I just had an extraordinary opportunity to study with one of the top Iyengar Yoga teachers in the United States, Patricia Walden. The week-long retreat took place in an idyllic setting in Louisiana, at a Benedictine abbey. The moment I arrived, I was struck by the quality of silence that pervaded the place. The architecture of the building was just lovely, bringing in so much sunlight that I felt as if I were outdoors all the time. My room looked out to a courtyard garden, a lush display of color and greenery.
In this ideal setting, we were treated to yoga instruction from someone who has tread the yogic path with devotion and intelligence over a long period of time. Patricia has been studying with BKS Iyengar since the 1970’s, and her mastery of and dedication to the subject of yoga shines through her every word and gesture.
Since my return to my everyday life, the lessons of that week continue to resonate as I do my daily practice, as I teach, and in daily activities. Patricia asks us to keep ourselves at a very high standard of practice and knowledge. Knowledge of the yoga sutras was expected, and she guided us in how we could continue to develop our studies. During our classes, Patricia reminded us that our asana practice should never do us harm. This seems like a basic notion, but it is easy to let pride or inattention cause us to overdo or work in a state of imbalance. This simple but profound principle, that our yoga should not cause pain or problems, but should alleviate them, has stayed with me.
At the same time, being with the highly developed group of practitioners who attended the retreat has motivated me to work more strongly and more deeply, while keeping to the principle of doing no harm. This means that my practice needs to be consistent, sincere, and soaked with awareness. I find that my mind is more quiet as I am working, and I am satisfied to stay with a pose for a longer period of time to plumb its depths and get more subtle understanding.
In the tribute to Patanjali that Iyengar Yoga students chant at the beginning of each class, the text says that yoga is given for serenity of mind. The retreat experience deepened my understanding of that truth, while also inspiring me to explore the hidden potential of my body.
Hi Karen,
I haven’t been to your class in several weeks, I had planned to return in the fall, so I am so glad that I read the email you sent out. I’m very sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but heartened by your response to it. I will definitely be visualizing the beautiful White Tara pouring light into you. I also just wanted to say what a source of light and love that you are to all that come in contact with you. I haven’t known you for very long, and may not be your most consistent student, even so, I recognized the quality and sincerity and beautiful playful approach to your path of devotion to all that is. You really inspire us all, and it is obvious that you do it in a way that is so modest and lacks any sort of ego driven tendencies. I will be sending affirmations in the manner you suggested, which seems most appropriate. Also, you probably have seen it already, but if not “Being There” is a really funny and though provoking movie, if kind of old.
Thinking of you,
Lisa