Sunday, November 30, 2014

India - travels and day one

I'm happy to report that travels to India were un-remarkable! YAY! we made it to Mumbai, there was a car waiting for us and a room ready for us at the hotel. There were several times during our pre-trip planning that these three components were in question. so I'm happy to say that all worked out as planned.
So everyone's first question is about the toilets in India. Well here is one the airport. It looks just like the toilets in America except for that butt sprayer next to it. So far I haven't seen any toilets that are just "holes" but if I do I'll be sure to snap a picture.

Amy, Alice, Xuan and Tammy at the
Iyengar institute Pune India.
The true highlight of the day was the visit to the Iyengar Institute in downtown Pune. BKS's legacy was everywhere.  Just being in the same room as he once was, teaching, practicing, inventing, posing and reposing made me giddy with joy.


BKS's chair in the library. The whole room
was these shelves
lined with books, Incredible
Tammy and Amy at the institute
As Tammy and I cruised around we saw a sign that said "library". So we decided to check it out. Down a flight of stairs and there was the desk where BKS Iyengar would sit and speak with students or do additional research. Since his passing in August, they have placed a picture of him in the chair. Although he is gone, his presence is still very much alive.

Statue of Patanjali at the institute
Students shoes in front of the institute
Tomorrow we start classes at the Balewadi Sports Complex here in Pune. Just me and 1000 of my favorite Yogis! Should be exciting to see and feel the energy. Maybe with so many Yogis being mindful and balanced we can bring a little more peace into the world.

Well India/California time is starting to catch up with me. So I will sign off. Tomorrow I'll share adventures in taxis and shopping in Pune! HA - I'm seriously shocked that we all lived!

View of Iyengar Institute from the front
 







 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

A new adventure - India!

It's been a while since I posted to my blog. I've been busy - with lots of changes - some good, some not so good,  but imagine how boring life would be if it was always as we expected and planned.

In early June I left the YMCA and I am now teaching at Inner Evolution Yoga in Yucaipa. I am enjoying the studio and the students who are discovering Iyengar Yoga! to find out more about this Yoga studio visit www.innerevolutionyoga.com

I continue to teach small classes in my home studio (www.divineyogastudio.com) and have found somewhat of a niche in private yoga lessons. I have quite a few couples who come for private yoga lessons as well as students suffering from injuries or chronic conditions. It is heart warming to witness the transformation in these students who may have felt limited in their abilities, begin to blossom in their yoga practice. I am so grateful that I study and teach Iyengar Yoga. Because of BKS's life's work, I am able to assist these students so they can participate and enrich their life through yoga.

Recovery from my total hip revision surgery continues to move along. I still suffer from weakness and muscle atrophy in the right hip, but for the most part I am back to my usual activities. My cobalt level is back to normal, however my Chromium level is still high. This distresses me a bit, since there is no real data available on the long term effects of this metal in the body.

A piece of exciting news is that I am traveling to India for 2 weeks to study with Geeta Iyengar. This is a great opportunity to study Iyengar Yoga with BKS's daughter Geeta. BKS passed away this last summer, of course heartbreaking, but his legacy lives on through those who practice and teach Iyengar Yoga.

I'll be using this blog to document my India travels and adventures! Already it has been an adventure - shots, passports, VISAs, travel arrangements, wiring $$ - trying to communicate with people in India when they are on total opposite time. I'm learning that international travel is complicated (I've never gone farther than Mexico), but no matter what happens I know it will enrich my life for the better.

So if you're interested, check back and see what India has to offer to this American Yogi!

Namaste'