Intention and Attention

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Karen Allgire

Thank you for the flowers, food, cards, and messages. I appreciate your care and support!

As I prepare to start teaching again next week, I’ve been thinking about how I respond when life does not meet my expectations. Disappointment, frustration, rethinking. Breathing, resetting, and settling into what is. I will be returning to the studio with much healing and recovery still ahead of me. This requires acceptance, humbleness, and patience.

My leg is very stiff, sore, and numb. It sounds odd to say that it is sore and numb at the same time – the muscles are sore and the skin is numb. I can only bend my knee 90°. This is partly because I’ve been wearing compression bandages 24/7, which hold my knee in a straight position, and because the knee still has significant swelling. I am confident that my knee mobility will come back, but it will take time.

Even with these limitations, I know from experience that I can still provide my students with a positive learning experience. Making the needed physical adjustments while teaching seems doable. My greater challenge is more mental and emotional – to let go of my expectation of where I thought I would be and make peace with where I am.

My current situation has led me to reflect upon the paradox of dreaming big while also having realistic expectations. The amazing yoga teacher Mary Dunn used to say that we could hold more than one truth at the same time. So, when I say dream big, it means that I can visualize, imagine, and feel myself returning to full vibrant health and radiant well-being. And at the same time, realistic expectations tell me that this recovery is a process that I cannot rush, and that my body will take whatever amount of time it needs to heal.

My intention is to heal, but to optimize that process, my attention must be in the present.

Both dreams and expectations are focused on the future. The principle of intention places some emphasis on the future. We set a goal. We choose strategies. We chart a course. Whereas attention is completely in this moment. Intention focuses on what we want to do. Attention focuses on what we are doing. Intention focuses on what we plan. Attention focuses on how things are now.

While abiding in the timeless present is one of the most fundamental teachings of yoga, I’ve had to return to this foundational principle repeatedly over the last month to ground myself and keep my mind steady and calm. It means not worrying about how long healing will take or when I will be able to do a certain pose again. I instead choose to focus on what I need to do right now. What is a healing activity or thought right now? What is skillful action right now? What does letting go feel like right now?

It is clearer than ever that the two great pillars of yoga – abhyasa (practice) and vairagya (detachment) absolutely must function together for me to maintain my physical health, mental clarity and emotional serenity.

I want to give my students some idea of what to expect next week. For at least the first part of the week, I will still be wearing compression bandages, so the shape of my ankle, knee, thigh and pelvis may look odd. There is now a significant size difference between my two thighs. The surgical thigh is quite small. It is likely that the thighs will even out to some degree over time, but that could take up to a year. The surgical thigh will regain some muscle and fat, and the non-surgical thigh may lose some of its excess lymphatic fluid due to the jumpstart to the whole lymphatic system. I am working to accept this difference in appearance and to remain grateful for the improved health and function of my lymphatic system.

I will see the doctor again on March 4, so I will continue to be conservative with my yoga practice until I’m cleared for more vigorous activity. There are some poses I will be able to demonstrate and others that I will ask students to show. I will organize my classes so that I can spend at least 50% of the time sitting with my leg elevated.

I want to again express my deep gratitude for all the love and support I’ve received. It is so deeply touching. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I will be happy to see you at the studio.

With love and appreciation,
Karen

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Equanimity

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Karen Allgire

In chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, one of our most important yoga texts, we are instructed to perform our duty, or righteous action, with samatvam (equanimity), while letting go of attachment to success or failure. As I rest on my couch for 50 minutes out of every hour, I am reminded of the importance of this teaching.

While I am doing my best to be patient, my mind is often drawn to the future, and my attachment to regaining my strength and mobility as soon as possible. Yet it is clear to me that when I think this way, it brings a sense of dejection and sadness. Wondering when I will be able to return to full activity, I become anxious.

When I stay in the present, I am much more tranquil and content. So I follow doctor’s orders, allow myself to rest and heal, and enjoy the variety of activities available to me at this time. Then I am much more at peace.

Each day now has a bit of a rhythm. A session of pranayama upon waking. Back to bed for green tea and New York Times puzzles. An hour later, ten minutes of gentle yoga, and then back to bed for a chai. The rest of the day consists of “in bed” activities – reading, games, watching the Olympics, YouTube scrolling, alternated with my 10 minutes of “out of bed” activities – walking, yoga, and piano practice. I am enjoying healthy and nourishing meals provided by my friends and husband. I am being fully supported to do what I am supposed to be doing – to rest and to heal.

For the first two weeks, resting was easier because I was so exhausted. But as I feel better and have a little more energy, it has become harder to stay in bed. But it is necessary, and so I must surrender to it. Progress seems excruciatingly slow. My leg is stiff and sore, yet it does feel incrementally better.

Based on how I’m feeling now and some research, I realize that this recovery is going to take longer than I anticipated. I’m doing my best to come to terms with that. My challenge now is to remain in a state of equanimity, releasing attachment to success.

What is this success I am so attached to? Getting better more quickly, of course! Could I not redefine success as my ability to surrender to this moment as it is? But my egoic mind wants to define success as healing faster and better than any patient ever has in the history of lymphedema surgery! Recognizing this tendency does help. I return to the now and let go.

I am deeply touched by the kindness of my friends and students at this time. Thank you for your cards, flowers, food, emails, texts, and responses to this blog. Even if I have not heard from you, I know that many of you are praying for me and holding me in your hearts.

With love and thanks,
Karen

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What To Do, When To Do, How To Do

Posted on February 6, 2026 by Karen Allgire

What to do, when to do, how to do is a phrase I associate with the teachings of Prashant Iyengar, who is always challenging his students to be in the present, reminding us that the primary subject of yoga is consciousness. I love his statement that “Asanas are not yoga. Asanas are for yoga.” Asanas are a means, a method, for experiencing a state of yoga.

Each posture should be done in a thoughtful and precise manner, while we also consider how to sequence the postures. We have so many decisions to make in our practice. Which poses shall I do? In what manner? With or without props? How long should I hold a pose? High intensity with a short hold, or mild intensity and a long stay? What should I do next? How should I begin? How should I finish?

Fortunately, the Iyengars have given us plenty of guidance about how to practice. Their teachings encompass how to adjust our practice depending on our condition, our individual needs, the time of day, the time of year, and more. We learn the art of sequencing – which poses to do, and in what order, to get particular effects.

In the third chapter of the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes the principle of krama, or sequence. Krama is an orderly progression, a regular course, or succession. In the context of the sutras, this refers to the parinama or subtle transformations that can take place in the body and mind as a result of yogic practice. But we can also apply the term krama in a more general way to mean the order of poses in a practice, and the order of actions that we do within a given pose. Working with krama means that we don’t start our practice each day at square one. We progress. We understand that we build our abilities upon a bedrock of foundational practices that lead us forward.

As I am convalescing, I have been thinking about this principle of step by step progression. As I recover, certain things have to happen in a certain order. Time is a healer, and I must surrender to the healing process, whatever amount time it may take.

I am happy to be able to share a few landmarks in my progression. I no longer need a walker and can go up and down stairs with good balance. Certainly, I am holding onto the railings! I am off the Oxycodone and have reduced the Tylenol dose in half. I am allowed to be out of bed for 10 minutes each hour. I assumed that I would be restless and chomping at the bit to be out of bed. But the truth is, I need a lot of rest and have been very content in the little nest I have created in our living room. I can read, watch TV, play the New York Times puzzles, do sutra study, and nap. I also use my “out of bed” time for a couple short piano practices each day, and that is always a joy.

At least a couple of times each day, I practice some yoga. I do arm actions, gentle rope work, and chair twists. Yesterday I was able to do my first Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose) on the low rope. I was only able to hold it for about 30 seconds, but it was a joy! Today I tried Urdhva Prasarita Padasana (Upward Extended Legs Pose) at the wall and that felt great. I was also able to do a modified Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose) with plenty of support, and that also felt wonderful.

If I stay in the moment, I can discern what I should do, when I should do it, and how I should do it. The parameters given by Dr. Chen are that I should not do anything that causes my blood pressure to go up, or that causes me to get heated or out of breath. So, I do short holds, focusing on breath awareness, and the balance of effort and ease.

The only time I feel mental distress is when I think of the future. How long will it take to regain my practice? How will my leg look? How long will it be numb? I recognize that these questions are not answerable now. Their answers will be revealed over time, through incremental, methodical, and sequential explorations into what to do, when to do, and how to do.

I am immensely grateful for the teachings of Iyengar Yoga, which are supporting my mental and emotional state as much as my body during this recovery.

I am grateful to you, my yoga community, as we tread together on the Inward Journey toward freedom.

With love and thanks,
Karen

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Long, Smooth, Steady Exhalation

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Karen Allgire

Dear Yoga Friends,

A long, smooth, steady exhalation immediately shifts our experience. We come into the present, move toward acceptance, and settle into things as they are. Mindful exhalation has definitely been my ally during this challenging week!

I received excellent care at the Cleveland Clinic and I am so grateful to be under the care of Dr. Chen. I am now being lovingly supported by my wonderful husband Cliff, my beautiful friends, and my caring students.

The lymphedema surgery went well and there were no complications. I will give a bit of graphic information here, so if you want to skip this paragraph, you can. The good news is that I did not have to have skin removal/excision. It is required in most cases, so I am very lucky that I did not need it. Dr. Chen said that he removed 3 liters of material from my left thigh. Mind blowing! Even the doctor was surprised, as the appearance of my leg was normal, just a bit bigger than my other leg.

The recovery so far has been difficult. There is a nerve block in my upper thigh that delivers medication with a pump. I am not in pain when I am in bed, but walking is difficult because my leg is numb from the nerve block. I am using a walker. The nerve block comes out today, and I will switch over to different pain meds.

It is uncomfortable to move my leg to get in and out of bed. I am supposed to drink 64 ounces a day, so I am up frequently to use the bathroom. Each hour, I am to be in bed with the leg elevated for 50 minutes and I can walk around for 10 minutes. I hope that walking will feel better after the nerve block comes out.

My attitude and mood have been pretty good, while I also have been saddened and surprised at how difficult this week has been. I am trying not to worry about the future, and to stay in the present, focusing on what I am supposed to be doing each day for optimal recovery. I am doing my best to relax, and to trust Dr. Chen’s expertise.

I have been thinking about the sage Patanjali’s explanation of the various disturbances or distractions that can arise on the path of yoga. These are called antaraya. Antara means a gap, so these disturbances are things that interrupt or create a gap in our yoga practice, and keep us from experiencing the cessation of the vṛttis, fluctuations of the mind. In sutra I:30, the first disturbance listed is vyadhi, disease, illness or injury. I am certainly experiencing a strong version of vyadhi right now. My usual practice is interrupted. I am also experiencing samsaya, or doubt. Will my asana practice fully recover? How long will it take? Will my leg look normal?

Fortunately, after the sutras on disturbances and distractions, Patanjali offers several antidotes, which BKS Iyengar called the “healing vṛttis.” One suggestion is to focus on the pensive state experienced at the end of a soft, steady exhalation. BKS Iyengar writes: “This practice ensures a state of consciousness which is like a calm lake.”

This is a doable way for me to continue to engage in yoga practice. Upon waking I am able to do some gentle pranayama, simply lying flat in bed, and observing soft, smooth, elongated breathing. It feels delicate and soothing. I am hoping to go more deeply into my pranayama practice over the next few weeks.

Another sutra suggests that we observe the luminous and sorrowless light of the spiritual heart, considered the abode of the infinite being within. I can take a few moments any time of the day to place my attention on the heart cakra, and allow my body, breath and mind to meld into the timeless present. This practice is simple, yet beautiful, profound and soothing.

I am grateful that I have tools to keep my mind optimistic and calm, even in the face of a challenging convalescence.

As always, I am grateful for your love and support!

Namaste,
Karen

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