News
FROM THE REGIONS
IMIYA The Intermountain Iyengar Yoga Association (IMIYA) held its 2nd Annual Yoga Day on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013. IMIYA board members—Kelly Moore, Jonathan Dickstein, Susan Abernethy, Lisa Longton, Angie Woyar, and Melody Madonna—worked tirelessly to promote the event through advertising in local publications, with brochures and posters distributed to Iyengar studios and local businesses, and with a banner and sandwich board positioned outside of the Iyengar Yoga Center of Denver where the event was held. The event started at noon with introductions and an overview of the mission of IMIYA by Kelly Moore, followed by chanting three aums and the Invocation to Pantanjali led by Jonathan Dickstein. After the introductions and invocation, everyone
The Iyengar Yoga Center of Denver hosted the second annual Yoga Day on Oct. 5, 2013. (Photo by Melody Madonna)
went off to their classes. We had access to all three studios at
Students had 15 minutes between classes to grab snacks and
the center. Students could sign up for individual classes for $15
drinks of water or cups of chai donated by Leslie Bradley
each or buy an all-day pass and take up to four classes ($25 for
(Intermediate Junior III and incoming IYNAUS Certification
members and $35 for nonmembers). All proceeds supported
Chair, starting in 2014). The event concluded with a vegetarian
IMIYA’s professional education and outreach efforts.
potluck for staff and students.
The following classes were offered:
The IMIYA board would like to thank all of the teachers and
– Using Your Arms and Legs to Lengthen Your Spine
volunteers for their time and effort that made our 2nd Annual
with Gail Ackerman – Atma Darsana: Reflection of the Soul, B.K.S. Iyengar (video screening)
Yoga Day a success! We couldn’t have done it without you.
IYAGNY
– Opening the Hips to Grow a Lotus with Leslie Bradley
The tree of Iyengar Yoga is now growing in Brooklyn as
– Yoga for Healthy Knees with Melody Madonna
envisioned years ago by Mary Dunn. This summer IYAGNY
– What Exactly Is ‘Classical’ Yoga? with Jonathan Dickstein
finally opened the doors to a new Brooklyn Institute, and in
– How to Practice Yoga with Gary Reitze
September, we had our official grand opening event. The day of
– Backward Extensions with Emma Addison
free classes began with director James Murphy and one of our
– Sanskrit Chanting of the Yoga Sutras with Angelique DeSilva
original association teachers, Kevin Gardiner, who now lives in
– Forward Extensions and Twisting Poses with Angie Woyar
Budapest. After the asana classes, students filled a pranayama
– Pranayama and Chakra Meditation with Kevin Durkin
class led by a special guest teacher from Mumbai, Firooza Razvi. After the class, she gave a talk on yoga philosophy, enlightening us with her simple and clear perspective inspired by years of study and a Ph.D. Razvi also shared stories about herself and her study with the Iyengars. She said she was very happy to teach a free class because she began her studies by taking free classes with Father Joe Peirera when she was an 18-year-old struggling college student. She became a regular, and Father Joe asked her to take over teaching the class when he had to move. She then began studies with B.K.S. Iyengar, who used to teach in Mumbai on the weekends. We were the lucky recipients of her expert teaching and her generous spirit. Many thanks to all of the donors, board members, faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, and students who are making sure our new
Students work on standing poses at the second annual IMIYA Yoga Day. (Photo by Melody Madonna)
Fall 2013/Winter 2014 Yoga Samachar
Brooklyn Institute thrives.
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