Yoga Samachar fall2014 winter 2015

VOL. 18 NO. 2

Fall 2014 / Winter 2015

B.K.S. IYENGAR DEC. 14, 1918 – AUG. 20, 2014

“ Art is unity in diversity… Discipline, practice, and dispassion are the essentials that go hand in hand with the mastery of any art. Without discipline and freedom, art cannot develop, nor can one become a true artist. This is one of the cardinal teachings of Patanjali, which applies to all subjects. Freedom is the culmination or fruit of discipline; there is no freedom without it.” — B.K.S. Iyengar

CO N T E N T S Letter From the Presidents – Janet Lilly and Michael Lucey . . . . . 2 Life Sketch by Richard Jonas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Reflections from Pune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Guruji’s Feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Senior Teachers Remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Dear Guruji – Lisa Walford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Regional Condolences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Like a Flash: A Conversation with B.K.S. Iyengar . . . . . . . . . . 36 Samachar Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Song of the Soul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

YOGA SAMACHAR’S MISSION Yoga Samachar, the magazine 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, www.iynaus.org, Yoga Samachar is designed to provide interesting and useful information to IYNAUS members to: • Promote the dissemination of the art, science, and philosophy of yoga as taught by B.K.S. Iyengar, Geeta Iyengar, and Prashant Iyengar • Communicate information regarding the standards and training of certified teachers

IYNAUS Officers and Standing Committees President: Michael Lucey Vice President: Lynda Alfred Secretary: Denise Weeks Treasurer: David Carpenter Archives Committee Eric Small, Chair

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

Certification Committee

Leslie Bradley, Certification Chair

• Report on studies regarding the practice of Iyengar Yoga • Provide information on products that IYNAUS imports from India • Review and present recent articles and books written by the Iyengars • Report on recent events regarding Iyengar Yoga in Pune and worldwide • 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 • Present ideas to stimulate every aspect of the reader’s practice

YOGA SAMACHAR IS PRODUCED BY THE IYNAUS PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

Dean Lerner, James Murphy, Nancy Stechert, Lois Steinberg

Elections Committee Michael Lucey, Chair

Lynda Alfred, Alex Cleveland, Anne-Marie Schultz

Ethics Committee

Michael Lucey, Chair Chris Beach, Lisa Jo Landsberg

Events Committee

Nancy Watson, Chair Patrina Dobish, Gloria Goldberg, Colleen Gallagher, Phyllis Rollins

Finance Committee

David Carpenter, Chair Lynda Alfred, Gloria Goldberg, Stephen Weiss

Governance Committee Nancy Watson, Chair

Committee Chair: Tori Milner Editor: Michelle D. Williams Copy Editor: Denise Weeks Design: Don Gura Advertising: Rachel Frazee

David Carpenter, David Larsen

Membership Committee

Lynda Alfred & Alex Cleveland, Co-Chairs

Members can submit an article or a practice sequence for consideration for inclusion in future issues. Articles should be well-written and submitted electronically. The Yoga Samachar staff reserves the right to edit accepted submissions to conform to the rules of spelling and grammar, as well as to the Yoga Samachar house style guidelines.

Submissions must include the author’s full name and biographical information related to Iyengar Yoga, along with email contact and phone number.

Submission deadline for the Spring/Summer issue is March 1.

Submission deadline for the Fall/Winter issue is Sept. 1.

Please send queries to yogasamachar@iynaus.org one month prior to these deadlines.

IMIYA – Melody Madonna IYACSR – vacant IYAGNY – Oliver Luisi IYAMN – Elizabeth Cowan IYAMW – Becky Meline IYANC – Risa Blumlien IYANE – Kathleen Swanson IYANW – Margrit von Braun IYASC-LA – Wendy Alter IYASCUS – Jerrie Crowley IYASE – Diana Martinez IYASW – Carrie Abts

Publications Committee Tori Milner, Chair

Carole Del Mul, Don Gura, Rachel Frazee, Richard Jonas, Denise Weeks, Michelle D. Williams

Public Relations and Marketing Committee Cynthia Bates, Chair

Regional Support Committee

Alex Cleveland & Anne-Marie Schultz, Co-Chairs

IYNAUS Board Member Contact List Fall 2014 / Winter 2015 Lynda Alfred lynda@montrose.net

Michael Lucey 1michael.lucey@gmail.com

Denise Weeks denise.iynaus@gmail.com

Cynthia Bates cynthiabates88@gmail.com

Tori Milner torimilner@yahoo.com

Stephen Weiss stphweiss@gmail.com

Leslie Bradley certification@iynaus.org

Anne-Marie Schultz Anne_Marie_Schultz@baylor.edu

Sharon Cowdery (general manager) generalmanager@iynaus.org

David Carpenter dcarpenter@sidley.com

Kathy Simon kathyraesimon@gmail.com

Contact IYNAUS:

Alex Cleveland clevelandalex@yahoo.com

Eric Small ericsmall@yogams.com

Gloria Goldberg yogagold2@gmail.com

Nancy Watson nancyatiyanus@aol.com

P.O. Box 538 Seattle WA 98111 206.623.3562 www.iynaus.org

IMIYA – Melody Madonna IYACSR – Cyndy Cordle IYAGNY – Oliver Luisi IYAMN – Katy Olson IYAMW – Jennie Williford IYANC – Heather Haxo Phillips IYANE – Jarvis Chen IYANW – Janet Langley IYASC-LA – Jennifer Diener IYASCUS – Pauline Schloesser IYASE – Alex Cleveland IYASW – Lisa Henrich

Scholarship and Awards Committee Denise Weeks, Chair

Leslie Freyberg, Richard Jonas, Lisa Jo Landsberg, Pat Musburger, Nina Pileggi, John Schumacher

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

Systems & Technology Committee Stephen Weiss, Chair

Sharon Cowdery, Shaaron Honeycutt, Ed Horneij, William McKee, David Weiner

Yoga Research Committee Kathy Simon, Chair

Jerry Chiprin, Jean Durel, Kimberly Williams

IYNAUS Senior Council Cover: Light on Life book signing, Borders, NYC. Photo: Todd Semo ©2005 Inside front cover: photo illustration – Don Gura

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

Kristin Chirhart, Manouso Manos, Patricia Walden, Joan White 1

Letter

FROM THE PRESIDENT

DEAR FELLOW IYNAUS MEMBERS , Aug. 20, 2014—the day we felt like everything changed. B.K.S. Iyengar, the man we honored, admired, and celebrated had passed from this world. In the days following, I realized that despite our collective loss, there were many things that had not changed; even with Guruji gone, his legacy and the permanence of his gift to the art of yoga remained imperturbable. Yes, the voice of Guruji is no longer with us, but his words live on through his family and the teachers trained in his method around the world.

Guruji’s gift lives on in the IYNAUS association as well. There are many things we don’t know in this time of transition, but what we do know is that there is a cohort of dedicated IYNAUS board members who are eager to work under the guidance of RIMYI and the Iyengar family toward the preservation and propagation of Guruji’s work. Moreover, the board continues to promote and increase the visibility of Iyengar Yoga across the United States.

Many of you know that in 2011, when we changed the elections process from national nominations and elections to a regional representation model, we were acting on instructions from our Guru. He intuited the importance of engaging the regions in the governance process. With his goal in mind, I encourage all IYNAUS members to reach out to their region to find out more about how we collectively will honor Guruji’s legacy in the years ahead.

As I transition from my role as president of the IYNAUS Board of Directors, I have no doubt that the integrity and commitment of the board members will remain unwavering, especially with my esteemed colleague Michael Lucey at the helm as president.

Michael and I have worked together over the past two years in preparation for the transition, and we offer our thanks to departing board members: Ethics Chair Rebecca Lerner, Certification Chair Mary Reilly, and Membership Chair Phyllis Rollins. We also are delighted to welcome incoming board members: Lynda Alfred from the Intermountain Region, Cynthia Bates from Northern California, Anne-Marie Schultz from South Central, and Stephen Weiss from the Minnesota Region.

Finally, I would like to suggest that all members keep in mind Guruji’s enduring wish to maintain a vibrant level of support for the Bellur Trust to continue his humanitarian mission to better the lives of the people of his birthplace in Karnataka, India. What better way to celebrate his memory than to visit the IYNAUS homepage and click on the Donate Now link to make a donation in his honor? IYNAUS and the regions are also promoting Bellur Trust Donation classes at studios and institutes across the country on Guruji’s birthday, Dec. 14. More information about this annual event is available on our Facebook page. Thank you in advance for your consideration and participation in IYNAUS. With gratitude,

Janet Lilly, Outgoing President IYANUS Board of Directors BEING IN PUNE AT THE RAMAMANI IYENGAR MEMORIAL YOGA INSTITUTE this September 2014 was a complex emotional experience. Guruji’s presence had been so vibrant and so compelling there that on certain mornings it seemed nearly impossible to believe that he wouldn’t be appearing for morning practice at any moment. And yet while the reality of his passing is difficult to absorb, the reality of all he achieved during his life, all he offered to us and to the world, is there all around us in the structure and fabric of the Institute he built, in the community of students who gather there, and in the practice and teaching that happens at RIMYI and around the world, thanks to him. The classes I took on this visit with Prashant, Abhijata, and long-term senior students such as Navaz Kamdin (who taught us pranayama with remarkable grace and clarity) were endlessly inspiring. Fierce loyalty to Guruji’s teaching and his mission came through in every class. His brilliance shines on.

One Saturday in class, Abhijata reminded everyone of the high standard set for us by the intensity of Guruji’s sadahana. She recalled for us the sutras where Patanjali speaks of different levels of intensity in practice (1.21 and 1.22). Guruji rendered Sutra 1.21 as “The goal is near for those who are supremely vigorous and intense in practice.” Guruji’s supreme intensity is an aspiration for all of us, an aspiration that takes material form in the Institute he founded in Pune and also in the associations around the world dedicated to his method. I look forward to working with all of you over the next two years as we keep our attention focused on his example and the aspiration and the inspiration he leaves us with.

Michael Lucey, President IYNAUS Board of Directors 2

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

“I HAVE SHOWN YOU ALL THESE THINGS…” B.K.S. IYENGAR, 1918–2014

By Richard Jonas

Y

ogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar led a larger-than-life life.

His seminal work Light on Yoga, first published in 1966 and

His legacy is perhaps even more epic.

continually in print since, remains the classic guide to yoga, the “bible” for teachers and students of all methods. Hailed by

Sri Iyengar is credited with bringing the ancient art of

critics as “the best book in English on hatha yoga” and “a superb

yoga into the modern world. His demonstrations and

volume, unlikely to be superseded,” it has been translated into

teachings planted the seed for the phenomenal flowering of

17 languages and more than 3 million copies have been sold.

yoga in the West over the past half-century, winning innumerable followers around the world—including in India,

His 2005 international bestseller Light on Life summed up a

where yoga began.

lifetime of teaching and practice, guiding readers on the journey to wholeness, inner peace, and ultimate freedom. The

Universally acknowledged as the world’s greatest yoga teacher

Light on Life book tour brought Mr. Iyengar—fondly called

and most knowledgeable and respected practitioner, he was

“Guruji” by his students—to the United States for the first time

called the “Michelangelo of yoga,” the “king of yogis,” and the

in 12 years, for appearances in New York, Boston, Washington,

“lion of Pune.” He was included in Time magazine’s global list of

D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco. He also led the Yoga Journal

the world’s 100 most influential people and—only the most

International Yoga Conference in Estes Park, Colorado.

recent of his scores of honors—received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award.

Well into his 95th year, Mr. Iyengar continued to teach around the world. Groundbreaking journeys to Russia, where he taught

The yoga method he refined for eight decades became one of

in Moscow in 2009, and to China, in Guangzhou in 2011,

the world’s most widely practiced, with Iyengar Yoga institutes

sparked the burgeoning interest in yoga in those countries. He

and associations, teachers, and students in more than 75

continued to publish: His most recent work, Core of the Yoga

countries. Mr. Iyengar trained generations of teachers, including

Sutras, came out in 2012. And until shortly before his final

his children, Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar and Prashant S. Iyengar, and

illness, each morning he reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to

his granddaughter, Abhijata Sridhar-Iyengar—now the primary

yoga with his awe-inspiring personal practice, observed by

teachers of the method. Four other daughters survive him:

admiring students. As recently as February, that practice

Sunita Iyengar Parthasarathy, also a teacher, and Vanita

included long, freestanding Salamba Sirsasanas.

Sridharan, Suchita Sridhar, and Savita Raghu, as well as five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Iyengar died on Aug. 20, 2014, at the age of 95 in Pune, after a brief illness. A wake and a memorial service were held there,

In time, Mr. Iyengar stood at the apex of a rigorous system of

with commemorative ceremonies following around the world.

teacher training, assessment, and certification that promises Iyengar Yoga students around the world a yoga experience that

Mr. Iyengar pioneered countless innovative ideas during his 80

is safe, progressive, and transformative.

years of teaching; perhaps the most revolutionary is that yoga

1918 — B.K.S. Iyengar is born on Dec. 14 in Bellur, India

1933 — Moves to Mysore to help care for his sister’s children; brother-in-law T. Krishnamacharya, the noted yoga scholar, initiates Iyengar into the practice

1923 — Iyengar family migrates to Bangalore 1927 — Iyengar’s father dies Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

1935 — Begins teaching in Hubli and Dharwar

1937 — Joins the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune as a yoga instructor 1943 — Marries Shrimati Ramamani

1952 — Meets celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin and becomes his teacher

1956 — First visit to the United States, where he teaches Mrs. William Harkness and her family

1954 — Travels to Europe for the first time to spread the art and science of yoga Begins teaching in Bombay 3

is for everyone. With this in mind, he developed and refined the

For residents of Bellur, the definition following the name B.K.S.

use of a complete array of yoga props including ropes, belts,

Iyengar might well be “benefactor.”

and blocks. These allow practitioners of all ages and fitness levels to achieve correct alignment, a deeper penetration into

He led a transformation of his ancestral village, building a free

the posture, and a longer stay. Students are enabled to

hospital; water-treatment facilities; India’s first temple

experience “meditation in action,” one of Iyengar Yoga’s most

dedicated to Sage Patanjali; a free school that supplies

important concepts.

uniforms, books, and a hot lunch to the children of Bellur and surrounding villages; a secondary school; and a college.

Guruji’s unique perspective was that the yoga asanas and pranayama could be a template to explore and experience

It was in Bellur, in the Kolar District of Karnataka, that the

each of the other limbs of Astanga Yoga, even those of the

glorious life story of Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar

innermost journey.

had its humble beginning.

Refuting the notion that Iyengar Yoga’s emphasis on strict

There he was born, into a large family and a poor one, on Dec.

alignment of each part of the body in each pose made it a more

14, 1918. The 11th of 13 children, he suffered typhoid and

physical and less spiritual form of yoga, Mr. Iyengar famously

tuberculosis among other childhood illnesses. The family

said, “How can you know God if you don’t know your big toe?”

migrated to Bangalore in 1923, and his father died in 1927.

Another often-repeated statement attested to his deep piety: “My asanas and my pranayamas are my prayers.”

At 15, Sri Iyengar went to Mysore to help care for his sister’s children. His brother-in-law T. Krishnamacharya (1888–1989),

In his early days of practice, working 10 hours a day and more,

the noted yoga scholar, initiated him into the practice. Though

Mr. Iyengar mastered each of the yoga asanas; then he went

weak and sickly, the young Iyengar immersed himself in yoga.

further, exploring how each pose could be performed by people

Called upon to demonstrate difficult asanas, he suffered

with different body types and with various limitations. His fiery

tortured nerves and bruised muscles but gained strength,

teaching, strong verbal commands, and dynamic adjustments

health, and mastery of yoga. Though he had to discontinue

propelled students to new levels of physical effort and deep

school at graduation level, he received a diploma in yoga from

inner penetration. In the medical class in Pune, Mr. Iyengar and

Sri Krishnamacharya.

his family devised sequences of yoga to treat alcoholism and drug addiction, anorexia, depression and anxiety, high and low

He began teaching in Hubli and Dharwar in 1935. He joined the

blood pressure, cardiac problems, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, arthritis,

Deccan Gymkhana in Pune as a yoga instructor in 1937, then

and many more of life’s afflictions.

began teaching privately. In 1943, he married Shrimati Ramamani.

“Iyengar” is acknowledged in the Oxford English Dictionary as

As his reputation grew, more students sought his help,

“Noun: A type of Hatha yoga focusing on the correct

including Sri J. Krishnamurti, who described him as the best

alignment of the body, making use of straps, wooden blocks,

teacher; their association lasted two decades. Swami

and other objects as aids in achieving the correct postures.

Shivananda of Rishikesh granted him the title Yogi Raja.

Origin: Named after B.K.S. Iyengar, the Indian yoga teacher

Distinguished pupils included Indian national leaders and, in

who devised this method.”

1952, celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin, who described Sri Iyengar as “my guru in yoga” and “my best violin teacher.”

1971 — Introduces yoga to the U.K. at the London Educational Auditorium 1966 — Light on Yoga is first published

4

1973 — Foundation stone of the 1981 — Light yoga institute in Pune is laid; three on Pranayama days later Mr. Iyengar’s wife dies is published suddenly and the new institute, the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI), is named in her honor

1984 — Demonstration at the first International Iyengar Yoga Convention in San Francisco

1988 — The Tree of Yoga is published

1985 — The Art of Yoga is published

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

Menuhin, who wrote the introduction to Light on Yoga, was

The “Light on…” series also includes Light on Astanga Yoga,

eager to introduce to the West the teacher who had helped him

published in 1999.

overcome his health problems. Two years later, Mr. Iyengar traveled to Europe, the first of scores of journeys that spread

Additional publications by Mr. Iyengar include Body the Shrine,

the art and science of yoga to all corners of the world. In 1954,

Yoga Thy Light, published in 1978 by the Yoga Research Trust;

he began teaching in Bombay.

70 Glorious Years of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, 1990; Iyengar: His Life and Work, 1991, and The Art of Yoga, 1993. On his 82nd

During his first visit to the United States in 1956, he taught Mrs.

birthday, the first of the eight-volume Astadala Yogamala was

William Harkness and her family and gave several lecture-

released; other volumes followed every few years. Yoga: The Path

demonstrations. Photos appeared in Life magazine. During a

to Holistic Health was published in 2001, Yoga Wisdom and

thrilling demonstration in 1973 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he

Practice in 2009, and Yaugika Manas in 2010. Yog Sarvansathi was

began with Tadasana, then moved through every pose in Light on

published in 2001 in the Marathi language.

Yoga. His 1976 demonstration at Haverford College inspired the creation of the monumental sculpture, “After Iyengar.” “It was

Mr. Iyengar’s birthday celebrations highlighted his ongoing

absolutely the most incredible physical and mental expression

mastery of yoga and the dedication of his students. In 1993,

I’ve ever witnessed,” said the sculptor, Robert Engman. Other

during his 75th birthday year, he conducted mega-classes at the

notable demonstrations highlighted the International Iyengar

U.S. convention in Ann Arbor as well as in Canada, Bombay,

Yoga Convention in San Francisco in 1984—the first devoted to

Bangalore, and London, with a special intensive for teachers in

yoga of any method—and the North American Yoga Convention

Panchgani. The Light on Yoga Research Trust celebrated Guruji’s

at Harvard University in 1987. Regular yoga conventions, and

80th birthday with a 10-day festival near Pune. During the

now regional conferences, have met in the U.S. every few years

celebrations, the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, headquartered in

since; Guruji taught personally in San Diego in 1990, in Ann

Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, honored him as Arsa-Kula-Sresthah

Arbor in 1993, and in Estes Park in 2005.

for introducing yoga to the world, using innovative teaching methods without compromising its classical form. Similar

Mr. Iyengar introduced yoga to the U.K. at the London

celebrations marked his 85th, 90th, and 95th birthdays.

Educational Auditorium in 1971. He returned to inaugurate London’s Iyengar Yoga Institute. Iyengar Yoga continues to

Over the years, Mr. Iyengar’s honors multiplied. They include

flourish throughout England and Europe.

honorary doctorates from the Medicina Alternativa Institute, affiliated with the Open International University for

Just three days after the foundation stone of the yoga institute

Complementary Medicine; the University of Mysore; the Tilak

in Pune was laid in 1973, Mr. Iyengar’s wife died suddenly. The

Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune; the Rajiv Gandhi University of

Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) was named

Health Sciences, Karnataka; the Swami Vivekananda Yoga

in her honor. For four decades, it has been the foremost seat of

Anusadhana Samsthanam, Deemed University; and the

yogic learning and a pilgrimage center for students and

University of Pennsylvania. The Mattel Children’s Hospital

teachers from around the world.

recognized him for his work in relieving pain.

Light on Pranayama, Mr. Iyengar’s second book, was published in

He received the Padma Shri award in 1991 from the government

1981, and a third, The Art of Yoga, in 1985. The Tree of Yoga

of India. The Padma Bhushan followed in 2002. The prestigious

appeared in 1988 and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in 1993.

Padma Vibhushan was presented in March 2014 in New Delhi at one of Mr. Iyengar’s last public appearances.

1991 — Receives the Padma Shri award from the government of India 1993 — Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is published

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

1993 — Teaches megaclasses at the U.S. convention in Ann Arbor 2002 — Receives the Padma Bhushan award

2004 — Included in Time magazine’s global list of the world’s 100 most influential people

2009 — Teaches in Moscow at the age of 91 2005 — Light on Life is published; Guruji teaches in Estes Park, CO

2011 — Meets His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a discussion moderated by Sri Rajiv Mehrotra

5

When Indian Prime Minister Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited

Clennell with Senior Teacher Lindsey Clennell as executive

RIMYI in its silver jubilee year, in 1999, he was shown a

producer, draws on unprecedented access to the Iyengars; it is

demonstration of yoga asanas and Mr. Iyengar explained the

now in post-production.

development of yoga therapy and the use of props. Also that year Mr. Iyengar was named Man of the Year by the American

Obituaries recounting Mr. Iyengar’s lifetime achievements and

Biographical Institute.

worldwide impact appeared on the front pages of major newspapers including The Times of India and The New York

A 2008 story named him one of India’s “Influentials” and an

Times, and media and social media brought new attention to

“ageless wonder,” adding: “If the world does pranayama today,

Mr. Iyengar and the method that bears his name.

the credit goes to him… His long life is proof of the restorative effects of yoga.” The Times of India included Mr. Iyengar in its

Throughout the world, Iyengar Yoga continues to grow and

2012 list of the greatest men of India after Mahatma Gandhi.

prosper. Transcending nationality, race, religion, gender, and

In 2013, he received the Mother Teresa Sadbhavana Award

caste, it brings the benefits of yoga to people of all ages and

for outstanding achievements in yoga from the Indian

physical capabilities. Hundreds of Iyengar Yoga institutes and

Solidarity Council.

studios train students and teachers in India (with centers in cities including Bangalore, Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Dehra Dun,

Guruji met His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a 2011 discussion

and Rishikesh), the United States, and Argentina, Australia,

moderated by Sri Rajiv Mehrotra; the DVD Path to Happiness

Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic,

records the historic occasion.

Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, lsrael, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Latvia, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico,

Sri Iyengar was included in many national and international

Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, and Slovenia,

lists of achievers, including the International Directory of

Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, the United Kingdom,

Distinguished Leadership, 500 Leaders of Influence of the

Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe.

Twentieth Century, the Dictionary of International Biography, 2000 Outstanding People of the Twentieth Century, and the

Speaking to his granddaughter Abhijata on the day before he

Who’s Who of International Authors.

died, Mr. Iyengar said: “I have shown you all these things, now realize them for yourself.” Our Guruji is gone. His light remains,

Many films have chronicled Mr. Iyengar’s life in yoga, from the

to guide us on the path forward.

widely seen silent demonstration of 1938 to the Film and Television Institute of India’s Samadhi: Ultimate Freedom, a

Richard Jonas (Introductory II) is on the faculty of the Iyengar Yoga

59-minute demonstration filmed in Ann Arbor in 1976. Other

Institute of New York and is a former IYNAUS vice president. He was a

films include Guruji, from 1985, which depicted his heroic

film reviewer and wrote TV commercials before becoming a full-time

struggle to success; Leap of Faith, released on his 90th birthday;

Iyengar Yoga teacher in 2001.

Sculpting Human Kind; and Atma Darshana, produced for the 2004 U.S. convention. Filmed demonstrations and lectures, master classes, and interviews help preserve his legacy. A new film, Sadhaka: The Yoga of B.K.S. Iyengar, directed by Jake

2014 — Receives the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in March in New Delhi—one of his last public appearances

2011 — Teaches in Guangzhou, China, at the age of 93 2012 — Core of the Yoga Sutras is published

6

2014 — B.K.S. Iyengar dies on Aug. 20 at the age of 95

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

R EFLECTIO NS F ROM P U N E AU G. 20 – S E PT. 4, 2 0 1 4 Compiled by Janet Lilly

Photo: Roberta M. DellAnno

T

he days following Guruji’s passing on Aug. 20, 2014,

“The morning was time for us to pay our respects to Guruji in

were emotional for his dedicated students around the

his own room at home. We had plenty of time for this prior to

world. Most of us took solace in the reflections that

the afternoon cremation. Everything included prayers and

we received from fellow practitioners who were in

chanting; we could all take part in everything. Women were

Pune. Here, we have gathered some of these reflections to

also permitted to attend Guruji’s rites and cremation. The

chronicle Guruji’s cremation, memorial tributes, and life at

Institute is closed for two weeks now.”

the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute through Sept. 4, 2014.

AUG. 20, 2014

Cathy Rogers Evans, Intermediate Senior III Teacher

John Hayden, Intermediate Junior II Teacher and Executive Director of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco “This morning there was darshan at the Institute from about 8:30 a.m. onward to 2 p.m. I arrived at the Institute at about

“It was truly an amazing occasion in Pune today. I feel

9 a.m., and the Iyengar family was allowing people to pass

exceptionally fortunate to have been here at this time. After a

through the house and view Guruji in his passing. He was

couple of weeks of uncertainty realizing Guruji was near his

beautiful and powerful. Geetaji and Prashantji were both

end, the feeling here among people who I have spoken with

strongly present, Prashant sitting on the floor in the room with

today is one of release and fullness.

Guruji for the entire time. There was a steady stream of

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

7

students, locals, and teachers throughout the morning and into

us.’ In another interview at the last rites, she said, ‘Like rain, he

the afternoon… By 12:30 p.m. today, they closed the road to the

touched all of us equally.’”

Institute as there were, by some reports, a thousand people in the vicinity.”

AUG. 30, 2014

Victoria Austin, Intermediate Senior I Teacher

“Abhijata Sridhar Iyengar said at the end of the evening, which

John Hayden

“The family opened the house to hundreds or even thousands

concluded with everyone standing for two minutes of silence:

of people one by one. The women were sitting in the living

‘Whenever and wherever there is yoga, Guruji is going to be

room, mostly in white, and Guruji’s body had been laid out in

there.’”

the smaller, ground-floor room, lavishly covered with flower garlands. Prashant was sitting at his feet; wearing lungi and

SEPT. 1, 2014

thread, a symbol painted in white on his forehead. One by one

Janet MacLeod, Intermediate Junior III Teacher

we came in and did our pranams, then sat or stood quietly in

“The atmosphere at the Institute is very serene. This is a bit

the garden. While we were there, TV reporters spoke with

surprising to me but after attending the Shraddhanjali event on

Geetaji. Pandu pulled me aside to speak with some other media

Aug. 30, 2014, I understand why. Guruji’s granddaughter,

representatives, along with other people who had been coming

Abhijata, was the Master of Ceremonies, and there were four

for many years. Mostly they wanted to hear about Guruji’s

other speakers: Prashantji, Birjoo Mehta, Patxi Lizardi, and

impact on practitioners in our home countries. All of this took

Patricia Walden. All four recounted meaningful stories from

about three hours, and then there was Vedic chanting for an

their close and long-term relationships with Guruji. In between

hour, finally a last quick look with bigger crowds this time. The

these speakers, Abhijata shared some information about the

men bore Guruji’s body to a stretcher that had been made of

time leading up to Guriji’s admittance into the hospital and his

freshly cut bamboo, lashed together, padded with straw, and

brief stay there. She made it very clear that he was not afraid of

covered with a sheet. Everyone chanted mantras as the

dying and approached it in a comfortable way. From what she

pallbearers made their way to an ambulance.”

said, it really sounded as if he were ready. I have been around

John Hayden

individuals who come to this point just before death. Because of their level of ease with the transition, it spreads to those

“At about 2:30 p.m. Pune time today, Guruji’s body was taken to

close to them. I feel that although his devotees were sad, there

the cremation facility. There was a beautiful ceremony, ritual,

was acceptance and, beyond that, gratitude. This made for a

and chanting, and Guruji’s body was cremated. I observed the

very peaceful gathering despite the large numbers in the hall.”

entire ceremony.”

Victoria Austin

Michael Lucey, Intermediate Junior III Teacher and, at the Time, IYNAUS Vice-President

“We reconvened at the cremation grounds, where they had set

“The Vaikunta Samaradhana ceremony took place on Monday,

up an open pit with stacks of sandalwood and cow patties as

Sept. 1, in the morning. The ceremony marks the end of the

kindling. The kindling and wood, along with the flowers from

formal mourning period, and the ritual performed celebrates

the garlands, were passed around so that people could touch

the arrival of the departed soul into the abode of Vishnu.

them and hand them back with good wishes to go into the pit.

Prasad, a holy meal, was then served to hundreds of visitors. In

Chanting, lighting, ‘everyone back!’ while the flames got bigger.

the evening, a group of priests chanted from The Upanishads

Someone loaded Prashant up with a large water vessel that had

and also the 1,008 names of Vishnu, after which Prasad was

holes drilled into it, and he circled the pit, with the water

again served to those in attendance.”

pouring over him and the edges of the pit. Then with a very final sounding clunk they broke the pot.”

SEPT. 3, 2104

John Hayden

“The normal schedule of classes began again at the Institute.

Michael Lucey

“The Institute has posted a notice that they will remain closed

Student volunteers had been asked to come in the late

through Sept. 2. I understand that this coincides with a Vedic

afternoon on Tuesday to help rearrange the halls for classes. A

ritual of 13 days of mourning.”

group of about 40 students from China have come for intensive study for part of the month of September, and they helped

AUG. 21, 2014

Cathy Rogers Evans

make quick work of readying the two halls for the resumption of classes. Abhijata taught the 9:30 a.m. ladies class on

“Today everything feels quiet on Hare Krishna Mandir Road.

Wednesday morning, a translator at her side, and the group

There are beautiful posters of Guruji at prominent positions

from China set up together on one side of the hall. There will be

around the city. The India Times has some wonderful reports

translators for Prashant’s classes as well while the delegation

and photos of Guruji. As Geetaji said, ‘He was very precious to

from China is here. Abhijata, aided by a familiar team of the

8

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

“ Only his body has ended. One person’s efforts from inside out, changed the acceptance of yoga throughout the world. Nothing was hidden, from the time he began to practice, to his illness and death. Even last night he was telling Abhijata, ‘I have shown you all these things, now realize them for yourself.’ What he has given cannot be encompassed by words. If a disciple is more developed, then that person will understand. What can be said in words, is that he was precious to us.”

—Geeta Iyengar, upon her father’s death other RIMYI teachers, taught standing poses and inversions,

conscientiously in the cells of the body. And I am sure that if

building carefully from action to action, from asana to asana. At

you use your intelligence as an instrument to make the body to

one point during the class, she paused for a moment that felt

spread, you are one with God, you are one with your soul, you

deeply moving to me, and reminded us that first, as she was

are one with your body.’ I felt new inspiration for my practice

demonstrating through her teaching, we start with actions in an

thanks to the memory of those words.”

asana, then we coordinate different actions together, then we integrate, then comes absorption, and only after that, yoga.

SEPT. 4, 2014

“Throughout these first few days of September, there will surely

“Thursday, at 7 a.m., Prashant taught one of his remarkable

be many moments when Guruji’s absence will be felt ever so

beginning-of-the-month standing pose classes to a packed hall.

acutely. I have many memories of observing Wednesday

I missed being able to look out the window across the courtyard

morning ladies classes where he was practicing in his corner,

and see Guruji at his desk, reading the morning papers or

and simultaneously directing the teaching that was going on.

writing letters. At a certain moment in the class, Prashant was

Michael Lucey

driving home a point regarding why we practice asana—not as “Abhijata supervised the 6 p.m. medical class, another moment

an end in itself, but as a means to an end—and he made a

when I think it sunk in once again for many people in the room

distinction between what he called photasana (asanas done for

that Guruji would not be appearing to energize, direct, and

photos) and yogasana. Gesturing at all the pictures of his father

intervene as he had so often in the past. And yet the class

around the room doing the remarkable asanas for which he is

went on.

famous, Prashant pointed out that if photasana had been the point, there would have been no reason for his father to have

“On Wednesdays, there is an open practice period in the hall

gone on practicing into his nineties, when so many of the poses

from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Guruji was not usually present for that

were no longer in his repertory. Why, Prashant asked us to

practice session during recent visits I’ve made to Pune, so I

consider, would he have insisted that it was in those late years

wasn’t missing his presence in the way I expected I would

of his life that he was moving ever deeper and deeper into his

during practice sessions the next few mornings. Then at a

practice of yoga? And what lesson could we take from that for

certain point as I was practicing, some words Abhijata had said

our own practice? It was a wonderful, powerful, moment in a

during the Shradhanjali meeting a few days before came into

class that Prashant taught with vigor and with joy.

my mind: ‘Our dear Guruji is now within us, unlimited by constraints of form, space, and time… He has touched each one

“At 9 a.m. after Prashant’s class, there is a practice session. In

of us so deeply that we are going to somatically and cellularly

the past, Guruji would have been there, practicing, and often

remember him for a long, long time to come.’

stopping to teach his granddaughter or others around him.

Abhijata was there today, using the horse and grill in the corner

“I wondered if I could find him in my cells as I continued to

where her grandfather practiced. The other teachers from the

work on some Salamba Sarvangasana variations in my practice.

Institute also came and practiced together as usual, helping

Then I remembered something he said on his 95th birthday:

each other, and occasionally helping some of the students from

‘Today I request you to practice that when you are practicing,

around the world who are here at the moment. ‘Life moves,’ we

you should not think of the extension or expansion of the body,

know Guruji said. ‘There’s no death. There’s no birth. Life is like

but the extension and the expansion of the intelligence and

a river, moving without any stop.’”

your consciousness, which should make your body to spread more than it is spreading now. So use your consciousness, use

Janet Lilly (Intermediate Junior I) is outgoing president of the IYNAUS

your intelligence as a thorn, and see that these two inner

Board of Directors.

vehicles of the soul make the fibers, the cells in the body, to feel the existence—to link intellectually, consciously,

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

9

These quotes and photographs of Guruji’s feet, blown up quite large, appeared on the walls in the practice hall at RIMYI during the 13-day mourning period after his death. They originally appeared in the Institute’s 2011 calendar. Photos: Raya UD, © RIMYI 10

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

SENIO R T E AC H E R S R E ME MB E R Photo: Andy Richter 2013

SATTVA, SHABDA, PRAJNA

his energy was down, and though his cough was better, he was

by Lois Steinberg

not feeling better, in fact, less so. He said, “I can guarantee 95, but not 96.”

In the early 2000s, I cut back my annual extended time in Pune to two months. But after Guruji’s 90th birthday in 2008, in

His comments made me want to return to Pune in June of 2013,

addition to my two months in winter, I visited Pune in June a

but I could not do it for a month. Then I had the outrageous

few times, always eager to learn more. I shared with Patricia

idea that I would go for a week. As this was forming in my mind

Walden that the month of June was an excellent time to study

over the next few months, I also knew I wanted to ask him an

at RIMYI, and she too decided to go. I skipped my June visit in

important question: What are we, his students, going to do

2012, thinking I would go with Patricia in 2013. But then the

when he dies? This is not an easy question to ask. It is quite a

next year, 2013, I was not so sure I could spend the entire extra

self-centered one. Yet, I had to ask it in some way.

month in June again. I was torn because Guruji’s advancing age was telling on him. Many thought he was near death because of

Meanwhile, I heard from sources in Pune that the hot season,

a persistent, nasty cough that developed during his 80th

as usual, was hard on Guruji. He became very ill, and they

birthday celebrations. The blanket dust (thousands of new

thought he was near death. He lost a lot of weight and was not

blankets had not been washed) was thick in the air and over

in the practice hall.

800 international students arrived during an outbreak of influenza. It created a terrible mix, resulting in many of us

I talked to Patricia about my plans, and she wanted to join me.

getting extremely sick. The outbreak was so severe that a

We worked out together the week we could go. I would arrive a

medical tent had to be set up on the grounds. I caught atypical

day earlier than she could, and she planned to leave Pune a day

pneumonia. Karin O’Bannon went home early because of ill

later than me on Sunday. I said, “Why leave on Sunday? After

health. Patricia was also very ill. Worst of all, Guruji never

Saturday morning class, there would be nothing more.” She

recovered from the nasty cough he developed at that time. Over

suggested that we could possibly get a private audience with

the years, it became so bad he could not control it. However, he

Guruji on Sunday. Great plan.

continued his teaching even during the worst moments. In January 2013, he told me that the cough continued until

In June 2013, I arrived in Pune on Monday at 4:30 a.m., after a

November 2012 and then it settled down. Despite this, he felt

36-hour trip. I stayed awake so I would not get jet lag. Then, I

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

11

His struggle through each decade of his life would have stopped an average man. But he was not average.

Patricia arrived the next day, a Tuesday, during the afternoon medical class. Everyone was shocked again. Why come for just a week? When Guruji came to work in the class, his reaction upon seeing her was to suggest that she had come for medical help. “No, just to see you,” she said.

The whole week was magical. Guruji taught us every day in the practice hall and medical classes. He was more robust than he had been back in January. When we weren’t practicing, Patricia and I worked on our question for Guruji. Patricia asked for and was granted a meeting with Guruji—on Saturday at 4 p.m.

“Patricia! Sunday would be a quieter day! We planned for Sunday.” I then had to ask Guruji for a change of plans. He agreed to Sunday. But for Patricia, the time was not good, and it was her turn to ask again. The time change was granted for 9:30 Photo: Gabriella Giubilaro

a.m. It pays to be a short-term visitor!

was on my mat in the practice hall at 9 a.m. I had startled

The household seemed to know about our meeting. On Sunday,

everyone. Pandu and others could not believe I came all this

Patricia and I walked down the drive and met Hareeth, Guruji’s

way, at great cost, for just one week. When Guruji came to

grandson, who said, “Oh, you have a meeting with Guruji.” We

practice, he was very surprised but said in a raised voice, “Oh,

waited inside the lobby, and Prashant came and said, “Oh, you

you came for more corrections! I am not going to give you

have a meeting with Guruji.” He thought we were teaching a

anything!” I replied, “No, Guruji, I only came to see you.”

course in India because surely we had not come all the way here only to be in Pune for a week. We waited, and Guruji

Then, one of the RIMYI teachers told me how ill Guruji had been.

walked in glowing, graceful, his dhoti and kurta flowing. He sat

During his illness, he had depended upon his teacher-helpers, who

down at the end of the table, and we sat on either side, facing

brought his props to his home and helped him with his practice.

him. He let me set up my recorder. When I started to speak, he

Through his daily practice, he nursed himself back to health. Just

could not hear me. I sat up straighter and felt like I was reading

before I arrived, he became much healthier, began putting on

him the riot act with my loud statements and questions.

more weight, and was in the practice hall. He looked so thin to me,

Patricia later said that it was like that, and she thought he was

but apparently he was better. During practice that day, I watched

amused.

him do standing poses as I was doing mine. I was later told it was the first time he had done them since being so unwell. I enjoyed

“Guruji! We were concerned about your health. Now you look

looking over at him, his radiance; sometimes I would be doing the

more robust than ever. And we are grateful for all you have taught

same pose as he was. But his skin, muscle, and bone were flowing

us this week. Guruji! It was so wonderful to be here this week.

together. He had vivaciousness and vivekakhyati, an unbroken high state of awareness.

“Guruji! We can see how beautifully the yoga institute has been set up for the next generation of students. The teachers are

After three hours, I put my props away and started to make my

excellent, the rooms are packed, and you have created a

way out. Guruji said, “Hey Lois, do Urdhva Dhanurasana.” I

brilliant legacy.

stupidly replied that I had just done shoulder balance. He just looked at me and said nothing. I complied and got down at his

“Guruji! We are still going to come to Pune even after you stop

feet. He had an assistant put the biggest plate weight on top of

teaching. We will encourage our students to come.

my feet and jammed it into my ankles. I surprised myself in pushing up into the pose when another one of those giant plate

“Guruji! Can you give some words of wisdom and comfort to

weights was placed on my front thighs. Guruji proceeded to

those of us who have sat at your feet for over 40 years? What

instruct me, manually adjusting and verbally guiding what I

should we do without you?”

was to do. It felt effortless, joyful, and ultimately absorbing.

That is Guruji’s teaching. He got me to do something, on the

He folded his hands together and looked at us with puppy dog

spot, that I did not think I could.

eyes and said, “You don’t understand. I am an ignorant man. I have no words of wisdom.” And was silent.

12

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

Patricia and I looked at each other in panic. I said, “But you are

instead, while I did Adho Mukha Vrksasana. Guruji still taught us

a compassionate man.” He said, “Yes, I treat all souls the same.”

at the same time. It did not matter. Now she had to do it. She

Then he proceeded to tell us his life story, and one and a half

whispered to me, “My arm, my arm.” I replied, “Patricia, just do

hours later, he was only up to 1968. Patricia and I were giving

the pose.” When we came down, she was still saying something

each other looks and wondering how to guide him back to the

to me about her arm. I told Guruji about her arm. He had her

question. Patricia asked several times how he carried on after

put her hands on the tabletop and proceeded to point out the

all the setbacks, such as having the room he taught yoga in set

difference in the direction the skin was turning on each hand.

ablaze and burnt down. Or how he had to borrow money from

He guided her to correct the skin movement. She did handstand

one person to pay money he owed to another person. He often

again, with his guidance, and her arm never hurt again. That is

went without food. He kept telling his stories. Guruji was not

Guruji’s genius.

responding to our cues to answer our question. Suddenly I interrupted and said, “Guruji, what are we going to do when

He continued to teach us, but he had given us so much of his time

you are no more?”

already, even though it was his only day of rest during the week.

He loves the subject so much, he never stops. We said that he had

He paused. He said that when Sri Aurobindo was alive, he had a

given us enough of his time and thanked him for everything. He

huge following, and now it is diminished. Krishnamurti

got up, turned to face us and said, “I love you.” We watched him

(Theosophical Society) was huge, and his following is also

gracefully walk away as tears came to our eyes.

diminished to almost nothing. Iyengar Yoga will last for some time but ultimately will go the same way. “What you have to do

In hindsight, his life story was the answer to our question. His

is practice with honesty and integrity. And when you teach,

struggle through each decade of his life would have stopped an

observe your students. Now do handstand!”

average man. But he was not average. No matter what happened, he practiced and continued on the path of yoga that

All week, Patricia had been unable do handstand because a

led him, ultimately lighting the way for us all. It was profound

muscle in her forearm had ruptured from carrying a heavy

to hear his words of love for us, because those words are not

suitcase. Once, the same had happened to me, and it is painful.

forthcoming in Indian culture.

She had avoided the pose all week, doing Pincha Mayurasana

Photo: Andy Richter 2013

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

13

Our interview and special time with Guruji lent Patricia and me closure. It was a great bookend to a terrific study and practice with a man unlike any other. Life after Guruji is hard, but we will go on. We

He was always in the present moment and always finding ways to bring us into the present moment as well.

have benefitted from his genius, a larger than life persona, a lion who reigned supreme over the body, mind, and soul. for what seemed like five minutes. He then proceeded to do Lois Steinberg, Ph.D., is certified at the Advanced Junior II level and

Tadasana, Urdhva Dhanurasana, Tadasana, Urdhva Dhanurasana—

lives in Urbana, IL.

he did 108 of them with his feet in the same place. He didn’t shift his feet once. And that was his practice the day before his

ON GURUJI

80th birthday! To watch an 80-year-old man going from

by Manouso Manos

Tadasana to Urdhva Dhanurasana 108 times was extraordinary.

And all 108 drop backs took under a half hour. He didn’t linger

What can you say about the greatest man with whom you ever

in either pose, but he moved with the grace of a swan. No

came in contact? What words sum up a man who raised himself

huffing or puffing. He kept an even breath, and he didn’t stay in

and through his tremendous willpower also raised up millions?

any pose to recover. Afterward he did a Savasana. I really wish that someone had had a camera that day!

Those of us lucky enough to have been in his presence all had our own personal relationship with this man. He had the

I’ve known Guruji since 1977, and I’ve had all different kinds of

unique ability to speak directly to the hearts of those he came

meetings with him, especially once certification came into

in contact with. He could address thousands from every corner

place and I became involved with organizing the associations

of the earth, and each of us would feel as if he spoke to us

and different conventions. A meeting with Guruji was a very

individually.

interesting thing. I generally would go in with my topic, and we would talk about that for a few minutes, and then inevitably

He lived a noble life. He recognized human suffering and toiled

the meeting would end with me in Utthita Trikonasana in jeans

to relieve it while uplifting a subject dear to his heart. A subject

or Urdhva Dhanurasana in a dress. And he would use the asana

that he renovated and brought into the modern world. How few

to answer the questions that I had asked and somehow always

people in history ever accomplished so much?

found a way to make the asanas relate. When anyone had a meeting with Guruji, we always knew how it was going to end.

Manouso Manos is certified at the Advanced Senior I level and lives in

All of the senior teachers have had the same experience.

San Francisco, CA. In 2005 during the Light on Life book tour, when Guruji was

ROLLER COASTER

teaching in Estes Park, there was one incredible night. They had

by Rita Lewis-Manos

this huge auditorium full of 1,000 people or more. On this particular night, there was an interview between Guruji and

As I am trying to put into words how extraordinary Guruji was,

Annette Bening. Afterward, he sat in a chair and gave darshan to

the tears still come. So I will share a lighthearted moment.

1,000 people. And that was extraordinary. Darshan is when a guru gives a transmission by looking directly in the eyes of a student.

The 1984 convention was over and the Indian group wanted to

Manouso and I were sitting near him because we wanted to make

go to Disneyland. Everyone was eager to ride on the roller coasters—well, everyone but my four-year-old daughter. So when it was our turn to get into the car, Guruji sat her between himself and Manouso, and she felt safe. He had the ability to relate to everyone in and out of yoga, young and old.

Rita Lewis-Manos is certified at the Intermediate Senior I level and lives in San Francisco, CA.

THAT WAS THEN

by Patricia Walden The day before his 80th birthday, Guruji came into the practice hall around 9:30 a.m. At that time, his first pose was always Adho Mukha Svanasana with his hands at the wall and his head on a foam piece. So he set his timer for 10 minutes and did the pose. Then he walked away from the wall and stood in Tadasana 14

Guruji surrounded by adoring students at a gathering in Boston during the Light on Life book tour in 2005. Photo: Todd Semo ©2005 Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

sure that everyone was appropriate, and we were shocked. I don’t

GURUJI, A PERSONAL REMINISCENCE

know how long it took, but I was just amazed. When we got into

by Bobby Clennell

the car to go back to the hotel where we were all staying, I said to him, “Guruji, that was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever

My trips to Pune have often coincided with an annual

seen you do.” I was in the back seat and he was in the front seat,

celebration—whether it was Guruji’s birthday, Institute Day, or

and he turned around to me and said, “That was then.” In other

Guru Poornima (honoring your teachers day). It’s traditional to

words, he was in the present moment. He wasn’t lingering and

decorate the asana hall at these times.

thinking about what had happened.

He did the same thing to me years earlier. When I was younger I suffered from depression, and early on Guruji realized it was because of my upper back. When I was young I had a lot of restriction in my upper back. Maybe eight years after we first

Guruji told us that to sanctify the living process, we should do our duty, practice yoga regularly, and offer up the fruits of our endeavors to the Lord.

worked on it, he was working with my upper back again, and I said, “Oh that’s because I suffered from depression.” Guruji didn’t respond so I said it one more time, and he said, “That was then.”

Once in the mid 1970s, and using Light on Yoga as a guide, I decorated the hall with paper cutout yoga poses. Seated in the

Those three words have really stuck with me. He was always in

middle of the asana hall, surrounded by glue, scraps of paper,

the present moment and always finding ways to bring us into

and a team of willing helpers, I became aware of a pair of feet

the present moment as well. This is now.

on the floor in front of me. I looked up and saw that Mr. Iyengar was gazing intently at the paper cutouts. He then proceeded to

Sadhana practice is his legacy. The week after Guruji died, I kept

help me out: the arms in Trikonasana were not long enough;

thinking, “What can I do?” The answer is to take my practice to

here the trunk is too short; there the alignment of the ankle

the next level—because that’s what he did.

joint wasn’t correct. I was a very new student, and he didn’t overcorrect the drawings. In some cases, I was drawing the

I have generally gone to India every year, and over the years

intermediate poses rather than the final pose—a mistake often

Guruji has taught me so much. Not that I’m not self-reliant, but

made by photographers who are not yoga practitioners who

I’ve always really looked forward to the trips to India to ignite

don’t understand when to click the shutter. I felt privileged to

my practice in different ways. I feel full. He has given me so

have this interaction with Guruji. Obviously, as we know from

much. Now I’m going to act like he’s right beside me on the mat

his teaching, he had a highly developed visual eye. And it was

watching what I’m doing so that I’ll continue to take the next

so much fun!

step, whatever it is for me. We all have to do that to keep his flame ignited, to keep the Iyengar method fresh and wonderful.

On another occasion, I was making decorations for the opening of the original Iyengar Yoga Institute of London. The same pair of

Patricia Walden is certified at the Advanced Senior I level and lives in

feet appeared on the floor in front of me. I was creating collages

Arlington, MA.

from colored paper. Some told stories from Indian mythology.

A GIFT

At first, Guruji was more interested in my illustration of the

by Judy Brick Freedman

Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI). He requested that a cutout paper Hanuman (the Monkey God and

In 1993, I had lost every single hair, including eyelashes and in

symbol of devotional love) be placed on the top of the building,

my nose. I felt down and uncertain and did not know how to

just like the one in Pune.

adapt my practice to my autoimmune condition. Guruji listened respectfully and responded presciently that after three

Later, when the collages were displayed on the walls of the

and a half weeks, we would know if one or both of us were

Institute, Guruji came and stood in front of the picture

confused. By month’s end, I experienced more happiness than I

depicting a story from The Bhagavad Gita. It showed the chariot

had in years. Under that leonine exterior burned an experimental,

carrying Arjuna, pulled by five horses, with the charioteer,

modest, and compassionate brilliance that effected the results

Krishna, holding the reins. He explained the symbolism of the

we both hoped for.

image: The chariot is the physical body, the instrument through which the self, intellect, mind, and senses operate. Arjuna is the

Judy Brick Freedman is certified at the Intermediate Senior III level and

embodied individual soul. The charioteer Krishna is the self,

lives in Charlotteville, NY.

atma, or higher intellect. The reins are the operations of the manas (mind). The five horses represent the senses—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin.

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

15

meditation.) He thought it should be called Yoga Yantra, which in fact describes the film much better. I never did use thunder in the sound track, and although the original title had to remain on the video, for me, it’s Yoga Yantra all the way!

Bobby Clennell is certified at the Intermediate Senior II level and lives in New York, NY. To see

Yoga Yantra, go to www.bobbyclennell.com.

TEACHING FROM THE HEART

by Chris Saudek Hanging Bobby’s decorations in the practice hall at RIMYI. Photo: Bobby Clennell

A friend gave me Light on Yoga when I was in graduate school and taking a “yoga” class in my community. I put quotes around the

The story tells of a conversation between Arjuna, who was

word “yoga” because it was nothing like the future Iyengar Yoga

unwilling to do his duty as a warrior because fighting involved

classes I would take. I paged through that now tattered copy

destruction and killing, and Krishna, who told Arjuna that in

and thought I would never achieve any of those poses and

any conflict between opposing forces, he should choose the side

placed it on my bookshelf. Later I was led to Guruji by one of

of dharma (God-given duty).

my first teachers, Bev Graves.

Guruji told us that to sanctify the living process, we should do

After only two years of taking classes in Iyengar Yoga, Bev

our duty, practice yoga regularly, and offer up the fruits of our

suggested I go to an intensive in India. My first memory of

endeavors to the Lord.

Guruji was in 1980 when I was at the wall in Uttanasana and, seeing my scoliosis, he came over and stuffed a heavy wooden

Not long after his 80th birthday, I was again making decorations,

brick into my short side and told me to keep it there or it would

this time for Institute Day. It was late. We were working hard to get

fall out and break my foot! Other early memories include

the hall decorated in time for the weekend celebrations. Mr.

sitting in one of the Bombay student’s houses after class and

Iyengar came across from his house to see what was going on. He

sharing snacks with the other students and Guruji. He was

disappeared and about 20 minutes later, came back with one of

friendly and open to talking about any subject, asking about

his household staff with tea and Indian desserts for all. That’s

everyone’s children, everyone’s work.

when the fun began! He was an evolved being, and on these occasions, everyone around him felt happy. He was like the sun—

I traveled to Pune several times in the 1980s and 1990s before

it’s a dharma transmission. Just as we were inspired by the

Guruji stopped leading classes. The first three times, I stayed at

intensity of his teaching in the classes, at other times around the

the Institute in a downstairs room and either participated in or

Institute, we were touched by his joyful spirit.

watched every class Guruji taught. How I felt after class was what really hooked me on Iyengar Yoga. In addition to the good

In the late 80s, I had shown Guruji a video of the animated

feeling in my body, I felt my mind had been transformed. In the

short I was making based on film footage of his yoga practice.

early days, Guruji did not specifically talk about philosophy. We

He studied the moving images very carefully. (Several years

just did not stop doing the entire class.

earlier, he had requested cartoon films for his grandchildren that I had been happy to provide.) Then, one Saturday morning,

The beauty of Guruji’s work is that he continued to delve into

a few days after he had seen the film, I was beckoned to follow

the subject and continued to give us more insight into the

him into the asana hall. I tried to keep up with him as he strode

depth of the subject. He could see right through people and

through the middle of Prashant’s pranayama class toward the

understand their motivations, their self-imposed limitations,

prop room. Prashant’s students must have been pretty

and their deepest thoughts. He could relate to anyone. When

alarmed—they were hanging in rope Sirsasana with head wraps

speaking to my husband, who was a chemistry professor, he

on at the time.

used the image of mercury flowing through your fingers.

In the prop room, Guruji spun the heavy metal weights on the

Like many others, I remember several hits and slaps that I

floor to illustrate the sound of thunder, which he thought

received from Guruji. Because each time instructed me deeply, I

would improve the sound track. I had titled the film, Yantra.

can recall where I was standing in the room and exactly where

(Yantra are sacred geometric patterns used as aids in

and how hard he hit or kicked me. I will always be grateful for

16

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

Though there were poses that were important for each condition, Guruji stressed teaching the person and not just the condition. those valuable lessons. After I got my physical therapy degree, he was even more strict with me and taught me the importance of observing the eyes and the skin when adjusting in the medical classes. Though there were poses that were important for each condition, Guruji stressed teaching the person and not just the condition.

I took my husband and two of my students to Pune in the early 1980s. During a class when they were oblivious to what Guruji was saying—before they got used to his accent—and were not following directions, Guruji reprimanded me. Those words have stuck with me in all the years of my teaching. He said, “You are teaching from your head and not from your heart!” Guruji taught from his heart, and though he was strict, he was always compassionate and loved his students.

Chris Saudek is certified at the Intermediate Senior III level and lives in La Crescent, MN.

GURUJI IN THE PRACTICE HALL

by Dean Lerner Timing is one of the hallmarks of Iyengar Yoga. You would see

Chris being adjusted in Salambha Sarvangasana.

Photo: IYNAUS archives

and feel it in Guruji’s practice: calm, patient, enduring, persistent, tenacious, earnest—all tempered with impeccable

The joy and precious gift of his teachings remain fresh and ever

timing in his poses. Simply observing these qualities in Guruji’s

inspiring, ever present. May his memory be a blessing.

practice was deeply educational and inspiring. Teaching by example was one of the many ways he taught.

Dean Lerner is certified at the Advanced Junior I level and lives in Lemont, PA.

Guruji expressed perfect timing in various ways and as the situation demanded. Two summers ago while I was doing a not-

GURUJI

so-stellar shoulder balance, Guruji walked by and growled,

by Joan White

“Take your tailbone six inches in!” Then, without breaking stride, kicked me in the appropriate place to encourage the

I have put off writing this since I first heard the news because I

tailbone action! Perfect timing and very effective. Guruji still

knew in my heart that if I were to finally write this, it would

had the fire in his teaching and his step.

mean that Guruji was really no longer with us. I forced myself to look at the picture on the Web that was taken after he had

Like asana, proper sequence and timing is important to make

died. I saw his peaceful face, but it still looked as if he were

humor succeed. In this, Guruji knew how to convey a message

sleeping. I looked at the pictures of the flames around his

through humor. One day in the practice hall, in between poses,

funeral pyre, and still I didn’t want to believe the inevitable. But

Guruji said, “Hey, Dean!” “Yes, sir?” “How long have you been

as more and more pieces of remembrance have appeared

practicing now?” (This was the set up). “Over 30 years, Sir.”

online, I realized that I needed to put something down on paper.

Punch line: “What have you been doing all that time?!”

Laughter followed with sobriety!

My first impressions of Guruji were formed at a dinner party in 1973, the night before he was to begin teaching his first set of

Our beloved Guruji, the greatest proponent and master of yoga

classes to American students since his brief adventure in 1956.

in our time, has left this earthly abode. His fiery yet

My teacher, Mary Palmer, was determined to bring Guruji to the

compassionate presence will be greatly missed by the world.

United States. When I phoned her and told her I had had a

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

17

His practice changed and deepened, but he never stopped learning—and for that, every one of us has grown exponentially over the years.

sat down on the floor next to him. I asked him how it was that he was all by himself. He answered, “They are all very busy people.” And he sat quietly and laughed about it. Another “aha” moment that said it is okay to let people do their own thing and not take it personally.

serious horseback riding accident that had resulted in a serious

There are so many, many memories from those 41 years that I

break in my back, she immediately replied that she would use

was blessed to have had contact with him. He gave us so many

that to get him to come. And now here we all were sitting

life lessons. This man from such a poor, humble background

around a small table eating dinner together with this convivial,

took it upon himself to single-handedly bring yoga to the

funny, quick-witted man with a wonderful twinkle in his eye

people no matter what their caste, class, or gender.

and a very ebullient laugh. He entertained us for hours with stories of teaching the queen mother of Belgium to stand on

He taught me about the meaning of compassion through his

her head and other wonderful talks.

eyes. When I felt sorry for a teacher at one of the conventions whom he severely chastised, he got angry at me. He said, “Why

While sitting and listening, I felt that there was something very

are you comforting the teacher? It is the students you should

special about this man, but it wasn’t until the following

feel afraid for.” It took me by surprise, and then I got it: The

morning when we all lined up for class in one of the University

teacher wasn’t taking care of the students, and for him, the

of Michigan’s gymnasiums that I felt I was in the presence of

students were god. Each was a soul that we were responsible to

someone who could change my life. His quick eye and his

take care of, and if we failed to do that, then what good were we

precise instructions were different than any other teacher I had

as teachers?

experienced. His language was limited at that time, and yet he had the attention of all 40 of us the minute he began speaking.

There is so much that I am so grateful for. So many life lessons,

No matter what else was happening, my attention never left his

so many points to take me away from the outside world and

actions and his words. I felt myself responding to his teaching

bring me inward on my journey. Oh Guruji, I am already

from a place inside me that I had never even known was there.

missing you and wishing that I had told you all that was in my heart. And yet how selfish would that be when everyone who

At one point, during the teaching of Parsvottanasana, my back

has ever been touched by you would also want that chance?

was hurting so I placed my hands on the floor to adjust my

You took such good care of us. We loved you, but you loved us

back to a place without the pain. Guruji observed me do it and

more. We tried, but you tried harder. You were always so far

quickly came over to my side and imitated what I was doing. He

ahead of us, and yet you were so generous and let us follow in

liked it and told me it was good. He said he hadn’t thought of it

your footsteps, learning along with you. We saw your asana

(as a way of working with a broken back). He had me right then

practice at its peak, and we also saw how you let things go

and there—I was blown away by his power and his wisdom and

when they needed to be let go. Yet always, your sadhana was

his ability to penetrate into what I was doing, to take it into his

ever-deepening, and the light you shed on us was ever-

body, knowing that I was dealing with a broken back. I knew

brightening and uplifting.

that he would be my teacher on this path that I really didn’t understand but knew I had to follow.

You did your job, Guruji, and have left us with lifetimes of work to do ours. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I never questioned whether or not he was going to be my teacher. I knew intuitively that he could help me, and I put my faith entirely

Joan White is certified at the Advanced Junior I level and lives in

in him. That faith has never wavered. That man I first met, who

Philadelphia, PA.

gave a demonstration where he went seamlessly through every pose that is shown in Light on Yoga at the Power Center in Ann

AN ORDINARY MAN

Arbor, never let outside praise interrupt his practice. The man we

by John Schumacher

called “Mr. Iyengar” remained true to himself and his yoga for all the years that I knew him. His practice changed and deepened,

Everyone knows, either from personal contact or by reputation,

but he never stopped learning—and for that, every one of us has

that Guruji was a strict and demanding teacher in the

grown exponentially over the years.

classroom. Those of us fortunate enough to have spent time with him outside of class knew him to be a man of many

There were so many, many lessons that Guruji taught us. He

dimensions with a childlike curiosity, boundless energy, and

was able to laugh where others might have shown anger. Once

radiant good humor.

he was the guest of honor at a large gathering. After the crowds had mumbled pleasantries and drifted away to talk to friends,

The first time I spent any real personal time with Guruji was

Guruji was left sitting in a chair all by himself. I went over and

when he visited Washington, D.C., in 1990 after the IYNAUS

18

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

convention. I had invited him, and much to my surprise, he had accepted. He would be staying at my house. I rented a van, and Joe Adlesic, one of the Unity Woods teachers, and I picked up

He said something like, “Do not let your expectations become your obstacles.”

him and his small entourage at National Airport. Guruji jumped right into the passenger side front seat next to Joe, who was driving, rolled down the window, and off we went. Frankly, I was

mesmerized. I think my head turned 180 degrees on my neck.

a nervous wreck. “What am I going to do with B.K.S. Iyengar

“Pay attention to the class!” said Geetaji, who was teaching. “Do

staying at my house?” I worriedly wondered.

not stare at Guruji!” I snapped to attention.

As we rode along, I described some of the sights of the nation’s

Later, I did not realize that Guruji was circulating among the

capitol to Guruji. After a while, Jawahar Bangera, part of his

students making adjustments, and as I stood in Tadasana, he

entourage, asked, “John, do you have a television?”

came up behind me and sharply clapped both his hands onto my upper back, sending my trapezius muscles down to their

“Yes,” I replied.

correct place. My already-strong startle reflex must have been cranked to its highest setting, because my body jumped

“World Cup is on today. Can you get the World Cup on TV?”

straight up. I turned around, and to my great relief, saw

Jawahar asked.

Guruji bent over laughing, eyes sparkling. Guruji’s wonderful quote, “Love, labor, and laugh,” always brings up this memory

I got ESPN. “Sure,” I said.

for me. (Later adjustments were a little more serious!)

When we got to my house, everyone (there were about half a

A few years later I was part of an exhibition of the Iyengar Yoga

dozen people in the entourage) clambered out of the van, went

teaching tradition for Guruji’s visit to Chicago after the 1990

into the living room, and plopped down in front of the TV. I

San Diego convention. When I realized that having volunteered

turned on the TV, fixed some popcorn and snacks, and we spent

for this meant we would be up on stage with Guruji before an

the afternoon watching the World Cup. And I could finally take

audience, I questioned my sanity! We were assigned the asanas

a breath and relax.

we were to teach the night before. I spent a sleepless night on someone’s basement couch going over and over the way I

Guruji often spoke of himself as just an ordinary man. He was

would teach Adho Muhka Svanasana. The next day, as people got

married, had children, enjoyed watching sports on TV, drank

up to teach, Guruji intervened and showed us real teaching,

coffee, loved sweets. He was asked by the great yogi Swami

and how to respond to the students’ bodies in front of us,

Sivananda to become a sannyasin, a renunciate; he refused. He

bringing them to new depths of understanding. He also threw

wanted to embrace yoga, live in the rough and tumble of day-

out the list and order of asanas to be taught. As my turn came

to-day life, and make the vast benefits of yoga available to

up, Parivrtta Trikonasana was called out! I went to the front of

everyone. Just an ordinary man. By his life, his dedication to

the stage and stood in Tadasana facing the students on stage

and passion for yoga, he showed us that an ordinary man could

with my back to the audience. My brain was clicking and

rise to extraordinary heights.

whirring away, “Parivrtta Trikonasana, Parivrtta Trikonasana...”

Being a musician, my favorite quote from Guruji always has

“Can you tell me what is wrong with your Tadasana?” Guruji

been the well-known: “Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the

asked. I felt my Tadasana and had no answer. “Turn to the side,”

body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul

he said. As I did, it became apparent that in my attempt to

create the symphony of life.”

think, think, think, I had jutted my head way in front of my body. He said something like, “Do not let your expectations

John Schumacher is certified at the Advanced Junior I level and lives in

become your obstacles.”

Bethesda, MD. Though these are some of my earliest memories of Guruji, his

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

admonition to stay present in the moment has remained a

by Mary Reilly

touchstone for me ever since and continues to inform my path in yoga.

The first adjustment I ever received from Guruji surprised us both.

Mary Reilly is certified at the Senior Intermediate II level and lives in As a first-time student in Pune in 1987, I was enthralled and

Harbor Springs, MI.

jet-lagged. I had never seen Guruji in person, so when I realized he was standing in the back of the asana room, I was

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

19

Guruji adjusting Mary during her demonstration of Parivrtta Trikonasana in Chicago, 1990. Photo: IYNAUS archives

BIG SOFT HEART

that fateful day, Aug. 19, at about 3:40 p.m. our time. The earth

by Carrie Owerko

seemed to slide away from under me, the sun seemed to have disappeared from the sky. I burst into sobs, and Birjoo came on

One of my fondest memories, as well as one of the most recent,

the phone to talk to me. He said, “Neeta, Guruji has knowingly

was from my time in Pune in February, 2014. Guruji had been

left his body. Don’t cry.”

practicing when his little baby great-granddaughter was brought into the hall for a visit. One of the most common

Suddenly, I remembered, the time when my mother passed

perceptions of B.K.S. Iyengar is that of a lion—The Lion of Pune.

away. Guruji had called me from Paris. I burst into tears, and

He can be as fierce as a lion and has the lion’s mane of hair and

said, “Guruji, my mother has left us.” He said, “Your mother

wild eyebrows to boot. But when he played with his little great-

would never have wanted to see you cry. Would she? Don’t cry.”

granddaughter, he spoke in baby gibberish and made funny faces and totally transformed from a ferocious lion into a

I drifted further back in time when I attended the intensive for

doting great-grandpa. It melted my heart and brought tears to

South Africans in 1980. I must have been one of the youngest

my eyes. I am so glad that I was able to witness this side of

students and the rawest bodies with only five years of

him—people are so multifaceted. It is good to remember that

experience. My practice was restricted to attending Guruji’s

under all that fierceness there lived a big soft heart.

classes over the weekends. I had not even planned or decided to go for this intensive. Guruji had told my father to send his

Carrie Owerko is certified at the Intermediate Senior I level and lives in

daughter, and there I was. Diana Motiwala was the youngest in

New York, NY.

age, but she had many years of practice and mastery over the back arches. One day, we were doing standing drop backs, and

DOWN MEMORY LANE

then we were to come up, which I could not do! My hair was

by Neeta Datta

braided into two plaits, and Guruji would just pull these, and I was up. Guruji was fiery, and some women would even cry. I

“Guruji is no more.” “Neeta, Guruji has left his mortal body.” This

had no clue about this until Guruji said, “Look at this girl. Here I

is what my sisters, Rajvi and Aarti, told me over the phone on

am making her do this, and she is still smiling. She is the only

20

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

one in this class who has not cried. I like her.” He never wanted us to cry!

I then recollected one of the Saturday afternoon classes in

His compassion was not using sweet, soft, empty words—his compassion was through action!

Mumbai. Guruji taught the class, and I was being taught how to assist. I had tremendous pain in my shoulder. I did not tell him anything, but he must have seen the pain on my face and

In India, we have a shloka that says that a guest is an

inquired. He said, “Go by the wall, and stand there with your

incarnation of God. Guruji and his family actually lived by this

arms folded in Namaskar behind your back.” I stood there. Five

shloka. Nobody understands the word hospitality like they do!

minutes, seven minutes. I do not know how long I stood. But, all

For years, after each intensive or celebration, everyone was fed

I remember is Sam Uncle’s voice. “Guruji, look at her face, she’ll

by Guruji’s family and Guruji himself. All were treated equally. I

die.” Guruji said, “I know,” and then asked me to bring my hands

still remember every year before I would leave for the U.S. I

down. Believe it or not, but after some time I had completely

would go to Pune to seek Guruji’s blessings. For years, he would

recovered! He knew that the asana would help me if I stood

come out all the way to the main gate of the institute to see us

there long enough. His compassion was not using sweet, soft,

off. A person so famous, of such a high stature, was so warm

empty words—his compassion was through action!

and humble! It was indeed humbling.

Way back in the 1980s, Dooradarshan, our national—and only—

Guruji loved an Indian sweet called “shrikhand.” During the

television channel then, was filming a series on yoga in

convention in Ann Arbor, he asked me to make shrikhand so

Mumbai with Guruji. We would shoot five or six episodes at a

that all could taste this Indian delicacy. This dish has to be

time. The days were very long. Guruji was always so

made from curd, which is then passed through a cheese cloth.

spontaneous and so quick that it was difficult for the director

The cloth slipped with very little curd remaining, which led to

to keep pace with him. Guruji suggested we go back to our

very little shrikhand. I served the shrikhand to Guruji, which he

house in the evenings to work on the next day’s recordings. All

relished. At the time, Manouso smiled. Guruji asked him what

of us would be tired. He would just take a short nap on the sofa,

happened, and he narrated the accident! Guruji immediately

and then he was ready to work! For him work was worship!

gave the bowl to him, and said “It is very delicious. I want all of you to have it.” Guruji shared everything whether he had little

Years later, when I was to marry my husband and move to the

or more. He shared his knowledge, his love, his food—he shared

U.S., I had mixed feelings. I loved my husband on one side, and

a part of himself!

on the other side, I was leaving behind my family, Guruji, my yoga community, and friends—all of whom were very dear to

In 2005, Guruji came to my house in Cupertino, soon after the

me. I was dearly loved by all! Guruji asked me to teach yoga

Yoga Journal conference in Estes Park. He was very exhausted, but

and live a life that will set an example for the people in the

he talked and teased the children before dinner and rest. The next

West. “Show what a happy marriage is and how we live.” You

morning I had planned to take Guruji to my studio just a minute’s

live for everyone and not just for yourself. Doing things for the

walk from my house. Guruji was on his time, and we would do

family can never be a sacrifice!

whatever he decided to do. He said he would practice for about two hours. Three hours later, he returned with Hareeth and Biria

Then I started my life in the U.S. I had two kids and regularly

saying the place was so quiet and calm that he decided to practice

went to India to be with my family and my yoga family and to

longer. It was sheer joy to see him rested!

learn at the Institute. My kids, who were fortunately wellbehaved, would come with me to the class and sit in the corner.

Later after brunch he told my husband, “Hey Arun, now let’s go

One day, Geetaji was teaching the class, Guruji was practicing

out. Where did you want to take us? We will show Hareeth

in the corner near the door, I was attending the class, and my

around.” Then we drove into the redwoods. Guruji thoroughly

kids, aged two and three and a half, were quietly playing

enjoyed nature. We started to go to Santa Cruz pier to show the

behind. One of them got a little cranky. So, I took both of them

sea lions to Hareeth. The traffic got bad, which meant that we

downstairs and played with them for a bit and rejoined the

would be late returning home. One of his old students was to

class. When I returned to the foyer after the class ended, I

come and meet him that evening. As much as he was enjoying

noticed there were two steel bowls by the side of the kids. The

himself, he felt it would not be right to keep the student

kids informed me, “Guruji went and brought biscuits [cookies]

waiting. We were about 15 to 20 minutes away from the pier,

for us!” I was embarrassed! Guruji must have seen that the kids

but we turned around. Such was his value of time!

were hungry; he took the effort to get the biscuits. He was a grandfather to all children. Family and kids were very

Memories abound when you have the fortune to be in touch

important to him.

with a person such as Guruji for over 40 years of your life. But as these memories start coming back to me over the days, I still

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

21

Today, this generation requires a timely approach to learn Iyengar Yoga correctly. Fear, lack of belief, loss of hope and courage, and despair invite negative behavior and anxiety. The healing benefits of Guruji’s wisdom are evident and priceless. It is our own journey: to change dharma to karma. Learning is teaching the self.

I have been Guruji’s student since 1974 and have been teaching, doing research, and publishing as an adjunct professor at Temple University and Temple School of Medicine in Philadelphia for more than 15 years. I am blessed to educate students for their chosen professions and enable them to live majestically. It is essential to empower them to have courage and hope in this mad world of technological insanity. I love my “How fortunate to be under his light...” Photo: Brij Datta

work and salute their joy in learning Working with musicians and performing artists, we know the

have mixed feelings. I am happy with the time that I have had

importance of music. Within each of us there is rhythm—

with Guruji, but it is still difficult to accept that I won’t be able

music, balance, and breath of life. I sing from my heart and

to see him when I return to Pune next.

miss Guruji’s smile and laugh. God bless him real good!

Guruji has given us so much. He gave in all possible forms: love,

Marian Garfinkel, Ed.D. (“Dr. G”), is certified at the Intermediate Senior

compassion, knowledge, wisdom, health, livelihood, and life

III level and lives in Philadelphia, PA.

itself. He lived by his own quote, “Giving does not impoverish; withholding does not enrich.”

THE LION AND THE LAMB

by Ingela Abbott

Neeta Data is certified at the Advanced Junior I level and lives in Cupertino, CA.

Guruji was sometimes called “the Lion and the Lamb.” I have had the great opportunity to experience both! On my second

B.K.S. IYENGAR: MY GURUJI, MY GRACE, MY MUSIC

visit to Pune in 1979, I was in the spotlight in India and attacked

by Marian Garfinkel

by the Lion daily. Instead of comforting me with love, he challenged me to stand on my own two feet, facing the Lion

Guruji’s gift is that grace I seek in my own life. To share the

squarely. For this I am grateful; he helped me face the lions of

direct knowledge I have learned from his kindness, caring, and

daily life with confidence and courage.

compassion, and felt by his physical, mental, and spiritual help, is awesome. His help to me enables me to improve my

During our “Yoga in Rishikesh” with Guruji in 1995, we travelled

observation of those in front of me and help them, whether

to Devprayag, the origin of the Ganges River in the Himalayas.

they be students, teachers, or anyone else. Observation requires

Ten of us dipped our bodies three times in the glacier water of

an intensity and hunger to learn how to see. I am fortunate to

the holy river, a ceremony to cleanse our souls from past sins.

have had Guruji’s help. It is a heavy gift—precious. I cherish my

Guruji participated fully, like a little child with a big smile and

gift. Intense, personal practice is necessary to honor that gift.

heartfelt devotion, plunging his whole body under the icy water.

Correct practice is difficult and must be felt. One must learn to

I experienced the spirited Lamb.

understand one’s own body, mind, and correct application of an asana as taught by Guruji. I am fortunate to have had his

Last year when I went back to see Guruj, I experienced the

personal advice to help students with difficult problems over

warm-hearted Lamb again. Knowing it might be my last visit

the years. He has been my consultant on my research,

with him, one day I expressed my deep gratitude for his gift of

publications, and current projects.

yoga. He greeted me with a big smile, and with deep, warm eyes, he acknowledged my gratitude and said, “God Bless You.”

To learn Iyengar Yoga is hard and demanding. Correct learning

And I feel blessed!

requires intense practice. It cannot be learned in a small measure of time. Education to learn the subject of Iyengar Yoga

Ingela Abbott is certified at the Intermediate Senior I level and lives in

has no limits. To teach correctly and observe each student

Bellingham, WA.

correctly requires intense learning and practice. To apply the healing benefits and correct application of asana and pranayama requires devoted and sincere students—and devoted teachers.

22

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

So we saw how he successfully organized his life around yoga, and not yoga around his life, and this helped us organize our lives around yoga as well. must work hard to realize the teachings and that others will benefit only to the degree that they are able to realize the teachings themselves. I know Mary feels a similar debt to Mary Dunn. She says, “Mary Dunn both taught and embodied the joy of transformation, that a life in yoga is a work of art and can be artfully lived.”

Ingela and her daughter Maya say goodbye to Guruji, 2005.

Photo courtesy Ingela Abbott

Later, we were blessed to continue learning from his emissaries:

SURROUNDED BY HIS BOUNTY

the message each in their own unique way, sharing not just

by Eddy Marks

what they were taught but what they had understood through

Manouso, Faeq, and Neeta who traveled far and wide spreading

their own practices. We are grateful not only for their teachings Guruji was a remarkable man who touched us all in some

but also for being the examples of what a kindled spirit is:

special and meaningful way. We know, care for, and support

someone who, close to the flame of Guruji, was transformed by

each other as a community because his yogic teachings have

it and able to bring that spark across the ocean to us all.

filled our hearts and joined us in a common purpose. We feel so blessed to have known and learned from him for such a long

As Geetaji says, “Nothing was hidden, from the time he began

time, and it has been our privilege to have served him in the

to practice to his illness and death.” Guruji practiced in the hall,

three ways one can serve a guru: financial support, carrying on

so we could all learn how to practice through his example.

the teachings, and physical support. In my and Mary’s case, we

From him we learned what practice should be: vibrant,

also have our marriage to thank Guruji for since we found each

intelligent, sensitive, experimental, penetrating, constant,

other in yoga, courted in India, and after Yoga ’90, I proposed to

honest, shared, balanced, and changing through the years as he

Mary at the Center. Faeq told us that Guruji would be so happy

changed, matured, and aged.

to hear that two of his practitioners were getting married so he dragged the two of us in front of Guruji where we received

We spent hours with our colleagues, friends, and Guruji himself

Guruji’s blessings for our marriage. Through Guruji’s marriage

working together on projects, studying, listening to Guruji being

to Ramamani, he gave us Geetaji and Prashantji—what a gift!

interviewed. He expressed to us whatever was on his mind, so

Each soaked through-and-through with yoga, yet each distinct,

that we might come to know a yogi’s mind and habits. In the

their own person, true to themselves and natural. Seeing the

process, we forged strong friendships and global communities

three of them, it gave us the courage to be natural as well, to

full of purpose—we became a sangha. And when the time came

follow our svadharma and not to be carbon copies. Through

for us to take the reins, making archives, associations, and

their example, we could understand what The Bhagavad Gita

conventions, we remembered his example: Guruji would set a

says: “It is better to follow one’s own dharma, however

time for the tasks of his life: letter writing, study, book writing,

imperfectly, than to follow the dharma of another, however

interviews, and then he would leave the library behind at the

perfect.” (3:35).

appointed time. So we saw how he successfully organized his life around yoga, and not yoga around his life, and this helped

Guruji’s mastery and dynamism brought him many “spiritual

us organize our lives around yoga as well.

children,” and we were showered with knowledge from these talented and inspired teachers. I will always be grateful for my

Guruji was so kind. We heartily enjoyed the chai that he would

teacher Bonnie Anthony. She introduced me not just to Guruji’s

send down for us to boost our flagging energies after a long day

brilliant teachings, but she also embodied his teachings. She

of practice and projects. One time after he had worked quite

showed me that the acquisition of great knowledge can live

hard on a backbend practice, he was about to leave the practice

harmoniously with great humility and purity. She allowed me

room when he saw me struggling to catch the rope in

to see how hard she strove to accurately bring back the

Chakrabandhasana. He was no longer young in years by that

teachings from India to us all with her precise notes and

time and even though tired from the practice, he did not fail to

diligent, repeated practice. Through her example, I saw that one

trouble himself to hand me the rope so that I could catch it. I

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

23

was so touched by his kindness, humility, and humanity. Small

Another time when I was in Pune, he was practicing on his

acts, immense meanings. We learned to be kind through his

platform. He said, “Go practice with Prashant.” My heart sank. I

kindness and thoughtful through his thoughtfulness in these

carefully positioned myself out of his sight. That didn’t work.

and so many other small and large ways.

“Come here where I can see you.” Three days in a row I had to endure that. On the middle day, Geeta joined us. When I went

Everywhere we turn, we are surrounded by his bounty in the

to take my leave on my last day, he said, “Now, you can be

form of our friends, community, health, livelihood, marriage,

having your Advanced Certificate.”

teachers, books, videos, stories, memories, and examples. He has permeated our lives in every corner, and we feel such deep

My intellect understands that his body is gone. But I both saw

gratitude that we still have so much of him with us and still so

and experienced the gratitude and generosity of B.K.S. Iyengar.

much of him yet to realize through our practice.

Nobody needs anything else in life. Those two things he unstintingly bestowed upon me, along with all I learned from

Eddie Marks and Mary Obendorfer are both certified at the

him, are enough to make anybody smile. I have things that last.

Intermediate Senior I level and live in Kalaheo, HI.

Guruji has not gone anywhere.

GRATITUDE. IMMENSE GRATITUDE

Kofi Busia is certified at the Advanced Junior I level and lives in Santa

by Kofi Busia

Cruz, CA.

That’s what I remember most. Guruji was always so grateful.

HOLE IN THE HEAD

I was lucky. I met five of the six who took his first class in the

by Felicity Green

West. His gratitude for the way they so enthusiastically told the rest of us about him was unmistakable.

I met Guruji in 1974 in Berkeley, California. I felt his fire and dedication, but what impressed me most was that he said he

Every year he came to London to teach, he would always sneak

had opened up the hole in his head. I had just finished reading

into my car if he could. He seemed to appreciate my

The Book of the Hopi, and in their mythology, they said the

no-nonsense way of driving around the city. He always made a

people who kept a hole in the top of their head were in touch

point of visiting those five ladies at least once. The love and

with God.

adoration they had for him was palpable—their joyous smiles that he had come to see them. He returned it in abundance.

I had been practicing Iyengar Yoga with J.B. Rishi for four years,

When they came to classes, you could see others wondering

but meeting B.K.S. Iyengar was like meeting the most inspiring

who these people were to whom he was, in his own way, being

and genuine person I could imagine. A group of us then started

so deferential. Long after they were dead, his eyes would go

teaching Iyengar Yoga under the umbrella of the California

warm at the mention of their names. He was equally grateful to

Yoga Teachers Association. When he came back to the U.S. in

everyone who passed on to others the way he had found to

1976, we started the Iyengar Yoga Association.

bring salvation and good fortune to the lives of all.

I went to India for a three-week Intensive. There were 15 I don’t know how or why it happened, but Beloved Guruji got it

students from the United States and Canada, and he taught

firmly into his head that I had rendered him some kind of

fairly advanced poses not realizing what beginners we all were.

service for which thanks were due. Nothing would dislodge that

My loving memories of him are his infectious laugh and his

notion. I benefitted, so many times, from the gratitude and

wonderful eyebrows that he said God had given him so he

generosity he seemed to think appropriate. I drove him all over

could frighten people.

the U.K. and travelled with him on trains as he spread his gospel of yoga to his growing, enthusiastic audience.

In the beginning I was afraid of his shouting, and that helped me to break through my own fears. After a time I realized it was

My wife and I invited him to our wedding, but since it was a

his teaching style. He really was the most compassionate

Saturday, he could not come. When we met him the next day, he

teacher. He really cared that you broke through your own

gathered those present around the Patañjali statue in the London

obstacles and became a better human being. He was my root

Iyengar Yoga Institute, gave us £300 (about $500), and conducted a

teacher and as such his roots are deep in me and will be there

blessing ceremony for us. And the next year, he told Silva Mehta

until I die and maybe after.

not to organize classes on our first anniversary. He spent the whole day with us walking around Hampstead Heath. We had a

Felicity Green is certified at the Advanced Junior I level and lives on

picnic and flew kites: memories we still treasure.

Lopez Island, WA.

24

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

EXCERPTS FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH KATHLEEN PRINGLE

interaction with. But just being in the same room and receiving

by Rhonda Geraci

also changed. In the subsequent years, I was able to see how

his teachings was powerful, and the dynamics of the institute loving, compassionate, playful, and inventive he was. And he

Rhonda: Do you feel you got to know B.K.S. Iyengar?

was still fierce and very strict. If you are not getting it or doing something wrong, there is this lightening flash of anger. But it’s

Kathleen: Oh, absolutely—in the way you may get to know a

like a child’s anger in the sense that it’s gone the next

river by swimming in it every day. You are immersed in his

moment—nothing lingers, there’s no resentment. It’s just like,

presence, and he moves you, and he knows who you are. Even

“No, not like this!” Then when you do it right, “Yes, like that.”

though we had many conversations and interactions, each time

And there’s a big smile. He was a force of nature. An incredibly

that he greeted me by name I was thrilled. He helped me so

charismatic man who seemed really, really big even though in

much. On my second trip, I was watching the medical classes,

stature he wasn’t that big. I don’t know how tall he was, but he

and he pulled me out and told me to help. So, he would come

always seemed to loom large, and when he walked in a room,

by and guide me and teach me at that point.

his presence would fill the room. When practicing in the practice hall, he would stop the general classes and teach, or he

A couple of years later, I was there for a month assisting my

would begin teaching individuals, and you would go over to

friend Alice Plato with her 95 percent scoliosis, and he would

listen and try to do what he was teaching. There was a

always oversee the work we were doing. Things got more up

particular feeling that you just knew you were in the presence

close and personal when I had a frozen shoulder and came to

of greatness.

medical class. The first thing he said was, “What are you doing here? If you’re here, I should be in the medical class.” I said,

Kathleen Pringle is certified at the Intermediate Senior I level and lives

“Guruji, I have a frozen shoulder,” and he felt it and said, “Oh,

in Atlanta, GA.

bad case.” Another of the long-time teachers from India came up and said, “Why do you have a frozen shoulder?” Guruji said,

A POET AND A YOGI

“It’s not her fault. Anyone can have a frozen shoulder.” I

by Peggy Kelley

immediately was absolved of my self-doubt and shame from worrying about how I could have created it and that I had not

When I was in Pune in 1989, Guruji announced that he was

been able to fix it. He worked with me every day. I did every

retiring from teaching. His presence, however, could not have

medical class, and he would always come by to put me in

been more felt. Though Geetaji gallantly began every class with

poses—even though it was excruciating at times. Even in

a plan and a clear sense of direction, Guruji would invariably

general classes, which I went to as well, he would come by to

interrupt her from his practice corner and get us working to the

make me do poses in a certain way. So, he was there all the

absolute limit of our potential. This was a big part of his

time. Since then, he has helped me with other issues. He looked

genius—to craft clear enough language and demonstrate

over my practice and gave me guidance. He gave me so much,

crystal clear actions in asanas, either himself or by asking one

so much.

of his children or students to demonstrate, so that we could hear and see just what he was asking for. This was no mean

Rhonda: What were your interactions with him like? What was

feat, when you consider that English was not his first language.

your first interaction with him?

His mastery of English was a big factor in the spreading of his method and genius throughout the world; indeed he was able

Kathleen: On my first trip, Guruji was out of the country for the

to wax so eloquent from time to time that I consider him as

first month, and I had bonded with (and am still devoted to) his

much a poet as a yogi.

daughter, Geeta. His return filled me with both excitement and trepidation. I was aware of his reputation as a fierce teacher,

Peggy Kelley is certified at the Intermediate Senior I level and lives in

someone big and grand whom I didn’t expect to have much

Austin, TX.

If you would like to read more reflections on Guruji’s life and death — or if you would like to share your own — please visit Yoga: Transforming Lives, Transforming the World, hosted by Cynthia Bates at http://weareiyengaryoga.blogspot.com.

Contact Cynthia at cynthia@iyisf.org to submit your writing.

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

25

Guruji blesses the crowd at a gathering in Boston during the Light on Life book tour in 2005. Photo: Todd Semo Š2005 26

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

DEA R G U RUJ I

By Lisa Walford The sky is great, vast The sea is deep, and mighty Guruji, your Sadhana was life itself.

The thorns and roses, The fragile knees and sibilant exhalations, The cry of painful release and sighs of relief Students leaving medical class.

Playful and joyous with your great-granddaughter Amidst peals of laughter, gently taking her upside down Sitting at your desk in the library, coffee in the afternoon Dictating your advice and instructions to teachers worldwide Politely receiving guests, graciously greeting friends Accepting salutations and flowers in the lobby So many coming from France, Israel, China… everywhere And the moments of complete rapture Listening to you explain the finer points of Tadasana Your white dhoti, golden trim sweeping the asana floor Preparing for practice, timer in place, Sirsasana Wherever I positioned my mat, whether I could see you or not You knew. The days to be kind, the days to be fierce.

Fearless in the face of my illness You steered me through the fading of my health To a practice that became my resurrection.

Pranams Guruji. Once I found myself flat on my stomach Outstretched with my hands touching your feet Not sure how I got there, but it was tender.

Your eyes (and eyebrows)!

Your feet!

“To live spiritually is to live in the present moment.” —The Tree of Yoga May my Sadhana be a tribute and a celebration to you.

May I live fully in the present moment.

For While the sky is great, and vast So is my heart And while the sea is deep and mighty So are you Guruji, teacher.

Love overflowing…

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

27

R EGIONA L C O N D O L E N C E S Photo: IYNAUS archives

Intermountain Iyengar Yoga Association

pressed, and he looked at me, smiled, pressed his hands on

I met Mr. Iyengar only once, and it had a profound effect on me.

mine, and left. I wandered out to a boulder and sat staring at

It was during his visit to Colorado in 2005 just after publication

the mountains for a long time, trying to understand what I had

of his book, Light on Life. I was there to help my teacher, Leslie

just experienced. Talk about Rocky Mountain High!

Bradley, run a booth on Ayurveda. It was last minute so I hadn’t registered for any classes, and when I arrived there were several

I write this from India where I just arrived for the first time.

free passes to classes. When another volunteer learned that I

Guruji is no longer with us, and the power of his presence is

had never met Mr. Iyengar, she said without hesitation: “You

everywhere. Last night there was a Shradhanjali meeting where

should go to the class—I’ve been to India!” My heart was filled

Patricia Walden recounted this very same event from her

with gratitude, and off I went to Patricia Walden’s class where

perspective. She said that after the interview, they quickly

Guruji would surely be present. Indeed, he was in the room and

passed through the crowded hallway and were whisked into the

teaching alongside Patricia. It was a great class, of course.

car where she said, “You just gave darshan to 1,000 people!” and he replied, “That was then. This is now.”

That evening, he was being interviewed in the big hall by Annette Bening. A powerful presence on stage, when he spoke it

— Diane Goldstein, Introductory II

was as if he was talking directly to me. I felt that he was looking

Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York

at me and talking to me, so much so that I began to shift in my

“May Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar’s teachings be ETERNAL!”

seat worrying that he might call on me to answer a question or

— Harshad Shah, Introductory II

do a pose as he had begun to engage the audience and had even summoned Manouso Manos up to perform on stage. He

“Mr. Iyengar was a surrogate spiritual father to me. I am finally

was magnetic.

going to India next year after 26 years of practice. I am sorry to have missed his in-person magic.”

When the event ended, I quickly exited to a hallway, turned and

— Michelle Hill, Introductory II

saw people dropping to their knees and through the mass of prostrating bodies he walked toward me where I stood, hands 28

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

“Guruji’s teachings have enhanced my awareness of (and

instrument. No need for thanks. God bless.’”

concern for) the world around me. Iyengar Yoga means a

— Nancy Preston, Introductory II

systematic approach through which people can truly transform the way that they experience their existence.”

“In October 1999, B.K.S. Iyengar laid down on the cool marble

— Val Shaffer, Intermediate Junior I

after practicing backbends. When he came up, he asked us to come look. The warmth of his body had made steamy imprints

“So privileged to be exposed to such a great light whose

on the marble floor. He asked us to look at the impressions

intensity and devotion was felt assuredly when in his presence.

made from his head, shoulder blades, buttocks, arms, and legs.

As Guruji said to me personally during my last visit to India,

I saw the shapes getting smaller with open eyes but a grip

‘… by God’s grace.’”

around my heart. In February 2014, his body had definitely

— Rosemarie Schiavone, Introductory II

changed. Like the steam marks left on the marble floor his body was getting smaller, but there it was: B.K.S. Iyengar’s mind

“My last day in Pune in April, Guruji wasn’t there when I

and prana, his vitality, his attention.”

arrived. The clock was ticking. I sat on the bench by the

— Carolyn Christie, Intermediate Junior III

Institute entrance and waited. By 5:30 p.m., Guruji came to his porch, sat on his big chair, and I had the precious opportunity

“I was a competitive runner 15 years ago. Because of several

to say goodbye. I will carry his teachings for many lives.”

injuries, I could no longer run. I was devastated. Yoga helped

— Marcia Monroe, Intermediate Junior III

me physically with the use of props but also taught me to be patient, not only with others but with myself. It helped to quiet

“Though Guruji is known all over the world for his own

my mind in times of chaos. It taught me how to live.”

astonishing demonstrations, it is the art of teaching and

— Francine White, Student

making the art of asana both accessible and meaningful to all that are perhaps even greater contributions.”

“Mr. Iyengar’s yoga has guided me through a couple decades of

— Dan Shuman, Teacher Trainee

living. His students are my teachers, and I humbly bow to a true master who encouraged us all to ignite our practice with

“Mr. Iyengar stayed in my home in New York in 1986. Early one

vigor and intelligence.”

morning, I saw him wrapped in my long green Italian bath

— Erin Ehlers, Student

towel, stretched out on the floor doing his pranayama practice, an image I’ll never forget.”

— Carol Eugenia Burns, Intermediate Junior III “As I travel quite a bit, I am grateful that the teachings of Guruji reached most parts of the world. Whenever I find an Iyengar Yoga teacher, I go to class with the confidence that I will be led by someone qualified and knowledgeable.”

— Marciela Daniel, Student “For much of my life I suffered from horrible posture—a reflection of self-loathing so severe I often begged God to show me the nearest exit. Instead, I was lead to Mary Dunn. One day she was teaching Sukasana and how to lift the spine. She said, ‘My teacher says that your spine is God!’ An electro-shock of truth coursed through my body. What I learned is that there is divinity within us all.”

— Anonymous

Photo: Andy Richter 2013

Iyengar Yoga Association of New England

“There is no sadness, only celebration, for a man who beat

News of Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar’s passing on Aug. 20, 2014,

incredible odds and figured out how simple it is to be really

arrived as many in our New England Iyengar yoga community

alive, then came up with a way to share that with others. His

were attending Patricia Walden’s annual retreat in New

was a life well lived.”

Hampshire. Throughout the week, our thoughts had been with

— Robert Greenfield, Student

him during our practices as Patricia shared news of his hospitalization and updates about his condition. The morning

“The opportunity to meet and speak personally to Guruji left

after he died, the grief and sorrow in the room were palpable,

me awkward and emotional. His warm reply, ‘I am merely an

but Patricia shared some poignant memories of Guruji and led

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

29

gave us the definition of “guru” from The Upanishads as “one who removes darkness and brings light.” We all felt that Guruji has brought radiant light into our lives. As we thought of Guruji’s final moments, Manju Vachher quoted from the 15th chapter of The Bhagavad Gita, wherein Krishna describes the jivatma (individual soul) and how it ultimately dissolves into the paramatma (universal soul) through the grace of God. Her emotion was both moving and comforting.

It was a delight to watch two short films—Genius in Action and The Body Is My Temple, Asanas Are My Prayers—made to honor Guruji during the Light on Life tour in 2005. We saw Guruji in his great strength and power, teaching and practicing. Seeing a montage that showed Guruji moving into and out of the same poses at different ages was particularly inspiring. The grace and precision that he had as a young man, as an older man, and as an old man were peerless and so consistent.

We each lit a candle from the flames begun on the altar. We RIMYI archives

chanted the “Fullness Mantra” from the Isha Upanishad. After a meditation on gratitude toward the gifts Guruji had given us, we shared chai and spent time in fellowship and conversation.

us in a joyful practice that reminded us of his tremendous gifts

It was a beautiful day.

to us. So many students who were there spoke of how fortunate they felt that this news came while we were all gathered

On the evening of Sept. 1, to honor Guruji and mark the end of

together to study and practice yoga.

the 13-day mourning period, Jarvis Chen and Manju Vachher hosted a Shraddhanjali gathering for IYANE members at

That weekend, on Aug. 24, the wider New England Iyengar yoga

Brookline Yoga Studio, Manju’s home studio. We came in and

community gathered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at St.

offered our respects and brought flowers to an altar with a

Mary’s Church, where Patricia Walden taught classes for over

beautiful photograph of Guruji and candles lit around. Tom

15 years. Current and prior students of Patricia’s and many

Alden shared a message from Patricia Walden, who was in Pune

other Iyengar Yoga teachers came to offer respects and share

to attend the Shraddhanjali and Vaikunta Samaradhana

time together. The room filled with more than 100 people who

ceremonies at the Institute. Mirroring the events at the

had traveled from all around the region. Many brought stories,

Institute, we began with invocations and then listened to a

quotations, and photographs to post on a canvas that became a

recording of Nataraj Shastri’s recitation of the Vishnu

wonderful tribute to Guruji as the day went on.

Sahasranamam (the thousand names of Vishnu). Then, in quiet, we practiced an asana sequence that was similar to one Guruji

We sat on the floor and on chairs, and came to a hush gazing at

had continued to practice in the last years of his life:

a beautiful photograph of Guruji on an altar bedecked with marigolds and roses and lit by bright candles. After we chanted

• Adho Mukha Svanasana (5 minutes)

the “Invocation to Patanjali” and the “Guru Stotram,” Patricia

• Sirsasana (5 minutes)

shared stories and thoughts about Guruji, reflecting on his life

• Sarvangasana (10 minutes)

and his legacy. She spoke about his teachings and his boundless

• Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (5 minutes)

passion for practice, telling us: “My message to all of us is to follow in his footsteps: practice wholeheartedly and make the

We all came to a seated Savasana in meditation, facing our

commitment to practice every day, with dedication and a pure

Guruji’s photograph, holding him in our hearts.

mind so that you can find those sparks of divinity.”

After our practice, we all joined to eat a meal prepared by Thanks to colleagues in Pune, we heard about Guruji’s last day

Manju, Jarvis, and Popsi Narasimhan. Manju has cooked for

and the cremation ceremony and Geeta’s moving words about

Guruji in the past, and she prepared the foods he loved for us

her father. Jarvis Chen, president of IYANE, spoke about how

that evening. The love and respect was palpable, and we all

Guruji’s legacy to us includes not only his immortal teachings

enjoyed being together to mark the end of a unique and

but also this worldwide Iyengar yoga community, ensuring that

momentous chapter in our lives and the life of our community.

we can continue to practice, learn, and grow together even

— Tristan Boyer Binns, Introductory II, and Jarvis Chen,

though he is no longer physically on the earth. Dushyant Shah

Intermediate Junior II

30

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

The two films, Genius in Action and The Body Is My Temple,

“Guruji had a most infectious laugh. To see him laugh would

Asanas Are My Prayers can be viewed on Youtube at http://youtu.

bring joy. I say ‘to see’ rather than ‘to hear’ because his whole

be/6MMw1TDYTOg and http://youtu.be/kaba-PUd5PU.

body would shake, yet comparatively, hardly a sound escaped.

Iyengar Yoga Association of the Northwest

“In 1990 Guruji visited Chicago for a teacher training. Part of the

“It was my very first class with Guruji. He strode up and down

visit included a boat tour of architecture along the Chicago River.

the room eyeing us as we stood in Tadasana, and he stopped

Mr. Iyengar had a comfortable seat on the deck of the boat.

right in front of me. I trembled as he stared. Sweat poured down my sides.

“I stood near Guruji along with Manouso Manos, Birjoo Mehta, and one other person. As we went along the river, we passed

‘Why are you sweating?’ he asked.

under several bridges. Much to the delight of Guruji, the four of

‘I’m afraid of you,’ I replied, and laughed. He did not.

us made a game of jumping up to slap each bridge we passed

‘Stop sweating!’ he shouted. ‘We haven’t done anything yet!’

under. Whether or not we managed to slap the bridge, Guruji would laugh heartily at our attempts.

“It was 1989, and I was standing on my head next to Manouso Manos. Guruji came charging our way. I thought for sure he was going to yell at Manouso, but I felt a slap on my ankle instead.

‘You have to work this part here!’ Guruji said in his fierce way.

‘I broke my ankle six months ago,’ I said, wondering how his aim at the exact point where the bone broke was so unerring.

‘I know! Right here!’ He slapped my ankle again. ‘You have to work that part. It’s dead!’

“I felt my chest sink at the news of Guruji’s death, and then I heard his voice saying something he said so often that I remembered it in Marathi: ‘Open your chest, open your chest, open your chest!’ ” —Marian Pierce, Iyengar Yoga practitioner since 1982 “I first met Guruji in 1973 at the YMCA in Niles, Illinois. Mr. Iyengar walked in wearing swim trunks and a stern expression.

RIMYI archives

He was followed by a woman who was quite bent over and walking with a cane. I learned later that she was Mary Palmer, who suffered from severe arthritis. Mary, along with Priscilla

On the way back in, there was only one bridge remaining—a

Neal, brought Guruji to America. She was one of America’s first

very low bridge; the four of us had to duck in order not to hit

senior teachers. Mary and her daughter Mary Dunn are

our heads. As we passed under, Guruji, now standing, gave a big

remembered for their inspirational teaching.

smile and slapped the bridge. He laughed hardest at this one.”

— Charles Udell, Introductory II

“During the class, Guruji was very demanding and very loud, and he made dynamic adjustments to people’s bodies. Mary

“It was October 2001, and I was on my second visit to the

Palmer received quite a few slaps and I found myself

Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI). I had just

wondering, ‘Could this be yoga?’ At one point Guruji must have

recently failed my first Iyengar Certification Assessment, which

noticed my expression because he looked directly at me and

back then was the entry to becoming a certified teacher. I

said, ‘I am slapping the part of her that does not listen.’

frequently spent afternoons in Guruji’s library. One day I approached his desk, and he nodded for me to sit down. I told

“Guruji ended the class with Sarvangasana/Savasana over a

him how crushed I felt after not passing the assessment and

chair. That pose was the deepest I’ve ever experienced, and it

how nervous I got in front of the assessors. He talked to me

has been 43 years since I began to practice yoga.

very kindly and told me a bit more than I remembered afterwards as I was awestruck to be having this moment with

After the class, Mary Palmer walked out upright and without

him. But what I do remember clear as a bell is him saying, “You

her cane. In the midst of this surprising, enlightening class, I

have to replace the fear complex with positivity!” Ever since

realized I had met my teacher. I am forever grateful.”

that day, whenever I have felt stuck or frozen or lacking self

— Judy Landecker, Intermediate Junior II

confidence, I remember those words and take action, no matter how small.”

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

— Nadine Sims, Introductory II

31

“I saw B.K.S. Iyengar early on in the glistening light of the

seriously committed to lordosis. During class, I was literally

teachings from my teachers—all conveying through their filters

hanging out in Utthita Trikonasana. All of a sudden my lower

the teachings of the famous guru himself.

back felt like a lightning bolt had hit it. Guruji stood there, his eyes twinkling. I smiled and he said, ‘You will remember where

“In 1998 I went to India, studying with Geeta and Prashant, and

I hit you.’ That was three decades ago; I still remember.

with reverence and curiosity, glancing at the Master in his daily practice and studying in the library. I reveled in this precious

“We could hear his footsteps! At the 1993 Ann Arbor

pilgrimage to the source.

convention, Guruji used a walkway above us to observe the classes we taught. I was teaching Utthita Parsvakonasana. I made

“Years later, I attended B.K.S. Iyengar’s classes in Colorado—at

sure that everyone’s knees were correctly aligned before he

long last directly encountering his grace, wisdom, and

appeared. Upon arrival, he immediately pointed out all the

intelligence. When he ceremoniously entered the room, there

knees, backs, and arms that needed aligning. It was as though

was a feeling of illumination, as though divine love suffused

the voice of God had spoken from above!

the space. Tears rolled down my cheeks, as I was suddenly immersed in a direct experience of why this man was indeed

“I believe that one of Guruji’s greatest gifts was modeling his

Guruji to so many.

commitment and dedication to his art. He showed up on the mat in the yoga hall day after day after day, year after year

“B.K.S. Iyengar’s 90th birthday tour and festivities took me to

after year. He taught me as much by his actions as by his words.

Bellur where I witnessed the joyful, highly energetic presence of

To honor our Guruji, I suggest we recommit to our teaching and

a man whose spirit seemed ageless, as he hopped on and off

our practice—and eat chocolate!”

festival stages. I feel deeply blessed to have encountered his

— Julie Lawrence, Intermediate Junior III

radiance directly and through the generous and intelligent offerings of the senior teachers who were his immediate and

with thoughts of Guruji in my heart

devoted students.”

Tadasana

— Elizabeth Kerwin, Introductory II

as my consciousness penetrates from the bones through the flesh where the soles of my feet touch the floor

“On my first trip to Pune, Mary Dunn suggested I take Guruji a

“press the big toe mound down”

box of Sees, as he loved chocolate. I was 34 years old, my body

Photo: Andy Richter 2013

32

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

I hear a symphony of voices, your students, my teachers Adho Mukha Svanasana “lift… descend…” disseminating your dedication to the art of yoga Utthita Trikonasana “equal and opposite stretch” the voices echo as I practice Adho Mukha Svanasana “effortless effort” your energy permeates my consciousness RIMYI archives

Uttanasana “ground and extend” your unwavering self-awareness

“In July, 1986, before Chandru Melwani shot the classes, I was allowed to shoot photos of the medical classes. They were

5 minutes seated quietly

taught primarily by Guruji, Geetaji, Prashantji, and Shah, and

“observe the root of the tongue—the tension in the inner ears”

several others assisted.

penetrating into the layers of the Self “from effort to surrender”

“One night Guruji was sitting behind a slim 20-year-old girl, his

in an ever-widening circle of all your children

fingers in her ears. My friends sitting on the steps taunted me,

in gratitude

‘Bruce, ask him what he is doing.’

I remain your humble student

“I whispered, ‘No, I can’t. I don’t want to get in the way.’

— Carmen Viola, long-time teacher, on the communal practice

“‘Bruce, Bruce, ask him what he is doing.’

Iyengar Yoga Association of the South Central United States

“Rolling my eyes, I responded, ‘No!’ but after several more demands, I relented.

“My husband Jeff and I spent June and July in Pune this

“‘Guruji,’ I asked, ‘What are you doing?’

summer. Guruji was not in the practice hall in June, but he was

“‘Fool,’ he answered, ‘can’t you see I have my fingers in her

outside almost every evening. I was so amazed by his generous

ears?’ I was chastened.

spirit, making himself visible for all those who came through to study at the Institute. Then, on the last day of June, he came

“He continued, ‘Before she was deaf; now she can hear. That is

into the practice all. I was in a rather serene state, having just

God’s gift to me.’ This was the young woman he wrote about

experienced a beautiful Prashant class. Prashant talked about

curing in The Tree of Yoga (page 110).”

creating literacy in our practice and he ended with this lovely

— Bruce Roger, Introductory II

exhortation to embrace the unique character that each individual embodiment has this time around. That, he said, so

“On my first trip to Pune, in 2008, I ventured down to the library

poetically, is ‘the majesty of divine creation.’

to ask Guruji a burning question. I was unsure about how to approach him, so I asked the librarian for a book on Samkhya

Not long after that, Guruji arrived in the practice hall for the

and sat at the table and pretended to read. Guruji was working

first time that month. Abhijata helped him across the room.

on a book. ‘What is it!’ He demanded in his gruff voice. ‘I… have

He sat and received people’s pranams. He did a long Dwi Pada,

a question.’ ‘Yes?’ he said, looking above his half glasses. ‘It’s

well-supported, and a long rope Sirsasana to start off.

about the skin and the muscle. How do you move the skin

Abhijata and Raya helped him in and out of poses with such

without moving the muscle?’ He banged his fist on the table

care and attentiveness. There was a lovely interaction

furiously and said, ‘You people. You don’t read my books.’ ‘Yes,

between him and his great grandchild. They both seemed

Guruji, I do read your books, but still I don’t get it. And Patricia

truly delighted in each other’s being. I was moved to tears by

says some things take 30 years to learn.’ ‘Well, that is another

the beauty of this glimpse of B.K.S. Iyengar’s example of the

way,’ he said, in a milder voice. Then he looked at Lois Steinberg

majesty of divine creation.”

who happened to be sitting across from me at the table: ‘Show

— Anne-Marie Schultz, Intermediate Junior I

her how to move from the muscle!’ Lois stretched her arms out to the sides rigidly. ‘Now show how to move from the skin.’ Lois elegantly extended her arms with sensitivity and grace. ‘Oh.

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

Okay,’ I said, still in my intellect and not really satisfied.

33

RIMYI archives

“Later that week in the practice room, I approached Guruji

bounty of his teachings, and the blessing of the many

gingerly to sit and watch as he worked with a local student on

communities that he has formed in countries all over the world

Bharadvajasna. He looked at me and pointed to the student’s

that will guide us. As Sutra 1.37 promises, as we call Guruji and

back skin and explained, ‘This must be loose and move first,

his teachings to heart, we will gain the confidence and strength

like this,’ drawing his finger along the back waist. ‘And now he

to move forward. We look forward to the opportunity to

can move strongly, with the muscles.’ He held the shoulder

continue in the coming months and years to honor this man

bones and gave a firm adjustment to the twist. I was touched

and his legacy. In the more immediate future, we are looking

that after an initial rebuke, Guruji took my question seriously

forward as a region to hosting the national convention in May

and was willing to teach me. I’m glad I asked because I got an

2016. Certainly this will provide us a great opportunity to

answer that led to a change in my practice. I stopped thinking

celebrate and honor Guruji.

so much about instructions and started feeling them instead.”

— Pauline Schloesser, Intermediate Junior I

Iyengar Yoga Association Southeast

Iyengar Yoga Association of the Southwest The Southwest region honored Guruji with celebrations throughout the area. The B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center of Las

Our region joins with the greater Iyengar community in

Vegas, Archana Yoga (Gilbert, Arizona), the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga

expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the teachings of B.K.S.

Studio of Tucson, and Scottsdale Community College (Arizona),

Iyengar. The call to honor Guruji on Tuesday, Aug. 26 was widely

each hosted memorials for our beloved teacher.

met in our region with many studios participating. We are grateful for the updates and leadership provided by the

Teacher Lauren Barnert-Hosie, Introductory II, Director of Open

national association. In thinking of Guruji and holding him in

Spaces Yoga Center in the remote, small town of Lakeside,

our hearts as we practice, Sutra 1.37 came to mind: vitaraga

Arizona, was moved by the spirit of community fellowship felt

visayam va cittam. This sutra says that one of the ways we can

during the nationwide practice on Aug. 26. “Not knowing ahead

overcome the obstacles is by focusing the heart and mind on an

of time how many would join us, we were very touched by the

image of a saintly person or divine object.

outpouring in our small community,” Lauren said. “Nineteen people attended, many, but not all, Iyengar Yoga students; some

As we move forward as a community, it will be his spirit, the 34

came who principally practice on their own. Everyone seemed Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

to sense that their participation in this communal event was

and you have no clue.” The first class lasted three hours. At the

bigger than their individual expressions of loss; we were a

end of that first difficult class, we knew he was a master

community that had lost a Supreme Teacher and were left with

teacher. We made the decision to learn and endure. The

his great legacy as a guide to our carrying on in the practice

learning began.”

and the living of yoga.”

Josie Lazarus, Introductory II, remembers her first trip to RIMYI Scottsdale Community College Yoga Program Director, Carlyn

in 1994. Having just been diagnosed with Grave’s disease, she

Sikes, Introductory II, expressed her gratitude for Guruji’s

considered cancelling but was urged by Manouso Manos to go.

guidance. “The thought that came to me in the days after

Josie remembers, “I saw Sri B.K.S. Iyengar welcoming students

Guruji’s passing was not so much a thought as a desire. The

from the veranda attached to the house. I hung back and

desire is to commit to greater focus and effort in my practice

waited until the crowd cleared and approached him. After

and teach with greater clarity what I have learned and will

greeting him and introducing myself, I explained my medical

continue to learn in this system,” Carlyn said.

situation and asked for his help. Those fantastic eyebrows went up, his eyes flashed, and in a loud voice he replied, ‘You people

The B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Studio of Tucson director Katherine

are killing me!’ and then he said, ‘We’ll see.’ I made my way

Maltz, Intermediate Junior I, and

back to my hotel thinking I had

teachers Judith Whitehead and Terese

blown it. My trip was ruined. I

Ireland, both Introductory II, offer their

should just go home now. The next

deepest heartfelt condolences to the

day as I arrived for class, a woman

Iyengar family. Says Katherine about

came up behind me and asked me

the profound influence of Guruji,

if I was Josie and said to set up

“Studying and sharing Iyengar Yoga has

behind her in class and do what

been the greatest honor of our

she did. This was Evlaleah Howard.

lifetimes, as we in Tucson, Arizona,

I did just that. After the second

observed and witnessed Guruji’s power

asana, I felt someone tap me on the

and compassion touch and improve so

back and say, “Come with me.” I

many. Manouso Manos, Dean Lerner

turned around, and there was Mr.

and Rita Lewis-Manos offered

Iyengar himself. He pulled me by

workshops in Tucson countless times.

the arm to the back of the room

Guruji’s love and understanding took

and proceeded to put me through

hold and exploded into our state. We

my paces on a sequence he told

are humbled and eternally grateful to

me to do everyday twice a day. At

say Guruji’s name, to practice his yoga,

one point he pounded my middle

to have studied in Pune, and to have

back and said ‘Your back is stupid.’

had the opportunity to bathe in his

That month is one of the most

light and genius. Thank you Guruji, we forever hold you in our hearts.”

memorable of my life. The love and assistance given to me by both

RIMYI archives

Guruji and Geeta Iyengar changed Some longtime teachers and students

my life and outlook.”

in the Southwest region have had the privilege of studying directly with Guruji in decades past. Senior Teacher Ben

All of us here in the Southwest are deeply saddened by the

Thomas and his wife, Senior Teacher Tommijean Thomas, made

Iyengar family’s loss and for the passing of our revered guru,

their first trip to RIMYI in July of 1979. Their teacher, Manju Jois,

but we are left with a profound joy and gratitude for his work

had given them a copy of Light on Yoga and told them that they

and influence in our lives. Ben Thomas says of Guruji’s

should study with the author. Ben remembers, “We began

constancy, “We feel honored to carry on the tradition of

exploring and learned that Mr. Iyengar was conducting

teaching yoga as presented by our teacher. His teaching is his

intensives in Pune, India, at RIMYI. We wrote to him, included

legacy. His legacy will continue to inspire so long as all of us

many pictures of us doing all the poses, and inquired about

continue to share the gift of yoga. His life inspires and gives

whether we could attend classes. He responded by letter and

quality to life within communities and the world. His

invited us to attend the intensive in July 1979. There were 58

dedication to mankind is not easily matched. His teaching was

students at that first intensive. We were clearly the new kids on

selfless. He taught first his children and then teachers. His

the block. I had been a body builder. My wife had been a

legacy continues in our minds, hearts, and all other sheaths of

professional dancer. Guruji noticed us and gave us new names

our being.”

of “Strong Man” and “Show Off.” We thought our photographs were great. We were told, “It is not what you do, but how you do, Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

Thank you, Guruji!

35

Light on Life book signing, Booksmith, Boston. Photo: Todd Semo Š2005

LIKE A F L AS H : A CO NVER S AT IO N W I T H B .K .S I Y E N G A R

O

n Dec. 26, 2012, Manouso Manos and Patricia

level is in itself an enlightenment, for me. So I am not here for

Walden interviewed B.K.S. Iyengar at the Ramamani

advertising, that I want to say I am enlightened. I will certainly say

Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune. Stephanie

I am not enlightened. So that the matter is there only.

Quirk and Lois Steinberg were in attendance.

Enlightenment is not for publicity purposes.

Manouso: Sir, are you enlightened? Have you reached or

What I was, how I am growing, how I am developing my

attained samadhi?

intelligence, the sharpness, the confidence which I am getting, is no doubt a great thing. So from that angle, I say yes, in my

Guruji: Huh?

sadhana, really I am enlightening each day in my sadhana.

Patricia: (laughs)

Manouso: Yeah, how few people can say that.

Guruji: That cannot be answered at all. I will never answer

Guruji: So, culmination I cannot speak.

about my achievements. That is certain. If you ask me, I am just a student in the field of yoga. What I know is limited compared with

Patricia: Guruji, you’ve often spoken of loneliness and

what is not known to me. If I think of my life [in the] early days,

aloneness. Could you describe the difference?

[I was] a stupid man, uneducated, uncivilized. [To] come to this 36

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

My friend, without imitation, originality cannot come at all.

So the five parts of the akasa being prthvi—if it is less, disease will set in; if it is more, disease also will set in. So that is how we have to practice: to balance the five bhutas, rhythmically in our system.

Guruji: See, loneliness is a psychological case. Schizophrenic

Today [during practice], you people did not realize. When I

types of people, they are lonely. Loneliness is a negative life.

spoke of this [body] part—is it a prthvi part? It was, for you,

Aloneness is a positive life. So there’s a vast difference between

akasa tattva [element or particle]. It was in the air. So your

loneliness and aloneness. So aloneness means I am full, with

intelligence was in suspense. You never knew that it contracts.

an energy. I am full of the life force, which enlightens me, which

Did you ever know that part?

triggers me, to do more and more. So how can I say I am lonely?

I am alone, because what I do, what I do at that time I am fully

Manouso: No.

alone—I know what is happening in my body, what is happening in my mind. So therefore, aloneness is a positive life.

Guruji: So that is known as conquest of bhutas. Why did it

So aloneness is almost equal to liberation. Loneliness is not.

become short? That means, my earth contracted. As my earth contracted, akasa became narrow. So I made the prthvi expand

Patricia: Kaivalya, yes.

so that akasa also expands with the prthvi. This example is enough for you people to know how to study bhutas. I said,

Manouso: Well, you have lived all your life without peers. You

when you are in Padmasan, when you sit in Swastikasan, one

had no one at your level. You had no one to “reality-check” with.

foot rests very well, which means one foot is balanced [on the]

How is it that you could go on doing that?

outer edge of the foot. The other [foot’s] edge does not balance at all. So what is the defect? The qualities of bhutas are written

Guruji: Because I had no one to guide me. I had no one [with

in [Patanjali’s] Yoga Sutras, so I did not repeat the qualities of

whom to] compare my practices. Intelligence depends on

the five bhutas. So one foot is firm, established very well. The

comparison only. Growth of any person is mostly on contact. If I

big difference is prthvi tattva. The other [foot] is not at all in

have to measure your intelligence or if you have to measure my

prthvi tattva. Suppose I increase prthvi tattva. What changes

intelligence, there should be tremendous communication and

take place in the [other] four elements? That you have to study.

communion. Then only one understands the growth of

I gave today a very good quote: “action and observation.”

intelligence. In my case, I have not seen anyone who has come to my level.

So observe, check the aggressiveness of the brain. And action, you know, creates fire in inaction. So you are caught in action.

Patricia: No. Nor have we. (laughter)

[Checking] that also comes under panca bhutas. Because this is vayu tattva. And vayu tattva belongs to vijnanamaya kosa, so you

Guruji: So that’s a big handicap for me. And because of that,

have to compare the five elements with the five kosas

I learned aloneness. I said, “Let myself alone be the guide, let

[sheaths]—annamaya, pranamaya, manomaya, vijnanamaya, and

myself alone be my slave.” So I used myself not only as a

anandamaya kosas. So similarly you should know prthvi, ap, tejas,

master, a Lord of myself, but also as a doer for myself.

vayu, and akasa. Annamaya [kosa] is nothing but skeletalmuscular body, prthvi tattva. Your muscles [contain] plenty of

Patricia: A doer. When you taught us in Panchgani—I think it

fluid, so that comes under ap tattva. And bone comes under

was your 75th birthday—before the classes began, you gave a

prthvi tattva. The connections between these are the jnana

talk. It was an extraordinary talk. You said, “I have conquered

tattva or vayu tattva. And keeping the body in a stable position

the panca bhutas [five elements].”

is tejas tattva. So we have to study the five panca bhutas with the panca kosas.

Guruji: Yes. The comparative study of panca kosas and panca bhutas will give Patricia: But you didn’t elaborate, and I’ve always wondered

an idea of how we have to perform. And each element has its

what that meant to you.

quality—like we speak of the three gunas of nature—sattva, rajas, and tamas. Similarly prthvi is smell or odor. Ap is taste.

Guruji: See, we are all made up of five bhutas. The terminology

Tejas is fire, keeping the body warm. Vijnanamaya is intelligence,

is “panca-bhautika sarira”—this body has five bhutas: prthvi

or vayu. Creating space in the body is akasa—where to contract,

[earth], ap [water], tejas [fire], vayu [air], and akasa [space]. The

where to expand. And today even when I gave the explanation

yogic practices balance these five, according to the Sankya

of Prasarita Padottanasana—how when you press the center ribs,

philosophy, one to five. So one, two, three, four, and five. So

the rim of the rib, and press in, the knee expands. Did you know

akasa is one, vayu is two, tejas is three, ap is four, prthvi is five.

those things?

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

37

Patricia: No. Manouso: No.

If I speak from the head, then I have to calculate what I say. So I just speak from the heart, and what comes comes.

Guruji: So that is how the matras react. That’s a quality—the knee becomes not the vayu element but the quality of the element, of the akasa, where your knee was contracted, that

Guruji: Well, unfortunately, I was immature at that time. (group

expanded, so that is akasa tattva. Do we study like that?

laughter) For one. Two, I thought everybody would practice like me. (more laughter)

Patricia: No (laughs).

Manouso: This brings up the next question: How long would it Guruji: So it was a starting point for me in Panchgani—about

take for one to become emotionally mature; how long before

[the] panca bhutas. I developed. I went on. Now in Tadasan, you

one becomes spiritually mature?

know the feet become prthvi tattva. In Sirsasan, the arms become prthvi tattva, but the feet become akasa tattva because

Guruji: It will take a very, very long time—30 to 40 years, 50

it moves. So how to make that prthvi tattva? So today I taught

even in a few lives.

you [in] Sirsasan that the inner ribs—how the latissimus muscles work. So I created akasa tattva in the latissimus

Patricia: More than 30 years. (laughs)

muscles for the legs to become straight, stable. So this is reflection that you have to study. It’s a very difficult subject. It’s

Guruji: No, something establishes in 30 to 40 years. Now it’s a

not so easy. I started yoga in 1934. [In] 1975 I gave you some

fact that you’re all established. I don’t deny that. Compare

idea. (laughter) So just imagine how many years it has taken

yourself, the wavering mind of the early days and nonwavering

me to learn about yoga.

mind of today. So that shows that maturity has come. But the problem is that you people do not reflect on action, and that’s

Patricia: Guruji, Manouso and I were talking yesterday about

where you are not making progress. So you have to reflect on

the Panchgani course, and many of us, Manouso and I included,

the action. But you don’t reflect on the action. You get involved

of course, felt that you had been through a transformation in

in the action. You have to become a subject and object at the

your teaching. The language you used in those classes was very

same time. When you act, you are a subjective person. But by

different from language you had used in the past, and you felt

acting, I said be an objective person—that is known as

very different to us, and I am wondering if you did go through a

reflection. But do you do like that?

transformation— Manouso: Well, then the other question that comes out of this Guruji: Because my experiences were more than my expression

is, how do you know when it’s time to withdraw from a teacher,

of words. I knew less words, but my experiences were beyond

and how do you know when to go back if you’ve left your

my capacity of words. So it took me [a] long time to [know]

teacher?

exactly what word I have to get at to express my experience.

This also did not come very quickly; it took me [a] long time.

Guruji: A teacher can only guide. Suppose your experience is more than your teacher, what will you do?

Manouso: Well, you had a very different life than everyone else too because you invented the yoga class.

Manouso: This happens, we know.

Guruji: No. For example, I speak from the heart not from the head.

Guruji: That’s what I’m saying. So you should have your own

That is what one should know. If I speak from the head, then I

discriminative power. You have to discriminate, “What I am

have to calculate what I say. So I just speak from the heart, and

doing is right or wrong.” That’s why I said comparative study.

what comes comes. Otherwise it does not come at all.

Intelligence grows only with comparative study so even practice has to go with comparative study. Your comparative

Manouso: Well, this brings up an interesting question. You

study’s not with the other person. Let me do myself. Let me

suggest in Light on Yoga that one could master the asanas in

compare my right side with the left side. Left to the right. Or

three and a half years.

right corner to the left corner.

Guruji: My friend, what you said is true—

For example today, regarding pranayama, how many points I gave—did you know all those things?

Manouso: It’s gonna get more complex— (laughs) Patricia: No. (laughs)

38

Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

Guruji: So this is what I said, the growth goes on—maturity is there, but unfortunately, you do not observe. See, the knowledge for a mature person, flashes like a second. It flashes only for a second, and it vanishes. And unfortunately, if you are caught up

Observation is from the purusha. Action is from the small self. Small self acts; big self is just seeing.

in a certain action, because your mind intelligence is not mobile in action, you are rigid at that time. So that’s why what flashes you don’t catch. So I become an object while I am

Guruji: Because it does not continue. (laughter) The hatred—

acting. I am a second person when I am practicing. When I am correcting [myself], I am a first person; after correcting, I stay in

Manouso: There’s never hatred.

that pose and become a second person to study what changes have come in me.

Guruji: Malaise does not continue. It’s only short-lived. Again I go with love and affection. Do this a little better. If you fail

Patricia: Wow.

there, try here.

Guruji: So that is my comparative study with myself. If

Patricia: And we can feel that. Guruji, it seems to me that in

somebody were in my line, in my level, I would have seen for

everything you do you’re totally involved. It’s not just total

my eyes, but here I cannot. So I have to conceive myself, so I

involvement when doing asana.

have to work through conception only. By perception, I cannot give you any knowledge for anybody. So every moment I have

Guruji: No, that’s also wrong. You people read in a different way.

[to] compare: What is coming? How is it coming? What imprints come to me? They come like a flash, [and] because my

Patricia: Okay.

mind is still fresh, I catch fast. You people are too slow. (laughter) So maturity is there, but slowness is also there.

Guruji: When I am teaching you, I am not Mr. Iyengar, I am Patricia Walden. If I am teaching Manouso, I am Manouso,

Manouso: Your being a lion in class, being fiery is famous.

not Iyengar.

Everyone knows that. How is it at the same time that people find you to be very friendly, extremely compassionate, and

Manouso: Poor man. (laughs)

quite warm? How can one do both of those?

Guruji: That quality God has given me. And that’s why, as he Guruji: I do not look at personalities. (group laughter) First of

[Manouso] says, I shout because [it is] as if I’m wrong myself,

all, I never measure anyone on a personal level. I only work as a

even though it’s you who are doing wrong. I feel I am doing

subject. From the subject matter, I measure. For me, there’s no

wrong. Therefore I go out of my way to correct it. So I’m at that

difference between Manouso and Patricia or Lois or Stephanie. I

time only Patricia Walden. And [if] Stephanie comes, Patricia

can fire her when she’s wrong, I can fire her when she’s wrong.

Walden goes away, (laughter) and Stephanie enters in.

But I don’t say, “Oh Patricia is well-respected so let me guard.”

That is diplomacy, and that is not yoga. That would mean I am

It’s very difficult for me to explain, but [that’s] how this quality

a political yogi if I talked like that. (group laughter)

came. I do not know. It’s not a built-up character. It’s God’s grace. See each one according to their behavior or pattern. And

So what I see, I correct immediately. And if you adjust—well

that’s what God gave me.

and good. Otherwise, I’ll shout at it. I’ll go out of my way to correct it. That’s why I am friendly, because I have no animosity.

Manouso: [It] is suggested in Western science these days that

For example, take Lois yesterday in Virasan. She has done 40

we have a gene inside that allows us to imitate—and that we

years. Did she know that her ankle swells in Virasan? No. So

feel for someone even as they stir, almost on our bodies, which

that mean[s] no observation at all. So you have to observe:

does this—

natural condition. And when you are doing a position which is not natural, does the part become unnatural? How to maintain

Guruji: My friend, without imitation originality cannot come

the “naturality” in the abnormal positions? This is reflection.

at all.

Manouso: Yes. And then how is it that the next step happens

Patricia: (quietly) That’s a great line.

where she can get fired like that and still be attracted back toward you? (laughter) How is it that your sense of

Guruji: You have to imitate, because that’s the foundation. But

friendliness has become such a gravitational pull on so many

if you take imitation as the final goal, you’re a failure. Can you

thousands of people?

not convert this same [imitation] into originality?

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

39

I’m giving ways, how to find, develop originality. Today [in]

subtle elements, for you to understand the yoga. And that’s why

Prasarita Padottanasan when the knees widen, that originality is

[the] skeletal-muscular body should be very well understood.

revealed, it came out, akasa tattva expanded, but do you catch

That’s the base. And we do not keep that so firm that our pranic

that akasa tattva? When you realize [this], then the imitation

citta does not function at all. Vital body does not get balanced

becomes your original way of thinking.

properly because [the] skeletal-muscular body is imbalanced. So if that is imbalanced, the mind is wavering. Tejas tattva is disturbed.

Manouso: So our job would be to look at Light on Yoga to

So if tejas tattva is disturbed, doubt increases, vijnana becomes

imitate and then go to find the next understanding.

doubtful. So that is how you have to study the other aspect[s]. It’s also how doubts come in. So [ask yourself], “Where [have] I lost the

Guruji: Do you imitate? That’s what I’m asking.

prthvi tattva?” For example, in Trikonasan, do you remember how many times I have said that the rear foot becomes small in size?

Patricia: Well, we try… (laughter) Patricia: Yes. Guruji: How many asanas have I shown in class? Look, 1966 is different. Now I’m far advanced to that. Still, that’s a base.

Guruji: Have you ever tried again? Tell me, honestly.

When I wrote that book, I thought it was ultimate. Today if you ask me, it’s a base. It’s not an ultimate. So, so much I have

Patricia: We’ve tried—

progressed.

Guruji: Have you adjusted it? [If] you have not adjusted, that Manouso: You better start writing again. (laughter)

means, something strikes you, but you do not react fast.

Observe even in Trikonasan, the prthvi tattva, that is the

Guruji: Somehow or other my inner voice says, “Can’t you find

skeletal-muscular body, creates action in the muscle. Do you

something better than what you have been taught?” [For

know that even? Now see, so bhuta tattva has to be stable. [In]

example, if you take] Trikonasan in Light on Yoga, it’s [a]

Parsvakonasan [it] is the muscles that guide the bone. Muscles

completely immature pose. Take [the] same in [The] Art of Yoga

are ap tattva. So [in] each asana, have you traced which tattva,

[published 1985]—that’s a mature pose.

which element, is more active? If it is active, why are the other elements not coordinating? [Ask yourself], “What am I to do?”

So evolution is going on in me.

This balancing of the elements is really important. For example Patricia: Evolution and creativity—

[instructing an unidentified person in the room], do Trikonasan.

I’ll give one asana. Now see, see this pelvic girdle. Stand up, [in

Guruji: No. For creativity, you should know each and every

Tadasana] where is this pelvic girdle facing? Which side? Here,

movement. Now today [in class], [I said to] Abhijata, “See they’re

correct? Now do Trikonasan—is it facing the ground or the wall?

all stretching, but they’re not stretching their heels, back of the heel[s]” in Sarvangasan. Do you know those things? So bhutas

Manouso: The ground.

are not coming to surface, for you to see. For me the bhuta says, “I am collapsing.” So I charge the bhutas. So the movement is

Patricia: The ground.

quite different.

Guruji: Or parallel to the wall?

In Parsvottanasan, did you know that the back leg gets bent?

Even in Urdhva Mukha Svanasan, did you know that the pancha

Manouso: Ground.

bhutas contract in the calf muscle? So you are in akasa tattva, you become so narrow, and naturally, this cannot function at

Patricia: Ground.

all. See akasa is the top most in [the] bhutas. Very sensitive.

Then comes vijnana [vayu]. Then comes tejas. Then comes ap.

Guruji: Now, what is the action of the element? Have you not

Then comes prthvi.

discerned the elemental functions there? The pelvic girdle should be facing exactly parallel to the wall. Top one. And now,

That’s why Patanjali first says “sa tu dirghakala nairantarya satkara

are the other elements adjusted or not?

asevitah drdhabhumih” [Long, uninterrupted, alert practice is the firm foundation for restraining the fluctuations.] First, the gross

Patricia: Yes.

bhuta has to be established very well. Then only you can make the other bhutas function. So prthvi becomes the prop, as I use the

Guruji: The body moved. It’s not the body straight; it’s how the

word, prthvi, the element of earth, becomes the prop for the other

elements adjust themselves when something has moved. So

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Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

So I used myself not only as a master, a Lord of myself, but also as a doer for myself.

Guruji: Ahah? That is lonely, when he did, it was lonely that part. Fullness I brought, so fullness is aloneness; emptiness is a loneliness in other language. (chuckle) What’s the difference between yogic art and other arts? A

that is prthvi tattva. So prthvi tattva moved, because that was in

musician does not play for himself. He says how [I wish] the

akasa tattva. Contraction is akasa. What is the quality of akasa?

audience was here. When you do asana you don’t say, “How [I

Contraction and expansion.

wish] the audience is here. Am I doing well or [not]?” (laughter) See the language changes in yogic presentation. And we don’t

He contracted that part so akasa tattva collapsed. It colors the

study like this at all.

other elements. Open the akasa [and] see what other things come. That is observation. And then we have to react. Now for

Manouso: The observer and the observed obviously are both

example, if you observe what he’s doing on the right side. The

working, but you can never satisfy that—the burning zeal

left chest is protruding. Right side—akasa tattva is compressed,

doesn’t come.

can you see now? Now, make the shoulder blade as active as the left one. Right shoulder blade. Now what happened? You

Guruji: No, Patanjali—what does he say? Citta cannot do two

call it a stretch or you call it balance, the element of balance?

things at the same time.

Now what do you say? You all say, “I stretch! I stretch the

Patricia: Right.

feeling! I feel the stretch!” So that’s why you’re lost. Stretch cannot come without the other elements’ actions. So that is

Guruji: Fourth chapter. Observation is from the purusha. Action

why Patanjali says first conquer the bhutas.

is from the small self. Small self acts; big self is just seeing.

The five elements have to be properly balanced. Then the other

Manouso: And it gets that glimpse that you talked about, in the

things [can open], the other channels. See again it became dull

second you have to pick it up—

[looking again at the unidentified person in Trikonasana], but this top side has not become dull at all because the prthvi tattva

Patricia: The flash—

is strong on the top. Prthvi tattva is oscillating at the bottom.

[Make] each and every rib as strong as the top back ribs. Now,

Manouso: The flash—or you don’t get it at all.

can you see now? So the alertness does not disappear; that alertness stretches tattva. In that alertness you have to study—

Guruji: No. It comes as a flash. And you are very slow to catch

which rib is moving, which rib is not moving. Now even today

that, that correct flash. So instinct throws light. But we are very

[in class] Abhi said, bring the collarbone forward. Is it going

poor in instincts—God has given that quality to the animals.

backward or forward—the armpit?

But for us, we’ve got a special quality: discrimination.

Unidentified person: Back of the armpit is going back.

Animals cannot discriminate; we can discriminate. That’s why it comes in a flash, but you are too slow. So you have no chance

Guruji: Now, can you see now?

to discriminate.

Same unidentified person: It’s hiding.

Manouso: Closer to our animal nature. (laughter)

Guruji: So vayu tattva is oscillated. Vayu is oscillated. Ah, now

Guruji: So learn like that, then you’ll know.

floating rib firmness, and armpit firmness, are they [the] same?

Manouso: Enough for now.

Same unidentified person: No. Guruji: Thank you.

Guruji: Now bring the same firmness in the armpit. Can you see what happened? That is a balance of element. It’s not going

Patricia: Thank you so much Guruji.

forward or backward or turning, but see the adjustment of the element. The element had collapsed there so I brought the

Guruji: God bless you.

element to life. That is aloneness. (group laughter) Manouso: Wrapped it up into a bow.

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

41

Samachar

SEQUENCE

ASAN AS F O R E MOT I O N A L STA B I L I T Y B.K.S. Iyengar Sequencing was one of Guruji’s gifts, both in the sense that his own sequencing was utterly brilliant and endlessly fascinating and that the very concept of sequencing we work with was given to us by him. There are ways of sequencing for a given class or practice, for a given week or month or year, for people of a given age or a given condition, for people at a certain stage in their practice, and so on. Occasionally, Guruji would give out certain sequences for special circumstances or needs—to help people traumatized by a severe earthquake, for instance, or to build immunity during an influenza outbreak in Pune. Here we reprint for you the wonderful sequence Guruji provided for us all at the end of Light on Life.

1

1: Adho Mukha Svanasana (resting the

5

head on support): Stay for 2–3 minutes.

2: Uttanasana (resting the head on a chair or head down with the shoulders resting on two high stools): Stay for 3–5 minutes.

2

3: Sirsasana (using ropes):

6

Stay as long as you feel comfortable.

4: Viparita Dandasana (on two stools): Stay for 3–5 minutes.

5: Sarvangasana (on a chair): Stay for 5–10 minutes.*

6: Niralamba Sarvangasana (resting the 3

shoulders on support): Stay for 5 minutes.**

7

7: Niralamba Halasana (knees or thighs resting on a stool): Stay for 5–10 minutes.

8: Setubandha Sarvangasana (on a bench): Stay for 10 minutes.**

9: Viparita Karani in Sarvangasana (here shown resting on two bolsters): Stay

4

for 5 minutes.**

8

10: Paschimottanasana (head resting on a bolster): Stay for 3–5 minutes.

11: Upavista Konasana (If you cannot hold the toes, you can sit straight with palms on the floor behind the buttocks): Stay for 2 minutes.

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Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

• Asanas 1 – 3 completed in sequence calms the mind and cools the brain.

• Asanas 4 – 10 balance the intelligence of the head (intellectual center) and the intelligence of the heart (emotional center).

• Asanas 11 and 12 stimulate the brain for positive thinking.

• Asana 13 brings quietness in the body.

• Asana 14 allows you to experience inner silence.

• If you are short on time, skip asana 14 and go to 15.

9

12: Baddhakonasana (Roll a blanket and

13

place under the knees for comfort): Stay for 3–5 minutes.

13: Supta Virasana (on a bolster): Stay as long as you can lie with ease.

14: Viloma Pranayama (with interrupted 10

exhalation, either in sitting or lying position): If done in sitting position,

14

stay for 5–8 minutes.

15: Savasana with chest elevated: Stay for 5–10 minutes, if possible. Place bolsters or a heavy weight on the thighs for a quick relaxation of the body and a cloth wrapped around the eyes for relaxation of the brain. The weight on the thighs also opens the

11

lungs. This can be done at any time, even after meals, according to one’s

15

available time.

12

* While doing Sarvangasana on the chair, if you feel pressure on the temples, you can instead do Niralamba Sarvangasana. Sarvangasana on the chair can be tried after doing Niralamba Sarvangasana first. ** Niralamba Sarvangasana, Setubandha Sarvangasana on a bench, and Viparita Karani in Sarvangasana are very good for those suffering from migraine.

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar

43

Song of the Soul I am neither ego nor reason, I am neither mind nor thought, I cannot be heard nor cast into words, nor by smell nor sight ever caught: In light and wind I am not found, nor yet in earth and sky— Consciousness and joy incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I. I have no name, I have no life, I breathe no vital air, No elements have moulded me, no bodily sheath is my lair: I have no speech, no hands and feet, nor means of evolution— Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss in dissolution.

I cast aside hatred and passion, I conquered delusion and greed; No touch of pride caressed me, so envy never did breed: Beyond all faiths, past reach of wealth, past freedom, past desire, Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss is my attire.

Virtue and vice, or pleasure and pain are not my heritage, Nor sacred texts, nor offerings, nor prayer, nor pilgrimage: I am neither food, nor eating, nor yet the eater am I— Consciousness and joy incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I. I have no misgiving of death, no chasms of race divide me, No parent ever called me child, no bond of birth ever tied me: I am neither disciple nor master, I have no kin, no friend— Consciousness and joy am I, and merging in Bliss is my end.

Neither knowable, knowledge, nor knower am I, formless is my form, I dwell within the senses but they are not my home: Ever serenely balanced, I am neither free nor bound— Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss is where I am found.

Written by Adi Sankaracharya, one of the most revered Hindu philosophers and theologians from the early 8th century C.E. This poem appears at the end of the Introduction in B.K.S. Iyengar’s Light on Yoga.

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Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015

RIMYI archives

B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States P.O. Box 538 Seattle, WA 98111 www.iynaus.org

Painted portrait of B.K.S. Iyengar at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India