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!

 

India day seven - Yoga proof!

Vrksasana with BKS

I just finished the 7th day of the Iyengar Yoga intensive.

Geeta's focus over the past 7 days has been on opening up the chest, spreading the ribs and aligning the spine. Standing poses, forward bends, inversions and twists; whatever asana sequence awaits us we know that Geeta's method is pure Iyengar. Each sequence is presented in incremental steps, carefully planned,  and finely tuned as Geeta leads each student closer to the transformation of Yoga.

Photo op with the ladies - Xuan,Me, Tammy
and Alicen 

I will say, that because of the accent it has been a little difficult at times to understand her instructions. I often find myself translating in my head what she has said and then I find that I missed the next three sentences. Still, her ability to guide you towards the essence of the pose is pure brilliance. I feel so fortunate to be here experiencing this event.

On Friday a local PhD who is also a student at the Pune Yoga institute gave a presentation on the scientific evidence that Yoga really does work. There was some great reference material but specifically the practice of Yoga:

Affects your muscles, bones and organs:

• increases muscle length and longer muscles are stronger muscles. In turn muscles supply nutrition to the bone and keep the bone healthy.
• Stimulates new bone by weight bearing action.
• Arteries are made of muscles, so when we extend and contract the arteries are "exercised" and elasticity is increased.

• 

  Legs up the wall at break time

  The heart is a muscle. When we do back bends, the heart is massaged between the back and front ribs.
• Creates space in the rib cage and abdomen area bringing freedom to the organs
• Inversions bring the blood in the bottom of the lungs to mix with the oxygen in the other 2/3 of the lungs which helps to circulate the oxygen more efficiently in the body and improve stamina.

So that is just a small portion of her findings. She also had references to about 10 medical studies all supporting the evidence that Yoga works on structural and chronic health issues as well.

 

we called this the nuclear soup!

Other adventures have been the food. We are getting really tired of Indian food, but even when you order something that is not Indian, it still tastes like Indian! Our favorite was the restaurant where we got "green" food. Needless to say, It was not appetizing. The other night Tammy and I ate at Mc Donalds (seriously I normally do not eat at fast food) and we were ecstatic because it tasted like "home"! Even Tammy's McVeggie burger was good!

 

Also, they have their own sense of "time" here in India. Everything is "5 minutes only" and then it is not really 5 minutes only. More like 30 minutes or more - if they understood what you were saying.

 

At the institute with the ladies.
Picture of BKS in background

Fun shopping!

Traveling in this city is a nightmare. We don't realize how fortunate we are that we can jump in the car and get somewhere relatively quickly. Here in India, a 10 mile drive can take upwards of 45 minutes to 1 hour or more depending on traffic. we pick and choose our adventures wisely. A simple dinner can turn out to be a 3 hour adventure between driving, service and traffic.

Shopping has been fun! Our dollar is strong here so we have been able to purchase some beautiful things for our friends and family at home. It is weird to see things about Christmas on FB or the news because we feel so far removed from that season here in India.

 Most of you who are reading this are now just thinking about dinner or going to bed for your Sunday evening. In India it is Monday morning and I am off to day 8 of the intensive. Have a great week everyone!

Namaste'

 

Day Four India - many adventures thus far!

So I have been in India four days now. I have some news to share. Those of us who live in the states have no idea how fortunate we are and how grateful we should be.

2nd story dilapidated buildings and below
are open businesses

 We live in the land of plenty. If we want something we run down to the store or open the cupboard and get what we want. Who knew that clean air, drinkable water, ICE, BEEF, roads with stop signs, stop lights and traffic lights, clean sidewalks and clean cities were a luxury? We don't have to go through metal detectors at hotels or stores and we could never imagine a constant presence of police and local military. Packs of stray dogs (not vicious- tame), beggars and shanti towns aren't just in poor areas but seem to infiltrate even the more modest neighborhoods. Needless to say - this place is an eye opening experience for a small town Redlands girl. All of you reading this should be thankful for what you have!

Old woman on street near businesses

The traffic here is pure mayhem! There is no reason or rhyme to how people drive. Cars, bikes, motorcycles, scooters (many with 4 people on them including small children) pedi cabs,  buses, pedestrians all travel on the same road at the same time. They communicate with their car horns - it's like some kind of morse code that clearly I do not understand! If I lived here I would NEVER drive. I can't even look while our driver takes us to our venue! Just this evening it was like Mr. Toads wild ride. Oncoming traffic, on both sides of the road - I have to cover my eyes and all the ladies laugh at me while I just crack up from the absurdity of it all!

The venue day one

Even in the midst of all this craziness, I am having a fabulous time. Studying with 1000 Yoga students and teachers and taking classes facilitated by the Iyengar family. This is a dream come true. People from all over the world coming together to practice the centuries old art of Yoga. I am in Yoga nirvana!

All of us at the Institute. Picture of BKS in background

The yoga classes have been exceptional  and todays class was close to brutal. 3 hours of asana is tough for even the most conditioned Yogi - I'm wondering how I will feel by day 10! I now understand how coming to India to study Yoga for a month or 2 at a time can transform your practice. These Iyengar teachers and their ability to take you deeper into a pose is beyond mere words. Liberating, humbling, exciting, transforming - and so much more.


Banner of BKS Iyengar in
Tadasana

I am beginning to feel the after effects of today's class and my harrowing taxi ride - so I will close for now. Namaste' and what ever tomorrow brings you - enjoy your journey - and be grateful for what you have- because a lot of people have very little.

Namaste'




 

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
 






 

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'

2 years post surgery - a different perception...

It has been a little over two years since my surgery. It's crazy to think how much has happened over the past two years. Recovery has been a long and frustrating road. But, along with that road has been learning experiences, self discovery and growth.

My overall physical recovery is still a work in progress. I am back to my usual activity - albeit with limited strength in my surgery hip. I still suffer from weakness in that muscle area and frankly I doubt it will ever return to full strength. However, I do feel fortunate that I can still cycle and practice and teach my yoga. I know that I am demanding a lot of my body - but I was never one to sit around and let life happen around me. I want to do all that I can with what I've got. This life is NOT a dress rehearsal.

My emotional recovery is subject to my ability to accept that what is. Most days I don't even think about the past two years of my recovery and embrace my blessings with love and compassion. Other days when I'm feeling discomfort or limited to what I want my body to do versus what it can do - I still find myself attached to the past and all those feelings of suffering bubble up. But fortunately those days are few.

My yoga continues to provide me with the physical and spiritual nourishment that my mind and body need to stay healthy and sharp. I can't imagine where I would be without it. When I find myself wallowing in my misfortunes, I reach for those things which I know to be true and that I have learned through the disciplines of the yoga:

• Judgments and negative thoughts are harmful to you and others - get rid of them.
• Be kind to myself and love me and everything that I am right now - even the imperfect being that I am.
• Anger is a waste of energy - love, compassion and kindness make this human life worth living - share that everyday, all day with everyone you meet.
• My attachment to the way things "used" to be is my main cause of suffering. Be grateful for the things I have right now at this moment - because that is all that matters.
• Worrying about the future is futile. Every second I spend worrying about tomorrow is a second that I am not present at this moment. I don't want to miss a thing.

So I will continue to forge ahead. Knowing that there will be good and bad days - just like everyone else in this world. Instead of commiserating about these unfortunate events that changed my life and the path it was on, I try to look forward to my continuing journey on this road to recovery. I've met so many great people and learned so much that I would never have learned if this misfortune had never happened. It's funny how a different perception of things can truly change how you look at life.

You should try it...

Namaste'

19 months post surgery - many questions...few answers

I was recently contacted by an on-line medical device recall website. The editor had read my blog and asked me to write an article about my metal on metal  (MoM) total hip replacement revision surgery and subsequent recovery for their community forum.  I was happy to do this since there is little useful information out on the internet about this type of surgery and recovery.   

I began by going back and re-reading my blog from the very beginning of my hip revision ordeal.  I realized, that while I am on the road to recovery - I have not recovered as I would have expected to be 19 months post surgery. In fact, I think I feel even more betrayed by the medical industry since I am still not whole - not mentally or physically as a result of the defective MoM hip implant.

Many questions - few answers...

I am 19 months post surgery as I write this. I still suffer from leg, muscle and joint pain as a result of the second THR revision surgery. As of October 2013 my Chromium levels are still elevated ( Cobalt is in normal range). I will have new labs taken in January 2014  to see if there is any change.

While the pain is not excruciating, and at times is just a mild discomfort -  it is always present. The Doctors in their infinite wisdom (sarcasm) say the hip is stable and everything looks great! But I’ve found that the Doctors really don’t understand – because their knowledge comes from a text book – not from a real life experience. They are doing the best they can (within the confines of managed health care and their experience) – but I live in this body and I would really like some answers as to why I feel this way.

1. Why would after two surgeries and 19 months of recovery would I still have hip weakness, joint instability and pain in the surgery area and leg?
2. I’ve been working hard to recover – I am not just sitting around waiting to get stronger! I am physically and mentally working every day toward 100% recovery – why then I am still struggling and having issues?
3. What are the long term affects of the high levels of chromium and cobalt? No one seems to know the answer to that question. What will this mean to me long term?
4. I can’t understand why the doctors aren’t more interested in these questions as well?
5. Wouldn’t this knowledge help them as they treat future patients?

Some days all of this makes me angry, some days I learn to accept and let go and other days I wonder when and if I will ever feel normal again. But the fact is I worry – A LOT - about my long term ability to stay active and lead a normal life.  I worry that this new prosthesis is bad or incompatible (even though the doctors say it is fine) and perhaps that is why I feel all this pain. At other times I chalk it up to my active lifestyle – I still continue to cycle and do yoga (These two activities help to keep me sane and strong).

My hope is that all these muscle pains are just my atrophied muscles coming back to life – a little at a time. Perhaps these pains are compensating muscles that now have to overwork to make up for the muscles that are not working properly?

As always...Many questions – few real answers…

Namaste'