News & Announcements
Karin O'Bannon Scholarship Winner: Jennifer Shonk
Congratulations to Jennifer Shonk of Portland, Oregon, for winning the latest Karin O'Bannon Scholarship Award. Jennifer plans to study with the Iyengars in Pune, India next July and August."Yoga is hard to attain, methinks, by a self that is uncontrolled; but by the SELF controlled it is attainable by properly directed energy." Bhagavad Gita, VI.36. (translation: Annie Besant); May the teachings at RIYMI provide all the inspiration Jennifer needs to further her path in yoga!
Watch excerpts from Geetaji's profound and insightful teaching at the Canadian Intensive and order the DVD, Yasodhara.
Geeta Iyengar's teaching at the Yasodhara Ashram in Kootenay Bay, British Columbia, was a series of compressed, progressive classes designed for beginners. The DVDs offer a unique "how to" on teaching, filmed in an intimate setting. Geetaji is brilliant, humorous, inspired. Watch our excerpts from Day One as she teaches Utthita Trikonasana for the first time.
Then demonstrates the various ways the posture can be taught using the wall, with emphasis on the "hip indent" and the health of the hip.
Order the complete 4-DVD Asanas and Lectures set and 2-DVD Pranayama set.
Announcing the IYNAUS blog
Welcome to the IYNAUS Blog and our first topic, Home Practice.
Periodically we'll select a topic and ask our members to submit based on that theme. Posts can be as short or long as you'd like, and may have images, links, videos - all the things you see in other blogs.
Each post is open for comments. We encourage you to participate by reading, writing and responding.
We've started you off with two essays - enjoy!
Iyengar Yoga on The Martha Stewart Show
Iyengar Yoga was featured on The Martha Stewart Show last week. Inspired by her practice of Iyengar Yoga with Senior Teacher James Murphy, Director of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York, Stewart devoted her entire Jan. 8 show to yoga. Watch the show at http://www.marthastewart.com/show/the-martha-stewart-show/the-yoga-showThe studio audience was made up of yoga practitioners including Certified Iyengar Yoga teachers from the New York area, members of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York.
The show’s website links to the Find a Teacher function at iynaus.org to help people find an Iyengar Yoga teacher in their area.
Donate to Guruji's Bellur Project
Guruji has told us we can best demonstrate our gratitude for his teachings by supporting the transformation of his ancestral village of Bellur. Some of the landmarks already achieved are a free hospital, water treatment facilities, India's first temple dedicated to Patanjali, and the free primary and high school which supply uniforms, books and a hot lunch, often the children’s only meal of the day.Send your check made out to IYNAUS with BELLUR TRUST in the memo line, to IYNAUS, 1952 First Ave South, Suite 1B, Seattle, WA 98134.
ALL DONATIONS TO THE BELLUR TRUST ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.
IYNAUS cannot be responsible for individual tax receipts for donations which are bundled together and sent in; the receiving association, institute, studio or group is responsible to their own individual donors.
Register now for Reflection, the Iyengar Yoga Certified Teachers’ Convention
Portland, Oregon will be the site of the 2010 IYNAUS convention, May 11 - 16. An assessors’ meeting will be held May 11. Geetaji has agreed to honor us with her presence and teaching. She is currently developing the curriculum. Check the website regularly to stay up to date.The convention will be open to all IYNAUS-Certified Iyengar Teachers in good standing and to all other Certified Iyengar Teachers at the Intermediate Junior I level and above. This will be an unequaled opportunity for us to learn, share and grow our yoga community.
Register now and check details at http://www.iyengarteachersconvention.com
Yama in our practice and in the world: a foreword by Guruji
A new book by Michael Stone, Yoga for a World Out of Balance: Teachings on Ethics and Social Action, features a foreword by B. K. S. Iyengar, who writes: “If the individual is the world, the world is also the individual. One learns through yogic discipline the ways and means to balance one’s life so that it’s in rhythm with the environment around us. The flavor of yoga is that it helps us to interact and to express interrelationship by balancing not only within ourselves, but also in our relationships with one another and to our natural surroundings.”
The author writes about the intersection of committed practice and social action; his theme is that every aspect of life has to play a part in the greater ecological system, which can be accomplished by applying the principles of yama.
Guruji writes: “Yama is considered to the the God of Death. Our instinctual nature includes the qualities of violence, dexterity instead of honesty, libertinism, greediness and the potential for stealing anything and everything, with no respect for our fellow beings. All these unethical desires, whether pursued directly or indirectly, cause death to the Self. Those who go against yama face imbalances, not only in their family but also within the society and community. These imbalances become the cause of death to the Self, even while he person remains alive. One who stays as much as possible with the principles of yama is bound to develop cleanliness and purity in body, mind and speech.” The book is available from Shambhala Publications, shambhala.com.
Karin O'Bannon Scholarship Winner: Lynda Alfred
The IYNAUS Scholarship Committee is pleased
to announce the most recent winner of the Karin O’Bannon Scholarship
Award. Lynda Alfred of Montrose, Colorado will enjoy the
benefits from this award when she makes her first trip to Pune for
study at RIMYI this coming November. "I know that my
experience at RIMYI will move my practice and my teaching to a higher
level. I am hopeful that, out of this experience, I will make
a greater contribution not only to my students but to the larger yoga
community," Lynda said. Here are some encouraging words from the Bhagavad Gita, to ensure an auspicious departure for Lynda:
"One who, with love,
makes an offering to me
of a leaf, a flower,
fruit, or water---
Such an offering,
Presented with love,
I accept from one
Whose self is devoted."
Bhagavad Gita: IX. 26
Translation: Graham M. Schweig
Lynda, may your journey to India be free of obstacles, and may your safe return home be abundant with inspired teachings and wonderful stories to share.
The deadline for applications for the next Karin O'Bannon (KOB) Scholarship Award is November 30, 2009. Visit the "scholarship"section for detailed information on how to apply.
This year is the last year that three awards in the amount of $1500 apiece will be available. Funding is decreasing as of the end of this year. If no other donations are received, there will be only two scholarships awarded in the year 2010, and only one in 2011. After 2011, there will be no more scholarships awarded….unless more donations are given. We need your help to keep this scholarship alive.
Teachers can donate to the Scholarship Fund by checking off a box when they renew their IYNAUS dues. Contributions by teachers and students can be made at any time by sending checks to:
IYNAUS
Attn: Karin O’Bannon Scholarship Fund
1300 Clay Street, Suite 600
Oakland, CA 94612
‘What Is Iyengar Yoga?’ brochure and poster, FREE, to help teachers’ marketing
The new What is Iyengar Yoga? brochure is available now from the IYNAUS Store, or download it FREE!The brochure and a free, downloadable poster answer commonly-asked questions about yoga and identify the Iyengar Yoga Certification Mark as the student's guarantee of a yoga experience which is safe, suitable for all ages and physical conditions, and beneficial for both body and mind.
The brochure:
- Fits a standard-size business envelope.
- Is printed on paper manufactured using 100% certified renewable energy and fiber from well-managed forests, including 30% recovered fiber.
- Can be downloaded now, or ordered online from the IYNAUS Store or by calling 888-344-0434. Cost is $15 for 50 copies, $25 for 100, plus mailing.
Edwin Bryant’s Yoga Sutras, with a forward by Guruji
Edwin F. Bryant’s new edition of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is available from Farrar, Straus & Giroux publishers.Including Sanskrit text, transliteration and translation of each of the Sutras, followed by commentary from Bryant, professor of Hindu religion and philosophy at Rutgers University, the book is dedicated to all teachers of yoga, “that Patanjali’s Sutras may inform and inspire their teachings.”
In
his forward, B. K. S. Iyengar writes, “I am sure your book will provide
the readers with plenty of knowledge so that they may grasp the
philosophy behind the subject and move toward the higher aspects of
life in their sadhana (practice) ... I am sure your
good work and expressions, using the attributes of all the earlier
commentaries on the Yoga Sutras, will turn out as a
study book for hundreds and hundreds of students who have embraced the
subject in the West in knowing the light of that hidden illuminative
intelligence on the inner self, the atman, and
making that light surface and active in the sadhana,
which will help their fellow beings experience this unalloyed and
untainted bliss with its stream of virtuous (silata)
wisdom.” Guruji profiled in Parabola magazine
Describing him as "alive, vibrant and perceptive" at 90, an interview with B. K. S. Iyengar and photos of his practice highlights the Fall issue of Parabola magazine.
Guruji tells
writer Annie Schliffer, "I am a person who does what he says, even at
my age. And I continue to practice because yoga has helped me.
Explicitly I teach the entire philosophy, but in the presentation of
each asana and breath I do not speak publicly of what spiritual life
is. Spiritual life begins only when you attempt to internalize
completely ... "I practice what I speak. My life is open to each and every one to see. I am pure inside and pure outside. Whether I am nine or ninety doesn’t matter to me. Life has a flow from birth to death. And that flow should not be interrupted. And that's why I practice."
IYNAUS Bulletin for July 2009 now online
Get the latest about the IYNAUS Board and upcoming events in the Iyengar Yoga community.Download the IYNAUS Bulletin now!
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
In Memoriam Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, 1915-2009It is with great sadness that we have learned that Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (seen here in accompanying photo with Sri BKS Iyengar) has died in Mysore, India at the age of 93, just shy of his 94th birthday.
“I am very saddened by the death of my colleague Sri Pattabhi Jois. He was a devoted practitioner of yoga and those who were undergoing training with him must be feeling a great sense of loss and I hope that his students will carry any work he has left for the betterment of yoga and humanity at large. We pray for his soul to rest in peace.”
- Sri BKS Iyengar
Geeta-ji’s teachings in Canada newly out on DVD
The teachings of Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar last spring in Canada are now available on DVD.Geeta-ji taught a benefit workshop for Ascent magazine at the Yasodhara Ashram in Kootenay Bay, British Columbia, last April 22 - 27. This series of videos documents this unique learning experience. Available for order by clicking onto the links below, these videos were filmed by IYNAUS, which receives a portion of the profits from them.
The 4-disc asana set includes the asana portion of Geeta-ji’s teaching, lectures and question-and-answers.
https://www.createspace.com/262165
A 2-disc set records the Pranayama teachings, including questions and answers.
https://www.createspace.com/261589
Guruji's New Book Due
Yoga Wisdom & Practice, the new book by B. K. S. Iyengar, is due soon. The IYNAUS bookstore will offer the new volume as soon as possible.The new book "combines the best aspects of his previous works and weaves them in one beautiful offering," according to a press release from the publisher. "The wisdom and personal voice of Tree of Yoga and Light on Life are on full display here, as are the attention to detailed asana instruction of Light on Yoga and The Path to Holistic Health. The design of the book is decorative, colorful and richly textured."
Three main sections of the book are: Reflections on My Life, in which descriptions of poses especially meaningful to Guruji are interspersed with personal reminiscences on his beginnings in yoga and facing the end of this incarnation; Light on Daily Practice, the longest section, includes Guruji's writings on the definition of yoga and the Sutras, the thread of intelligence, evolving as a yogi and the art of teaching; the final section, A Yogic Approach to Life, considers yoga for relaxation and overall health, ethics and a stress-free life.Throughout there are detailed descriptions of the asanas and color photos of the relevant practices. The Table of Contents follows:
I. Reflections on My Life
- How Yoga Transformed Me
- Dandasana
- Janu Sirsasana
- My Guruji
- Marichyasana I
- The Light on My Yoga
- Tadasana
- How the lyengar Method Evolved
- Utthita Trikonasana
- Virabhadrasana II
- On Using Props
- Baddha Konasana (with weights)
- Upavistha Konasana
- Viparita Dandasana
- A Creative Approach
- Urdhva Dhanurasana (with props)
- Halasana (with props)
- Purvottanasana
- The lyengar Legacy
- A Continuing Practice
- Parsvottanasana
- A Day in the Life
- Yoga and Aging
- Ustrasana
- Bhujangasana I
- On Death and Dying
- Savasana
II. Light on Daily Practice
- Yoga Defined
- Methods of Yoga
- Patanjali and his Yoga Sutra
- Salamba Sirsasana
- Yoga is for All
- The Supple and the Stiff Body
- Ardha Chandrasana
- Yoga for Women
- Paripurna Navasana
- Jathara Parivartanasana
- Invocatory Prayers
- On Asana
- Parivrtta Trikonasana
- Vasisthasana
- Alignment in Asana
- Virabhadrasana I
- Garudasana
- The Thread of Intelligence
- Adho Mukha Svanasana
- Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
- Utthita Hasta Padasana
- Urdhva Hastasana
- An Intense Practice
- Uttanasana
- Ardha Matsyendrasana I
- Finding the Center of Gravity
- Sirsasana Variations
- The Sensitivity of Skin
- Halasana
- Karnapidasana
- I Am Asana
- Salamba Sarvangasana
- Parsvakonasana
- The Art of Sitting
- Svastikasana
- Siddhasana
- Virasana
- Bhadrasana
- How I Began Pranayama
- Patanjali on Pranayama
- Savasana (with support)
- The Importance of Chinlock
- Preparation for Bandhas
- Jalandhara Bandha
- Pranayama and Deep Breathing
- Ujjayi Pranayama
- Viloma Pranayama
- Nadi Sodhana
- Patanjali on Meditation
- Padmasana
- The Mantra Aum
- Malasana I
- Evolving as a Yogi
- Pincha Mayurasana
- Virabhadrasana III
- The Art of Teaching
- Preparing for Salamba Sirsasana
- Bharadvajasana
III. A Yogic Approach to Life
- Yoga and the Body
- Vrksasana
- Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana
- Utkatasana
- Yoga and Blood Circulation
- Viparita Karani
- Marichyasana III
- Pasasana
- The Spinal Column
- Urdhva Dhanurasana
- Yoga for Overall Health
- Encouraging Relaxation
- Yoga for a Stress-free Life
- Adho Mukha Vrksasana
- Salamba Sirsasana (with props)
- Yoga and Ethical Living
- Paschimottanasana
- Yoga and Diet
- Yoga as a Nature Cure
- Can Yoga be a Therapy?
- Sarapanjarasana
- Yoga for Mental Equilibrium
- Setubandha Sarvangasana
- Yoga for a Better Life
- Halasana to Paschimottanasana
- Yoga for Athletes
- Supta Virasana
- Baddha Konasana
- Yoga and Dance
- Natarajasana
- Yoga for Children
- Viparita Chakrasana
