Yoga Samachar Spring/Summer 2012

Vol. 16 No. 1

spring / summer 2012

Don’t teach only to teach.

Teach to improve the student.

requires vigorous discipline of one’s own self.

—B.K.S. Iyengar, 1971

Writing Our Histories

_

Teacher Education_ Religion and Yoga

Sunita Parthasarthy, Guruji’s daughter, teaching a neck and shoulders workshop, IYILA, 2010 (Photo: Al Tavera)

Senior Teachers Mary Dunn and James Murphy welcome Guruji to the new Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York, which he inaugurated with a puja in October 2005.

Manouso Manos adjusting a student in the mid-80s at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles.

CONTENTS Letter from the President – Chris Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Writing Our Histories – Richard Jonas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Reading Corner New Edition, Sparks of Divinity – The Teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar from 1959-1975 . . . . 20 Teaching Yoga Philosophy to Children and Teens – Robin Lowry Interviews Geeta S. Iyengar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Guruji’s 85th Birthday – Excerpt from Lecture by Prashant Iyengar . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 The Education of an Iyengar Teacher: Part 1, Beginnings and Evolution – Pat Musburger . . 25 Yoga and Religion – Stories of Conflict and Convergence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Iyengar Yoga and Soto Zen – Rev. Shosan Victoria Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Yoga and Judaism – Michael Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Finding My Path – Vickie Aldridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 2011 Certifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 First Regional Conference of the Iyengar Yoga Association of the Southeast Grows Maitri – Leanne Cusumano Roque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34

IYNAUS Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40

IYNAUS Officers and Standing Committees President: Chris Beach Vice President: Phyllis Rollins Secretary: Janet Lilly Treasurer: David Carpenter Archives

Chris Beach, Chair Kim Kolibri, Director of Archives Lindsey Clennell, Elaine Hall, Linda Nishio, Deborah Wallach

By-Laws

Janet Lilly, Chair Peggy Kelley, David Larsen

Certification Committee Mary Reilly, Chair

Marla Apt, Linda DiCarlo, James Murphy, Lois Steinberg

Communications Committee

Chris Beach, Chair Pat Musburger, Don Gura, Richard Jonas, Denise Weeks

Ethics Committee

Rebecca Lerner, Chair Joan White, Sue Salaniuk, Michael Lucey

Events Committee

Patrina Dobish, Chair Linda DiCarlo, Gloria Goldberg, Phyllis Rollins, Jennie Williford

YOGA SAMACHAR’S MISSION

Finance Committee

Yoga Samachar, the newsletter of the Iyengar Yoga community in the United States and beyond, is published twice a year by the Communications Committee of the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS). The word samachar means “news” in Sanskrit. Along with the website, iynaus.org, Yoga Samachar is designed to provide interesting and useful information to the IYNAUS membership to:

Membership Committee

David Carpenter, Chair Chris Beach, Chris Nounou

1. Promote the dissemination of the art, science, and philosophy of yoga as taught by B.K.S. Iyengar, Geeta Iyengar, and Prashant Iyengar.

2. Communicate information regarding the standards and training of certified teachers.

3. Report on studies regarding the practice of Iyengar Yoga.

4. Provide information on products that IYNAUS imports from India.

5. Review and present recent articles and books written by the Iyengars.

6. Report on recent events regarding Iyengar Yoga in Pune and worldwide.

7. Be a platform for the expression of experiences and thoughts from members, both students and teachers, about how the practice of yoga affects their lives.

8. Present ideas to stimulate every aspect of the reader’s practice.

YOGA SAMACHAR IS PRODUCED BY THE IYNAUS COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Editors: Richard Jonas, Pat Musburger Copy Editor: Denise Weeks Design: Don Gura Members may submit an article or a practice sequence for consideration for inclusion in future issues. Articles should be well written and submitted electronically.

Articles must include author’s full name, certification level, and the year the author began studying Iyengar Yoga, along with contact information: email, mailing address, and phone number.

Ads and articles for the Spring/Summer issue must be submitted by March 1.

Ads and articles for the Fall/Winter issue must be submitted by September 1.

Please send articles to yogasamachar@iynaus.org Please send ads and announcements to Sharon Cowdery at generalmanager@iynaus.org Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

Elizabeth Hynes, Chair

IMIYA – Leslie Bradley IYAGNY – Elisabeth Pintos IYAMN – Elizabeth Cowan IYAMW – Becky Meline IYANC – Risa Blumlien IYASC-LA – Kat Lee Shull IYASC-SD – Lynn Patton IYASCUS – Michelle Mock IYASE – Diana Martinez IYASW – Lisa Henrich IYANW – Tonya Garreaud IYANE – Kathleen Swanson

Nominating Committee Patrina Dobish, Chair

Linda DiCarlo, Gloria Goldberg, Dean Lerner, Manouso Manos, Elise Miller

Regional Support Committee Leslie Freyberg, Chair

IMIYA – Melody Madonna IYAGNY – Ann McDermott IYAMN – Katy Olson IYAMW – Jennie Williford IYANC – Heather Haxo-Phillips IYASC-LA – Kat Lee Shull IYASC-SD – Lynn Patton IYASCUS – Anne Marie Schultz IYASE – Alex Cleveland IYASW – Lisa Henrich IYANW – Tonya Garreaud IYANE – Greg Anton

Scholarship and Awards Committee Leslie Freyberg, Chair

Chris Beach, Linda DiCarlo, Richard Jonas, Lisa Jo Landsberg, Pat Musburger, Mary Reilly, John Schumacher

Service Mark & Certification Mark Committee Gloria Goldberg, Attorney in Fact for B.K.S. Iyengar Rebecca Lerner, Board Liaison

Systems & Technology Committee Chris Nounou, Chair

Ed Horneij, David Weiner

Yoga Research Committee Phyllis Rollins, Chair

Julie Gudmestad, Jacqueline Kittel, Beth Sternlieb, Lisa Walford, Kimberly Williams

IYNAUS Senior Council Chris Saudek, John Schumacher, Patricia Walden 1

IYNAUS Board Member Contact List Spring/Summer 2012

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Fellow IYNAUS Members,

Chris Beach 21 Harvey Ct. Irvine, CA 92617

Rebecca Lerner P.O. Box 941 Lemont, PA 16851-0914

Serving as president of IYNAUS has been a fascinating and sometimes challenging

David Carpenter 1948 N. Maud Chicago, IL 606145

Janet Lilly 3417 N. Cramer St. Milwaukee, WI 53211

practitioners of Iyengar Yoga. One of the benefits of this office is that it brings me into

Patrina Dobish 2650 W. Belden #313 Chicago, IL 60647

Christine Nounou McKinsey & Company 875 Third Ave., 534 New York, NY 10022

Leslie Freyberg 31 Topstone Rd. Redding, CT 06896 Elizabeth Hynes 4228 Huntsfield Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28314

Phyllis Rollins 204 Front St. Cramerton, NC 28032 Sharon Cowdery 1952 First Ave. South Suite 1B Seattle, WA 98134

Please contact your Board Members at: iynaus.org/iyanus/iynaus-board-staff

experience that has taught me much about our community of teachers and contact with many wonderful members of our community whom I would otherwise never have met.

Throughout my term on this board, we have made it one of our objectives to create more opportunities for communication and partnership between the national association and the regional associations. This has been done in a number of ways: through the creation of a Regional Support Committee (headed by board member Leslie Freyberg), through the program of Regional Conferences that has so far produced conferences in Providence (2009), Chicago (2011), and Washington, D.C. (2012), and by a change in our bylaws to create a new form of elections to the IYNAUS Board. Under the new system—which brings our organization more in line with what

Spring /Summer 2012

B.K.S. Iyengar has recommended in the revised Pune Constitution—regions will elect or appoint their representatives directly to the national board, with each region having

Please visit the IYNAUS website:

either one or two members, depending on the size of the region. We will be working

www.iynaus.org

hard over the next few months to make sure there is a smooth transition to the new

1952 First Ave South, Suite 1B

system of governance.

Seattle, WA 98134 • 206.623.3562

The editors of this issue of Yoga Samachar—Richard Jonas and Pat Musburger—decided that this would be an ideal moment to celebrate the histories of the regional associations, and we have devoted a section of the issue to these histories. They are a reminder of what a rich and vibrant community we have in this country, from the coasts of New England to the deserts of the Southwest. I am struck by the number of individuals who have been involved in building these regional associations, and by the

What’s New: Workshops and Continuing Education

resiliency of what has in some cases meant rebuilding associations that for one reason or another had become inactive. We salute both the pioneers who set up these associations—some of them even before the national association was created—as well as the newer members who are now bringing their skills, energy, and enthusiasm to

IYNAUS is pleased to announce a new listing of Iyengar Yoga workshops and continuing education programs.

building ever stronger regions.

This issue of Yoga Samachar also contains a number of other significant articles. There is an interview with Geeta Iyengar on teaching philosophy to youngsters, and an excerpt from Prashant Iyengar’s lectures on the occasion of Guruji’s 85th birthday.

Go to iynaus.org’s WORKSHOPS page for an

There are also articles on yoga and religion, the recent Maitri convention, and a long

extensive listing. All workshops are taught by

article on teacher education in the United States. We are excited to be able to bring so

teachers certified at the Intermediate Junior III

much important material to our members. As always, we welcome your feedback, not

level and above.

just about Yoga Samachar but about everything we do.

If you’re a teacher, Intermediate Junior III or

Namaste,

above, and want to list your workshop, just

Chris Beach, President

complete the online submission form.

Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States

2

Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

Guruji addresses students at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles, October 2005.

(Photo: Bee Ottinger)

Asked if the U.S. should launch a national Iyengar Yoga association, participants at the Yoga 90 Convention in San

last year’s regional conference). Southeast hosted this year’s

Diego responded—resoundingly—yes! The next year, in July

celebrate 25th anniversaries: the largest association, Greater

1992, IYNAUS was formally incorporated as a nonprofit; its first

New York, and the Minnesota association.

regional conference in May. This year, two associations

board elections followed later that year.

Following the guidelines of the Pune Constitution, IYNAUS But before there was a national association, Iyengar Yoga

changed its bylaws so that its board is directly elected by the

regional associations led the way in spreading the teachings

regions. Now, more than ever, the regional associations are the

of B.K.S. Iyengar and the Iyengar family across the United

backbone of Iyengar Yoga in the U.S.

States. The first groups were formed in California—in San Francisco in 1976 and in Southern California in 1977, with

IYNAUS requested each regional association to write a history

hubs in Los Angeles and San Diego, where the next national

of itself. Times change, and what seems like “just yesterday”

convention will be held in May 2013. Over time other regional

may be decades ago and on the way to being forgotten. Where

associations were formed. Through the years some waned,

we’ve come from as regional and national communities is the

then re-emerged with new enthusiasm and a new sense of

starting point for our continuing mission. Part of that mission is

mission, including New England (which sponsored the first

preserving the history of Iyengar Yoga for the next generation.

regional conference in 2009), Northwest, Intermountain, Southwest (the “youngest” regional), and Midwest (home of

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

—Richard Jonas

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IYENGAR YOGA REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF THE U.S.

1. IMIYA Intermountain Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming Contact: Melody Madonna imiya@iynaus.org • imiya.org

5. IYANC Northern California Northern California, Hawaii Contact: Heather Haxo-Phillips iyanc@iynaus.org

2. IYAGNY Greater New York Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania Contact: Ann McDermott iyagny@iynaus.org • iyengarnyc.org

6. IYANE New England Connecticut, Maine, Massachussetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont Contact: Greg Anton iyane@iynaus.org • iyengarnewengland.com

3. IYAMN Minnesota Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin Contact: Katy Olson iyamn@iynaus.org • iyamn.org

7. IYANW Northwest Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington Contact: Tonya Garreaud iyanw@iynaus.org • iyanw.org

4. IYAMW Midwest Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin Contact: Jennie Williford iyamw@iynaus.org • iyamw.org

9. IYASCUS South Central U.S. Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas Contact: Anne Marie Schultz iyascus@iynaus.org • iyascus.org 10. IYASE Southeast Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia Contact: Alex Cleveland iyase@iynaus.org • iyase.org 11. IYASW Southwest Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Northwest Texas Contact: Lisa Henrich iyasw@iynaus.org

8. IYASC-LA Southern California, Los Angeles Chapter Los Angeles & vicinity, Hawaii Contact: Kat Lee Shull iyascla@iynaus.org • iyasc.org

For more information visit: iynaus.org/iynaus/regions

8. IYASC-SD Southern California, San Diego Chapter San Diego & vicinity, Hawaii Contact: Lynn Patton iyascsd@iynaus.org • iyasc.org

7

5

1

8

6

3

11

2

4

9

10

Maps are for illustration purposes only; some states may be part of more than one region.

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Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

IMIYA

INTERMOUNTAIN IYA COMING FULL CIRCLE WITH OLD HANDS AND NEW ENTHUSIASM

The Intermountain Iyengar Yoga Association (IMIYA) was

backbends to raise money to help Linda Clark get a new

founded in 1992 by a handful of Iyengar Yoga teachers, most

prosthesis after she lost her leg. In another, the “Headstand-In,”

based in Denver, as the regional association for the states of

members did Salamba Sirsasana at the back of a local

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. There

healthfood store, collecting pledges for each minute they

were also members from Kansas. Under its first officers, Linda

remained in the pose to help the son of another member. “Kids

Clark, president (Introductory II, Navajo Dam, NM), Claudia

were openly fascinated,” a participant recalls, “and the adults

Kuhns, vice president (Intermediate Junior I, Denver, CO), Laura

looked on with some curiosity.”

Allard Antelmi, treasurer (Intermediate Junior III, Boulder, CO), and Leslie Bradley, secretary (Intermediate III, Lakewood, CO),

IMIYA waned around 2006 through general lack of interest. In

the association established a basic website that listed studios

the last couple of years, the association has worked hard on

and upcoming workshops and included some articles on

creating a new beginning, without a lot of success at first. Now,

Iyengar Yoga.

though, with a new board, a relaunched website, a newsletter, and lots of ideas, the re-invented IMIYA is hoping to make new

Later, Leslie served as president and vice president, along with

strides in promoting Iyengar Yoga in its region. It welcomes

Craig Kurtz (Intermediate Junior III, Denver, CO), Jeanne Ann

volunteers who would like to help, and encourages those from

Walter (Introductory II, Denver, CO), Gary Reitze (Intermediate

around the region, not just in the Denver/Boulder area, to join.

Junior II, Denver, CO), Nancy Stechert (Intermediate Senior I, Hotchkiss, CO) and others. Deborah Bristow (Intermediate

The new board was elected in February and includes President

Junior III, Santa Fe, NM) drove seven hours from Santa Fe, NM

Kelly Moore (Introductory II, Denver, CO), Vice President Claudia

for board meetings.

Kuhns, Treasurer Susan Abernethy (a dedicated student from Denver, CO), Secretary Lisa Longton (a teacher working towards

The association published a newsletter, put together on its

certification from Golden, CO), and Membership Chair Jonathon

teachers’ home computers, and listed workshops throughout

Dickstein from Boulder, CO, who is preparing for Introductory II

the region. (The number of workshops has greatly increased

assessment and recently relocated from the East Coast.

through the years!) The newsletter and website are now professionally maintained by Melody Madonna (Introductory II,

Former board members and officers Leslie Bradley and Laura

Indian Hills, CO) and her husband Joe Hutchison, through their

Allard Antelmi are acting as advisors as the board and the

business, Full Scale Inc.

association re-establish themselves.

IMIYA sponsored several “Yoga Days” with day-long classes

As the Intermountain association comes full circle, with some

taught by a variety of teachers, and brought Senior Teacher

of the original board members returning to join newer

Laurie Blakeney to Denver for a weekend workshop.

members willing to serve, there is a new energy and excitement, reflecting the central role the regional associations

The association has also done charitable work, raising money

play in promoting Iyengar Yoga throughout the U.S.

for Guruji’s birthday and for local teachers in need. In one special event, members “Bent over Backwards,” performing

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

—Leslie Bradley

5

IYAGNY

IYA OF GREATER NEW YORK 25 YEARS LIGHTING THE WAY The Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York (IYAGNY)—

first Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York, which opened in 1992

the largest regional association with more than 1,100 members

in an eighth-floor loft on 24th Street in Chelsea. “Mary Dunn

including 130-plus Certified Teachers across New York, New

was the spark that ignited our actions,” one teacher remembers,

Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut—marks its silver

“and the glue that held us together.”

anniversary this year with the slogan: 25 Years Lighting the Way.

The following year, Guruji dedicated the Institute in a morning ceremony on Aug. 3. Joining Mary and the group of founding

Before the founding of the association, Karin Stephan

faculty at the new Institute, Judy continued to teach,

(Intermediate Junior III, Cambridge, MA) and Senior Teachers

memorably introducing Pranayama to a generation of students.

Patricia Walden, Joan White, and Judy Brick Freedman spread Iyengar Yoga in the region. Judy, who also taught in New Jersey,

Geetaji, visiting the U.S. for the national convention in Pasadena

began regular classes at the Iyengar Yoga Center of New York,

in 2001, gave a speech at New York’s Society for Ethical Culture,

along with Peentz Dubble (Intermediate Junior III, now of

“How Yoga Involves Mankind.” She was welcomed to the

Newton, MA). Guruji came to dedicate the space, a Grand Street

Institute with a gala dinner.

loft in Soho, with a day of puja, chanting and celebration.

In time, the association outgrew its original home. In 2003, the From her first study with Mr. Iyengar, Judy says, “I asked myself,

Board of Directors began a $300,000-plus fundraising

‘What can I do for him?’ First, I practice. To create an Iyengar

campaign—Opening New Doors in 2004—for a new Institute.

Yoga community here: that was my next thank-you.”

Beginning with “raw space,” a 6,000 sq. ft. facility was crafted from the walls in, at 150 West 22nd Street. Modern,

In the mid-80s, Judy organized a Manouso Manos workshop at

architectural, and light-filled, a fittingly beautiful place in

Barnard College. Over lunch she asked him, “Can you help me

which to practice Iyengar Yoga, the new Institute opened Dec. 5,

get this [regional association] up and going?” She and a small

2004, with a benefit workshop taught by Senior Teacher Dean Lerner.

group, mostly teachers, were the nucleus of the effort; they included Carol Burns (Intermediate Junior III, Brookhaven

The following October, during his Light on Life tour, Guruji

Hamlet, NY), Peentz, Senior Teacher Marian Garfinkel, Priscilla

inaugurated the new Institute with a weekend of unforgettable

Gilmore (Intermediate Junior I, Centerport, NY), Anna

New York City events. On Friday evening, Guruji was

Golfinopoulos (Introductory, New York, NY), Pauline Goulet,

interviewed by filmmaker and association member Mira Nair at

Christy Graf, Suzie Hodges (retired, New York), Esther Lampert,

a sold-out event at City Center. Association teachers presented

Ruth Leeds, and Theresa Rowland (Intermediate Junior III,

a breathtaking asana demonstration set to music, to Guruji’s

Madison, NJ). Out of these early discussions in 1987 came

obvious delight. A gala party, at the Central Park penthouse of

the association.

designer Donna Karan, followed. Sunday, Guruji visited the Institute for a puja. Mary’s famous smile was never more

Senior Teacher Mary Dunn, who played a founding role in the

glowing, attendees remember, than when she welcomed Guruji

two California associations, joined the Grand Street faculty. In

to the Institute, built to her dream specifications.

time, she became president of the new association, with Joan White as vice president.

Today, under Director James Murphy, the Institute has more than 70 weekly classes, including Women’s, Gentle, Pranayama,

An increasing number of classes began, across the region and

and Restorative classes. The Specific Needs Class, taught by

across New York City—at the Jewish Community Center, various

James and Brooke Myers and staffed by many assistants,

YMCAs, and rented studios and teachers’ homes. In 1989 Mary

provides specialized instruction for various conditions. Free

Dunn took a group of teachers, mostly from the association, to

weekly classes are tailored to breast cancer survivors, people

an intensive in Pune. Fired with enthusiasm from their study at

living with HIV, veterans, and amputees. Also free are the

R.I.M.Y.I., the group realized its next step was to find a home.

regular Sutra Study classes.

Then began a two-year search for the space that became the

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Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

IYAGNY

The ongoing workshop program has featured Iyengar Yoga

Gayle Miranda (New York, NY), Elizabeth Stanton (New York,

teachers from around the world, including Manouso Manos,

NY), and Adam Vitolo (Introductory II, New York, NY).

Patricia Walden, Jawahar Bangera, Faeq Biria, Laurie Blakeney, Kristin Chirhart, Neeta Datta, Gabriella Giubilaro, Felicity

The four-state region has many other vital centers of Iyengar

Green, Arthur Kilmurray, Dean Lerner, Donald Moyer,

Yoga. Philadelphia is home to Senior Teacher Joan White, who

Ramanand Patel, Father Joe Pereira, George Purvis, Chris

operates the B.K.S. Iyengar School of Central Philadelphia,

Saudek, John Schumacher, Stephanie Quirk, Joan White, and

offering a full schedule of classes, workshops, and teacher

many others.

training, and to Senior Teacher Marian Garfinkel. The Iyengar Yoga Institute of Central Pennsylvania is headquarters for

The Institute’s two-year Teacher Training and ongoing teacher

Senior Teachers Dean and Rebecca Lerner, and offers classes,

education programs are at the heart of its educational mission;

workshops, and teacher training. In Greenwich, upstate New

it also regularly hosts assessments for teacher certification.

York, and Connecticut, many teachers taught by Mary Dunn are

Association teachers gather at the free Teachers’ Class, often

now teachers themselves. In Charlotteville, in upstate New

taught by teachers returning from Pune to share inspiration

York, Judy Freedman holds classes. Long Island is home to

from R.I.M.Y.I. Every other month, students, friends, and family

Senior Teacher Shernaz Sethna and longtime teacher Jeff Logan

are invited to Community Night, for free screenings of films

(Intermediate Junior I, Northport, NY). New Jersey’s many

about Iyengar Yoga.

Certified Teachers include Theresa Rowland, who offers classes and teacher education at Studio Yoga, in Madison. She also

The Institute faculty also includes Senior Teachers Bobby

operates Tools for Yoga, one of the pioneering sources for

Clennell, Lindsey Clennell, and Carrie Owerko.

Iyengar Yoga props.

The association’s Outreach program aims to expand Iyengar

Regular and special classes, workshops featuring distinguished

Yoga via a planned satellite Institute in Brooklyn, classes in

visiting teachers, outlets for Iyengar Yoga books and props, and

community and senior centers, and by increasing

community social events—these signs of the vital and growing

opportunities for Certified Teachers to hold classes across

Iyengar Yoga community abound across the four-state area.

the four-state area. Public yoga demonstrations have been one element of this program.

—Richard Jonas

In December, association members gather for the annual meeting. New board members take office, the board reports to the membership, and Guruji’s birthday is commemorated. In spring, members come together for the biggest event of the year, the Mary Dunn Celebration/Yogathon. This fundraiser, Mary’s brainchild, endures as a celebration of her memory and the spirit of her teaching. IYAGNY continues to challenge itself to raise funds for ambitious goals such as an Archive Project to preserve tapes of classes and make them available online.

The city Institute is home base for the regional association and its Executive Director, Ann McDermott-Kave, and current board, including President Alexander Vreeland (New York, NY), Vice President Sylvia Kier (New York, NY), Secretary Julia Shaida (Introductory II, Dobbs Ferry, NY), Treasurer Joe Talamo (New Caanan, CT), and Nicole M. de Jesús (Long Island City, NY), Judith Friedman (Introductory II, Chappaqua, NY), Christopher

Teachers welcome Guruji to the original Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York, in Chelsea, which he dedicated with a morning ceremony in August 1993.

Lacovara (New York, NY), Seth Laderman (Weehawken, NJ),

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

7

IYAMN

IYA OF MINNESOTA A SILVER ANNIVERSARY OFFERS A GLANCE BACK AND A FORWARD FOCUS On his 1987 trip to the

The association has worked towards sponsoring a visit by a

United States, B.K.S.

teacher from India for several years. This October, it will host

Iyengar came to

Jawahar Bagera for a four-day workshop; for details, see www.

Minnesota and inspired

iyamn.org.

the yoga community. A group of yoga

Development of the IYAMN website has been vital to the region,

practitioners organized

since most communication is electronic. The association is

fundraisers for Guruji’s

currently setting up a Facebook page to help disseminate

visit, which were met

information. In the past, the board published a newsletter,

with great enthusiasm.

Guruji held a teacher training, and there was a

which was much more challenging. To document some of the Dean Lerner at Minneapolis Yoga Workshop in June 2011

work and fruits of the association’s past, the current board is hoping to start an archive project.

picnic at Minneapolis’ Theodore Wirth Park. With the funds left over from these events, Guruji requested that the coordinating

In recent years, membership in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa

committee for his visit start the B.K.S. Iyengar Association of

has neared 80, including over 20 Certified Teachers. Benefits of

Minnesota (IYAMN).

membership include discounted pricing for all association workshops and two free “Yoga Days” per year, in which

The current IYAMN has been well-served by the legal structure

members receive a class with a local teacher certified at the

its first members provided. IYAMN is a nonprofit organization,

Junior I level or higher, refreshments, and social time.

directed by a seven-member board, which includes three Certified Teachers. Board members, who serve two-year terms with no

IYAMN continues to support its members: established

term limit, are selected by IYAMN members in annual elections.

practitioners as well as newer Iyengar Yoga students. Current board members are President Katy Olson (Introductory II,

From the beginning, one of IYAMN’s important functions has

Fergus Falls, MN), Membership & Outreach Chair Elizabeth

been to bring Senior Teachers into the region so that local

Cowan (Somerset, WI), Treasurer Mary Kovar (St. Paul, MN),

students and teachers may benefit. During the early years,

Special Events Committee members Steve Weiss (Minneapolis,

Senior Teacher Mary Dunn was extremely helpful in guiding

MN) and Michael Moore (Introductory II, St. Paul, MN),

local teachers. Many excellent teachers have come to the region

Secretary Katie Franson (St. Paul, MN), and Joy Laine

for IYAMN-sponsored workshops, including Neeta Datta, Dean

(Intermediate Junior I, St. Paul, MN).

Lerner, Laurie Blakeney, Manouso Manos, Mary Obendorfer, and Eddy Marks. Typically, IYAMN hosts two workshops a year. In

—Elizabeth Cowan

addition to the knowledge that is shared, the association gets some financial benefits that support other activities and member benefits.

IYAMN is one of two associations celebrating a silver anniversary this year. Highlights of IYAMN’s 25 years include hosting the 2004 National Convention in Minneapolis, whose theme was Parampara: In the Tradition of Patanjali. For Guruji’s 90th birthday, a wonderful event was held at St. Paul’s Wellstone Center and included a class “led” by Guruji, via audio recording, with Kristin Chirhart assisting live at the front of the class. At monthly meetings, for two years, IYAMN offered its members sutra study groups led by Lee Sverkerson; these were very popular. Recently IYAMN donated Iyengar Yoga books and DVDs to public libraries in the twin-cities area to help spread the seed of yoga.

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IYAMN Yoga Day, held at Minneapolis Yoga Workshop, in January 2012

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IYAMW

IYA OF THE MIDWEST A BLAST OF NEW ENERGY “FROM THE HEARTLAND” The Midwest, the original “hotbed” of Iyengar Yoga in the U.S., became home to one of the country’s first regional associations.

Guruji made many visits to the area, beginning in 1973 with a trip to Ann Arbor, MI. His students came together to create the Iyengar Yoga Association of the Midwest Bioregions (IYAMB), incorporated in 1987. The association’s connections were “ecological,” determined by rivers and other natural boundaries, not state lines. Operated by consensus, with about 250 members, IYAMB was successful and productive, hosting a national convention in Ann Arbor in 1993.

Afterwards, unfortunately, regional interest and energy began to wane. With the formation of IYNAUS, members focused their attention nationally. IYAMB slowly went defunct. Thankfully its

Volunteers at the 2010 convention promoting IYAMW’s “From the Heartland” conference t-shirts

last president, Senior Teacher Donna Pointer of Ann Arbor, kept

IYAMW also decided to host the second IYNAUS regional

track of its assets.

conference in 2011. From the Heartland became the focus of energy for the board and a large group of volunteers—the

When she moved to Illinois in 2006, Jennie Williford (Intermediate

perfect platform to build excitement. IYAMW more than

Junior I, Rockford, IL) joined Patrina Dobish (Intermediate Junior I,

doubled its membership through events held throughout 2010

Chicago, IL) and a small group of other students and teachers in

and the sale of T-shirts that announced the region’s debut and

the Chicago area who were interested in re-forming a regional

the upcoming conference. Volunteers remember 2011 as a blur

association. The group had two choices: they could start from

of preparation for From the Heartland, but its huge success

scratch with their Chicago-area supporters, or revive the already-

made all the work worthwhile. Now the group has begun 2012

in-place IYAMB. After a series of meetings with interested

with new board members and new ideas.

members, and teleconferences and emails with Gloria Goldberg and board members from IYNAUS and successful regional

To stagger the board positions for three-year terms, three new

associations, it was decided that the best (and most economical)

board members were elected for 2012: Debra Johnson

plan was to revive the previous association.

(Intermediate Junior I, Westmont, IL), David Larsen, a student from Ann Arbor, and Shaw-Jiun Wang (Intermediate Junior II,

The adhoc board of the revived and renamed Iyengar Yoga

Shaker Heights, OH), who will serve through 2014. IYAMW

Association of the Midwest (IYAMW) included Patrina, Jennie,

hopes to carry the excitement of the conference through to its

Jess Kane (Intermediate Junior I, Chicago, IL) and Chicago

annual membership retreat and its seasonal region-wide

students Julia Gibbs and Allison Tallard. After reclaiming funds

events. Its 2012 plan calls for devising protocols for annual

from both the old IYAMB and IYNAUS, the association

events and future plans. This fall, a new election will replace

reincorporated in 2008, paying back taxes and back-filing fees

the last four original board members.

to bring itself up to date.

The last six years have witnessed a great interest in the region’s In fall 2009 members elected the first new board of directors,

growth and expansion. Some teachers in Missouri and Iowa

including Senior Teacher Laurie Blakeney (Ann Arbor, MI), Aaron

have shown interest in having their states represented by

Fleming (Introductory II, Cincinnati, OH), Julia Gibbs, Natasha

IYAMW. Students and teachers alike have become interested in

Julius (Introductory II, Chicago, IL), Jess Kane, Becky Meline

events embracing the whole region. And clarity about Iyengar

(Introductory II, Urbana, IL), and Jennie Williford. Once active, the

Yoga and its regional Certified Teachers is growing. Of course,

board quickly launched a website, began to build member interest,

the ability of a regional association to serve its teachers and

and updated its bylaws for an association that now includes

students depends on the energy and willingness of its volunteers.

Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

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IYAMW

“We hope that history does not repeat itself,” group members

philosophy of yoga according to the teachings of B.K.S.

say, “that the energy surrounding From the Heartland does not

Iyengar.”

wane and we are able to continue the legacy of Iyengar Yoga in the Midwest! We look forward to growth that allows IYAMW to

—Jennie Williford, with assistance from Donna Pointer, Sue Salaniuk

be a region that serves its full purpose—a commitment to

(Intermediate Junior III, Ann Arbor, MI), and Patrina Dobish.

study, teach, disseminate and promote the art, science, and IYANC

IYA OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FROM A HISTORY OF FIRSTS, AN ASSOCIATION LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

The history of Iyengar Yoga in Northern California began in 1973 with one of Guruji’s first trips to America. A yogini named Rama Jyoti Vernon was at the YMCA in Ann Arbor, MI, where Guruji taught. She flew home to California completely changed by the experience, determined to share her learning with others.

The next year, Guruji made his first trip to Northern California.

Iyengar Yoga was still relatively unknown. He taught to a small group of students in Oakland; of 60 available places in the small hall, only 56 were taken.

But momentum had begun to build. Together with Mary Dunn, Felicity Hall (now Felicity Green), Judith Lasater, Glen Moyer,

Guruji during visit to San Francisco in 1984

and others, Rama created a community of students interested in studying Iyengar Yoga. This group began the Institute for

with the techniques “evolved and developed” by B.K S. Iyengar.

Yoga Teacher Education (IYTE), which operated under the auspices of the California Yoga Teachers’ Association. That

The articles of incorporation for the Light on Yoga Association

comprehensive program, the first Iyengar Yoga teacher training

listed 14 purposes, including reviving interest in the ethical and

program in the U.S., has been a beacon of light and learning for

spiritual concepts of Indian philosophy, fostering and

people all over the world.

developing correct meditative practice, producing films for educational purposes, and training teachers. This association

In March 1976 Ramanand Patel, who had met Guruji in 1968,

was the seed that eventually became IYNAUS.

moved to California and joined this group. He was immediately welcomed as a teacher of teachers and helped fine tune the

This association brought Guruji back to the Bay Area the same

teacher training program by holding weekend workshops and

year, 1976. By this time, interest in Iyengar Yoga had grown

classes at his South Bay home where the staff of the teaching

considerably. Many people vied for a space in the picturesque

program regularly met.

Brazil Room at Tilden Park, located just above the campus of the University of California at Berkeley.

In 1976, the first Iyengar Yoga association in the U.S was established. Called the Light on Yoga Association, its early

That particular trip was seminal, forging a direct connection

leaders included Mary Dunn, Keshava Kronish (its first

between San Francisco and Pune that continues to this day.

president), Larry Hatlett, Melinda Perlee, and other

Practitioners began to travel regularly to Pune, and Guruji has

aforementioned founding members. The association was

visited the Bay Area on every U.S. tour since then. The teacher

established primarily to promote yoga education in accordance

training program, intensives, and weekend workshops offered

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IYANC

by the San Francisco Institute provided a setting in which what

it that when Guruji came to San Francisco in 1984 for the first

was learned from the Iyengar family could be disseminated

International Iyengar Yoga Convention ever held—and the first

more widely to students and aspiring teachers.

yoga convention in the U.S.—Yoga Journal was in debt. Judith Lasater was called to the stage to make a last-minute plea to

In 1978, the Institute for Yoga Teacher Education was sold to

save the magazine. She reminded conference attendees that

the Light on Yoga Association for $1,000, a huge sum it seemed

they had learned about the conference in the publication. If

to the yoga teachers who volunteered to raise the money.

they wanted it to remain in print, she said, they should put

However, the funds were quickly secured by community

money into the hat that was being passed around. The attendees

support. With this new ownership and its new name (Guruji

responded positively, providing the money needed. Yoga Journal

changed the name of the Light on Yoga Association to its

has grown to be the yoga community’s largest-circulation

present name, the Iyengar Yoga Association of Northern

publication, now catering to a more general yoga audience.

California), IYANC expanded its reach, scheduling classes for beginners and other programs for the general public.

This 1984 San Francisco convention proved to be another seminal event for Iyengar Yoga. Mr. Iyengar and teachers from

Over the years, the Institute had several homes in different

around the world were welcomed by 750 enthusiastic

parts of San Francisco. The teacher training at the Institute

attendees. Participants were thrilled to sit in Davies Symphony

quickly became known as the Harvard of such programs.

Hall not to hear the usual sounds of the orchestra, but to watch

Packed weekend workshops and summer intensives offered

the rhythmic movements of yoga.

teachers and practitioners opportunities to share ideas and learn from one another. These were incredibly important

That convention, led by Manouso Manos, served as a model and

opportunities, as there were few Iyengar teachers in the U.S. at

inspiration for the U.S. Iyengar Yoga conventions that have

that time. They were a “shot in the arm” that helped many

followed. Since that convention, Guruji has made more trips to

people go back to their own communities to teach, open

Northern California, including a 2005 appearance at Davies

studios, and conduct workshops.

Symphony Hall for his Light on Life tour.

Many of the founding members of the Iyengar Yoga community

Yoga has changed with the years. Once, a majority of yoga

in the Bay Area supported Iyengar Yoga as leaders of the

teachers in the Bay Area were Iyengar Yoga teachers, and the

California Yoga Teachers Association. This association

Institute was the only area yoga center. Today, it seems, yoga

maintained yoga connections and communication by offering

studios occupy nearly every street corner in Northern

referral services for teachers and publishing a small

California. Many are owned and operated by Iyengar Yoga

mimeographed magazine called Yoga Journal.

teachers. Senior and Junior Intermediate teachers from our region fan out to rural and urban areas across the United States

In its early years, Yoga Journal inspired readers to practice

and the world to teach weekend workshops that bring Iyengar

Iyengar Yoga specifically, though the journal itself struggled to

Yoga to those who are interested. This growth of interest in

make money to meet its printing costs. An often-told story has

yoga is incredibly satisfying.

The Iyengar Institute of San Francisco (IYISF) continues as a beacon of light, directly transmitting the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar. Since 1983 the Institute has occupied its present location at 27th Avenue and Taraval Street in the outer Sunset District, quite near the ocean. San Francisco is a city known for its culture and scenic beauty, and visitors to the Institute taste that flavor. Newcomers soon become used to the sounds of the San Francisco trolley as it rumbles by while they are in Savasana.

Today, the association’s mission remains to promote Iyengar Yoga. The current board includes President John Hayden (Intermediate Junior II, Carmel, CA), Vice President Heather Haxo Phillips (Intermediate Junior I, Oakland, CA), Patti Martin

Guruji teaching Adho Mukha Svanasana in 1984

(San Francisco, CA), Patti Cazzato (San Francisco), and Wojciech Kawalek (San Francisco).

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

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IYANC

Janet MacLeod (Intermediate Junior III, San Francisco), Senior Teacher Elise Browning Miller (Palo Alto, CA), Senior Teacher Jaki Nett (St. Helena, CA), and Jito Yumibe Guruji teaching San Francisco area students in 1984

(Intermediate Junior

Roger Cole teaching, around 1984

III, Campbell, CA).

The Institute in San Francisco is an asset of the association and is operated by it. The centerpiece of IYISF’s programming is still

Clearly, the history of yoga in the United States has its roots in

the Advanced Studies / Teacher Training program. Additionally,

Iyengar Yoga in Northern California. The early and current

the Institute—with two studios in the building—offers public

members of our community continue to serve as an inspiration

classes, workshops, and retreats. These programs give seasoned

to practitioners everywhere.

local teachers and Senior Teachers from around the world an opportunity to share Iyengar Yoga with others. The Light on

As the needs of the community change, the activities of the

Yoga bookstore is at the Institute and can also be accessed

Institute and the association continue to evolve. Today the

online at www.iyisf.org.

Institute is investing in its relationships across the community and creating a more comprehensive regional presence

The Advanced Studies / Teacher Training program has run

throughout Northern California, Nevada, and Hawaii. It

continuously for nearly 40 years. It is approved through the

continues to offer workshops including those taught by

State of California as a post-secondary vocational institution.

members of the Iyengar family. Mr. Iyengar’s daughter, Sunita

Both the 200-hour and 500-hour Teacher Training programs

Parthasarthy, was the most recent to teach at the Institute, this

are approved through Yoga Alliance. These weekend

May. The Institute and IYANC remain committed to supporting

programs are taught by our seasoned faculty, most of whom

Iyengar Yoga teachers and practitioners across the region.

received their training here in those early days of Iyengar Yoga. The faculty includes Kathy Alef (Intermediate Junior III,

—Heather Haxo Phillips. Special thanks to Manouso Manos, Judith

San Francisco), Victoria Austin (Intermediate Junior III, San

Lasater, Ramanand Patel, and the current IYISF faculty, staff, and board

Francisco), Nora Burnett (Intermediate Junior III, San

for their contributions to this article.

Francisco), John Hayden (Intermediate Junior II, Carmel, CA), IYANE

IYA OF NEW ENGLAND A NEW BEACON SHINES OVER A LONG-ESTABLISHED YOGA COMMUNITY The Iyengar Yoga Association of New England (IYANE) was

As Iyengar Yoga continued to blossom, developing a strong

incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the Commonwealth

presence in all six New England states, an association focused

of Massachusetts on October 30, 2009. More than 20 years

exclusively on Massachusetts and the Boston/Cambridge

earlier, Senior Teachers Patricia Walden and Victor

metropolitan area would no longer meet the needs of the New

Oppenheimer had been instrumental in forming the Iyengar

England Iyengar Yoga community, which includes students and

Yoga Association of Massachusetts, which sponsored the

teachers in rural, mountainous areas of Vermont and New

national convention held in Cambridge in August 1987. Over

Hampshire; Atlantic coast communities in Maine,

the course of many years the Massachusetts association

Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island; and the many

eventually became inactive and was dissolved.

towns nestled between the mountains and the shore.

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IYANE

Clearly a New England association was needed. The impetus for

offered free workshops to association members. Before the annual

creating this broader-based regional association grew out of

meeting on Oct. 2, Patricia Walden taught a special class, The Light

IYNAUS’s first regional conference, Shining Light on New

of Wisdom: Getting to the Heart of Guruji’s Teaching. IYANE

England, held Oct. 16-18, 2009, in Providence, RI. Linda DiCarlo,

donated the money raised to Guruji’s Bellur Trust.

past president of IYNAUS, and Patricia Walden proposed having New England host the conference to the New England

IYANE also created a community service committee to help

community, even though at the time there was no official

underserved populations closer to home. In June 2011, Mary

regional association. The community embraced the idea, and

Wixted taught yoga classes at Rosie’s Place, a Boston social

countless volunteers—students and teachers alike—worked for

service organization that provides housing and other needs to

more than a year putting the conference together.

homeless and indigent women. This year Mary plans to teach more classes at Rosie’s Place and hopes to make Iyengar Yoga a

Shining Light on New England brought together more than 400

permanent fixture there. The community service committee is

students and 22 teachers from the New England region and

currently seeking proposals from IYANE members to bring yoga

throughout the U.S. to deepen the practice and understanding of

classes to underserved populations in their local communities.

Guruji’s teachings. The conference served as a unique way to

IYANE plans to fund these proposals by paying the teachers

gather together as a yoga community and to foster closer, stronger

directly so they can offer classes free of charge.

ties. Its success created tremendous enthusiasm and excitement.

Just a few weeks later, IYANE was officially established.

A scholarship program, which offers an annual $1,000 grant for study at R.I.M.Y.I., was established. The association website lists

The end of 2011 marked the completion of IYANE’s second year.

Certified Teachers in New England, gives information on

The current board includes President Greg Anton (Intermediate

membership and association activities, and has links to

Junior I, Provincetown, MA), Vice-President Patricia Walden

scholarship applications and past issues of the newsletter. The

(Cambridge, MA), Treasurer Lynnae LeBlanc (Introductory II,

newsletter, with articles about study at R.I.M.Y.I., regional

Plymouth, MA), Clerk/Secretary Mary Wixted (Introductory II,

workshops, and personal yoga journeys, is published twice a

Arlington, MA), and Membership Chair Kathleen Swanson

year. Most recently IYANE sponsored a workshop in January

(Introductory II, Foster, RI).

with Edwin Bryant, Ph.D., on the Bhagavad Gita.

Membership has increased by more than 30 percent from 2010. As

A lighthouse is a common feature along the New England coast,

part of a membership drive, Certified Teachers in New England

which is why one was included in the regional conference logo.

A lighthouse is also prominent in IYANE’s logo and its newsletter is called The Beacon. An association member says: “Over the many years I have studied with Patricia Walden, I have often heard her say, ‘Make of yourself a house of light.’ We are fortunate to be able to look to Guruji, whose light continues to shine brightly as inspiration to all.”

IYANE, now in its third year, looks to grow and increase the number of events, programs, and services it offers so that its members will be inspired to give back to their local yoga communities and continue to explore the vast and wonderful subject of yoga.

—Greg Anton

Teachers and organizers at IYNAUS’ first regional conference in Providence, RI in 2009

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

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IYANW

IYA OF THE NORTHWEST FROM TWO BIRTHS, A REGION MATURES AND GROWS The history of the Iyengar Association in the Pacific Northwest

Interim board officers were appointed and the first official

begins with the story of two births. The first came in the

meeting of IYANW was held in Portland on January 29, 2005,

summer of 1993. A group of yogis (primarily from the Seattle

with Pat Musburger (Intermediate Junior I, Shoreline, WA) as

area) created the Iyengar Yoga Association of the Northwest

president, Senior Teacher Felicity Green (Mill Creek, WA) as vice

(IYAN). Their hard work and determination kept the

president, Nadine Sims (Introductory II, Bend, OR) as treasurer,

organization going until 1998. But sadly, politics, along with the

Paul Cheek (Intermediate Junior I, Camas, WA) as secretary,

logistics and cost of maintaining a group over such a wide

Nina Pileggi (Intermediate Junior II, Portland, OR) as

geographic area, proved too difficult, and the group disbanded.

membership chair, Don Gura (Intermediate Junior I, Boise, ID) as communications chair, and Judy Landecker (Intermediate

After a hiatus of eight years, the organization had a rebirth in

Junior II, Helena, MT) as scholarship chair.

2005. The desire for a formal organization had been building for years. Finally, the elements and timing were right. Not least of

Several members were instrumental in re-establishing the

all, the growth of the internet, with wider availability of email

organization. Carmen Viola (Introductory II, Renton, WA), then an

and internet access, allowed easier communication over this

IYNAUS Board member, advised, cautioned, and encouraged the

large region, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon,

new board in many areas. Felicity Green had continued to hold the

and Washington.

vision of a regional board during its hiatus. Her knowledge and wisdom guided the new group. Pat Musburger and Nina Pileggi

The second birth began at a lively meeting of interested members

were the engines that kept the board going, while the rest of the

during the 2004 IYNAUS Convention in St. Paul, MN. Pat

board and members at large provided the energy.

Musburger, one of the association’s founding members, noted that the meeting took place during a tornado, which lent urgency and

The board that started in 2005 established important

excitement to the formation of the organization. The new

precedents for the association, including a website, regular

organization was still called the Iyengar Yoga Association of the

newsletters, a lending library, a scholarship fund, and free

Northwest, but now the initials IYANW were used to signify the

classes for members. The original website was set up by Don

Northwest. The group sent out emails, and students and teachers

Gura. With his design background, he created the logo, the

from across the region responded enthusiastically. They willingly

layout of the website, and the newsletters. Denise Weeks

gave of their time to get things going.

(Introductory II, Bellingham, WA), current communications chair, recently oversaw and implemented a major revamping of the website with the help of Carmen Viola. Information has been streamlined and more photos have been added. The site contains a comprehensive list of both studios and Certified Teachers in the region, a link to the grant application, a list of materials available in the lending library, archived newsletters, meeting minutes, upcoming workshops, and information about the board.

Besides the website, communication with members is maintained through a print newsletter mailed twice a year and online newsletters sent electronically four times a year.

Contributions from members are welcomed, and past topics have ranged from workshops with senior teachers to working with significant injuries.

Original IYANW officers and members at Estes Park, CO in 2005

In spring 2005, the scholarship fund began with seed money from a benefit dinner. Seattle formerly hosted an annual Northwest Yoga and Meditation Festival, attended by nearly

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IYANW

1,000 students from many traditions. During the festival of

Elections will be held this summer for three new board

2005, Felicity Green presented several lectures, and John

members. Each serves for four years and elections take place

Schumacher taught over the course of four days. IYANW

every two years. In any given election, only three to four seats

capitalized on the event by hosting a dinner for Iyengar Yoga

become vacant, maintaining continuity and expertise and

practitioners. A group of 30 gathered for food and fellowship

allowing more experienced board members to “show the ropes”

and, in the course of the evening, the association raised $300

to newcomers.

for the scholarship fund. The board currently awards four scholarships a year, up to $300 per award.

Current board members are President Anne Geil (Introductory II, Shoreline, WA), Vice President Marcia Gossard (student, Pullman,

The lending library, which opened in fall 2008, is housed at the

WA), Treasurer and Scholarship Chair Karin Brown (Introductory

Julie Lawrence Yoga Center in Portland, and contains more than

II, Portland, OR), Secretary Angela McKinlay (Introductory II,

40 books, 45 magazines, 20 VHS/CDs, and various newsletters

Everett, WA), Membership Chair Tonya Garreaud (Intermediate

from Iyengar Yoga associations around the world. Members can

Junior I, Portland, OR), and Communications Chair Denise Weeks.

check out items through the website. Materials are mailed

The board usually has seven members but is currently one

postage-paid to members, who then pay for return shipping.

member shy after Paul Cheek, who had served on the board since

This resource allows members access to rare items pertaining

2005, resigned at the end of 2011.

to Iyengar Yoga and general yoga philosophy.

At its rebirth in 2005, there was a deep hope that the board Free classes for members have become an important benefit of

would establish itself as a long-lasting entity. Now in its eighth

membership in IYANW. Because the association covers a large

year, this second flowering of the regional association shows

area, the board has worked hard to offer classes throughout the

signs of maturation. With sustained effort, there is growing

region. Last year, classes were held in Portland, Seattle, and

confidence that the board can maintain its continuity while

Bellingham. In July, 13 members attended a free workshop

fulfilling the mission of disseminating yoga according to the

offered by Felicity Green on asana, Pranayama, and philosophy.

teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and his family.

Afterwards, a lively member meeting elicited many suggestions for the board. In the future, IYANW hopes to schedule member

—Anne Geil

class in Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.

IYASC-LA

IYA OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TWO HUBS AND A COMMUNITY GROWING IN ALL DIRECTIONS In 1977, when the Iyengar Yoga Association of Southern California

San Francisco, and Champaign-Urbana, IL—IYILA is a physical

came into being as a nonprofit charitable organization, chapters

hub from which learning radiates to other parts of the

were set up in Los Angeles and San Diego.

community. Members united behind the monumental goal of

Since those early days, the regional Iyengar Yoga community has grown significantly—and in many directions! Now it extends along the coast from Santa Barbara to San Diego, spreads eastward to the Inland Valley, and reaches west across the Pacific to Hawaii. In every part of the region, students have access to the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and the Iyengar family.

As it has expanded, the community has also sought to come together to guide each other, to share and transmit knowledge, and to help each other through tough times.

In 2008, after a challenging search, a long-term home was found for the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles. One of four institutes in the United States—the others are in New York City, Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

Students and teachers celebrating Manouso Manos’s 60th birthday, IYILA, 2012 Photo: Todd McGuinness 15

IYASC-LA

In recent years, San Diego has set up a scholarship fund so that members in financial need can afford to study at conventions, regional workshops, and in Pune, and offset costs associated with assessments for certification. This summer, San Diego sponsored a workshop to train teachers to work with children and adolescents.

San Diego will host the next IYNAUS National Convention in Students gather at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles during Guruji’s Light on Life tour, 2005. Photo Credit: Bee Ottinger

2013—23 years after it last hosted a convention. Sarvabhauma Yog,

raising funds to secure IYILA’s future. Inspired by the annual

classes for children and teens for the first time. This will be

Yogathon fundraisers held by the Iyengar Yoga Association of

another opportunity for the Iyengar Yoga communities of all ages,

Greater New York, the association held Yog-a-thon West in 2007.

local and national, to come together in a “single thought of yoga.”

Universal to All, will be open to the wider yoga community with

A successful Capital Campaign was launched and annual gatherings, dinners, and events continue to raise funds to

As the local, regional, national, and international Iyengar Yoga

support IYILA.

communities continue to grow, Guruji’s words continue to inspire us: “Always keep in mind to do a little more than you

In 2005, when Guruji came to the U.S. for the Estes Park

think is possible. Then only the gates of the mind are opened.

teaching and the Light on Life tour, he visited IYILA in its former

When you go beyond your limit, then the mind automatically

location on Third Street, Los Angeles, where a celebration was

opens up into that vastness.”

held in his honor. Guruji answered questions from students about the individual, the world, and the yoga community. He

The IYASC Board includes: Los Angeles – President Allen

spoke about transformation: our local communities will grow

Grodsky (student, Los Angeles), Vice President and Membership

over time, just as the individual practitioner grows in yoga, but

Chair Kat Lee Shull (Introductory II, Costa Mesa), Treasurer

we remain united in a single thought of yoga.

Brad Sklarew (student, Beverly Hills), Secretary and Standing Committee Scott Radin (student, Santa Monica), Standing

At the opening of the new home for IYILA, in October 2008,

Committee members Lisa Walford (Intermediate Senior I, Santa

there was a screening of a video of Guruji in conversation with

Monica) and Marcella Mee (Introductory II, Studio City),

Senior Teacher Karin O’Bannon, now of Shreveport, LA. Guruji

Marketing Chair Eliza Pelham Randall (student, Los Angeles),

spoke about how life is dynamic; it moves forward: “As the life

and Members Eric Small (Intermediate Senior II, Beverly Hills)

is moving forward, naturally your life is moving forward, your

and Lizet Torres (student, Redondo Beach).

body, your fibers have to move, along with life. That means they have to go on studying and educating, observing and educating—

San Diego – President Cyndy Cordle (Intermediate Junior I, San

moment to moment—so that the stillness is not established in

Diego), Vice President Rob Harris (Introductory II, San Diego),

the system.”

Treasurer Vicky Abbott (student, La Mesa), Secretary Kevin Hainley (student, San Diego), Membership Chair Marilyn Patton

IYASC continues to grow and evolve as a community. Southern

(Introductory I, Poway), Yoga Vidya Liaison Bonnie Szumski

California is a widespread area, yet the local neighborhoods in

(student, San Diego), and Workshop Coordinator Nancy Phillips

which Iyengar Yoga is taught and studied remain connected to

(Intermediate Junior I, San Diego). Catherine Fisher is the editor

the larger regional community through workshops offered free

of Yoga Vidya.

to members, a monthly email, the biannual IYASC newsletter Yoga Vidya, and organized gatherings.

Los Angeles has 299 members, with 117 Certified Teachers.

Senior Teachers in the region include Manouso Manos, Marla

The Los Angeles and San Diego chapters have grown

Apt, Anna Delury, Beverly Graves, Rita Lewis Manos, Eric Small,

sufficiently to function independently as district regions. In

and Lisa Walford.

2009, IYILA celebrated its 25th anniversary with a workshop and a gathering at its new, fully-equipped studio on La Cienega

San Diego has 139 members, with 51 Certified Teachers. Senior

Blvd, Los Angeles. Earlier this year, Los Angeles hosted

Teachers include Gloria Goldberg, Carolyn Belko, Ariane

workshops and a 60th birthday celebration for Senior Teacher

Hudson, Eddy Marks, Mary Obendorfer, and Cathy Rogers Evans.

Manouso Manos. This spring, Los Angeles sponsored an intensive taught by Sunita Parthasarthy, Guruji’s daughter.

16

—Catherine Fisher Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

IYASCUS

IYA OF SOUTH CENTRAL U.S. WORKING HARD NOW, WITH AN EYE ON THE FUTURE Some regions and some members have a better institutional

both of Dallas. Although there is no Iyengar Yoga institute in the

memory for their history than others.

region, there are B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga centers in Dallas and Houston, along with numerous other studios dedicated to Iyengar

“Much like the birth of Patanjali, the genesis of the South Central

Yoga. The Iyengar method of yoga is also taught in the nooks and

regional association is shrouded in myth and legend,” says Anne-

crannies of studios, gyms, and churches across the region.

Marie Schultz (Introductory II, Austin, TX). She serves as board vice president and IYNAUS regional representative and was

Sometimes it is difficult to find Iyengar Yoga offerings. To increase

charged with writing the region’s history. The Iyengar Yoga

awareness of Iyengar Yoga classes beyond the major centers,

Association of South Central United States (IYASCUS) appears to

Anne-Marie Schultz maintains a blog (iyengaryogainaustin.

have been formed around 1995. Constance Braden (Intermediate

blogspot.com) which covers the Austin area. The regional

Junior II, Houston, TX) served as the first president of IYASCUS.

association hopes that members in other cities might follow this

“John Friend and George Purvis (both of Houston at the time) were

collaborative model of promoting Iyengar Yoga opportunities

on the IYNAUS Board in the early 1990s, and they asked me to be

available in their local areas.

the president,” says Constance. She also produced a newsletter.

“And then a few years later, Peggy Kelley took over.”

Current board members are President Pauline Schloesser (Introductory II, Houston, TX), Vice President and IYNAUS Liaison

Kitty Smith (Introductory II, Dallas, TX) and Marj Rash

Anne-Marie Schultz (Introductory II, Austin, TX), Membership

(Intermediate Junior I, Dallas, TX) were also actively involved in

Chair Rose Bily (Introductory II, Dallas, TX), Scholarships Chair

the early days of the association. Around 2000, the South Central

Suzy Shapiro (Introductory II, Houston, TX), Treasurer Sandra

Region was officially incorporated under the presidency of Randy

Torngren (student, Dallas, TX), Secretary Stacie Jones (student, San

Just (Intermediate Junior III, Dallas, TX). According to the bylaws,

Angelo, TX), and Newsletter Editor Mary Scott (student, Austin, TX).

its purpose is four-fold: to facilitate and expedite communication between IYNAUS and students and teachers of Iyengar Yoga in its

President Schloesser defines the association’s top priorities as

region (Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas), to

increasing membership and supporting the development of

encourage the organization of local chapters within the region, to

local Iyengar Yoga communities within the five-state region.

publish and distribute an IYASCUS regional newsletter

“We are in a strategic planning process which includes shoring

periodically, and to implement IYNAUS decisions and disseminate

up and enhancing existing organizational tools, and finding

the policies of IYNAUS and

ways to support community development in localities across

its committees at the South

the region. We are redesigning and optimizing our website,

Central regional level.

making our E-newsletter more professional, creating an original logo, and developing an IYASCUS blog to create broader

Today, IYASCUS maintains

community participation.” The board is also exploring

a regional website,a

opportunities to increase membership among regular students

Facebook page, an

(in addition to teachers) and to support outreach activities and

E-newsletter, and a

events in local communities, especially in Kansas, Missouri,

scholarship fund.

Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

The regional association is

The association does not currently sponsor any annual events but

small, with only 67

is avidly looking at the models provided by other regional

members including 46

associations. IYASCUS also hopes to host a regional conference in

Certified Teachers. Most are

time. The region looks forward to increased growth in membership

certified at the Introductory

and increased involvement in the national conversation about

II level, but eight are

how best to maintain and promote the teachings of the Iyengar

certified as Junior

family in the complex world of contemporary yoga in America.

Intermediates and two are Students in Devon Dederich’s class at Clear Spring Studio in Austin, TX in 2011 Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

Senior Teachers: Jaya

—Anne-Marie Schultz

Waters and George Purvis, 17

IYASE

IYA SOUTHEAST FROM GURUJI’S REQUEST, AN INTEGRATED COMMUNITY TAKES SHAPE In 1984, Guruji asked for the creation of a more integrated

developed talents and abilities to help them meet their goals.

Iyengar Yoga community in the southern United States. Twenty

Adding members, the group totaled 100 by 1996, when Kandy

eight years later, IYASE hosted Maitri, the Iyengar Yoga Regional

Love was working on the third issue of its newsletter. In 1998, a

Conference held in May in Washington, D.C., gathering yogis of all

Scholarship Fund was established, funded mostly by donations

traditions for asana, Pranayama, and a celebration of friendliness.

from the 161 members and a generous anonymous donation.

Responding to Guruji’s request in 1984, Kathleen Pringle

IYASE became a strong presence at R.I.M.Y.I., too. In 1996, four

(Intermediate Junior III, Atlanta), Linda DiCarlo (Intermediate

teachers from the region took part in the International

Junior III, now of Pawtucket, RH) and Suzie Muchnick

Women’s Convention in Pune—Kathleen, Carol Fridolph

(Intermediate Junior III, Naples, FL) developed the framework

(Introductory II, Stuart, FL), Cindy, and Suzie. In 1998 more than

for the Iyengar Yoga Association of the Southeast.

15 members from Florida alone traveled to Pune to celebrate Guruji’s 80th birthday. The group hosted its first Introductory

Community members recognized the need to offer teachers in

assessment in Atlanta in 1996. A year later, John Schumacher

the region continuing education and preparation for

agreed to be the association’s Senior Teacher, supervising its

assessment closer to home. New teachers sometimes faced

Continuing Education program. IYASE hosted two workshops

heartbreaking hardships on their way to establishing

that year, a Junior Intermediate workshop for 25 teachers and

themselves; many needed mentoring and financial guidance.

an Introductory workshop with 22 attendees.

“The three of us believed in the mission,” Suzie recalls. “We

Membership—both students and teachers—continues to grow,

were confident that the resources and interest existed, and that

and volunteers continue to do the work of the association, even

our efforts would energize our region.”

when duties sometimes infringe on personal lives. The result?

IYASE is flourishing! In 2012, the association is 344 members

The group reached out to other Certified Teachers across the

strong, including 102 Certified Teachers.

large region, which includes the states of Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina,

IYASE leadership understands that the association mission is

Virginia, West Virginia, District of Columbia, Tennessee, and

very simple: to disseminate the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar,

Mississippi. Among the early planners were Jan Campbell

Geeta Iyengar, and Prashant Iyengar in a responsible and

(Intermediate Junior III, Nashville, TN), Bobbi Goldin

professional manner. Teacher Certification is among the ways

(Intermediate Junior III, Miami, FL), Judi Rice (Intermediate

to help Iyengar Yoga shape a unified message, while

Junior III, Goshen, KY), Cindy Dollar (Intermediate Junior I,

simultaneously creating a professional core of trained teachers.

Asheville, NC), Kandy Love (Introductory II, Ft. Myers, FL) and Nancy Watson (Introductory II, now of Castine, ME) and the

Certification is one link which binds IYASE and the other

three who spearheaded the association. “We explained our

regional associations to IYNAUS and the national associations

feelings to them,” Suzie says. “When one of us is struggling, all

around the world. Due to the Southeast region’s teachers and

of us have to work harder. The more isolated we are, the more

the enthusiasm they helped generate, the importance of the

we need such a group.” These teachers embraced the dream. In

Iyengar Yoga certification process has spread. The region also

its first year, 1994, IYASE had a membership of 77.

hosts regular Assessments.

“Remember that in 1994, the tools that are so important today

The Maitri Conference was only the latest manifestation of the

didn’t exist,” Suzie says. “LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have

strength of IYASE and the dedication of its volunteers. “Those

become important, but when we started we depended on the

who dreamed of having this conference and making it a

telephone and face-to-face meetings to make the network grow.

showcase for our teachers planned, thought, cajoled, negotiated,

Even email didn’t go global until 1993, and the Internet wasn’t

and worked to manifest a stage for all of us to participate in

widely known until 1995.”

the yoga we love, with the friends we have made through the practice.”

During those “invigorating and heady days,” members

18

Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

IYASE

The board includes President Susan Marcus (Introductory II, Sarasota, FL), Vice President and Membership Chair Diane Martinez (Intermediate Junior I, Prince George, VA), Secretary Graham Williams (Introductory II, Raleigh, NC), member Aretha Blevins (Intermediate Junior I, Nashville, TN), IYNAUS Liaison Alex Cleveland (Introductory II, Louisville, KY), Treasurer and Scholarship Chair Margaret Carr (Introductory II, Morgantown, WV), Public Relations and Communications Chair Karyl Tych (Introductory II, Myrtle Beach, SC), Newsletter Chair Lori Lipton Ritland (Introductory II, Washington, DC), Advanced Studies Chair Tedrah Smothers (Introductory II, Memphis, TN), and member Marilyn Rubin (Intermediate Junior I, North Miami Beach, FL).

—Suzie Muchnick Patricia Walden teaching a backbending class at the recent Maitri Conference.

IYASW

IYA OF THE SOUTHWEST A FLEDGLING ASSOCIATION WITH A SOARING VISION OF THE FUTURE Over the past year, the many devoted volunteers of the

At the same time, the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Association of

newly-launched B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Association of the

Southern Nevada (IYASN) was preparing to formally disband.

Southwest (IYASW) have worked hard. As members of the

After starting the association in 1996 and running it for over a

newest addition to the family of regional associations, they

decade, Aileen Epstein-Ignadiou (Intermediate Junior III, Las

are excited about continuing the work of disseminating the

Vegas, NV) was ready to draw the chapter to a close.

teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar.

Membership rolls had dwindled, and the remaining members did not have the time to keep the association going. Hearing

Over the past two decades, Arizona practitioners have been

about the formation of the new region, Aileen thought to merge

blessed with the guidance and influence of Senior Teachers

the closing Southern Nevada chapter with the newly-forming

Manouso Manos, Rita Lewis-Manos, and Dean Lerner. In coming

association in Arizona.

to Tucson and sharing Guruji’s teachings, they helped plant the seed for IYASW’s work today.

Aileen realized that a lengthy and expensive process lay ahead for Arizona as a new region. Changing the name from

It was Senior Teacher Carolyn Belko’s idea to start the regional

IYASN to IYASW proved to be simpler than launching a new

association. Carolyn comes regularly from her home in

nonprofit corporation, and soon the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga

Encinitas, CA, to Scottsdale Community College in Arizona to

Association of the Southwest was born. An extra benefit to

hold teacher training sessions. Through the work of all of

the merger was that the new region would be bigger,

Arizona’s Certified Teachers, Iyengar Yoga has made gains in

encompassing Arizona and Nevada. IYASW also welcomes

that state in recent years, and Carolyn suggested that forming a

members from New Mexico and Northwestern Texas, which

regional association would help bring the community together,

are typically included in the Southwest.

while nourishing its expansion.

An ad hoc board is currently working to get the new organization up and running. Nominations are being gathered for board members for the coming year; the elections will be

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

19

IYASW

completed by May 1. Once

to bring the Southwestern Iyengar Yoga community closer

the operating board is in

together, IYASW hopes to hold informal community get-

place, it can begin planning

togethers such as potluck dinners and movie nights, giving

events for IYASW members.

members a chance to get to know one another. A bi-monthly or quarterly newsletter, listing workshops and other special events

Many dedicated

hosted by studios or members, will be emailed to members.

practitioners have been working on IYASW’s

Another goal is to set up a members’ library, building a

ad hoc board: Marivic

collection of books, audios, and videos featuring and about

Wrobel (Introductory I,

Guruji and the Iyengar family, including harder-to-find items

Scottsdale, AZ), Vickie

such as back issues of Yoga Samachar and volumes of Astadala

Wofford (Introductory I,

Yogamala—items that can’t be found in most public libraries.

Scottsdale), Ross Temple

Introductory II teacher Carlyn Sikes instructs Marivic in Janu Sirsasana at Scottsdale Community College.

(Introductory I, Scottsdale),

Further down the road, IYASW would like to use membership

Gregg Temple, Rashaad

dues and donations to offer scholarships to community

Thomas, Carlyn Sikes

members in need, so that all Iyengar Yoga practitioners have

(Introductory II, Scottsdale),

the opportunity to attend workshops and regional conventions,

Josie Lazarus (Introductory

and possibly to pursue teacher certification and study at

II, Gilbert, AZ), JoAnn Augur,

R.I.M.Y.I. To truly bring Iyengar Yoga to everyone, scholarships

Lisa Henrich (Introductory I,

must play an integral role.

Scottsdale), and Karen Smith (Introductory II, Tucson, AZ).

As IYASW continues to grow and branch out, members look IYASW has several goals for the future. It looks forward to

forward to seeing Guruji’s gift touch more and more lives

sponsoring free or reduced-cost workshops for members,

throughout the Southwest region and beyond.

featuring the talented teachers of the Southwest and also teachers from other regions. Since one of the primary goals is

—Lisa Henrich

The Reading Corner N E W E DITION

Sparks of Divinity, the Teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar from 1959-1975 The quotation on our cover comes from the new edition of Sparks of Divinity, the Teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar from 1959-1975. This famous collection of Guruji’s early teachings, first published in a French-English bilingual edition in 1976, was compiled by Noelle PerezChristiaens from class notes and correspondence during her intense work with Guruji in the mid-50s through the death of Ramamani Iyengar and the opening of R.I.M.Y.I. in 1975. When Noelle began her study with Guruji in Pune, he was still teaching pupils one-on-one at his home and Noelle was virtually regarded as one of the household. The new edition contains Noelle’s “India journal for 1959” and her “Early Life of B.K.S. Iyengar,” translated into English especially for this edition. Noelle is founder of the Institute de Yoga B.K.S. Iyengar in Paris, and author of many books on yoga and Aplomb, the Study of Natural Balance.

20

Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

yoga philosophy to children and teens As part of my dissertation research on yoga curricula for young

RL: What basic philosophy would one introduce?

people, I interviewed Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar. This article presents responses related to teaching yoga to youth (children and teens).

GI: From the yogasutras we have prakriti (nature), the evolutes

— Robin Lowry

of prakriti. Teach what sattva (luminosity, pure), rajas (vibrancy), tamas (inertia), and purusha (the seer, the soul) mean. Teach so

Robin Lowry: To what extent can and should yoga philosophy

that at every level students learn different terminology and

be taught to youth?

progress gradually. At the Arambhika level (ages 7-9) for example, introduce the

Geeta Iyengar: Teachers should take to yoga out of curiosity and introduce yogic philosophy at various levels according to students’ age and development. They need to know what Patanjali explains, but they should use modern language.

Philosophy teachers can explain the Seer, or Atman (individual spirit), but you cannot answer children like this. You can say in a deductive way that your hand is not Atman because if you lose it you wouldn’t die, but such a negative approach does not work for children and imparting such knowledge is challenging since students can keep questioning. Basic Guidelines for Teachers can be used as a guide. Simple answers should be given so students know the basics. As a starting point though, students must be introduced to their bodies as well as their minds. They

Today children have high blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia, diabetes.

You have to reach them where they lose mental peace, where they are restless.

organs of action, senses of perception, and the mind.

Teach how good work is done through karmendriya (organs of actions) and jñãnendriya (senses of perception). Demonstrate how to use the body for wrong or right purposes.

This understanding, where philosophy blends with the annamaya kosha, has to be taught.

have to understand anatomy objectively although we teach subjectively to make students aware of anatomy and actions on

We can also teach Yama and Niyama. For instance, sauca

this level. That is the base.

(cleanliness) has such importance now, especially when children want to live in a fanciful way. They eat rubbish;

RL: So begin with the anamaya kosha (anatomical sheath).

simplicity is forgotten. Parents and teachers need to talk to children about how this connects to sauca and the diseases

GI: Yes. Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

associated with it. You can make teens aware that they cannot 21

just have easy contact with everyone. You can talk to them on a

circulation and digestion improve. Why are children

moral level, also.

constipated today? What food should be eaten? What Asanas?

With these connections you can explain Yama, Niyama, Asana,

RL: Is pratipaksha bhavanam, as B.K.S. Iyengar describes it in his

even up to Samadhi; how they have to maintain a balanced

commentary on sutra II:33, similar to a dialoguing method a

state. Samadhi is absolutely absorption which children don’t

teacher would use with a student?

understand, but you can use words like straightforwardness, equanimity, equipoise; then they understand it at least to a

GI: Yes. For example, theoretically if you explain why and how

certain level. If there is no peace of mind, no equipoise, how

one gets infected with HIV, students might not connect it to

can you think of something still further called absorption? We

their lives, but you can describe how diseases are contagious.

have to eradicate restlessness in children.

Connect this to a healthy or hygienic point of view, teach them to care for their bodies, and that this care connects to philosophy.

If there is no peace of mind, no equipoise, how can you think of something still further called absorption?

RL: Yogashastra volume 2 (the textbook for the RIMYI children’s programs) describes yoga as one of the six arts (plus economics,

Another example is

dance and drama, athletics, archery and martial arts, and

santosha. Considering

music) that can train the body and mind. The text says yoga is

satisfaction and

the root: in what way is yoga the root?

dissatisfaction also comes under pratipaksha

GI: How will you keep the body, mind, and intelligence healthy?

bhavanam. Today children

Intelligence requires a healthy state of thinking. Yoga is the root

get whatever they ask for,

in that way. A scientist has to keep healthy and sharp for work.

yet they are still

The same applies for a dancer, actor, or musician. If you are a

dissatisfied; philosophy

singer you need to keep your larynx healthy through

comes in here. Ask them to

Sarvangasana and Halasana; increase the elasticity of the lungs

look at the newspaper and

for singing. Yoga keeps you healthy and betters you in your

question why so many murders happen? There may be many

profession or art.

reasons behind it: flirting, money, theft, anger. Why should a child have a gun and kill a friend? What kind of distress is this?

RL: So Asana and Pranayama are the root?

You can help them understand why and when they lose their temper; how to avoid wrongdoing when something negative

GI: They are the roots, undoubtedly; otherwise how will you

happens to them. That is paksha-pratipaksha bhavanam. They

keep the mind in a state of equilibrium during competition?

can learn from such problems. You need not teach them

What is maitri, karuna, mudita, upekshanam (friendliness, joy,

theoretically. You may teach ahimsa theoretically, but make

compassion, indifference) teaching?

them understand it practically. Emphasize why they need to have peace of mind, quietness; why they have to think before

RL: But yoga has eight limbs. Guruji says you shouldn’t teach

they act. They have to learn to quiet themselves when angry

Pranayama, meditation, or concentration, to people under 17?

and reflect on the situation that angered them. Teach them how Asanas help. When a teacher or parent guides the child,

GI: No, he doesn’t say you don’t teach it, he says it cannot be

“You ought to behave like this, you should be like this, think in

taught. If you say you are going to teach meditation, that is the

this manner, this is not the way to be,” it

continued on page 38

does not help much; one has to make them feel it practically.

Today children have high blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia, diabetes. You have to reach them where they lose mental peace, where they are restless. In this manner, if Yama and Niyama are taught, and Asanas introduced, they may connect to yoga. Ask them, “Why do you do Asana?” The pressure on the nerves is lessened; the organic body works in balance; physiological functions like 22

Geeta teaching a kids’ class – Archives

Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

Excerpt from a Lecture by Prashant Iyengar on the Occasion of Guruji’s 85th Birthday These lectures were given each evening for six consecutive days in December 2003 and were delivered as commentaries on the lecture/presentations of B.K.S. Iyengar in the morning sessions.

i

n our asana we need to understand: What is the grosser form of it? What is the substantive form of it? What is the subtle form of it? Now, that subtle form is constituted by

primordial matter, which is constituted by sattva/raja/tamo gunas. Because body is matter. Now the sattva/raja/tamo gunas will cost you, depending on what your purpose is in doing Trikonasana. Are you doing it for the back? Are you doing it for strengthening the legs? Are you doing it for the development of will? Or are you going to do it for meditation? Trikonasana can be a meditative pose. Our master [Guruji] would perform Trikonasana as a meditative pose, so that the purpose will be apavarga (emancipation, liberation). He will try to get something: some light, viveka, some discrimination, knowing also reality. Trikonasana is also a means to understand reality.

Some reality will be revealed in Trikonasana by a master of it. So if the purpose is backache: a particular mode of Trikonasana. For knees or legs: a particular mode of Trikonasana. For cervical and neck problems and shoulders: a particular mode of Trikonasana…

Now, but suppose somebody says, “I want to experience ‘Prayatna saithilya ananta samapat-ibhyaam,’ ‘Tatah dvandvah anabhighatah’” (Yoga Sutras II. 47, 48: “Perfection in an asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

23

How to do an asana, how to do pranayama, how to do anything depends upon why you are going to do it

the infinite being within is

action. Because our action is going to take place with the

reached. From then on, the

matter: bhutic (elemental) matter or indriya (sensory) matter. It

sadhaka is undisturbed by

is all prakrti. Bhutendriyatmakam. (Yoga Sutras II. 18: “The nature

dualities”). Then the

of the elements and the senses.”)

purpose of Trikonasana is changed. So, the

So that is how the asana needs to be structured. I think it has to

infrastructure will change.

be an integral practice. [In this morning’s lecture] Guruji

If the infrastructure is going

beautifully related the klesas: avidya, asmita, raga, dvesa,

to change, the foundational

abhinivesa. They will manifest because they are all the time in

aspect is going to change;

us. Avidya never goes to sleep. Even after death, it remains. That

the superstructure is going to change. Therefore, how to do an

is the something that transmigrates. Our mind dies with the

asana depends on why you want to do it. How to do an asana,

death. But the subtle body doesn’t die with it. The subtle body

how to do pranayama, how to do anything depends upon why

transmigrates. And those klesas are manifest in us on the plane

you are going to do it…

of body, on the plane of mind, on the plane of intelligence, on the plane of the senses. Because they are all working on avidya.

Why do you want to do Trikonasana? Do you want to do

Avidya is the material cause for all manifestations in us. Avidya

Trikonasana to know something or to attain something? Now

is the source. So there is avidya in skin, flesh, muscles, bones,

when you want to attain something, are you attaining

tissues, cells, fibers, cavities, senses, awareness: everywhere.

something on a mundane plane or a trans-mundane plane? Do

That’s the material cause. Like out of gold you can make

you want to know Trikonasana on the mundane plane or the

anything: you can make ornaments, you can make vessels, you

trans-mundane plane? According to the modus operandi it will

can make a blouse, you can make chips. It’s all gold, gold, gold,

be taking place. And that’s why this interpenetration comes.

gold. So our body, mind, senses, everything is avidya, avidya,

The sutra “sthula svarupa sukshma anvaya arthavatva…” (Yoga

avidya, avidya, avidya.

Sutras III. 45: “By samyama on the elements—their mass, forms, subtlety, conjunction, and purposes—the yoga becomes Lord

Now how does it manifest in different actions, different aspects

over them all”) has a big philosophy behind it, and it has a

of the body? So Guruji was explaining what is avidya of one leg.

technology behind it. Because, suppose the gross external

Why one leg is in avidya and the other leg is not so much in

Trikonasana is going to work for your joints, then the underlying

avidya, perhaps. It is in asmita.

principles—svarupa (attributes of the elements), sukshma (subtlety), anvaya (interpenetration), arthavatva (purpose),

So somewhere there is raga, somewhere there is dvesa. Now if I

samyama (restraint)—they will have a compatible mode.

keep you in a difficult contortion for a long time that you

Because what is the purpose? The purpose is to work on the

cannot bear, what happens? The mind develops aversion for

muscles, to work on the joints, to work on the body…

you. You are exhibiting an asana, but the body develops aversion for you. “Why are you keeping me here so long? Why

So that is how in our asana we have got to understand what

are you killing me?” So there is somewhere aversion. There is

track and what channel we are following. Accordingly, we will

somewhere raga. So all those klesas manifest in different forms,

collect the components. Compatible components will be

different modes in every aspect of body and mind; every facet

collected. On the physical plane, if I have to do Trikonasana for

of mind, every aspect of the body: sapta dhatus (seven

spondylitis, I cannot be collecting components of Trikonasana

constituent elements of the body). All that management has to

which are for athletes’ legs. The athlete has to work on the leg

take place.

muscles in a particular way. So his purpose of Trikonasana is for what will develop the legs, while the cervical spondylitis patient

Transcription by Chris Beach, with Sanskrit assistance from Leslie Freyberg

has a purpose of curing his neck problem. When the purpose changes, the whole structure changes. The arthavatvam (purposefulness, fullness) is changing; that is the philosophy of

24

Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

The Education of an Iyengar Yoga Teacher: Part I

by Pat Musburger

How did you learn to teach yoga?

Felicity Green: In the beginning none of us knew what to do so we watched Guruji and did what he did. We learned by his example. And, of course, you had your practice to teach you.

Joan White: I learned to teach yoga by observing how Guruji was teaching. I studied how he communicated with us, how he sequenced asanas… how he was able to take other people’s problems into his own body and show how to correct the mistakes they were making.

It was like grade school, high school, college, and

In 1984, at the First International Iyengar Yoga Convention held in San Francisco, a consistent method for teacher education began to emerge.

graduate school all rolled into one.

Patricia Walden: I learned to teach yoga by Teaching Yoga. There was no one around to teach me to teach. I had a copy of Light on Yoga that I practiced with daily.

It was the only thing I did where I was fully engaged, and not only that, but I felt joyful doing it during and after, so I decided I would teach it. It was the first “job” I ever had, although I never call teaching yoga a job.

Janet Macleod teaching Sarvangasana Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

25

There are 33 officially approved teacher training programs

approved or denied the application for a credential, in which

listed in the 2012 IYNAUS Certification Manual. On any given

case suggestions for improvement were given. All the

day, various studios and institutes host workshops dedicated to

decisions were submitted to Mr. Iyengar for approval. Mr.

teaching teachers how to teach. The training covers basic asana

Iyengar awarded all certificates above the Introductory level.”

to philosophy. Methodologies range from one-on-one apprenticeships to formal multi-year programs. But in the

Meanwhile, on the east coast they took a slightly different

beginning there was only B.K.S. Iyengar and Light on Yoga. How

approach, according to former IYNAUS Certification Chair Joan

we got to our current system of teacher education and

White. Early on she chaired a committee that included Patricia

certification is our focus here. In part two, in the next issue of

Walden, Karin Stephen, and Victor Oppenheimer. Their

Yoga Samachar, we will examine teacher education programs

guidelines and exam for aspiring teachers, based on the process

and what the future may hold.

used in the U.K., resembled our current system. In a 2005 Yoga Samachar interview, Joan stressed that all the teachers

In the spring of 1974 Mr. Iyengar made his first visit to San

evaluating candidates for Introductory certificates had been

Francisco. This visit inspired area teachers to form what

tested and certified by Guruji himself—after he had seen them

eventually became the Iyengar Yoga

practice and teach repeatedly.

Institute of San Francisco that included the first teacher education program in

In 1984, at the First International Iyengar

the U.S. During the 70s and early 80s

Yoga Convention held in San Francisco, a

Mr. Iyengar encouraged his best

consistent method for teacher education

students to teach. They, in turn,

began to emerge. Senior instructors

selected their best students to begin

taught and Mr. Iyengar went from class

teaching. When teachers in the United

to class to assist and have personal

Kingdom were required to have a

contact with both the teachers and the

certificate so that they could teach in

students. Following the convention,

adult education programs, Guruji

Guruji traveled to southern California to

entrusted a number of teachers in the

observe classes there. The La Canada

U.S. to award introductory teaching

YMCA space being used was divided into

certificates.

four areas for simultaneous classes. In a 2004 article for Yoga Samachar, Bonnie

The development of a certification process is significant in the evolution of

Anthony and Anna Delury recalled how

1984 convention flyer

Mr. Iyengar showed the way for the 50

Iyengar Yoga teacher education because it created standards

teachers in attendance: “Guruji walked from quadrant to

and guidelines for teacher training programs. Though there was

quadrant, talking, yelling, admonishing, praising—teaching us

no national association at this time, there were a number of

how to teach.”

regionals. Methods used on the east and west coast varied somewhat, but Mr. Iyengar sanctioned both and always had the

This method of teaching teachers continued at subsequent

final word. Both the Southern and Northern California

conventions and intensives.

associations had certification committees and a formal relationship with Mr. Iyengar. Intermediate Sr. III teacher Ariane

The model of peer teaching emerged at the 1987 convention in

Hudson, who later became the first IYNAUS Certification Chair,

Cambridge, MA. Here, small groups shared what they learned

describes the process:

and how they understood the teaching. Additionally, Guruji moved from class to class observing teachers. Former Iyengar

“ Until 1983 teachers at the Introductory level were not assessed

Yoga teacher Judith Lasater recalls how he instructed teachers

but were observed during classes and then recommended by a

to “try it this way, try it that way. Put yourself in their bodies,

senior teacher—of which there were probably fewer than ten

learn how it feels when it is done wrong, then learn how to do it

in the country—to a certification committee, chaired by Larry

right so you can teach them! That’s the art of teaching.” Other

Hatlett of IYANC. The committee, selected by Mr. Iyengar,

accounts emphasize the importance Mr. Iyengar placed on

included Ramanand Patel, Manouso Manos, Mary Dunn, Judith

teaching one direction or point at a time and staying with that

Lasater, and Felicity Green. The applicant generally taught a

point until the students “got it.”

class that one of these teachers observed. The committee then

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Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

Regional certification continued on both coasts and in the Midwest. Two hundred and fifty certified teachers attended the 1990 convention in San Diego. During that convention Mr. Iyengar taught the first mega-class but also moved in and out of smaller classes being taught by Senior Teachers to “support the teaching process amongst the teachers,” according to Intermediate Senior I teacher Lisa Walford. Additionally that year, the Iyengar Yoga Association of Midwest Bioregions produced the film “The Art of Teaching.” Made during Guruji’s visit to Chicago, it instructed teachers on important elements to address while teaching. (Though the film is no longer available, the transcript was published in the convention magazine for the 2004 convention in St. Paul, MN.) At that 1990 gathering, Mr. Iyengar and many others felt that the time had come to create a national association to foster a sense of unity within the community by streamlining the teacher training and certification process, among other things.

Though it took until 1992 for incorporation as a national nonprofit, IYNAUS came out of the 1990 convention.

The transition from regional

The transition from regional assessments to a single national assessment was not always easy.

assessments to a single national assessment was not always easy. The original three levels of Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced eventually progressed to five: Introductory, Intermediate Junior, Intermediate Senior, Advanced Junior, and

Guruji and Judith Lasater in 1984

Advanced Senior, with Mr. Iyengar awarding anything above Intermediate Junior. The need

the convention—“to clarify and build an understanding of how

to develop and implement a teacher training program and

to teach the principles of Iyengar Yoga”—manifested as peer

create a teacher training manual became evident. Kristin

teaching sessions, Q&A, and special topic forums. These added

Chirhart, the second Certification Chair for IYNAUS, began that

to the knowledge participants gained from Geeta’s brilliant and

work, but because of the complicated and daunting nature of

clear teaching.

the task, it did not get completed until the mid- to late 1990s, during Laurie Blakeney’s tenure as chair.

Before the 2001 Convention in Pasadena, CA, the certification levels were divided into the current 14 segments. Some, such as

Mr. Iyengar returned to the states in 1993 for the Ann Arbor,

the original Introductory level, with its 63 poses, were felt to be

Michigan Convention. In addition to conducting the morning

too unwieldy to be practical for assessment. The Pasadena

mega-classes, each afternoon he walked along the observation

convention, open to all experienced practitioners, had two

decks of the squash courts where small classes were being

teacher training sessions. The DVD, available from the IYNAUS

taught. He observed, advised, and improved the teaching.

store, shows Geeta working with teachers of various levels in peer teaching situations. Geeta also met with those teaching

The 1996 Convention in Estes Park, Colorado was named A

the faculty topics classes. Class sequences were finessed and

Teacher’s Exchange and featured Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar at the first

clarified, creating more uniformity in the teaching.

gathering open only to certified teachers. The stated purpose of

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

continued on page 39

27

Yoga is not a religion by itself. It is the science of religions, the study of which will enable a sadhaka the better to appreciate his own faith.—B.K.S. Iyengar

Stories of Conflict and Convergence A conversation between Zen priest Victoria Austin and former Yoga Samachar editor Constance Braden set in motion this series of articles on the relationship between yoga and religion. We begin with Victoria’s careful tracing of the transformative effect of yoga on her Buddhist practice. Michael Spencer shares how Iyengar Yoga combined with Judaism recast his life path. And finally, Vickie Aldridge’s struggle between her yoga practice and elements of her Christian faith attest to her inner strength. We thank these authors for their openness and insight and invite our readers to share their stories of yoga and religion on the iynaus.org website blog.

Iyengar Yoga and Soto Zen: A Response to Constance Braden Dear Constance, Thank you for asking why I require my ordination candidates to

including my home temple, San Francisco Zen Center, which

have a body-centered practice in addition to zazen. I will briefly

began as a zazen-centered offshoot of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi’s

contextualize Soto Zen, then discuss some of the theory behind

more traditional temple, Sokoji.

the Iyengar-based “Yoga For Sitters” programs I teach in Buddhist venues. I hope this response is helpful.

Though Suzuki Roshi’s own practice was highly integrated and mature, the first generations of young American Zen trainees

Soto Zen is a Japanese lineage of Mahayana Buddhist religious

were slow to understand his physical, psychological,

practice whose methods include the practices of seated

intellectual and spiritual skills. After his death in 1971, many

formless meditation (zazen), Bodhisattva precepts, and work

seekers got hurt when they practiced too intensely or mildly to

(samu). In contrast to other forms of Zen, which apply koan

meet their own needs. They tended to gravitate toward Suzuki

study (verbal “public cases”) to discursive thinking to purify and

Roshi’s teachings about insight, at the expense of his humbler

transcend itself, Soto Zen tends to emphasize genjokoan, the

work. Their culture had emphasized meditation and monastic

koan that arises moment-by-moment through the nature of

practice, and could not yet meet their varying abilities and

everyday life, and thus sokushinzebutsu, “this very mind is

histories.

Buddha.” This school often uses discursive methods as description rather than prescription. As in all forms of

At the time, I was practicing Iyengar Yoga, and had already

Buddhism, the aim of Soto Zen is to end suffering and realize

begun to feel its benefits in my sitting. I did not, and do not,

happiness, by actualizing and developing wisdom and

wish to mix the two forms; though the component practice

compassion.

steps in each discipline are different, the baseline practices seemed highly compatible.

Buddhism came to America in waves, entering popular culture via forms as diverse as Transcendentalism, the Twelve Steps,

Introducing a lecture-demonstration on yoga as universal

garden design, and brand names. One such wave in the 1950s

foundation of religion, Guruji once said, “…yoga is the union of

and 1960s produced most of the Zen Centers in America today,

the individual soul with the Universal Soul or God. In simple

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Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

Yoga and Religion

terms, yoga is the art and science of removing the polarities

The term “zazen” actually means “seated dhyana.” What better

between body and consciousness and consciousness and Self. It

preparation could there be, for seated dhyana, than Iyengar

cultures the mind of the sadhaka in order that they experience

Yoga, in which the building of a firm foundation expresses all

the state of Universality within themselves.” —B.K.S. Iyengar,

stages of sadhana?

“Yoga – A Fount for All Spiritual Paths,” in Astadala Yogamala, vol. 1, p. 113

Another ancient term for zazen is shikan, the union of meditative stability (samatha) and meditative insight (vipassana). Soto Zen

Zen work practice (samu) is uniquely helped by Iyengar Yoga’s

emphasizes that “this very mind is Buddha” and also, that

emphasis on right action through alignment. Iyengar Yoga teaches

“practice and realization are one.” Both the form and the

right effort, the sixth pada of the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path.

pliancy of body, mind and breath are to be maintained, so that

Through asana we learn to avoid pains that have not yet arisen, to

emptiness and form can express their truth moment after

overcome those that have arisen, to develop concentration and

moment, unhindered.

one-pointed concentration in motion and action, and to maintain the active concentrated state through change.

Because as a culture we focus on objects and results, samatha is uniquely difficult for Westerners. But Iyengar Yoga

The precepts are also conveyed by B.K.S. Iyengar’s example of

re-establishes the balance to produce a seated asana and

yama and niyama as demonstrated in asana and pranayama. To

attitude that grows from concentration into pliancy. Iyengar

observe Guruji’s practice in the hall is to learn an integrated,

Yoga cultivates a body that is wide enough, deep enough, and

universal approach to truths, including Zen truths. For instance,

integrated enough, to hold and develop the content of insight

one day Guruji was doing Dwipada Viparita Dandasana, and his

that arises moment after moment, on each breath. Through

pose struck home for Zen:

cultivating meditative awareness and life-giving action in a variety of poses, the practitioner can search out hindrances,

Refuge in Buddha – I could see Guruji going deeper and deeper

and can settle them for good. As Guruji says, “Meditation is the

towards his own, and the universal, light

fruit of consistent practice of ethical, physical, vital and intellectual disciplines of yoga. Meditation is the act of bringing

Refuge in Dharma – I could see the alignment in Guruji’s use of

the complex citta to a state of simplicity without any sign of

his body to express the pose, rather than the other way around

arrogance.” —“Yoga – A Fount for All Spiritual Paths,” p. 117

Avoiding evil – Guruji’s yoga was clean and responsive

Geeta Iyengar, too, has compared the body in asana to a classroom, in which some of the children always rush to raise

Doing good – Guruji performed each action in a way that gave life

their hands, others answer occasionally, and still others sit with their arms crossed, hanging back, silent, or confused. She

Living and being lived for the benefit of all beings – Guruji

suggests that we be like the skillful teacher, who unites our

proved via his actions that his practice was to be shared for

internal children to awaken and develop.

everyone’s benefit In my first 10 years of zazen practice, I did not know how to sit

Not harming – Guruji used props to develop the poses evenly

without strain. The different parts of body and mind kept

and peacefully

straying, fighting, complaining or withdrawing. Though insights would arise, I could not maintain or develop them well.

Not stealing – Guruji stayed in the present, not taking more than was given

This issue grew in my mind as ordination approached. I would represent the teaching. I would be wearing robes. It

Not lying – Guruji’s adjustments addressed the actual problems

was urgent that I make myself into as good an example as I

at hand

could, of our teachings.

Non-intoxication – Guruji stayed responsive—the grounded yet

In 1983 I left the monastery to begin Iyengar teacher training

bright expression of his body and face, didn’t emotionally or

with Manouso Manos, and soon went to Pune to study with the

physically overreach

Iyengars. That decision helped to form me into someone who could hear and understand more of Suzuki Roshi’s teachings, and be truer to the practice of Zen.

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar 29

Yoga Samachar Fall 2011 /Winter 2012 29

Yoga and Religion

Today as a priest, every day I use skills learned in Iyengar Yoga

This is why I require my ordination candidates to practice a

to meet people’s needs:

discipline that integrates body, speech and mind through many postures—one which uses motion as well as action. For me,

– To teach foundational skills for meditation to the student

that discipline is Iyengar Yoga.

who feels they’ll never be able to sit in full lotus Thank you so much for a wonderful and transformative – To make zazen accessible to the student who feels any part

question. — Victoria

of the discipline is too hard to practice, and asks what to do Rev. Shosan Victoria Austin is a Zen priest in the lineage of Shunryu – To train safety and self-trust in students: “Is this pain helping me or hurting me?”

Suzuki, who began to study meditation and yoga as separate subjects on the same day in 1971. Ordained in 1982, she is currently a Dharma teacher at San Francisco Zen Center, an international dissemination

– To train students according to their condition

priest of the Soto School, and an Iyengar Yoga teacher certified at Intermediate Junior III. She teaches at the Abode of Iyengar Yoga and

– To help people who are sick or dying find a way to do what they need most to do

serves on the faculty of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco Teacher Training Program. Victoria acknowledges with gratitude the assistance of her sister Jackie Austin in the editing of this article.

Yoga and Judaism

by Michael Spencer

If I am not for myself, Who will be for me?

And when I am for myself, what am I? If not now, when? —Hillel the Elder, 110 BCE-10CE The beauty of a lake reflects the beauty around it. When the mind is still, the beauty of the Self is seen reflected in it.—Guruji

in civil rights and antiwar estranged us further. She hated blacks, she hated Jews, she hated anyone different, but she adored Fritz, the “homosexual” living next door. When I came home from school, I didn’t know what to say to her. Still, she instilled in me a lifelong love of learning, a sense that things can be better, and a knowledge that there is no shame in failure. Try again. Find your way. She could be brutal about it.

“Pick yourself up!” she’d say.

Iyengar Yoga and a conversion to Reform Judaism offered me a solid way forward out of a troubling childhood. And now, forty

And when I am for myself, what am I?

years later, I can tell what happened, but I still don’t know why

By my mid-twenties, I knew that I needed to fashion a life. From

the universe offered me these wonderful tools.

the bottom, up, I needed a past, a present, and a way to the

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

future. I knew that. I was both worried and delighted that I might forget who I am. My inner story began to find flesh, and a

My story is about a childhood lost at a dear age and sadly not

center, as I learned about being Jewish and about practicing

missed until adulthood. Hatred, disdain, disapproval, loathing,

yoga. Reb Jeff (http://bit.ly/LqCK3q) clarified it by saying, “you

aversion, hostility, antipathy: this was a special childhood, one

can’t just study Judaism, you have to live it.” That was perfect; I

filled with abuse and drink, populated by a sequence of

had always wanted a model.

incomplete father figures, a blended, confused family of transitioning parents and no center. It was the home of a

Both yoga (in general) and Judaism are, as Reb Jeff explained,

cowering child who wondered about the next blow.

“experienced traditions.” For him, and for me, there is less to be gained from yoga by reading about it than by doing it. The part

My mother created this mess and she knew it, tearfully. She

that I really needed—the inner strength—came from doing the

had chosen meritless men, choices that chilled her even at her

poses, not from reading the philosophy. Yes, Patanjali is there,

death. She watched her children—all of us—drive ourselves

with the traveler, gently admonishing the pilgrim to be “steady,

from self-made cliffs: loveless, sequential marriages, alcohol,

firm, and comfortable.” Jewish philosopher Maimonides, too,

lives with no meaning. There was no real way forward; there

urges the heart forward, assuring that “all depends on G-d.”

was no example of how to live a life. I was awash in the early

Still, it is the doing that steadies the heart.

seventies with no touchstone whatsoever. Heavy involvement

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Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

Yoga and Religion

Faith and study, the deeper aspects of the Jewish religion, never

Guruji also writes, “Illuminated emancipation, freedom,

mattered much to me; I glommed onto the ritual and the

unalloyed and untainted bliss await you, but you have to

belonging. Judaism gave me a family. And stability. Routine.

choose to embark on the Inward Journey to discover it.” Not

Roots. A sense of the past and of the future. What mattered,

only do I have to choose, but I must also choose to remember.

and still matters, are Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Chanukah. Yes, I am still goyishe, but I am also fully

In a recent television series on the history of mathematics, the

accepted by my Jewish friends and family. Their proud history

presenter hesitates, contemplating the inherent beauty of the

is now mine.

Pythagorean Theorem—that the sum of the squares of a right triangle equals the square of the longest side—and then quotes

And how did yoga fit in? As a child I avoided learning about

Richard J. Trudeau, a scholar of mathematical philosophy:

myself—and, under the hand of an angry parent, learned to

“When the pall of familiarity lifts, as it occasionally does, and I

devalue what little I knew. Yoga took this devaluation away,

see the Theorem of Pythagoras afresh, I am flabbergasted.”

teaching me about my own body, letting me feel where my

Pythagoras’ “simple” theorem, so central to mathematics, has,

limbs are in space, and allowing me to experience the power of

buried in itself, an obvious kernel of beauty visible to us

my own breath. These are all mine; they are all me. Freud wrote

whenever the “pall” of familiarity lifts.

that he could not “think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.” Jungian analyst Eugene

Sometimes the pall of daily life, with its daily grind, makes me

Monick goes further, arguing that men have a deep need for

forget to be flabbergasted, but I have a solution: Go to class.

fraternity and bonding. I fashioned my own substitutes in

Keep the holidays. In both yoga and Judaism I am an imperfect

Iyengar Yoga and Reform Judaism.

student, but I keep coming back. And I am flabbergasted with

If not now, when?

my life now, finally.

My friend Larry says that he always feels better after class but

Michael Spencer is a garden writer, columnist, blogger, and landscape

that he cannot motivate himself to go unless he has back pain.

architect. He lives and practices yoga in Naples, FL, with his wise,

Guruji knows about this. He writes, “Change leads to

thoughtful life-mate, Suzie Muchnick, a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher,

disappointment if it is not sustained.” I know about this, too: I

and is held captive by seven cats.

cannot stop going to class because I know the pain will return.

Finding My Path

by Vickie Aldridge I was raised in a Baptist church, sang in the choir, attended

pastor and friends, were telling me to stop. After much thought

Vacation Bible School, and many years later, as an adult in my

and prayer I felt I had to quit, even though my wise husband

late 20’s, took a strong and personal step of faith to call myself

couldn’t figure out why!

a “Born-again Christian.” I was already practicing Iyengar Yoga by then and testifying to all about the many benefits of getting

I believe, and the Bible teaches, that God speaks to us in a “still

on the mat.

small voice.” After six months of no yoga, I heard that voice during my prayer time say what I had been longing to hear:

I had heard B.K.S. Iyengar say that “Yoga is not a religion, but

that I had passed the test of where my heart lay, that He was

the practice of yoga can help one to better appreciate his own

giving yoga back to me, and that I should dedicate my yoga

faith.” Mr. Iyengar’s words assisted me in my own thought

practice to the Lord. After all, the Bible says that we should “Do

process of separating my faith from my yoga practice. Even

all things as unto the Lord, and pray without ceasing.” Even

when many Christians said that yoga was evil, I continued to

B.K.S. Iyengar states that “each asana is a prayer to God” and

practice for many years. Yoga made me feel physically stronger,

that our students are a “gift from God.” Guruji’s words helped to

more confident and peaceful, and it relieved my back pain and

solidify what I knew to be true in my heart.

depression. B.K.S. Iyengar was “my guy” in the argument for yoga!

Life went along at a nice pace for several years, yoga and the But as Christians continued to be shocked and judgmental

Lord coexisting peacefully, until the San Diego Convention in

when they heard that I practiced yoga, I began to question it

1990. That was the year Guruji took a great deal of time to

myself. As doubt settled in I felt that God, and certainly my

teach all of us the Invocation to Patanjali and requested that

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

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Yoga and Religion

My God isn’t judging people because they chant the Invocation to Patanjali or stand on their head.

we incorporate it in our

the mind, that there is no God, but that we are God, the Self is

classes. I knew the chant

God. Isn’t it true that Yoga takes people away from God and into

could be seen as a cultic

themselves?” I believe that God put us in each other’s paths for

practice by Christians, but

a reason, and after a very deep breath, I told them I found just

after a trip to Pune the

the opposite to be true: that yoga doesn’t take us away from

following year, and much

God, but that it teaches us to go inside to that God-given place

practice, I eventually gave it

of peace, joy, and contentment.

a try. Many of my long-time students said that if they

I am reminded of the Catholic monk, J.M. Dechanet, O.S.B., and

had been asked to do it as

his book Christian Yoga. He speaks of his quest to unite his body,

beginners, they wouldn’t

mind, and spirit as one pleasing to God. None of the physical

have come back. Twenty

exercises like swimming or gymnastics enhanced his spiritual

years later I am continually

life like yoga did. He embraced yoga and it changed his life. He

rethinking the Invocation and its acceptance in Idaho. We want

came to the conclusion that we could take the practice of yoga

people to like and be attracted to Iyengar Yoga, don’t we? I do.

out of the Hindu matrix and reintroduce the asanas to

So if there are new students or those who I feel might be

Christians so they might “profit from their techniques without

offended by an Invocation chanted in Sanskrit, I will leave it

giving up any of their own beliefs.” He wrote that “an

out. I don’t feel that chanting or not chanting will make the

extraordinary sense of calm sinks into the mind, while from the

difference in what students learn in the class about their own

depths of the soul there rises up towards God a silent concert,

life journey.

as it were, of praise and adoration.” That doesn’t sound like the emptying of the mind to me, but more a filling of the whole

But no matter how I present Iyengar Yoga to my community,

human being with the light and love of God.

there are some who will always have their doubts. A few years ago a local minister listed my yoga center as an “evil influence

Guruji describes asana as “meditation in action,” which says so

in the neighborhood” in his church newsletter. In the same

much. In our practice we learn to turn away from those things

sentence, our studio was separated by commas from Satanic

that we obsess about daily and focus our positive energy on

practices, psychics, and witchcraft. My husband, who by now

what we’re doing on the mat. I ask my students to pay

was a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, and I requested a meeting

attention to how they feel after their practice, to notice if they

with this minister to address the issue. He surprised us by

feel more connected to themselves, God, and the world around

bringing a group of his church elders, with Bibles in hand, who

them. This union and peacefulness is our goal after all, isn’t it?

quoted scriptures to back up their accusations. We saw their fear and mistrust. The minister held his head down, would

In my heart I feel like a Christian, although I have come to

barely look at us, and refused to even pray with us. Of course,

understand that my idea of God is now much larger than what

we could also back up our beliefs by quoting scripture. We

it used to be. My God isn’t judging people because they chant

might have used the line, “Be still and know that I am God,” or

the Invocation to Patanjali or stand on their head. My God is

any of the many references to the need for meditation or

bigger than that, full of grace and love and acceptance. He sees

contemplation on that which is good. We invited them to come

our hearts and our intentions and doesn’t “sweat the small

to a class to see what we actually do there. I offered to go to

stuff.” May we each continue on a personal path of truth,

their church and introduce myself and give my Christian

nonviolence, and faith, and let our time on the yoga mat give us

testimony. They refused all offers and wouldn’t print a

the clarity to be nonjudgmental and make wise choices.

retraction. Many said I should take him to court, but I believe that in this world of diversity, we must first meet one another

We need only to read the writings and teachings of our Guruji,

at a level of kindness and respect for each other’s beliefs. I put

B.K.S. Iyengar, to know how important God is in this life. I am

it in God’s hands and later heard that the church had fired the

thankful for his reminders of faith that show us the way.

pastor because of too many doctrinal problems.

“Surrender to God all your experiences. Start your work and end it In another incident, I had a conversation with a pastor and a

with the name of God, then your life will be full of harmony.”

church delegate who appeared at my door. I have “YOGA” on my

—B.K.S. Iyengar

license plate, and as the conversation got to that topic, they asked if I believed and followed the spiritual tenets of yoga. I

Vickie Aldridge, Intermediate Junior I, lives and teaches in Boise, ID

didn’t answer, but instead asked what they believed those to be.

with her husband of 42 years, Jerry.

The delegate said, “the worship of Self as God, the emptying of 32

Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

2011 CERTIFICATIONS Here are the names of all those who successfully passed their 2011 Iyengar Yoga certification examinations. Congratulations on your hard work and dedication.

Intermediate Senior II

Jay Bolsom

Katherine Lee Shull

Anna Karasek

Bobby Clennell

Jannette (Jann) Boyer

Peter Smith

Barbara Laird

Rebecca Lerner

Tracy Brennan

Jean Stawarz

Rebecca Lascoe

James Murphy

Amy Brown

Barbara Thomas

Jenelle Lee

Mary Reilly

Karin Brown

Winnie Waiyu Au

Debra Lauren Lefkowitz

Megan Cannon

Marsha Walters

Cynthia Licht

Aude Cardona

Susan Weiner

Stefie Livingston

Yvonne Caro-Caro

Rebecca Weisman

Purnima Manghnani

Intermediate Senior I Rita Manos

Intermediate Junior II

Christy Chase

Kathryn McKinney

Jerry Chiprin

Introductory I

John Hayden

Kisa Davison

Carol Ahuna

Tzahi Moskovitz

Nancy Turnquist

Tracy Erickson

Wendy Alter

Kathy Oshaughnessy

Paula Weithman

Donna Furmanek

Autumn Alvarez

Danielle Ou

Patti Gagne

Roberto Astorga

Joan Pope

Lisa Giroux

Cynthia Bernheim

Stephanie Rago

Chad Balch

Eleanor Goldfarb

Joanne Boccassini

Stefanie Renard

Lisa Beckwith Wolf

Esta Herold

Olga Boggio

Michael Romero

Nancy Footner

Holly Hughins

Kathy Jo Brisker

Lisa Rotell

Dora Hasenbein

Nancy Ito

Natalya Caldwell

Stephanie Rubinstein

Scott Hobbs

Patricia Kalman

Angela Campbell

Tahsha Sanbrailo

Vladimir Jandov

Jesse Moore Kelsch

Galit Carthy

Mari Beth Sartain

Debra Johnson

Kimberly Lee

Robyn Castano

Charlotte Sather Davis

Tulsi Laher

Larry Lopez

Waraporn N. Cayeiro

Paige Seals

Joy Laine

Paul Massie

Lynn Celek

Jessica Sherwood

Rosa Lopez-Santana

Lori McIntosh

Tehseen Chettri

Robin Simmonds

Diana Martinez

Deborah Morin

Jerrilyn Crowley

Ginna Sloane

Michael Morphis

Katie Murphy

Patrice Daws

Celina Streeper

Allen Mulch

Carol Nichols

Julia DeHoff

Ross Temple

Kathleen Mulligan-Hansel

Leah Nichols

Jonathan Dickstein

Ellen Wagner

Nancy Phillips

Dana Olson

Teena Evert

Josh Warren

Jennifer Shonk

Jeff Perlman

Annie Fedler

Asha Watson

Cheree Winston

Alice Rasmussen

Stephanie Foxman

Javier Wilensky

Marianne Reagan

Rachel Hazuga

Leslie Williams

Intermediate Junior I

Introductory II

Melinda Morey

Maria Reyes

Lisa Henrich

Vickie Wofford

Sheryl Abrams

Deborah Saliby

Howison Hollenberg

Angie Woyar

Cynthia Bates

Charlotte Sanpere

Rebecca Hooper

Marivic Wrobel

Beth Birenbaum

Lauren Schumacher

Gretchen House

Anastasia Bizzarri

Jacqueline Shea Murphy

Aziani Ismail

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

33

Jan Campbell, director of The Yoga Center of Nashville, teaching Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana.

L to R: Diana Martinez, Maitri Conference Co-chair and Vice President IYASE; Yvonne Roberts, Conference Finance Chair and Phyllis Rollins, Conference Entertainment Committee Chair and current IYNAUS Vice President

Patricia Walden teaching Urdhva Mukha Svanasana in a class focusing on backbends.

Lois Steinberg teaching Baddha Konasana in her “Six Daily Asanas to Maintain Organ Health” class.

Sharon Cowdery helping customers at the IYNAUS booth at the Maitri Convention store.

34

Lois Steinberg teaching Upavistha Konasana in her “Six Daily Asanas to Maintain Organ Health” class.

First Regional Conference of the Iyengar Yoga Association of the Southeast Grows Maitri

by Leanne Cusumano Roque All Photos identified are taken at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center May 3-6, 2012, Washington, D.C. – Maitri Southeast Regional Conference

Three hundred yoga practitioners created an ashram inside

Junior II, Urbana, IL), Patricia Walden (Advanced Senior I,

Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan International Trade Center

Arlington, MA), Joan White (Advanced Junior I, Philadelphia, PA),

during Maitri, the regional conference sponsored by the Iyengar

and many of the most experienced Intermediate Junior

Yoga Association of the Southeast, May 3-6.

teachers from the South East Region added light through their presence and teachings.

Reaching across yoga disciplines and within the Iyengar Yoga community to create maitri (friendliness) for all, the conference

On Friday and Saturday afternoons participants selected from

became an ashram, as Senior Teacher John Schumacher noted

17 specialty classes to focus on specific topics, including

in his comments at the closing ceremonies on Sunday.

Padmasana, backbends, inversions, the sutras, and more. During these sessions, participants were able to learn from and

The events began Thursday evening with fellowship during a

experience the Southeast Region’s excellent teachers, including

“meet and greet” dinner, while Koren Paalman, costumed and

Siegfried Bleher (Intermediate Junior III, Morgantown, West

on stilts, entertained as the goddess Sarasvati. Sanskrit scholar

Virginia), Juliana Venturi Fair (Intermediate Senior I, Arlington,

and longtime Iyengar Yoga practitioner Dr. Frederick Smith of

Virginia), Sandra Pleasants (Intermediate Junior III, Afton,

the University of Iowa discussed the meaning of maitri,

Virginia), Kquvien DeWeese (Intermediate Junior II, Decatur,

referencing the history of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and sutra

GA), Nancy Mau (Intermediate Junior II, Atlanta, GA), Kathleen

1.33: Maitri karuna muditopekshanam sukha duhkha punyapunya

Pringle (Intermediate Junior III, Atlanta, Georgia), Suzie

visayanam bhavanatas citta prasadanam.

Muchnick (Intermediate Junior III, Naples, Florida), Anara

Dr. Smith encouraged participants to embody in each asana the virtues of maitri, karuna, mudita, and upekshanam.

Lomme (Intermediate Junior II, Washington, D.C.), and Bobbi Dr. Smith pointed out

Goldin (Intermediate Junior III, Miami, Florida).

that the sutra mentions four virtues: maitri,

Between morning asana classes and afternoon specialty

karuna, mudita, and

sessions, participants engaged in panel discussions. On Friday,

upekshanam. Structurally,

IYNAUS hosted a “meet and greet,” introducing conference

each of these virtues is

attendees to IYNAUS Board members and Maitri faculty and

linked to just one of the

coordinators. Participants could learn more about teacher

four words that follow,

certification in a discussion hosted by Mary Reilly, IYNAUS

so that by feeling maitri

Certification Chair.

toward those in sukha (“good space”), karuna (compassion) toward those in duhkha

Saturday afternoon, Joan White, Kimberly Williams

(“bad space”), mudita (goodwill) toward those who are punya

(Intermediate Junior I, Morgantown, WV), Lois Steinberg, and

(virtuous), and upekshanam (neutrality) toward those who are

Manuoso Manos discussed how the practice of yoga affects the

apunya (non-virtuous), the mind is purified. Smith also

body in positive and, potentially, negative ways. The discussion

examined sutra 3.24: “maitryadisu balani” (translated in B.K.S.

was precipitated in part by the book The Science of Yoga: The

Iyengar’s Light on the Yoga Sutras as “He gains moral and

Risks and Rewards by New York Times columnist William Broad.

emotional strength by perfecting friendliness and other virtues

Panel members noted that Iyengar Yoga has evolved over time,

towards one and all”). At the end of his address, Dr. Smith

that the number of people injured doing yoga is decreasingly

encouraged participants to embody in each asana the virtues of

and comparatively small despite the vast popularity of yoga,

maitri, karuna, mudita, and upekshanam.

and that all physical activity involves some risk. The panel affirmed that rigorous teacher training and the proper use

During morning sessions of the convention, participants

of props, inherent in our practice, minimizes risk for Iyengar

practiced one hour of chanting or pranayama and two hours of

Yoga practitioners.

asana. Dean Lerner (Advanced Junior I, Lemont, PA), Manuoso Manos (Advanced Senior I, San Francisco, CA), Karin O’Bannon

At a panel held after the Saturday afternoon specialty sessions,

(Intermediate Senior III, Shreveport, LA), Mary Reilly

Karin O’Bannon, John Schumacher, Patricia Walden, and Dr.

(Intermediate Senior II, Petoskey, MI), John Schumacher

Smith shared their insights on maitri. Karin talked about

(Advanced Junior I, Bethesda, MD), Lois Steinberg (Advanced

applying maitri in her own practice. John emphasized how the

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

35

‘I was salivating to study from not only the Senior Teachers who were on the roster but all the teachers at the conference, hoping to absorb as much information as I could remember and meet as many teachers as possible.’

purpose of the IYASE

Schumacher exhorted all to bring the spirit of the ashram created

conference was to

during the conference out into the world and into daily life.

welcome practitioners of all stripes and to extend

Leanne Cusumano Roque has been an Iyengar yoga student at Unity

friendliness. Patricia

Woods Yoga Center since 2009 and a student of yoga since 2006. She

shared how Guruji

lives in Reston, Virginia with her family. She incorporates yoga and its

encouraged her early in

principles into leadership training for federal employees.

her practice to be friendly with herself and to her

CONFERENCE MAGAZINE AVAILABLE

breath. Dr. Smith

Copies of the 40-page magazine from Maitri, containing articles

discussed with an

by Senior Teachers, artwork, and conference information are

audience member how

available. Send name, address, and $15 check made out to

maitri is rooted historically

IYASE to 1050 Temple Ave. #243, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.

in the Buddhist practice of

For pricing on multiple copies send an email inquiry to

metta, or loving kindness.

president@iyase.org. Your purchase helps fund this and future conferences.

Saturday evening, participants attended

dinner circles, socialized, and shared good food at local

DONATIONS IYASE welcomes tax-deductible donations to fund this and future conferences. Log onto http://iyase.org/fellowship_fund

Washington restaurants.

and indicate that your donation is for Maitri Southeast. You will By noon on Sunday, participants and faculty gathered to say

receive a receipt with the IYASE tax-exempt number for your records.

farewell and to acknowledge the incredible energy of coming together to learn and create community. Participants

COME TO THE NEXT IYENGAR YOGA CONFERENCE!

applauded the outstanding work of Diana Martinez and Alex

The 2013 IYNAUS Convention, SARVABHAUMA YOG, a

Cleveland, Conference Co-Chairs; Susan Marcus, IYASE

combined conference (open to the public) and convention

President; the many additional volunteers who made the

(for Introductory I and Certified Teachers only), will be held in

conference possible; and the inspirational faculty who brought

San Diego. The conference will be May 10-12, followed by the

participants’ practices to new levels. In closing, John

Teachers’ Convention, May 13-15, 2013.

Each conference is a unique event that must be experienced to be understood, but comments from people who attended the IYASE Conference give some vivid impressions: “ I knew that I would learn at this conference

interested in meeting more practitioners.

scholarship grant, raised from Unity

and was excited to be in the classes with

The Iyengar Yoga community is embracing,

Woods Yogathon, I was able to go! I want

yoga teachers that I might otherwise not

kind, and incredibly talented. It was like a

to attend the next conference because

have the opportunity to work with (due to

big drink of water on a hot day, refreshing

I want to learn more. I love to learn. What

distance).” [I want to attend the next

and invigorating. The tremendous support,

better chance to learn from the best

conference] “to continue to learn, and from

love, and friendship was exactly what I

Iyengar Yoga teachers, all together in one

my learning, share with my own students.”

needed for my practice. I can’t wait to go

place!” —Thy Tran, Washington, D.C. area

—Suzanne Leitner-Wise, Alexandria, VA

to the next conference so I can continue to learn from the best of the best, make more

“ Because I live in an Iyengar Yoga teacher

attend] was that Karin O’Bannon was

dead zone, I was salivating to study from

as I did this weekend.” —Lisa Waas,

teaching. She was my first true Iyengar

not only the Senior Teachers who were on

Jacksonville, FL

Yoga teacher. Overall, I am finding myself

the roster but all the teachers at the conference, hoping to absorb as much

36

“The greatest deciding factor [in choosing to

friends, and walk away filled to the brim

most inspired by what I learned from Fred “ [I was inspired to attend by] my teacher,

Smith. So many sutras now make sense

information as I could remember and meet

John Schumacher, and his apprentice, Amy

thanks to his clarifying translations. After

as many teachers as possible. I was also

Mui, and fellow students. Thanks to the

years of struggling with the usual

Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

L to R: Unity Woods Teachers Lori Lipton Ritland, Anara Lomme and Doerthe Braun. Anara was also a Maitri faculty member. Taken at the Opening Night Reception.

Patricia Walden responding to students’ questions.

Linda McReynolds and Bernie Wandel take a break in the Maitri store.

Lois Steinberg showing a modification in her “Six Daily Asanas to Maintain Organ Health” class.

translation of Isvara pranidhana, I find

throughout an event is to come away with

teachers throughout the region. I met

myself inspired by the concept of

a better appreciation and deeper

practitioners within a two- to four-hour

surrendering to the power of the practice

understanding of an aspect of yoga. I felt

radius of my home, whom I did not know

of yoga. ‘Heyam dukham anagatam’

elated at the end and returned home with

existed. I am not as isolated as I thought!

seems so much more possible when I

a greater desire to practice. I want to

John Schumacher and Patricia Walden set

consider ‘duhkha’ as ‘bad space.’ I find

maintain my connection to a large group

us a wonderful example of how to promote

myself deeply moved by the capability and

which nourishes me as I endeavor to make

Iyengar Yoga positively and with humility

compassion of the teachers at the

my practice something which sustains me

in their words and actions. So did the

conference. I hope to again have access to

as I move forward in my life.”

theme and messages shaped by the

the varied teachings of the amazing

—Leslie Freyberg, Intermediate Junior I,

conference leadership. —Jann Boyer,

Western teachers Mr. Iyengar has taught.”

Redding, CT

Introductory II, Hilton Head Island, SC

—Christie Hall, Riverside, CA “ I attended because of positive remarks “ I was invited to teach some chanting. As a

from colleagues about previous regional

member of the IYNAUS Board, I would

conferences, the theme of Maitri, the clear

have come anyway, and I’m so happy I

intention of welcoming yoga practitioners

did! It was perhaps the most enjoyable

of all levels and styles, the opportunity to

Iyengar Yoga event I have attended. It

learn with nationally known Senior

made us all feel connected to one another.

Teachers as well as regional teachers, and

To carry the same theme (maitri)

the opportunity to meet practitioners and

Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

37

Teaching from page 22

wrong expression. Through the practice of Asana and Pranayama, introduce students to disciplining their minds; teach them to sit quietly. There is a depth to that state of sitting. I would not say sit and do meditation because that is technical teaching. I question them: “What happened there?

What happened here? Where are you in your brain? Are you breathing with your brain or your chest?” Children need to develop inquisitiveness, observation, and stability.

RL: So again pratipaksha bhavanam.

GI: Yes. In Pranayama class I direct adults to sit in a particular

You cannot say, “You are not quiet so sit and think of a rose and be quiet.” That is not going to happen because whatever is in the back of your mind will surface.

pick something out of the blue. For an object to have citta prasadanam (favorable disposition), you need to have a definite connection all the time to it, then your mind becomes quiet. You cannot say, “You are not quiet so sit and think of a rose and be quiet.” That is not going to happen because whatever is in the

way, eyes closed, ears drawn in, tongue restful, etc. But after a

back of your mind will surface. That’s why the citta prasadanam

time I guide them to ask if they are quieted; do they have

sutras are connected with yogic practice. Even in svadhyaya you

fluctuations? It is not a physical practice at that point. He is not

read about yogis, rishis, or munis (enlightened beings). You

saying don’t teach meditation. It has to happen in that process,

reflect on them only because you know their stories; this comes

so teach Asana and Pranayama. For children, you do not teach

under Yama and Niyama. Children can be made aware of Yama

Pranayama like inhale and pause, observe the breath. They may

and Niyama. Svadhyaya comes under Niyama, but what is the

not be able to observe the breath since some cannot even sit

self-studying process?

quietly. Understand that if asked to sit with closed eyes they are not going to listen, they’ll become mischievous; they’ll move

Studying the scriptures of whichever faith you belong to gives

their hands and legs; touch someone, make fun of someone.

you moral support, courage, and so on; then you can imagine

These are common traits of children; they want to move. This

them in citta prasadam. Children can reflect on these and are

mischievous, active attitude has to be converted to disciplined

then not misguided. Appreciate someone’s qualities, vitaraga

action through Asana and Pranayama. Guruji has said even in

vishayam va cittam (1:37—contemplating enlightened sages).

Savasana they should keep their eyes open, feet together, arms

Consider someone untouched by worldly matters. You

straight, or look at the ceiling and so on, then their mind is in

understand the person to be saintly; that person can be an

their body. You have to teach them mobility in stability and

object of thought in order to cleanse your thinking process. But

stability in mobility; this state is required but people instead

if you begin to think of someone with vices, then it is a distraction.

say close your eyes and meditate. That is not correct, nor

If we say yoga is the root of other arts it has several dimensions.

should you give them imaginary ideas.

Yoga can give you health and keep you free from disease. It cultivates strength, vigor, and stamina. One learns to maintain

RL: That seems to take them away from their body.

active attention, and a balanced state of mind. As one practices with decisiveness and contentment, patience and tolerance

GI: Yes! This is not correct for me; it is not the right way, do not

also develop. These all come through Asana practice. So when

make children dreamy. Whether you teach dance, music,

you ask about the inclusion of eight aspects, do not go

archery, or martial arts, demand dynamic attention. They have

according to sutra, but if you think over these required

to be attentive to what they are doing. You cannot say “close

behaviors, natures and characters, they are found in Ashtanga

your eyes and imagine you are at the ocean.” They can use their

yoga. Therefore yoga is the Mother of Arts.

imagination on paper to produce a story.

RL: Ishvara pranidhana is problematic in school settings which RL: But not when we are asking them to be in their body.

may want no discussion of religion. Can one talk instead of devotion to love, family, or nature?

GI: Certainly not. That doesn’t help at all. Guruji is against that because it is a misguidance. Suppose I put a lotus in front of

GI: That is OK. Let us say we don’t know about god, we don’t

them and say “close your eyes and imagine the lotus,” then this

know about Ishvara, but we can help a person experience it in

is intelligence work, mental visualization because they have

different ways. First convince children that they should respect

seen the lotus and when they close their eyes their intelligence

their elders, especially parents and teachers. We say, “matru

is working. Better to ask them to draw it, the imagination is

devo bhava, pitru devo bhava, acharya devo bhava” and “atithi devo

more tactical depending on their memory and visible to us as

bhava.” Mother, father, teacher and guest are like god, so respect

teachers, but if they begin to imagine something else, how will

them. Before making them aware of an unknown, unseen god,

we know? When Patanjali says, vishayavati va pravrittih utpanna

make them aware of living gods. Make them aware of

manasah sthiti nibandhani (I:35—by contemplating an object,

mountains, planets, rivers, oceans, things not man made and

that helps maintain steadiness of mind), he is not asking you to

teach them to respect whosoever created it. Even children can

38

Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2012

experience this. They always ask with enthusiasm: who made the world? Who put the sun there? Where did the first tree come from? The world is generated by G, organized by O, and destructed by D, so G-O-D stands for GOD. The tree grows, gives fruit, gives birth to another tree, then disappears; it does its duty. We are born and later we die. We are not permanent, yet we should not avoid our duty.

When talking to teenagers, whether to introduce them to God or to Nature, we have to introduce them to yoga philosophy.

If we say yoga is the root of other arts it has several dimensions. Yoga can give you health and keep you free from disease.

surrender to that origin; one pointed attention. To have one pointed attention on the god that we understood is Ishvara pranidhana. The Yogasutras give a good definition of Ishvara klesha karma vipaka ashayaih aparamrshtah purushavisheshah Ishvarah (I:24—the one untouched by

Prakriti is nature; purusha is the human being, vishesha purusha is god; how these things are organized or managed, who is

kleshas and karma, and untouched by their fruits). That comes

managing it, what is this unknown entity, what power makes it.

later with them, but we can give them good examples of saints.

In front of the vastness of the universe we are tiny creatures, for us the known world is limited, but the unknown world is

RL: Or perhaps people who represent good qualities though

vast. Who is the organizer of such a vast universe? I already

they may not be considered saints.

said the definition of God – G.O.D. Ishvara means the one who has everything in plenty, affluent, fortune, or grandeur. The

GI: Yes, an exemplary human being, someone that all could

wealth of the universe belongs to god. This wealth is called

support morally. In this way you can make children see god in

aishvarya. The Ishvara is to whom the aishvarya belongs. The

everything, everywhere, and in everyone. That spark of Divinity

world belongs to ishvara and we too belong to ishvara.

has to be taught for them to recognize it.

RL: So have them consider the unknown, the vastness of the

RL: Thank you for your time, Geetaji.

universe, then they can answer the “Who or What” in whatever way is culturally relevant to them.

GI: You are most welcome.

GI: Yes. Now how do you do pranidhana? As a teacher, say your

Robin Lowry has been studying Iyengar Yoga since 1987 and is

students are preparing for exams and they come to you and

certified at the Intermediate Junior I level. She teaches at her home

say, “I’m not getting this; this is unclear;” they surrender to the

yoga studio in the historic Germantown section of Philadelphia. She

person who has better knowledge. This kind of thing has to be

has been a public school Health and Physical Education teacher for 18

understood: the origin of everything—the vastness, call it god

years and currently teaches at the K-6 level. Her dissertation, “A Survey

or Ishvara or anything else—but there is an origin to everything.

of Youth Yoga Curriculums,” was completed in August 2011 at Temple

Your parents have parents, who came from their parents. If the

University in the Kinesiology Department.

lineage is unknown it does not mean that the ancestors did not exist, the origin is just unknown to us. Pranidhana means

Evolution from page 27

The publication of Basic Guidelines for Teachers of Yoga by B.K.S.

divided according to certification level. More senior teachers

and Geeta S. Iyengar in 2002 made the recommended method

imparted how to practice and teach the next level syllabus of

of instruction available for all certified teachers and those

Asana and Pranayama. In the tradition of Parampara, they were

going up for assessment. This was followed in 2004 by Geeta’s

empowering students with the knowledge and skill to become

manual Yoga in Action: Preliminary Course. These two books,

better teachers—the same knowledge and skills gained from

along with the current IYNAUS Certification Manual, provide a

their teacher. Teacher education had come full circle.

basis for teacher education classes and programs throughout the country. In reviewing Preliminary Course, the late Mary Dunn

The circle continues to expand, and that will be examined in

wrote that it “provides a systematic program for teaching the

Part II: Now & The Future.

art and science of yoga… [Geeta has] provided blueprints to become better teachers of ourselves and of others. She has both

Pat Musburger (Intermediate Junior I) is the director of Tree House

standardized and upgraded our teaching and learning.”

Iyengar Yoga in the Seattle area. A former IYNAUS Board member, she is also past president of the Iyengar Yoga Association of the Northwest.

The 2004 convention, the first without a member of the Iyengar

She extends a special thank you to Laurie Blakeney, Kristin Chirhart,

family present, was called Parampara. This is the chain of oral

Felicity Green, Ariane Hudson, Patricia Walden, and Joan White for

transmission and empowerment from teacher to disciple.

their help researching this article.

During teacher portion of the convention classes were Photo : Lois the Steinberg Spring /Summer 2012 Yoga Samachar

39

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________ So. CA, San Diego . . dues $60

________ Intermountain . . . . . dues $60

________ Southern CA, LA . . . dues $60

Enter the amount of your selected Association dues:

________ Southwest . . . . . . . . dues $60 ________ Minnesota . . . . . . . . dues $55 ________ Midwest . . . . . . . . . . dues $60 ________ New England . . . . . . dues $60 ________ IYNAUS-National . . dues $60 $ __________

Add $25 for a one-year subscription to Yoga Rahasya: $ __________ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $ __________

Mail this completed application with a check made payable to IYNAUS to – IYNAUS: c/o Membership, 1952 First Ave. South, Ste. 1B, Seattle, WA 98134 • Phone 206.623.3562 / Fax 206.428.7121

Questions? www.iynaus.org/contact www.iynaus.org

IYNAUS Archives

BKS IYNAUS 1952 First Ave South, Suite 1B Seattle, WA 98134 www iynaus org

Students and teachers from IYAGNY entertain Guruji with a breathtaking asana demonstration set to music in this 2005 sold-out performance at New York’s City Center.