I thought about blogging every class, but then I just wanted to be immersed and soak in the experience. Luckily there are plenty of other wonderful bloggers blogging about the classes, and their experiences. I didn’t even know if I should blog at all. Until Kim, one of the Students of BKS Dallas studio, asked me if I would please blog about this. So, with that, Kim this blog only happened because you asked for it. Here is a very small summary my convention experience.
This is my first Iyengar Yoga Convention. I have been anxiously waiting for 2019 convention since I didn’t get to go to 2016 Boca Raton convention. Fortunately enough Convention was right in the heart of Dallas, Texas. Precisely 9-21 minutes from my house, depending on traffic. I knew this convention was going to be so rewarding but I had no idea I would leave a changed person.
The Monday before convention started, Randy asked me if I wanted to greet Abhijata and her family at the airport. To which I dropped my jaw and just nodded my head yes because I couldn’t speak. We greeted her and then dropped her off at her Air B&B. It just so happened to be her daughter Satvika’s birthday. We sang Happy Birthday to her and had cake with the family. I watched Abhijata chase her son around the living room. I thought it was so incredible she had just got off, an almost 20 hr flight, and she was so attentive and full of energy. The whole time I’m wondering if this is really happening. It’s not everyday you meet your heroes and they are 1000 times more phenomenal than you could imagine. Convention hadn’t even started and I was already so happy with the outcome.
The day before convention was full of putting together wooden horses, and guarding Ethans props with Cosmo, the actual security guard. I also took this day to get acquainted with the map of the Sheraton Hotel and all the students and teachers coming in for the event. Everyone is wonderful and more than friendly, I felt a great sense of community and family. you can tell some of these people have known each other for decades. You could feel an energy of excitement and warm radiance in the atmosphere. Instead of convention, it should be called the “IYNAUS Tri-annual Family Reunion.”
Friday-Our first day was full of standing poses. over and over and over. I can still hear her words ” vrksasan, quickly go trikonasan, feel what is happening and what is not happening, other side.” She’s absolutely sensational, and her teaching is so clear, compassionate and fun. Aside from her teaching Asana she gave an absolutely incredible heart felt speech regarding the wound in our community. “We are one family.” She said family a few times, and I feel like that is the perfect description. Iyengar Yogi’s/yogini’s are the family you would choose if you could choose your family.
The second day we did standing Parivrittas with out arms. I really feel like I got some more length in my twists and my arms felt like they might fall off of my body. In Savasana I noticed my arms felt like they were attached to the earth. In the afternoon session we did somatic Pranayama and it was a very different experience. I enjoyed how much concentration it required to observe where the breath touched and didn’t touch the body
Day three, I prayed the night before that it would be backbends. I knew I was on stage the next day and if we did forward extensions I thought they would just look horrible because I’m a backbender. and my hips have been killing me in forward extensions.( for about a year and a half now.) Iwas talking to Kelly about me praying for backbends and she said “while she is here you need to do what you need not what you want.” I thought to myself “it’s a new day, a new practice, I don’t need to attach myself to my past experiences with forward extensions.”
In that moment I surrendered. I was ready for whatever she was going to throw at us. Which, was forward extensions. I thought I would be nervous on stage, I have been in so many other activities (theatre, orchestra, singing competitions) but with yoga it was completely different. I didn’t have that nervous vomiting feeling, I didn’t even sweat, I just did yoga. All my vrittis and aversions towards the forward extensions had dissolved. I was in slight pain but I didn’t want to stop the class to ask about my hips, I just kept practicing. It was truly a surreal experience that I will never forget. On my way home I thought “How can it get any better? I’ve already had such an amazing experience.” ….but it does get better.
Day four was full of some serious twists. Twists aren’t my favorite I have a stiff lower back, but I really felt some parts of my body evolve during that class. After classes we had the membership meeting and a teacher meeting. I really think we are getting somewhere as a community, I see great changes for the future of Iyengar Yoga.
Day five, Greg and I were on stage as demonstrators. We did jumpings, so many jumpings from AMS to trikonasan, AMS to Parsvakonasana, AMS to Ardha chandrasana, AMS to dandasana. And so many more along with arm balances. I got a lot of freedom in my body and I had a blast doing it. I had no idea I could do so many asana so fast. No time to think, only do. She really inspired me as a teacher and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same teacher again. I thought I was in love with yoga before, but now I feel absorbed in it. Before class Abhijata asked me if she could get the glass Chaturanga Dandasana figurine my sister made. In between classes I took it up to her in the hotel room. Michelle immediately threw two salads at me, so I sat at the table with Abhijata and ate my salad. Then I got a chance to ask her about my hip. I didn’t tell her which hip was currently paining me, she could tell by how my hamstring was going toward the skin or the bone. She helped me and then, I took a nap on the couch before the next session. Later that night we had our banquet, and the world premiere of the movie about Mr. Iyengar with vegetarian tacos. The movie was great and it really shows how yoga can help anyone at any stage in life.
Day six, our final day. We had a great Pranayama session and then Backbends…finally. 🙌🙌 We did urdhva dhanurasana over and over and with each time I felt more and more liberation in my body. After class I went to Eddy and Mary’s room and they worked on my hips. I am so grateful because I walked into their room with my hip radiating pain and I left their room pain free. They gave me some great stuff to practice in my practice. I actually feel like my hips are going to heal. I have refused to go to the doctor about my hips I don’t have any faith in the western medical field, my faith is in yoga. There were times when my mom would have to help me off the couch, and she would ask “Do you want to go to the doctor?” To which I replied “NO!! Yoga will fix me I just have to figure out what I’m doing wrong. I’M doing something wrong. I’m not aware somewhere in my body. It’s dull.” Eddy and Mary helped me awaken and activate the dull parts of body.
I didn’t take notes I just decided to buy the convention DVDs so I could have the whole convention. It was so amazing I don’t want to miss any details. I’m only 25 and I will refer back to this when I’m 98 years old, still practicing and teaching. I have had such a unique, incredible experience I couldn’t think of any way to make it better. I’m one of, if not the youngest person in the room and I can see why these other practitioners and teachers of Iyengar yoga have done it for 40+ years, its absolutely infatuating and liberating. It is an emotion that is indescribable.
P.S. It got even better Abhijata showed up towards the end of Randy’s class on Thursday night. The studio was quiet but on the inside I was trying to contain my excitement. I’m just glad I wasn’t teaching.
With Love and light,
namaskar,
P.S.S. Seriously, Volunteer for the next convention and in your neighborhood.
Sky
The news of Geeta Iyengar passing was shocking. I believe my words were “Oh my god…I don’t have any other words.” For a moment both ends of the phone were silent. I felt my heart sink at the thought of never having experienced Geeta’s teaching. I was praying and hoping she would make it until June 2020 for my India trip, but deep down I also knew that, that was unrealistic. I wanted to burst into tears, but the thought of her life was joyous, it wasn’t sad. She had an incredible life and lived far beyond expected. Her life and death are celebrated. Although we are missing 2 of the greatest souls on the planet we are fortunate to have Prashantji and Abhijata to carry out the yoga lineage.
The night before thanksgiving we went to a really nice restaurant called seven rivers. It was super delicious, but not as good as our thanksgiving food. My mom has been watching Gordon Ramsey religiously, so her cooking has gone up another notch (I didn’t know it was possible.) Super delicious and wonderful. My sister made 2 apple crumble pies and a key lime pie. Needless to say I always wear stretchy pants when I eat for thanksgiving and Christmas.
SkylerShirrell 