Geetaji

Tonight, Thursday Pranayama night we had a very big surprise. Geetaji walked into the asana room to teach us. We all began to clap.

She had stopped teaching since the Portland Convention last May so we were all overwhelmed with her presence. She told us if we enjoy the class, good; if we don't enjoy the class .... she did the best she could. She has lost weight and her voice was smaller then I remember but her instructions to us were very clear and concise. I don't normally set my mat at the front next to the platform but this evening I did so I could be near a couple of friends (Linda diCarlo and Julia Peterson) who could "help guard my mat and props." So I had the pleasure of Geetaji teaching right in front of me. It can't get any better then that.

Before she walked in, an announcement was made that if there were people who had never had pranayama at RIMYI, they were to go upstairs for a beginning pranayama class. That cleared the hall of about 1/4 the people. Geeta did not want to teach beginners this evening.

She spent quite a bit of time getting us structurally into the correct positions for both supported savasana and seated work. There were a few people who were very jet lagged and not able to keep sitting upright so she had them go to the pillar or wall. She told us when we do our pranayama practice and we are tired and forcing ourselves to sit, that is not right and we should lie down. She said if all we do is savasana some days then that is all we should be doing.

She had us bring our eyes to the back of the head. Ears drawing to the center of the skull. Throat back. I think I've been throwing my throat forward because this evening's seated pranayama felt better then ever. It also helped that in Wednesday's class there was a big emphasis on using Urdhva Mukha Svanasana actions doing Adho Mukha Svanasana. That certainly was good preparation for tonight's class.