Convention 2021 with Abhijata Iyengar, compiled by Minna Alanko-Falola

Convention 2021 with

Abhijata Iyengar

Compiled by Minna Alanko-Falola

This year’s convention was the third – and by far the largest – online event run by Iyengar Yoga (UK), following the June 2020 convention with Navaz Kamdin and Edwin Bryant and this January’s one-day event with Jawahar Bangera.

During 30 April to 3 May, 1160 attendees from over 23 countries had the opportunity to experience four days of teaching by Guruji’s granddaughter, Abhijata Iyengar. A huge amount of organisation takes place behind the scenes to run these events. It had taken six years to secure Abhijata’s return to the UK since her last visit in 2014. Expectations were high to have her dynamic live teaching inspire IY(UK) to embrace the new changes to our syllabus.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the year leading up to the event was complex and uncertain, plans moved from the original face-toface convention with Abhijata in Harrogate HCC, to Birmingham ICC as a dynamic “hybrid” event, and then eventually being abandoned altogether, along with several months of preparatory work by IY(UK)’s Convention Team. Instead, the convention and Abhijata’s teaching went online, three days turned to four, hundreds of refunds and transfers were processed, a second mini convention in January 2021 was programmed, a new booking system launched, and with it some new opportunities to embrace what the online medium could offer in widening our community.

Inclusivity

For the first time, to broaden the reach of Iyengar yoga, convention bookings were extended to non-members with one year’s experience. Just over 15% of attendees were non-members. The new IY(UK) Convention Bursary Fund was opened to Iyengar yoga practitioners with at least a year and a half’s experience, who had been experiencing financial hardship due to Covid-19 or other circumstances. Fifty bursary places were allocated. “To have been offered a bursary place was a wonderful opportunity of help”, commented one recipient.

Abhijata teaching from the platform in the hall at RIMYI, Pune.

The Event

Abhijata provided 2 hours and 15 minutes of teaching each day, live from the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India. In assistance were ten UK-based teachers whose āsanas were spotlighted to the audience. Attendees were welcomed each day by Isabel Jones Fielding from IY(UK)’s Convention Team. All classes were recorded and made available for 30 days for added value to the ticket price. “I look forward to gleaning more over the next few weeks of access,” one participant said.

Seventy students took part in the Virtual Yoga Hall, an online convention innovation that created layers of engagement, with ten demonstrators. The 70 students included a wide range of practitioners from beginners to the experienced. Through teaching the Virtual Hall as a microcosm of the audience, Abhijata was able to get a sense of the entire convention.

Considering the large number of participants, Abhijata’s teaching was seamless, with optional poses and directions given to people with different abilities. The appreciation for her skills and expertise was evident in the post-convention feedback. “Not experienced such an interactive experience online,” said one participant; “Abhijata’s ability to answer questions and cater for the needs of others was astounding.” Another said: “It felt very personal.”

Feedback

Our survey revealed that for just over 40% of attendees, this was their first IY(UK) convention. Over 90% would be happy to attend a virtual event again, compared to just under 50% who would attend an in-person convention. The positive feedback received is a testament to the organisational skills and dedication of Isabel Jones Fielding and Catherine Gresty of the Convention Team, and the stellar support from Geoffrey Fielding, Jess Wallwork, Katie Owens, Philippe Harari, Jill Johnson and Jayne Orton. Thanks to their work, we got to enjoy a smoothly-run event with a truly inspirational teacher.

“I quote my grandfather: 'Each āsana is a manifestation of mental being.' Now when you sensitively do the āsanas in this manner, not only is the posture improved, but your intercommunication skills improve. Like I told you in the beginning, Isabel announced that Abhijata wants you to communicate with her. In the same manner, you should be able to communicate with yourself. Your organs of action, your arms and legs, are far away from your mind. That is why sometimes we end up doing things which we should not do."

Split-screen technology allowed options for different students to be shown.

“So the organs of action are far away from our chitta, from our consciousness. When you do the āsanas in this manner, coordinating between observation, action, etc, this mindful practice of āsanas improves your communication, intra-communication; your senses of perception and your organs of action interact with each other, they relay the information to your consciousness, which in turn guides your organs of action.”

Above left: Isabel Jones Fielding hosted the conference with warmth, humour and insightfulness; above right & below left: demonstrators in the virtual yoga hall.

“At the surface it seems that we did twisting, just improving the physical performance of twisting. Understand that in the background, the philosophy behind that, is this is improving communication channels whereby we can be good human beings, good friends, good family members, to help each other, together, to be together, to live together.” Abhijata Iyengar, day 2

Katie, in her 34th week of pregnancy.

I felt very fortunate to be able to attend this year’s convention led by Abhijata Iyengar. It felt like a particular treat, and one of the positives of lockdown, enabling us to experience such special teaching from our own homes! I was 30 weeks pregnant but it seemed an opportunity too good to miss. Abhijata taught with such energy and enthusiasm; it was a truly insightful and inspiring few days. Although the prone positions were tricky with my bump, I treasured the messages behind her detailed instructions. I scribbled lots of notes and diagrams in the hope that I might be able to remember her guidance for after the baby arrives.

Abhijata’s words from day three resonated with me: “The human mind loves to go all over – to concentrate is difficult. Yoga is union. For union to take place communication has to take place. The different parts of the body have to connect, communicate, integrate. How can you unite where there is no connection? All parts of the human being have to be connected. The various details of the asanas take you on this path: connection towards union.”

With my changing pregnant body, the extra weight and a different centre of gravity, I find my head often gets distracted during my yoga practice with things that I can’t do or that I now find difficult. I found Abhijata’s instructions comforting. I have I enjoyed this year’s convention very much. Despite the event being online, I still felt part of the wider yoga community. I wasn’t brave enough to volunteer to be a seen student, but I found myself waving hello and replying when Abhijata asked a question.

My anonymity took away any nerves about being taught by a member of the Iyengar family for the first time and meant I could join in at my own pace. Abhijata was inspirational and impressive; her knowledge, sequencing, down-to-earth style and integrity shone through. She also has that Iyengar charisma that makes everyone listen and do their best – even when you know she can’t see you.

gained insight into how I might be able to settle my mind, to accept and encourage my body to connect with itself in the here and now. I’m so glad I signed up for the convention, well worth it!

Katie Rowles has practiced Iyengar yoga since 2009 at Sheffield Yoga Centre.

Rachel Simpson

From Pune to my bedroom: “Lift up as though your buttocks are going to fly up!”

Rachel Simpson has been practicing Iyengar yoga for 18 years, mainly at the Sheffield Yoga Centre. She is now being mentored to become a teacher.

Voices from the Convention Floor

If it wasn't for Covid many of us would not have the opportunity to experience this class (I'd never have made it to Pune!). Thanks to everyone.

Beautiful class, beautiful teaching. Thanks also to all demonstrators and everyone!

Thanks so much for the amazing teaching. It is so good to not only learn about techniques but learn how to observe and critically reflect on ourselves. I cannot say how much I appreciate that you give us this new way of observing.

Conference with Abhijata surprisingly intimate and connecting.

My stiff body and I thank you so much!

Your incredible flexibility of mind and concentration has been exceptional.

Above: comments from the conference attendees' chat.

OUR ANNUAL IYENGAR YOGA UK CONVENTION PROGRAMME FOR 2022

By popular demand, we will continue to offer online conventions with Indian Senior teachers and are honoured to welcome Rajvi Mehta to lead our mini online convention in January 2022. Also in spring 2022, we'll be extending a warm welcome back to our community with our first face-to-face convention in three years! A not-to-bemissed opportunity in one of our favourite convention locations: Harrogate. Our Spring 2022 Convention will be led by one of our most senior teachers, Margaret Austin. As one of the early pioneers studying directly under Guruji, Margaret has dedicated her life to the practice and teaching of Iyengar yoga. With her incisive observation, instruction, adjustment and inspirational demonstration, she will guide us back into the art of face-to-face Iyengar yoga. We look forward to welcoming her and the Iyengar community to Harrogate for this renewal of energy, strength, mobility and wellbeing.

SAVE THE DATES!

15-16 January 2022 Online Mini Convention with Rajvi Mehta Daily class & Q&A

28-30 May 2022 Face-to-face three-day Convention with Margaret Austin Harrogate Convention Centre October 2022 Four-day Online Convention Daily classes, details coming soon