttanasana – head supported

Parsvottanasana - hands by sides of feet, head down

Prasarita Padottanasana

(Sirsasana against wall)

Dandasana

(forward bends held 2 min. a side; head higher then chest)

Janusirsasana

Triangmukhaikapada Pascimottanasana

Ardha Baddha Padma Pascimottanasana

Pascimottanasana

Parsva Upavistha Konasana

Upavistha Konasana (forward)

Baddha Konasana (forward)

Supta Baddha Konasana (supported on lift and strapped 5 min., support neck)

Supta Virasana (same support as above)

Dandasana

Chair Viparita Dandasana – use a VD Bench or chair. Bolsters support shoulders and rolled blanket behind neck so back body completely supported. Legs extend out; hold front chair legs; outer elbows down; shoulders roll back and down

Chair Shoulderstand – Niralomba first

Ardha Halasana with thighs supported on Halasana box

Setubanda Sarvangasana – on bench with bolsters supporting shoulders and back of head

Healing on Monday, Feb. 9

Went to a healer who works with "divine light." He worked on clearing congestions in my sinus lungs and throat. I also told him about the vertigo but he said he couldn't do everything in one session. In the 45 minutes I was with him, my sinuses definitely cleared up. My coughing got worse then got better. Bit by bit, I felt a little clearer and stronger.

Then I went to the medical class and then on to Geeta's class. At the beginning of her class, Pandu shouts out "Where is Linda?" He came over to me and said to talk to him tomorrow because Geeta wrote instructions for me for dealing with the vertigo. I was hoping to see instructions tonight but he said to just take the class. So once again, I did the sequence I've been doing everyday with the forward bends, supine poses and then did Chair Viparita Dandasana and Setubanda on a bench. I was assisted in Chair Viparita Dandasana by Ahbie after Geeta looked at my setup and said it was wrong. With the new setup, I was completely supported but what was the best was having my neck supported. I felt like I could have stayed in that pose forever. That pose was a transformative pose for me last night and it was like my illness just started to evaporate. By the time I did Setubanda, I was out in some other zone. Anyway, it was a great class for me

That night I slept better then I had in a long time. In fact I didn't wake up until 7 a.m. this morning. Usually I've been getting up at 3 or 4:30 and forcing myself to stay in bed until 6. So yesterday definitely felt like it put me back into the world of "wellness."

Megaan's Birthday

Last night we celebrated Megaan Baas’s birthday at Little Italy, a new upscale restaurant right next door to the new big Pune Central shopping mall very close to the Institute. Many of us had delicious veg pizzas topped off with a yummy chocolate mousse birthday cake.

Pune is definitely changing. Not too many cows roaming around the streets. Now, there are just dogs …. Many of whom look much healthier then I recall 2 years ago.

Hare Krishna Mandir Road and Anna's bungalow

The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute is located on Hare Krishna Mandir Road that is in an area of Pune called Model Colony. There is an actual Hare Krishna Mandir (temple) on the street, across the street from where my apartment is. Many of the foreign students who study at the Institute stay in apartments on this road. Anna is staying a couple of driveways away from me. Here are a few shots of her place. Her bungalow is located behind the Shahani’s beautiful home.

At the Institute

Yesterday before practice, we went to the library and Anna introduced me to Guruji. We gave him a copy of the recent Yoga Vidya, the Iyengar Yoga Association of Southern CA’s winter newsletter that I design and Anna advises on. In it were photos and text from his 90^th Birthday Celebration in December from Pune and surrounding areas. He seemed quite happy to see the spread. Every day he practices in the morning and spends a good part of the afternoon in the library working on different manuscripts or correspondence.

This morning I watched the kids’ class taught by Ahbie, Guruji’s granddaughter. Very active class. It started with a group of 5 or 6 young kids leading the invocation on stage. Their invocation is much longer then the one we usually do and it great to see how many of them knew the words. Then they moved into jumpings and then went into inversions and backbends. They did headstand, hand stands and then drop backs to Urdhva Dhanurasana. If someone was not getting the arm action or shoulder action correctly for drop backs, the teacher would send the student back to the wall to practice either headstand or handstand. Then after a few rounds of going up and down, they would come back and try again. There were quite a few stations around the asana room: one for headstand, one for handstand; one area for the dropbacks, etc. There were approx. 4 to 6 teachers assisting in today’s class with a very large group of students. Some looked as young as 7 or 8 and all the up to teenagers. The more advanced and older ones ended the practice with Pascimottanasana to Halasana to Chakrasana and then reversing it and back to Pascimottanasana. “Keep you neck rounded!” “Push down with hands and feet (while in Halasana) and lift your buttocks” when going to Chakrasana. The other less advanced students did Pascimottanasana to Halasana (on the concrete floors with no mats).

Singapore to Mumbai to Pune, Feb. 4-5

Had my spa day in Singapore. Tried an aromatherapy massage that was quite good. She worked on the pressure points in the back of my head and it helped my congestion. I actually felt some hints of clear breathing when I left. Couldn't help but do a little shopping in a city/country that has more shopping malls per square inch then any other place in the world.

Got an early morning flight to Mumbai. I was met at the airport by Mr. Vikram More. He was punctual and very happy to see me. The air in Mumbai was worst then I've ever seen it, especially right around the airport that is surrounded by miles of shanty towns.

The drive to Pune took about 3 1/2 hours and I think I slept most of the way.

Since I changed my arrangements to India a few times because of illness, Vikram sent me an email offering to let me stay at his house if I should get sick in Pune and have his wife take care of me. I wonder if his wife knew he volunteered her services?

We went directly to my apartment where the owners Uma and Datta Dhavale met me and gave me the tour of the place. Its very spacious and very close to where I stayed before. Now you're probably wondering where are the pictures? Where I have them but the problem is that I am typing this on a PC and it doesn't seem to want to accept my flash drives that are formatted on my mac. I may have to download the pics on both a PC formatted drive and also a MAC formatted drive in order to get it on this blog. So, unfortunately, until I figure it out, you are only going to get text.

This apartment has a PC and using an internet connection that is not wireless. That's why I can't use my MAC. Ugh.

I signed up for classes and got primarily Geeta's classes. Yah!!! I've had a wonderful pranayama class yesterday and a tough seated/standing pose class tonight that was not good for my vertigo. I talked to one of Geeta's assistant and she is going to talk to Geeta about giving me some special poses to help me with my middle ear problem.

I've already met quite a few nice people: gal from Portland; a couple of gals from Denmark; couple from Bangkok one of whom originally is from LA; and a few others who were here a couple of years ago. Meagaan Baas from Orange County is here and Anna Delury came in this evening looking rather spent from her long travels.

I've observed a couple of medical classes. Geeta yelled at a few of the teachers who she said were not to touch the students/patients unless they were Junior 1. Altho I am Jr. 1, I've been sitting on the sidelines and observing all thats been going on. Been learning a lot in those classes.

Guruji is in fine form. That man just keeps going and giving. Today he was instructing Ahbie in backbends. For a man of 90 years, he truly does not look like it nor act like it! He is inspiring to watch in his daily practice as he observes all of us in our practice.

I had lunch with Nana, the auto rickshaw driver on the 4th. We tried to catch up on all thats been going on with each of us. He took me to finally get my cell phone straightened out. The guy at the Airtel (cellphone place) was the same guy who sold me my phone. He remembered me and I remembered him. He welcomed me back to my "second home."

I hope I can figure out the picture thing for this computer so I can add them to this blog. But instead of waiting around for me to do so, I decided I had better write before I forget what it is I did these past few days.