I thought this was interesting and wanted to share this with you. Mr. Iyengar speaks about his practice over the years.
Bali Yoga Retreat w/ Kathy – November 25th-27th 2011
October 16, 2011 By
Upcoming Yoga Retreat With Kathy
“Located at the Foot of the Gods” Nov 25-27th 2011
Join us in this special beginner’s retreat, where you will have time to learn basics while having a group experience and the benefits of individual attention. During the 2½ days while immersed in nature, you will have the time and space to reflect and learn, developing awareness while balancing your energies and revitalizing your spirit. Kathy, is a certified Iyengar yoga teacher who has been practicing for over 20 years.
The mountain resort location is nestled just below the tropical rain forest, right at the foot of Mt. Batukaru, about 1½ hours drive from Bali’s airport.
The bungalows are settled in the middle of organic rice paddies, lotus fish-ponds and fern gardens. The 20m long natural stone swimming pool, the rice paddies and fish-ponds are fed by pure spring water coming directly from Bali’s tropical rainforest of Mt. Batukaru. No chemicals are used!!
At the resort rice, fruit and vegetables are grown 100% organic and served at the restaurant.
The traditional bungalows are quaint and rustic, a truly unspoiled setting.
Included: Shared accommodations, all meals (delicious vegetarian), yoga classes – meditation, pranayama and asana (including restorative) in a beautiful yoga space over-looking the rice paddies.
Included but optional: – Hiking and trekking along the famous rice paddies, gardens and temples or to the hot springs and through the tropical rain forest.
** Private bungalows are also available at a slight fee higher.
We will arrive on Friday in time for lunch. Class will begin at 4:30-6:30 p.m. The last class on Sunday will end at 11:30. Departure time on Sunday will be sometime after lunch, mid-afternoon. A Map will be sent closer to the retreat.
Price:
2,700k RP; Early bird: 50% paid booking one-month prior less 10%.
To reserve
Cheung Chau Retreat – Details and Logistics
October 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
October 6, 2011
Dear Friends,
Details for the Chung Chau Retreat
Getting there:
The ferry schedule can be found at www.nwff.com or google Chung Chau ferry schedule. Our retreat begins at 5:00 pm on the 30th so pick a time for departure that will get you there in time to arrive, walk to the Salasian Retreat Centre, check in and have a quiet moment for something to drink and relax.
The fast ferry is every hour on the 45 and takes 35 minutes 12:45, 13:45 etc.
The normal ferry leaves on the 15 i.e. 12:15, 13:15 etc and takes one hour. I will be on the 09:45 ferry to have all carry-on (blankets and food) carried by our Mr. Ho. If anyone else would like there props carried by Mr. Ho and his flatbed, please plan to meet me to load your items for this ferry. We can take them over earlier for you. For those coming on Saturday please check the schedule. The second morning session begins at 9:00. A.M.
It is about a 20 minute walk from pier to Salesian Retreat Centre. I will send a map of the area later. (After my lesson on how to upload an attachment!!
What to Bring For Yoga Practice:
Mat, 2 blocks, 1-2 straps, towel or two, shawl or sarong (to use as a cover for savasana), any other props you have, you would like with you. Pack a journal with your favorite pen for writing.
Additionally:
Towel for bathing, shampoo, soap (think of camping). yoga clothing, mozzy cream.
Misc.
Shoes for walking, clothing for the water should you want to go to the beach during the afternoon free-time. Don’t forget thongs for bathing.
Food
Helen Go’s helper, Gaga will prepare our meals – simple and healthy, nourishing foods for our lunch and dinner. If you drink coffee, please bring it along with any snacks or favorites you would like to have with you. Bring a favorite to share!
Accommodations:
Please check in with me when you arrive for your room arrangements.
Let me know if you will be sharing or plan to have a room on your own. At this point they have given us a few extra rooms. If you prefer a private room, let me know, it’s very reasonable should you prefer to be on your own. Given the spiritual work we are doing this would be a good idea.
Everyone thank you for your kindness and compassion as we share this time together.
Departure:
Our last class will end at 12:15. Lunch will be served and we are free to stay until 3:00. That leaves time for a nice walk or time on your own.
Please see the ferry schedule that suits your needs.
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If you have any further questions:
I will be arriving the evening of the 21th. Please send me your hand phone number by text should I want to reach you. My number is 852 6292 5440. (same number as always).
I am looking forward to this opportunity to practice with you there in Hong Kong close but far from the hustle and bustle. Please ask your families to afford you this time to give to yourself and in the end to them. By revitalizing and rejuvenating your energy you will create more of you for your family and your business. Spend this time healing your body, your mind and your spirit. A special gift for yourself we can all will appreciate!!
Namaste, Kathy
Yoga Retreat, Cheung Chau, October 2011
September 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Yoga Retreat
With Kathy at the Salesian Retreat House, Cheung Chau
28, 29, 30th October 2011
Join us for the upcoming yoga retreat, which allows you undisturbed quiet time for practice, close to home. Set in a lush, green, natural environment, Salesian Retreat House is one of the best-kept secrets of Hong Kong.
No only is the retreat house overlooking the beautiful coast-line of Cheung Chau, it is also completely private, giving you an opportunity to get away from hustle and bustle of Hong Kong . Join us to re-establish your priorities and clear your mind.
The retreat house is at 21 Don Bosco Road, and is a quaint 20 min walk from Cheung Chau Ferry Pier. We recommend you take the 13:45 ferry to Cheung Chau.
Your Teacher – Kathy Cook is a certified Iyengar teacher, student and practitioner with over 20 years experience. She has studied with the Iyengar family on four different occasions,. Just having returned in August of 2011, she will take you through a practice fresh from India where she had teachings from Abe, Guriji’s granddaughter backed up by Guriji himself. This was a special time she will share with you ways to understand your yoga practice better. As a compassionate teacher, Kathy works with each student individually while being able to create a cohesive group experience. Kathy’s personal attention, precise alignment knowledge and years of experience in yoga asana and philosophy ensure she meets the needs of her students. Teaching since 2000 Kathy is a resident of Hong Kong, now residing in Bali, where she teaches and conducts workshop in the region.
Retreat Program Price and Inclusions
The retreat includes:
- Asana, Pranayama and Meditation
- 2 nights’ accommodation in a clean, simple twin share room
- Lunches and Dinners
- Free Time for walks, the beach, journaling or sharing with friends.
Costs: $3,500.00 HKD excluding transport, breakfast and sundry expenses.
Breakfast should be light and can be taken between Pranayama/Meditation and the asana practice on your own. Please bring what you will require. This will be a silent time before we begin our asana session.
Note: If you prefer a room of your own please let me know so arrangements can be made to reserve enough space if available.
Registration and questions, contact Kathy at kathy@yogawithkathy.com. Bali # 62811387781
50% deposit by 7 October 2011 – Final payment by 15 October 2011
Please make deposit into HSBC, Resource Group Limited, Account: 511-592800-001 by direct deposit with cash, cheque or by Internet banking. Confirm your payment details by emailing me the transfer information.
BKS Iyengar Interview
July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
YOGA IS AN INDIAN HERITAGE, NOT A HINDU PROPERTY
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
25th May 2011
MALINI NAIR
You are being seen less and less on the international circuit. How did you agree to lead a yoga summit in China on such a large scale?
The government of India was keen to showcase yoga in China as a part of its celebration of the 60 years of friendship between the two countries. I am not keen to travel and teach abroad anymore but this is a significant summit because the two nations have cultural ties that go back thousands of years. So I agreed. It would have been tough to handle hundreds of yoga students on my own, so I asked to be allowed to take a team of senior teachers who would assist me. Slowly this team grew from one to 14 and included senior Iyengar teachers from other countries as well. And I believe that the numbers of those enrolled are growing by the day. I see the numbers at around 800 by the time I get there in June.
What exactly will be the agenda of your teaching sessions at Beijing? Will it be aimed only at senior practitioners or novices as well?
I believe that there are a large number of yoga practitioners in China today. So it is not as if the subject is not known to them. But my emphasis will be on exactly how it should be propagated. For both those who know nothing about the subject as well as those who understand its real depth, this summit is going to be an eye-opener. I mean to show them how to start from scratch and aim for the ultimate. Asana and pranayama are all perceivable aspects of yoga practice, but there are other layers which are not that obvious. These connect yoga to our life, our spiritual and moral health. Few talk about these aspects anymore — how yoga forms the link between the physical plane and the spiritual, how it moves from the periphery to the highest philosophical levels bringing balance to the mind…I think the responsibility is mine to show how you move from the body to the mind to the intelligence and finally to the consciousness and psychospiritual body. And it is a huge responsibility.
China has its own ancient, indigenous practices similar to yoga, such as Tai Chi, that makes similar connections. Do you see a link in these systems?
Certainly. It will be easy to connect with the Chinese on these issues. They have for centuries been practicing physical regimens that have spiritual connections. For example, they have the concept of yin and yang which is parallel to what we call ida (consciousness) and pingala (self). We have several Chinese yoga students in India and Iyengar yoga teachers have been in China for a while now. So we have had an exchange of ideas between the two worlds. I look forward to the discussions with their masters.
You were the first to take yoga to the West where you have a vast following today. But do you find iteasier to explain its philosophy in the East?
I find that the East absorbs the yogic philosophy far better. Yoga is an emotional subject actually and the in the West they calculate from the head. On the other hand, the East banks on the intelligence of the heart. They are both strong in their own spheres. But I find that nations which are geographically centred in the world map — such as Russia and Africa — have the best of both approaches. They use the head as well as their heart to their advantage. Yoga teaches us to move from Kurukshetra to dharmakshetra and god knows that we need fewer Kurukshetras today!
There was a heated debate in the media over the Take Back Yoga movement started by the Hindu American Foundation in the US. Its stated intent is to reclaim the place of Hinduism in yoga. Do you subscribe to this?
Yoga is an Indian heritage, not a Hindu property. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, which forms the basis of the system, addresses all humanity not just Hindus. Just because yogis did not travel as widely as they do today does not imply that the practice belonged to one community or place. Patanjali calls yoga sarva bhauma, a universal culture. And yoga is an individual’s evolutionary journey as a sadhaka (seeker) from the body to the self. Where is the room for doubt here?
The argument against the Take Back Yoga movement is also that yogasanas find little mention in ancient Hindu texts, that most of them are modern inventions that go back just two centuries.
Life is dynamic and so is yoga. If I have an inquisitive mind why can’t I research yoga like the sciences and come up with my interpretation? As yoga practitioners, we investigate how we can oxygenate the cells of the body so they don’t die. The subject is so deep and dense that no matter how much we do we end up just scratching the surface. So why then should the study of yoga remain static? According to ancient texts, there are as many asanas as there are creatures in the world. If you ask where are they all listed, I say that as a nation that has been culturally disturbed time and again by invaders, we have lost a lot in the process.
Does it bother you that yoga is being marketed purely as a fitness regimen?
The fact is that yoga is open to interpretation. For instance, Patanjali talks of sexual yoga and if someone decides to reduce yoga to just that what can one do? I can’t blame people for exploiting its open-endedness. After all, in the 1950s when I was in the West trying to propagate yoga it would not have helped if I carried on about spiritualism and philosophy. So I connected with them in whatever way I could — by showing them the physical prowess that yoga brings. I lived only on bread and coffee those days, because there was hardly any vegetarian food available. They saw me teaching eight-nine hours a day on this diet and saw that I still had the strength to throw them over — so I had to stress on physicality. It was only after a decade that I slowly started talking about the intellect and the mind and consciousness. They were ready for it by then.
So you see the market-driven yoga industry evolving into something more deep one day?
Yoga is being exploited and that is giving it a bad name. But, the spokes of the wheel go down and then they have to come up, don’t they? (laughs) It can’t get any worse so it has to get better. Today anyone can be called a yogacharya but people will see light someday, look for true gurus.
There is talk of you retiring from active practice and this being your last international trip.
I have said that yes, but if I can still help those who are seeking knowledge, why not? I have been taking some classes for women because my daughter (Geeta) has not been keeping too well. So all applicants for yoga courses now ask for the days when I take the classes! I believe that at 93 I am still fresh in the subject. But yes, I don’t want to travel any more. The burden of expectations is too much on these trips and I don’t know how to just sit on the stage and watch.
You are grooming your granddaughter Abhijata as the inheritor of your legacy.
I see her as the perpetuator of this parampara. She catches on fast and I am teaching her how to keep the foundation stable so that the body can deal with any crisis without suffering. When I train her, there are 30-40 other students around so she becomes a tool to teach all of them as well! There are many changes happening around us in the world and she will have to deal with this different world in the coming decades. The computer age has changed our lives but it will also cause the body to degenerate faster from the inside. She will have to impart the knowledge of how to use yoga to stop this decay and bring balance back to our lives.
Teachers Voice – Namaskar
June 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This interview was published in Namaskar, a Hong Kong based yoga magazine.
What is your most challenging asana and why?
Urdhva Dhanurasana is a backbend that always challenges me. My body and mind require a lot of preparation for this asana. Physically it is particularly demanding for me to open my shoulders, get enough extension through my back and openness in my hips, as these areas that are particularly tight when practicing this asana. In addition, this posture requires more mental concentration and single mindedness. I must draw on my inner and outer strength, concentrate and focus to connect my body and my mind with my breath. Important issues such as facing my fears, softening, surrendering and patience seem to resurface …some of my biggest challenges to deal with, within my self…
What have you learned from this asana?
It has taught me and continues to teach me to be present, have courage, patience and determination. I have learned to surrender and be open while having compassion for myself and for others.
What is the most difficult aspect of your practice?
Taking time to do a restorative practice on a regular basis! I know and understand the benefits of such a practice. There are many rewards like, stopping the constant chatter of my mind and impulsive movements of my body. Through my conscious breathing I can connect my physical body and mind experiencing a true state of deep relaxation and connection to a deep quiet place within myself.
All this is easily understood at an intellectual level however much more challenging at the level of experience.
When I am feeling tense, I know it is time to stop and reground myself. When I do take the time to check in and slow down in this practice I feel restored, renewed and thankful.
The Path to Pune
May 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
All roads do not lead to Pune! This is a road less traveled but one I always look forward to taking. Like all roads less traveled it take courage, strength and discipline to do what is needed to get there. Responsibilities along with life’s daily changes and challenges may make the process difficult or at least look different than imagined. Many circumstances may and did arise between the time I made the decision and when the time came two years later to take the next step, and board the plane. I find in life’s journey there is always the unexpected, fortunately I was able to hold my vision in site long enough to travel this road.
Pune is a city located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The 8th largest urban agglomeration in India with a population of 4.5 million, it is the second largest city in India. It is located 150 kilometers east of Mumbai at an altitude of 560 meters above seal level. Pune, widely considered the cultural capital of Marathi-speaking Maharashtrians, has a reputation for many esteemed colleges and educational institutions – the reason why it is called the “Oxford of the East”. It seems then that it is no accident the BSK Iyengar institute would be located in this area know for the best in higher learning.
The unique design of the Iyengar Institute draws your attention to the fact we are entering an environment which will assist in taking us deeper along the yogic path. The three floors represent body, mind, and soul. Its height is 71 and has eight columns which represent the eight limbs of ashtanga yoga i.e. yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dhrana, dhyana and Samadhi. With this in mind before even walking into the institute, you are preparing mentally, physically and spiritually to embrace this path of yoga.
I have been an Iyengar student since 1992. My first teacher spoke about often about his time in India, which had me dreaming of a time I might be able to do the same. My children were young and India didn’t look anywhere in sight. Now in 2007 reflecting back, I can see how this dream has blossomed as I have been to study with the Iyengar family three times, each time adding another layer of depth and richness. Each experience is set upon a backdrop of Indian culture rich with ancient wisdom and history. Its beauty touches me deeply and simply. The people are friendly and open and I always feel welcomed. These layers of experiences are like applying layers of lacquer all laid one over the other, which over time have provided a solid foundation and grounding for this path. I am humbled, appreciative and grateful to have sat at the feet of these masters B.K.S. Iyengar, Geeta S. Iyengar and Prashant S. Iyengar, as they so generously shared their wisdom.
I went to the institute to study, practice and consolidate, these were my main objectives. The opportunity to attend classes in Pune is always exciting for me as I am able to remove myself from my usual daily life and allow myself to be with myself in a much more reflective way. Living in Hong Kong we are all busy with our families, work, commitments and responsibilities. Being a wife and a mother for the last 30 years has helped me to see it is important to take breaks to nurture myself, taking time to refuel, reflect, learn and consolidate. To take time to focusing 100% on something I am passionate about is a rewarding experience and a unique gift that fills me with renewed energy, inspiration, and clarity.
Since I have been teaching I always take notes while in workshops and senior level classes. Usually these notes are to help me organize my thoughts to pass them on to my students. Here in India I decided to have the month for myself and my practice, leaving all else behind trusting what needed to be passed on would come, notes or not.
This time was rich in many ways. The following are some thoughts and words from my time with Prachantji:
“Here we are learning about life by and through the asanas. There are techniques for getting into the asana for the body but here we will talk about using the breath for the body, using the breath for the mind and using the breath for the breath. The breath is not static but always changing and changing the way you are doing a prose and being in the pose. It is changing for the good so we must use it as a good thing.” In downward dog he encouraged us to access changes in the body by using different breaths. “Bend the legs and see the breath, now straighten and see how the breath changes. Breath into the spine and see how it works on the spine.”
Prachantji challenged us to identify different parts of the body through the breath. “Inhale through the spine, exhale through the spine. Inhale through the legs, exhale through the legs. Spine..ize, chest…iz, leg…ize, abdominal…ize. Focus on these areas with the breath and see how you can have the breath work for you bringing intelligence to each area. Body knowledge has to be seen differently, not by getting it through a book.”
He asked us to begin to focus on the unprepared-ness level in our body as we began class. “Begin to use the breath for your benefit to over come your unprepared-ness. Understand what kind of mind you are using. A learning mind, objective mind, subjective mind or is the mind frozen. What is your mental conversation?” Here we turned to the mind and the breath for the sake of the body. Later we focused on the mind for the sake of the body and the breath. Finally we focused on the body to release the mind and the breath.
All asanas create a certain state of being, mentally and physically. We learned to become aware of that state and then take that state of mind into the next pose (or in the next moment off the mat) which may not necessarily create that state. For example ropes sirsasana creates a quietness in the abdominal area which affects us on a physical level. When doing supta padangustasana, could we bring that same state to the abdomen, the same quiet mind to that pose. The same quiet breath. We worked at an organic level moving beyond the body. Beyond… moving this foot to the right, drawing this kneecap up, bringing the shoulder blades down, thighs back, moving from here to there moving our mind continually. Here we worked to focus on one area for the benefit of all areas. Using our “breath intelligence” to affect out body and mind intelligence. We used our mind to affect our breath and body as well as using our body to bring intelligence to our mind and breath. We were spreading our awareness in a quiet focused way. In doing this we were able to move deeply into each pose for the sake of our whole being not just done, by the body for the body. We experienced meditation in action. Taking one step at a time along this path, being aware of each breath, thought and action, another layer was applied.
In the end one must make their own decision on how they will walk each step of his or her path. This trip assisted me to be aware of a more conscious journey with small steps, one at a time, observing the quality of my process as well as my mind, my body and my breath along the way.
I wish the same for you. Namaste, Kathy.
Certified Iyengar Teacher
May 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Certfication Mark is the logo that pictures Yogacharya BKS Iyengar in Natarajasana over an outline of the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI ) in Pune.
The use of this mark by certified Iyengar Yoga teachers demonstrates the teacher’s authenticity and commitment to the Iyengar system of Yoga.
All teachers who obtain an Introductory Level ll certificate are required to have a licence to use the Mark. Teachers must renew this licence each year by signing an agreement reiterating the teacher’s adherence to the requirement to teach exclusively the Iyengar method.
It is the wish of Mr Iyengar that this Certification Mark be used by all certified teachers worldwide as an international symbol of the highest standards of excellence in training and continuing education in the Iyengar method of yoga.
For more information about Iyengar Yoga, see www.iyengaryoga.com (RIMYI)