Skin to Soul
Let the classes begin! It is now Wednesday and we have had two great classes with Abhijata, BKS Iyengar’s granddaughter and an absolutely amazing presence of a human being and teacher. Weeks before we arrived, we were told that Abhi would not be teaching her Tues night and Wed morning classes this month due to training up new teachers for the Institute, so I am so happy that we got at least a little time with her…maybe it will continue…maybe not. It seems like there will be a lot of “going with the flow” schedule-wise this month. It is clear she is training and talking to her assistants for future teaching during classes.
My body is stiff as usual, and sadly the heat and humidity thicken my skin and swell my joints, but I am so happy to be back to practice and class after such long travel. Yoga, no matter what, always brings me back to my self, from the sweat of my skin to the lightness in my soul.
Tuesday night was a fun class of back bending – not standing poses. Since Abhi was not online, she reminded us to “expect the unexpected”, and it was a great cycle with use of props and ropes that she cannot do when hybrid. She has continued to urge us to “do, reflect, and redo”, reminding us to experience what is happening and not just doing for doing’s sake. This morning was standing twists, Sirsasana, some seated twisting, and rolling Halasanas. It is great to observe her in the intermediate class, directing students who are on the edge of progress. This morning she had all people comfortable with Sirsasana go to the wall, and pulled all who are usually at the wall away from it. With the help of the assistants, SO MANY SMILES beamed from those who felt stuck or scared previously trying to do Sirsasana in the room. This is the beauty of any break-through in yoga…a smile from within.
The institute and Pune are going through immense change and shift, just like everywhere else in the world post COVID. In person classes are smaller, there are more actual Iyengar studios listed in the Pune guide, and Iyengar Yoga is not the only yoga in town even here. The Institute is updated and Abhi is very clearly working to make it a more modern and welcoming place for all who come!
Aside from all the shift and transformation at skin level, the soul, lineage, and tradition that lie within the walls of RIMYI are palpable and strong. It is clear that Ramamani, BKS, and Geeta are all missed, but remembered. Photos, statues and certificates are all still present, and their energy will of course live on forever.
Tomorrow morning is my first long awaited class with Prashant, BKS Iyengar’s son. He has his unique way of sharing the subject and practice of yoga. Though each Saturday since COVID I have been able to participate in his teachings online through IYNAUS, I am looking forward to the experiential and experimental work he does in his in-person classes.
The celebrations for Ganapati Mirvanuk are building and the culmination of this holiday is on Saturday when great crowds of devotees will take an idol of Ganesh and send it off into the river.
