Things continue to go well here for me. Quite a few people have come down with illness, but I have been spared so far. I have done my best to take good care of myself and not get exhausted. At the same time, there is a desire to take advantage of every opportunity to learn at the institute and to experience India. So balance is the key.
Guruji continues with his theme of exploring the feet. He is disecting the foot into parts so we can be more aware, become more sensitive, and do our poses with more clarity and eveness. Our class on Wednesday morning was all based on the outer arch of the foot, with it being divided into an inner and outer bank. Both these “banks” had to press completely to the floor in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) and Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose). This awareness of the outer foot was then brought into many, many (many) backbends. A wonderful class, again, instructed by the master through his teachers.
My own practice has been rewarding, interesting and fun. I feel I am gaining new awareness of my own patterns, and learning new ways to work skillfully towards eveness of body and mind. I deeply appreciate the chance to practice for three hours or so every day, not counting class time. There is no rush. Long sequences can be done that lead to opening and understanding previously unknown.
Being here brings other aspects of awareness, especially of how wealthy and privileged we are in the US. Due to water issues her, it was suggested that we not trust the water filter and buy bottled water instead. When you have to carry your water, you quickly realize how much water you use in a day and what a precious resource fresh, clean water is.
Stay well, Karen! We miss you, but are grateful for your time there because it will come back to us 🙂
I have finally gotten my computer back after it was held in crash land purgatory for over 2 weeks and had a chance to catch up on India and you. I read and I beam, as though I were there and I marvel at this technology that touches lives from across thousands of miles. Your statement about Mr. Iyengar’s teaching being so clear, and not complicated is so on the nose and made me reflect on Manouso’s classes (I ended up going 2 days after all! FANTASTIC.) and how I left marveling over how he could speak so articulately and succinctly on such nuanced details and ideas that would seem pretentiously esoteric coming from others . And YOUR teaching that reveals something new in even the oldest of asanas each and every week through clear and thought-full ( hyphen is on purpose) instruction. I am so grateful that this lineage is so carefully monitored as to how it’s taught and so lovingly gifted to us who seek it.
I look forward to future blogs and Lessons from India in Sept.
Bow I to You,
Linda
Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate hearing from you so much. Things are really going well this time – I am learning and really enjoying my practice time. See you soon!