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.