Day 10 - Thank you and Goodbye India.

Mark Zambon - lost his legs in
Afghanistan. He is part of the Wounded
Warriors Project. His positive spirit is inspiring.

Ahhhh...all good things must come to an end. My 10 day Iyengar intensive is no exception to that rule. On one hand I am sad - since it was such a privilege to stand side by side with 1400 yogis from 57 countries and practice Iyengar 
Yoga. On the other hand I am ecstatic to be returning home - to my normal life - normal food - and normal sleeping habits!



Indian dancer at the convention

The last few days of the intensive began to take their toll on me. I had a hard time staying focused and found myself feeling completely done at times. Geeta was kind to us on the last day with a restorative sequence and digital pranayama. Both of which were a welcome respite to my disturbed mind.



This is Geeta Iyengar. She mostly taught
from this chair. her health is not well.

The intensive ended with closing remarks which included a reminder that we are both teachers and students of Iyengar Yoga. We have a great responsibility to carry forward the teachings of BKS Iyengar with integrity and compassion. Guruji (as BKS Iyengar is called) lives within each of us - his life's work stokes the fire within - encouraging us to move forward in our practice and encouraging others to discover how Yoga helps us live a better life.



Indian Couple who were married at the Hotel
we stayed at

It will take me months to digest all that I learned during those 10 days. Finding ways to enhance my practice and insert the teachings into my classes. I will forever hear in my head Geeta's accented voice, "You People!  You practice from your ego. Practice from your heart. Do it!"



Me in front of the Temple.

On the last day Tammy and I visited Parvati Hill Temple in Pune'. It was beautiful and I snapped some fun pictures of it and the surrounding area.



Shiva at the Parvati temple

Tammy and Me - selfie style!

At 3:05AM Tammy and I then began our 30 hour adventure home. 20 hours in an airplane. 10 hours in airports. In Mumbai my artificial hip sounded the alarm.The lady checking me asked me f I had any documentation that I had an artificial hip. I said no. She said, "then how am I supposed to know if it is true?". So in a Mumbai airport I pulled my jeans down and showed her my scar - she seemed satisfied (and perhaps a little embarrassed?) I will say that the Mumbai airport is one of the most beautiful airports I have EVER seen. Such a contrast to the rest of the city - which is probably one of the poorest places I have ever seen. Frankfurt airport is one of the highest security airports I have ever been in. When you exit your plane you have to go through security again. They go though everything with a fine tooth comb. And those Germans are NOT nice!

Enjoy the pictures and I will return to the blog in a few days with some of the enlightenments I received at the intensive. Namaste'







These Indian girls were at the temple.
They surrounded me and wanted to know my name.

Tammy & I at the temple







Temple through the trees



There was 108 steps up to the temple.
 These goats welcomed us in the beginning



And this is what the goats do
at the bottom of the hill



One of the successful meal
outings (of which there were few).BBQ at your table!