So strange to be home...

As usual when I return from an oddesy I go into a sort of black hole and I don't want to come out. It's laboreous. I ventured out to the grocery store today and was struck by the sterile atmosphere in the land of plastic bags and tomatoes that don't taste like tomatoes. I miss the veggie woman who always gave me a free handdful of something. But, it is so convenient and so easy to shop here. I get in my large car and drive home with my booty, stuff for veggie soup. My mood matches the day -slate gray. The weatherman has warned us to stock up on provisions because there might be snow flurries. The house is messy and there are loose ends everywhere like tenticles - scraps of paper with emails and names and phone numbers, representing people most of whom I will never see again, my Auredevic food chart, no I won't be giving up limes or spicy food, 2 pair of not flattering bloomers, the Pune blankets i lugged home, why?....to hang on to something which can never be captured by possessing any thing.

I'm off to listen to Geeta on a DVD. lk

What Have I learned in Pune?

1. If you prctice 3 hours a day what you have been taught in class you do improve.

2. I am terrible at forward bends and it is ingorant to push myself beyond "my limit" if I'm unable to maintain the extension, sacrificing the entegrity of the pose.

3. Americans appear to have a huge number of excellent teachers compared to other parts of the world and our students shine.

4. We are lucky at BKS. Some students I've met here don't know how to use the ropes or other props because their studios don't have them and have not had the benefit of studying with senior teachers on a regular basis.

5. There is nothing to fear in coming to Pune. I've had a lot of help from the senior Indian teachers who are wonderful.

6. Yoga is not a physical exercise and it's goal is not to make us fit or remove aches and pains. The reality of life is pain. (Geeta says this frequently. )

Thursday

Well we are without the Iyengars cuse the are gone til Wednesday to a wedding. So I'm going to the Kare spa where I intended to go when I arrived.

Classes are wonderful and I love all the Iyengars. Geeta does scare me a bit with her yelling and punitive ways but she is a brilliant teacher, if only I could understand everything she says.

I saw Laurie Blakeney yesterday and she gave me a big hug.

A woman got reamed out for being in a class she was not supposed to be in yesterday. She said she had misunderstood Pandu. Geeta went on an on about how she was not being honest, etc. Another woman was repremanded repeatedly for letting her sacrum kick forward even thoiugh she was as tiny as Paula. I had cleverly positioned myself out of Geetaji's range of vision on that occasion, but I suspect Geeta is a reincarnation of the goddess Kali and has 1000 eyes only 2 of which we can see.

I got singled out in class the other day but Geetaji was not mean. We were doing Maha Mudra which is very difficult for me. I hardly go forward at all when I do it. So she kept saying ,"hold the strap closer to the foot" and so I did. This was not wise on my part because it made my back round and I was probably red in the face and I know I was straining. Geeta told Eddie to take me to the horse and she had me sit facing the back of the chair seated on a bolster and a blanket or 2 with my legs spread and my feet on bolsters. My upper arms were on the back of the horse and my dorsal could not round. My sacrum was against the horse. I then did jalindara banda. She did not seem angry and did not say "WHO IS YOUR TEACHER"? I will never comprimise the integrity of the pose againby going too far. Eddie said she was not talkinfg to me when she said hold closer to the foot and I should have known that. it was fear that made me go too far. I was happy to go to the horse and I've been practicing on it ever since.

I am kind of lookinf forward to the birthday on the 14th but I hear we have to sit for ages oin our dress up clothes , which are HOT and the Iyengars won't allow fans for some strange reason. I nearly melted at the Philosophy talk last week and my back was hurting and it was only an hour! I plan to arrive early and try to sit against a pillar.

I am knocking myself out to try and find a nearly dead dog with the mange so I can feed him and give him a worming pill every day. I got stuck withn this task because Doris, my friend from Canada, had taken care of him and asked me to take over. He lives in a garbage dump next to the park. It seems futile somehow because when I go nobody will be there to carry on.

I'm visiting an orphanage/day care center next week. My friend Ricardo from Spain adopted a child from there for $200.00 per year. It's like the kids from Slumdog Millionaire. They are givrn medical care and food. The older ones are given schooling. The ones with a parent stay in the creche during the day so mom can work.

I have an appointment to talk with Prashant about philosophy. He said anyone could ask to talk with him so I did. LK

Since Tuesday - Temporarily Down

Not to worry. I should be back on by Monday (at least that's what I have been told). Had a wonderful tea party Saturday night. L

monday 11/9/09

I'm going to the dentist tomorrow, the one Lois S recommended, Dr. Pingale. Doris and I went to the famous batik shop today and on numerous errands. I am having a tea party on Sat and I ran all over town with Doris looking for a good bakery. Ordered an egg free chocolate cake for the vegans. The cook is making rice pudding and some sort of carrot snack for the health food folk who don't want cake and are on a lactose free diet.

Prashant's class was good today and was recorded by Francois and Marie. More emphasis on uddyana banda in all poses.
Unfortunately, there were a couple of brown-outs. Prashant was very cute in his Marlon Brando undershirt (Re: A Streetcar Named Desire). Prashant says that most of us practice sincerely and honestly, but we are deusional about what yoga is. He says we are like a monkey that is given a precious diamond and pearl neclace. The monkey bites the neclace and the precious jewels scatter and are lost because we are ignorant. I would have preferred the analogy of a child rather than a monkey, for a child has the potential to grow and learn and to someday be capable of complex thought. Does he think there is no hope for us? And it would be nice if P told us "what yoga really is" rather than just saying we are ignorant over and over. We already know that! Students need a question and answer session and a couple of lectures in the format of a university class with terms like "Krias" clearly explained and perhaps written on a board. Students also need the opportunity to take notes if Prashant really wants them to understand what he is saying. A simple hand-out would be good as well. As it is, I suspect he is correct in saying many students don't understand.

I do wish I could have snuck into Geeta's class as wel today, but that is a total no-no. Word is she was ON FIRE tonight and taught a brilliant twist class focusing on parivritta parsvakonasana in stages. Drat. I will purchase the dvd and hope it works.

When Guruji came up the stairs and entered the practice room this morning I knelt and touched his feet. He paused a moment to accomodate. He taught again today and had Abby doing Sirsasana and Sarvangasana, pointing out how the bandhas or locks travel from the shoulders through thr ankles at each joint and lift the whole body up taking pressure off the neck. This is congruent with Prashant's lesson about the krias. Abbi's forearms were inside a very narrow box in both poses.

Guruji is a marvel. His skin tone is good and the backs of his legs are toned and muscular. Today Guruji did eka pada setu banda sarvangasana and I had cleverly situated myself so I could see the backs of his legs. They are strong and his skin seems to glow. He is living proof that Patanjali's promises are true. His chest is just as amazing as in the pictures I have of him when he was in his 60's. I like to walk behind Guruji to the prop room and look at his feet and legs when he is in his poses. I can make several trips between my poses to get a prop while Guriji is in ONE pose. He stays in sarvangasana and the backbends forever. I have watched him do backbends on the horse, the tall stool (which I can barely manage for 3 minutes) and other set-ups for long periods of time. Really , I could just sit and watch him for hours, but I have my own practice. He wears tight white pants and a thin gold string around his waist. Did I mention he puts 100 lbs of weight on his thighs in dandasana? There are special pads for the weights to rest on. He also binds his thighs tightly just above the knees with wooden dowels and straps. His cough is almost gone now.

I'm now fond of doing sarvangasana ussing the horse like Geeta and Guruji. It takes care of the pelvic issue. It's nice to do a whole practice of variations of sarvangasana and a few forward bends. One thing I've noticed is both Prashant and Geeta do many repitions of the same poses in their classes and long holds but not so long as to exhaust. If a person is sweating profusely and straining in the sequence, something is not right and it's probably that the krias are not being taught. Rajiv also emphasizes this and at Yoganga we practivrd pranayama and the lifting of the anal spincter in our poses, but never in the US except Karin O'Bannon classes.

Guruji practices more than 3 hours a day. When I leave after the 3 hours I'm allowed in the practice room, he is still going strong. He walks up the steep concrete stairs to the practice room unaided. As a person who did not have parents who provided an example of healthy aging, I look at my teacher and see a different path. The paradigm is shattered and I have chosen a new perception of reality. It's one of the great freedoms of being an adult. Since I've seen it with my own eyes, it's real and true to me. I don't have to see old age as giving up physically, having a round back, swolen joints, and giving in to pain and depression.

L

The German Bakery

Yum Yum

A Day at the Market

No class or open practice today. I wwnt with friends to various shops to look at textiles, kitchen goods, and small souveniers. We ended up at the German Bakery which is always packed full of yoga students from all over.

The streets were very congested and although the trip was interesting it was stressful, noisy and suckrd the prana like a giant sponge. I would have liked to stop and take photographs of the many colorful sights and people, but it was rush, rush, rush. If I want pictures I will have to go alone and to do so I will need to be very aware of the environment, of what I am doing, of where I am. And I wonder if one is able to be and also do. I doubt it, and my purpose here is to BE.

We expected the shopp ing to take perhap three to fourhours, but we were out from 11am-5pm! One problem is the rickshaw drivers always say thet know where thet are going, but 75% 0f the time they don't. Another issue is our map was not good and Pune is a huge city. A wise yogi would have stayed home, rested, and practiced rather than focusing on accumulating material goods. But I am pleased to have my new aluminum cup and the flower mala draped around Ganesha's neck is charming.

sat nov 7, 09

Went to Geeta's am class which was linked to last night's class. big point was lifting head to to look at ceiling is important kria in many poses. I sailed through the class today without fear of Geeta screaming at me and it being recorded for posterity b/c all poses and actions and have been taught to us by Eddy and Mary literally word for word. Geeta complained that many teachers were awful for sending their students to Pune knowing nothing. The two Russians in the class are cluless, poor things. They don't understand English.

After class went to the Meridien Hotel , a 5 star, and I was treated to lunch by Francoise. He insisted on paying for the lunch b/c he attributes me with "saving his life". Francoise was sick for a week with a respiratory problem and I finally talked him into using my neti pot which cured him instantly. Since then we have been sharing it and sterilizing it with boiling water and alcohol. After lunch Mary, Marie and I went to the beauty parlor and Mary and I had the delux pedicure while Marie got her hair cut. This is the same beauty parlor where Patricia Walden goes when in Pune so you know it's good. ha ha. We tjen had our picture taken in front of the giant peacock at the intrance and we felt like 3 femme fatales.

Went to a wonderful practice from 4-5:45. Eddie has given me an assignment and I'm following it seriously. The sequence is to calm my mind so I can be receptive to the teachings here at RIMYI. So I'm spending my practices supported or hanging from the ropes suspended from the ceiling in long delicious poses while the cool breeze blows and the fans purr in the sweet silence. And I come out of the practice room feeling like a different person. Why can't this happen at home? Is this place magic or what?

Tonight I went to the pot luck at Doris and Anne Marie's.

Tomorrow we are going to Lakshmi Rd which is supposed to be interesting. But, most of the day will be spent resting.

I'm happy. All my clothes are clean and ironed and my bed linens have been changed. Yea!

Good night. L

friday nov 7th

Study at Rimyi is evolving nicely. Today both Geeta and Guruji were in the practice hall. Guruji stopped several times to teach Abbi and Mary O Bhekasana and Abbi Bhujangasana. He called Maryfrom across the room and spent quite awhile working with her. When he teaches it is OK to gather around and watch, in fact, Mary said he is expecting this . Also, Guruji wants students to go back to their mats and practice the pose he has just taught. Rayah and Eddy were demonstrating the poses while Guruji was teaching.

Geetaji was at the horse by the door and discourages anyone from watching her or approaching her domain. She and Guruji both have helpers who assist with props. Guruji was laughing and making jokes. He practiced off and on for the 3 hrs I was in the practice sesssion and was still in his backbend on the horse when our time was up at 12 . Geeta's routine is to come to the horse by the stairs and work alone for about an hour then she goes to the platform and Rayah and Abbi help her with therapeutics.

I have been invited to go with my roommates to the Meridian Hotel tomorrow for a delux pedicure and lunch. Cost of pedicure = 700 rupees. Very reasonable. The doormen reportedly wear beautiful outfits and turbans with feathers. They also wear sabers. I will take my camera and try to send a picture. Tomorrow evening (Sat) is a pot luck at Doris and Anne Marie's.

Eddie said I should not write in capital letters b/c it's screaming, so I will refrain from rhe caps unless I'm very excited and I apologize to you for the bad computer manners.

I asked Pandu if I could stay one more month and he said yes.

The massage was wimpy. I had heard that Indian massages were lame and it's true. When I asked Swathi to rub harder on my hips she said she couldn't do it because my placenta was under there! And she added that Mr. Iyengar did not approve of firm massages. The massage took place on my bed which was ok because my bed is as hard as a brick. At the end she poured oil on my head and lightly massaged it into my hair just enough to make me look like a grease ball but not enough to relax my head, neck or jaw.

Gotta go wash my hair. L

thurs 11/6/09

WENT TO 7am PRASHANT CLASS TO OBSERVE. VERY INTERESTING ...ABOUT 65 STUDENTS IN CLASS, 1/2 INDIANS.

SWAS.

TRIK. 2X EACH SIDE- LINK BREATH, MIND AND BODY.

ROPE SIRSASANA OR BADDHA KON

MARICHYASANA I

TRIK. SAME INGREDIENTS AS RECIPIE FOR SIRSASANA and MARICHI I, BUT IN TRIK THE DISH TURNS OUT DIFFERENTLY.

WHAT IS YOUR YOGA ALL ABOUT? ARE YOU TRYING YO LEARN, TO PERFORM, TO PLEASE, TO PRESENT, TO STUDY?

ROPR SIR OR BK

MARICH I.

TRIK.

ROPE SIR OR BK

MARICH I

TRIK

THIS GOES ON AND ON MANY X W/ PHILOSOPHY LECTURES IN B/T POSES TO REST.

MARICHI I -POSTURE ORIGININATES FROM THE SPINE. SPINILIZE THE POSE. RELATE BODY, MIND BREATH TO THE SPINE AND BECOME SPINIZED. ....SPINAL INTENT, POSITION, INCLUSION, LOOK UP AT CEILING WITH EYES & TILT HEAD BACK TO LIFT STERNUM, CHEST.

TRIK- SPINILIZED KRIA

ASANA = SEAT, COMFORTABLE, BALANCED, NOT STRAINED. MAKE YOUR ASANAS A SEAT.

ROPE I STATIC.

ROPES I.

URDVA MUKHA ON ROPES W/ SHINS ON BOLSTER.

ARDA MATSIENDRASANA- BE SPINECENTRIC! INHALE DEEPLY, EXHALE SLOWLY LENGTHENING THE EXHALE. RETAIN THE BREATH, UDDYANA BANDHA, INHALE, ETC.

PRACTICE THIS BREATH IN EVERY POSE. EVEN EASIER ON THR ROPES. THIS IS THE REAL DEAL LIKE WE DID AT CHANCHANIS.

TRIK. QUICK QUICK! IS THERE A DIFFERENT FLAVOR IN THE PREPARATION OF COOKINF THIS "DISH" OF TRIKONASANA? PERHAPS MORE PROFOUND, MORE BENEFIT?

P WONDERS IF ANYONE UNDERSTANDS ANYTHING HE IS SAYING..... A FRIEND SAID I MUST BUY AND READ P'S TRIKONASANA BOOK AND THEN I WOULD UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE DIFFERENT LAYERS OF KRIA AND OTHER CONCEPTS WHICH ARE A CONSTANT THEME AND RATHER MYSTERIOUS. I HAD ONE AT HOME WHICH MICHELLE MOCK HAD GENEROUSLY GIVEN ME BUT WHICH I HAD NOT BROUGHT. I RAN TO DARLING PARVEZ AFTER CLASS AND SNAPPED UP THE LAST ONE HE HAD.

ROPES AGAIN

ARDA MATSIENDRASANA 2X EACH SIDE.

SPINAL, BODY, BREATH, MIND PARTICIPATION!

URDVA MUKHA AT ROPES W/ SHINS ON BOLSTER.

TRIK QUICK! MUST GO QUICKLY FROM POSE TO POSE SO AS NOT TO LOSE THE LINKING. P YELLS LOUDLY AT LAGGARDS.

EXTERNAL DYNAMICS ARE FEET, ANKLE JOINTS, KNEE JOINTS, HIP JOINTS, TORSO, SHOULDER JOINTS, ELBOW JOINTS, WRIST JOINTS, FINGER JOINTS, HEAD, NECK.

BUT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON INTERNAL DYNAMICS.....

THORACIC MAY BE "CHESTISIZED" OR "SPINELIZED" TO CREATE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE POSE.

URDVA MUKHA AT ROPES

MARICHI I - CHESTICIZED VERSION.

BMB AWARENESS! COMPARE TO SPINILIZED VERSION. PRADIPASHA - SUTRA II:33...HOW IS YOUR OUTLOOK, AWARENESS, PERCEPTION DIFFERENT IN ONE AND THE OTHER?

TRIK - WITH INTERNAL AWARENESS! COMPARE SPINAL CENTRIC TO CHEST CENTRIC. SAME SCRIPT BUT DIFFERENT OUTCOME AND EFFECT.ACTOR PERFORMS SCRIPT IN A PLAY, BUT OUTCOME WILL BE DIFFERENT IF ACOUSTICS ARE BAD. ABILITY TO DO ACTIONS MAY VARY OR FAIL TO IMPROVE MUCH BUT OUTCOMES CAN BE VERY DIFFERENT....

HONOR YOUR TEACHER AND BOW AT HIS/HER FEET, BUT DO NOT FAIL TO HONOR THE TEACHER WITHIN, THE INTERNAL TEACHER, JUST AS MUCH.

ROPES AGAIN URDVA MUKHA

BHARADVAJASANA I

P USES MANY METAPHORS REGARDING PARENTS TEACHING CHILDREN WHICH IS APPROPRIATE BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I'M OLD IN YEARS, I AM LIKE A LITTLE CHILD IN THIS PRACTICE ANS I'M SURE OTHERS FEEL THE SAME.

TRIK QUICK!

WHAT DOES AWE MEAN? CAN BE AWFUL OR AWESOME. WHICH WILL YOUR POSE BE?

ROPES I

PARIVRITTA UPAVISTA KONASANA- SEE HOW POSE CAN CHANGE FROM CHEST MINDED TO SPINE MINDED?

URDVA MUKHA AT ROPES.

TRIK QUICK!

ARDA MATSIENDRASANA.

CLASS TEACHES YOU WHAT AHD HOW BUT YOU MUST LEARN ON YOUR OWN TO GO BEYOND THIS.

IT OCCURS TO ME I DON'T TRUST MY INTERNAL TEACHER AND THE THOUGHT OF RETURNING HOME TO MY SAD LITTLE PERSONAL PRACTICE IS GRIM. THIS IS TRULY IYENGAR YOGA PARADISE. THERE IS THE ENERGY OF SO MANY DEDICATED PRACTITIONERS, THE EXAMPLE OF THE IYENGARS THEMSELVES, THE STUDIO WITH ALL ITS PROPS.... THE WONDERFUL BARS ON THE WINDIWS, THE PILARS, AND SO MANY DIFFERENT BENCHES AND STOOLS OF ALL SIZES AND SHAPES! YOU CAN PICK UP NEW WAYS OF WORKING JUST BY OBSERVING OTHERS IN PRACTICE SESSIONS. AN ITALIEN WOMAN NAMED BRUNA HELPED ME TODAY AT THE ROPES TO DO TRIK WITH A ROPE AT THE HEAD OF THE FEMUR AND A BLOCK BEHIND THE BACK HEEL. FROM THERE WE WENT TO PARIVRITTA AND ARDA CHANDRASANA USUNG THE ROPE WALL.

SETU BANDHA WITH A BRICK

SAVASANA THIS WAS A VERY TYRING CLASS. VERT PRASHANR.

I ALSO OBSERVED THE MEDICAL CLASS AND WISHED I COULD BE PUT IN SOME OF THE POSES B/C THEY LOOKED SO RELAXING. MANY WERE ONES LOIS TAUGHT US OR SHOWED IN HER BOOKS. MANY COULD NOT BE DONE WITHOUT ALL THE PROPS AT RIMYI.

WENT TO PRANAYAMA WHICH WAS BORING AND ONLY LASTED 45 MINUTES. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. FIRST-TIMERS AT RIMYI ARE STUCK IN THE MICKEY MOUSE CLASS.

WENT TO TEA AND TO VIEW APT # 10 IN THE TOWER. MET SEVERAL MORE WOMEN WHO ARE MAKING ALL SORTS OF PLANS TO SHOP, GO ON LITTLE SIDE TRIPS OR HAVE POT LUCKS.

I WAS A MONSTER TO BE PETTY OVER THE STUPID PINEAPPLE! MY ROOM-MATES HAVE HEARTS OF GOLD! FRANSCOISE GAVE ME A WHOLE BOX OF INCENSE FEOM COCHIN. MARY GAVE ME A BEAUTIFUL SARONG LIKE THE ONES SHE AND EDDIE WEAR WHICH CAN ONLY BE BOUGHT IN SOUTHERN INDIA, AND SOME VERY EXPENSIVE OLIVES SHE WAS HIDING. I SHARED MY CHEESE WITH EVERYONE AND WE HAD A SNACK OF OLIVES, FINNISH CRACKLERS, AND CHEESE FOR OUR AFTER CLASS SNACK TONIGHT. WE WERE VERY JOLLY! WITHOUT FRIENDS THIS PLACE WOULD BE BLEAK INDEED. AND ON TOP OF THAT THE LANDLORD REPLACED OUR BROKRN DOWN WASHING MACHINE WITH A BRAND NEW ONE AND IS SENDING A MAN TO NFIX THE LEAK IN MY BATHROOM TOMORROW. GOODIE.

TOMORROW AT 2pm I HAVE HIRED THE BEST MASSUSE TO PUNE TO COME TO THE APT AND GIVE ME A MASSAGE. ONLY 20.00 OR 500 RUPEES FOR AN HOUR. GOT HER NAME FROM THE LADIES UPSTAIRS.

GOOD NIGHT. I'M DEAD TIRED. LEEANE

wed nov 4th

I GOT UP TODAY AND TOOK MY CLOTHES OUT OF THE WASHER TO HANG ON THE LINE IN MY ROOM, TOOK MY MEDS FOR TUMMY AND USED NETI POT. I HAVE A LEAK IN MY BATHROOM AND I HOPE THE WATER ON THE FLOOR IS NOT PEE PEE. WILL CALL LANDLORD TOMORROW BUT SHE PROBABLY WON'T FIX IT FOR AWHILE, IF EVER.

MY FIRST CLASS WITH GEETA WAS LOVELY. I SAT BY MY TEACHER, MARY OBENDORFER, WHO KEPT ME ON TRACK WHEN I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS SAID. WE WERE ON THE FRONT ROW. I LOVED THE CLASS. GEETA DISCOURAGED PROPS AND SAID SHE WANTED TO SEE WHAT WE COULD DO FIRST. I DID PRETTY WELL UNTIL WE GOT TO VIRA III AND MY L HIP BUCKLED. BACK TO THE HORSE FOR ME. MARY TOLD ME TO PRACTICE WITH A TIGHT STRAP AT THE TOP OF MY FEMUR BONES TO KEEP THE L HIP FROM FALLING OUT TO THE SIDE. EDDIE WAS ONE OF THE HELPERS ADJUSTING STUDENTS. HE ALSO CAME IN EARLY TO SET UP FOR GURUJI AS HE DOES EVERY DAY. CLASS WAS FROM 9:30 TO 11:30 am. PRACTICE THIS AFTERNOON WAS FROM 4-5:45 pm. I PRACTICED THE SEQUENCE GEETA TAUGHT THIS MORNING PLUS MY NEMESIS-PARIVRITTA PARSVAKONASANA. I LOVE BEING IN THE HALL DURING PRACTICE TIME. NOBODY TALKS AND EVERYONE WORKS IN SILENCE AND IT IS OBVIOUS THE FOCUS IS INTERNAL. YOU CAN PICK UP NEW WAYS OF DOING POSES BY OBSERVING OTHERS INCLUDING MR IYENGAR HIMSELF. I DID SARVANGASANA USUNG THE HORSE LIKE GURUJI TODAY AND IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER ENJOYED THE POSE AND NOT FELT MY CHEST COLLAPSING AND THE CHIN LOCK DIGGING. I FELT LIKE I WAS FLOATING UP AND MY FRIEND KATRINE TOLD ME I WAS STRAIGHT. (WHISPERING OF COURSE)

AFTER MORNING CLASS I WENT TO LUNCH AT ANNE MARIE AND DORIS' APT JUST DOWN THE STREET AND WE MADE PLANS TO GO TO THE SPA IN 2 WKS.

DORIS AND I STOPPED BY THE PHARMACY BY THE CHETAK TO PICK UP THE INSECT REPELLENT THAT IS ECO FRIENDLY AND SMELLS LIKE LAVENDER, CALLED "GOODNIGHT". AT EVENING PRANAYAMA PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING OF BITES. AND IF YOU GET ONE SOMETIMES IT TURNS INTO AN AWFUL SORE THAT DOESN'T HEAL.

NEXT WE MADE THE TRIP TO THE DORABJEE MARKET ON MG ROAD WHERE EXPENSIVE WESTERN IMPORTED FOOD IS SOLD. AT THE REGULAR MARKET THERE IS ONLY VELVEETA CHEESE FOR EXAMPLE- YUCK. IT WAS A RATHER NASTY 15-20 min TRIP BY RICKSHAW. THERE WAS SO MUCH POLLUTION WE HAD TO COVER OUR FACES WITH A CLOTH AND I WORE MY FACE MASK. WE SAW MUCH POVERTY ON THE WAY TO THE FANCY STORE AND BEGGERS, SOME VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WITH RUNNY EYES AND NOSES, CAME TO THE RICKSHAW WHEN WE WERE STUCK IN TRAFFIC.

I BOUGHT CHEDDAR CHEESE, TAHINI- SO COOK CAN MAKE HUMUS, AND SOME WONDERFUK CRACKERS FROM FINLAND WHICH M & E DISCOVERED. ALSO A SMALL LOAF OF WHOLE WHEAT BREAD WHICH I CLEVERLY HID IN THE FREEZER. IF ANYBODY EATS MY CHEESE I WILL NOT BE HAPPY AFTER RISKING MY LIFE TO GET IT! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO HOARD FOOD IN YOUR ROOM HERE B/C OF THE INSECT PROBLEM AND THE HEAT. ALSO IT'S NOT NICE. SOMEBODY ATE MY PINEAPPLE YESTERDAY SO I HELPED MYSELF TO THE HALF PAYAPA LEFT IN THE FRIDGE. FROM NOW ON I PLAN TO EAT THE PINEAPPLE THE DAY I BUY IT. I MAY GOBBLE IT DOWN ON THE WAY HOME. EDDIE SAYS WE SHOULDN'T BE ATTACHED TO ANY KIND OF FOOD LIKE IT SAYS IN THE SUTRAS. OINK OINK....I CAN'T WAIT TO EAT MY CHEDDAR CHEESE.

TOMORROW HAVE PRACTICE FROM 9-12 AND CLASS WITH GEETA AT 5:45 pm. I AM HAPPY. THANK, YOU, DAVID FOR GETTING ME THIS LITTLE MAC FOR THE TRIP. IT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

AU REVOIR OR MAYBE BON NUIT, LEEANE

file:///Users/Leeane/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Modified/2009/ME%20AT%20THE%20WASHING%20MACHINE/IMG_1286.jpg

Pune 09 Tuesday nov 3rd

Hello,

I'm in the apt lying on the sofa with a cool breeze coming through the window as we wait a bit impatiently for cook to prepare lunch. The maid is here cleaning our rooms. HOW NICE NOT TO HACE TO COOK AND CLEAN. Mary, who is "lady of the house" and very firm, orders the menu each day. Today it will be a fresh cocconut dish and red lentils, left over spinach with onions and garlic, whole wheat chipottes, and fresh fruit and yogurt. I've already eaten a whole pineapple today. yum. Lunch is served! L

Lunch over and I ATE TOO MUCH!

Geeta was sick last night. Rayah was teaching for her.

11/2/09 6pm class

AMV.

TAD- URDVA HASTASANA.

AMS.

UTTANASANA WIDE LEGS, THIGHS BACK, CONCAVE SPINE -TORSO FORWARD AS THOUGH DIVING INTO A POOL, SB TO HIPS, NECK FREE.

AMS.

TAD-PASCHIMONAMASCARASANA, SB DOWN, ELBOWS TOGETHER.

TAD- PALMS FORWARD, ROTATE ARMS FROM SHOULDER SOCKETS.

TAD.

UTTHITA HASTA PADSASNA.

PARSVA HASTA PAD.

TRIKONASANA TO R, R SIDE BODY TO R ARM PIT, DON'T ALOW R SIDE TO SINK DOWN. SEEK STABILITY AND FULLNESS, NOT HEAVINESS, BE FREE, CLAIM THE SPACE YOU NEED FOR THE POSE TO BE EXPANSIVE!

U PARSVAKONASANA, R BUTTOCK MUST MOVE FORWARD TO MAKE SPACE FOR TORSO, DO NOT COLLAPSE, NAVEL STRAIGHT AHEAD.

UTTANASANA WIDE LEGS, CONVEX.

ARDA CHANDRASANA- EXPANSIVE AND OPEN, TORSO, HIPS OPEN.

VIRA I-DO NOT FALL FORWARD INTO FUTURE OR BACK IN PAST, BE VERTICAL- IN PRESENT.

VIRA III.

AMS.

PARSVOTTANASANA.

PRASARITA PADO.

SIRSASANA.

SARVANGASANA.

SAVASANA.

After observing this class I suddenly got so sleepy I COULD BARELY MAKE IT HOME TO BED. Slept from 8:30pm to 7am. Jet lag catching up...

Today in Prashant's class he talked alot about the importance of saying the correct actions to yourself as you do the asanas and integrating body, mind, andbreath. Def of Kria is not just action but reaction, ratio and other elements which must be understood. It's like the elements of a cup of tea...water, tea leaves, sugar, milk. A person who doesn't know proper ratio might put too much milk, or too many tea leaves and not enough sugar. Then it is not tea or it is bad tea. P said that every asana is a sacred vessel to hold the prana. Just like a cup holds the sacred water which we need to live. Bad pose makes a poor vessel just like a plastic container pollutes and even changes the quality of water. PLASTIC BAD. I am getting fonder of Prashant by the day. He gives so much of himself in each class and we are like baby birds with mouths open waiting to be fed.

The energy and vibrations in the practice room are very magical. I am receiving help from a couple of female Indian students who live here in Pune and hace been in class for 30 yrs. How I envy them. Geeta is theur teacher. Can you Imagine? One is LALITA. I was practicing Vira III with my hands on the horse and she came to me and said, "your belly is hanging down and you should put it on a stool." She helped me set up with the stool, the horse, and my lifted foot on the grill. Also very helpful is a dear man named PARVEZ who sells audios of Prashant's classes.

It's nap time. LEEANE

AN AMAZING DAY

FIRST DAY OF CLASS! My first class with the famous Mr. P was at 7 am and of course I'd been up since 5 unable to sleep due to excitement. Prashant was very witty and welcoming. (somebody said it may have been b/c they were taping the class-ha ha) The sequence was brilliant of course and led to a pretty fair attempt on my part of parivritta paravakonasana which was a yoga miracle. Prashant's favorite pose appears to be TRIKONASANA. He peppered the 2 hour class with lots of philosophy and told us not to hesitate to ask him questions durung his office hours for fear of looking stupid because if you are stupid and you don't ask you are REALLY STUPID. He said he has the feeling that students don't understand most of what he says. (true)

On the tiny and dark staircase coming down from class I suddenly saw long white hair and whoshing white robes and I took my hands to namascar as Guruji greeted me with "namascar". It was an emotional moment for me after years of talking about, thinking about, reading about and FINALLY seeing this living genius, our teacher, and being in his "home". It is truly an honor to be allowed to share his practice space. Many people in Guruji's position would choose to keep more private and limit the students practice time to when he was not in the room. It's really like a family here. Guruji is the much loved patriarch and everyone loves and cares for him. Thank God he is better. I understand he was terribly ill. He still has a cough.

Both Guruji and Geetaji were in the practice room today. Geeta sat on the platform doing upavista konasana and seated forward extensions. I put my mat near Guruji's practice area near the ropes and next to the pilar where he works on the horse near the prop area. I could see him in his poses and hear what was being said. it was amazing. Eddy was assisting Mr. Iyengar set up his props. Abi was working next to Guruji. Three times Guruji stopped his practice to teach Abi and another Indian student. I and several others gathered around and sat and watched. Guruji was laughing and smiling and I think he smiled at me! Or at least that's what I choose to believe. I really don't care about much else while I'm here.

It's nap time. Next I'm hoping to run into an elephant but don't think there are any in Pune.

L

I've signed up to observe all the classes I am not scheduled to attend. I really don't

Sunday

Today was busy. Went to market with Marie to purchase food for week. Went to class at Abhay'a little Iyengar studio. While in class we heard bells tinkling and Abhay told us there was a camel outside and we all ran down to see it.could ride if we liked. I did take a short ride. The camel was in bad shape and I felt bad for him. His fur was matted and he was very skinny. But it was fun. Another student ran after me taking pictures. The camel driver had not understood I only wanted a picture and wanted to take me around the block. With hand gestures I told him I wanted to go back and I climbed down and returned to class! What fun.

Tomorrow is the first day of classes at the institute. I was able to practice there yesterday with Randy before he left so I know where where everything is. Here you don't take the ropes down, there is a basket of them to make a sling. I hung from the free hangung rope and liked it very much.

AT AHBAY'S STUDIO FOR A SEMI-PRIVATE LESSON

ARDA PAVANMUKTASANA / RIGHT UPPER THIGH STRAPPED TO THE PILAR. I LIKE THIS STUDIO VERY MUCH. ABHAY IS THE TEACHER RECOMMENDED BY PRAKESH- ABOUT 15 MINUTES FROM RIMYI BY RICKSHAW. 10.00 PER LESSON. VERY THERAPEUTIC. HE IS WORKING ON MY PELVIS.

TODAY I GOT A LIFT

YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE THIS LIFT. IT CAN GET STUCK WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT. BUT IT'S BETTER THAN WALKING UP 9 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS.

TONIGHT RANDY IS HAVING A GOOD-BYE DINNER AT HIS HOUSE. HE HAS HIRED OUR COOK. HE LEAVES TOMORROW FOR A NIGHT AT THE LEELA AND AFTER A DAY OF RELAXING AT THAT VERY FANCY HOTEL COMES THE HORRENDOUS TRIP HOME.

FRANSCOIS FIXED MY PHONE THANK GOODNESS. I'M THRILLED. NOW ALL I NEED IS A SMALL TABLE LAMP AND I WILL BE HAPPY. AT PRESENT ALL WE HAVE IS A FLUORESCENT LIGHT. EACH ITEM ONE NEEDS HERE REQUIRES A SORT OF HUNTING EXPIDITION. AU REVOIR, L

oct 31st sat at the apt 6:45 am

EDDY, MARY, FRANCOIS, AND MARIE JUST LEFT FOR 7AM CLASS WHICH F IS FILMING. I SITTING BY THE BARRED WINDOWS ON THE 9TH FLOOR AND AM ENCHANTED BY THE HYNDREDS OF BIRDS WHICH HAVE JUST SWEPT BY OUR WINDOW SCREECHING LOUDLY. THERE IS ALSO A PARROT COUPLE WHO VISIT US IN THE MORNING. THEY ARE SMALL AND GREEN WITH RED TRIM (LIKE PEPE, THE PARROT WHO BIT PAPA WHEN WE LIVED IN MEXICO AND WAS BANUSHED TO A FRIEND'S GARDEN).

I'M ANXIOUS TO START CLASSES AT RIMYI MONDAY! STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE BEGINNING TO ARRIVE. IT'S VERY EXCITING.

COOK IS OFF FOR THE WK-END BUT THAT'S OK. INDIAN FOOD IS GOOD BUT GETS TIRESOME DAY AFTER DAY. I FIND MY FAVORITE FOOD IS FRUIT. I BUY MANGOS, PINAS, AND THE TINY SWEET BANANAS EVERY DAY. I ALSO EAT THE FRESH YOGURT DAILY AND STOP RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR BUILDING TO HAVE THE COCCONUT VENDOR SLICE OFF THE TOP OF A GREEN ONE SO I CAN DRINK THE JUICE. COST IS 15 RUPEES. WE HAVE OATMEAL, NUTS, OJ, DRY MUSELI, EGGS, INSTANT SOUPS. MY ROOMIES HAVE ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT A VERY NICE RESTAURANT JUST 5 MINUTES AWAY WHICH SERVES GOOD ITALIEN FOOD AND WHERE IT IS SAFE TO EAT SALAD. DINNER IS ABOUT 300 RUPEES OR A LITTLE OVER 5.00.

MY MISSION FOR TODAY IS TO FIND A COPIER AND GET 2 COPIES OF MY STAMPED VISA, PURCHASE ALCOHOL FOR MOSQUITO BITES AND TO WASH MY TOOTHBRUSH IN, NEEM TOOTHPASTE, AND LAVENDER INSECT REPELLENT (NON TOXIC) FOR EVENING PRANAYAMA WHEN TINY MOSQUITOES COME IN THE OPEN BARRED WINDOWS AND BITE THE STUDENTS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE SOME REGULAR BUG KILLER AS I SAW A COCKROACH IN MY ROOM LAST NIGHT. TELL ME HOW DOES A COCKROACH MAKE IT'S WAY UP 9 FLIOGHTS OF STAIRS?

OH I FORGOT, WE HAD A POWER FAILURE WHICH CONTINUED OFF AND ON ALL DAY AND I WAS JUST GETTING IN THE LIFT WHEN WE LOST POWER FOR SOME TIME. ALTHOUGH I HAD TO WALK UP 9 FLIGHTS I WAS HAPPY NOT TO BE STUCK IN THE LIFT WHICH IS TINY AND WOULD HAVE BEEN DARK!

I CONTINUE TO LOVE IT HERE AND NEVER FAR FROM MY MIND IS THE FACT THAT I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL AND LUCKY TO BE HERE! I BOUGHT A SWEATSHIRT FROM ABI LAST NIGHT AND SHE WAS AS FRIENDLY AND SWEET AS COULD BE AS WELL AS BEAUTIFUL. ABI IS THE HEIR APPARANT OF THE NEXT GENERATION. BYE FOR NOW. L

oct 31st sat a rhe apt6

EDDY, MARY, FRANCOISE AND MARIE JUAT LEFT

10/27/09 i'm in london

I made it through the first segment of the trip to Pune! I ended up packing too much which mames it hard to do just about anything because my "purse" is so stuffed I can't find anything in it. Oh well. When I arrive at the apartment I can unpack and not have to lug the stuff around for the rest of the month. Adn I can leave some of my clothes for the needy. Casulities so far..my neck dounut which must have fallen off my carry on and a scarf which fell under the seat and because I was so wedged in by "Mr. Manitee" in front of me I forgot to look for it when I got off the plane.

It is hard to believe I will be in Pune tomorrow evening and I can look out my door and see RIMYI. R says Pandu has agreed to let me observe the classes but not participate on Thurs and Friday. I can attend classes wirh Abhay near by and he is supposed to be good.

Tips: Do not order the Hindi veggie diet on British Air. It's very bad. Do get the wax ear plugs which muffle crying babies and most everything else.

No matter how much I plan I always end up like a female version of Mr. Bean, rather than svelte and sophisticated. I dressed in layers as advised but was so hot I began peeling clothing off as soon as I got on the plane. I had worn a nylon support shirt which is good for posture, a long sleve shirt, a tunic over that, a sweat top, a wool scarf and a warm hat. On the bottom I wore support hose to prevent blood clots, tights, long pants and two pair of socks.

Bye Bye. It's nap time. 3:00 UK time and 6 1/2 hrs til take off. L

ONE DAY LEFT TIL I LEAVE......

24 hours left...I'll be at the airport at 3:30 tomorrow. I'm at mac tutorial...do they have these wonderful shops in pune- i hope. L

Still packing and repacking....here's a glimpse of a small amount of the special gear I've been advised to take to Pune. Note the face mask (Randy) and the delux eye mask (Tina) and a huge sack (one of several) full of varied and expensive homeopathic stuff (Jennie W., Kevin, Randy). Thanks, to all who advised me what to take! I feel as well prepared as a girl scoutt headed for the jungle. Only two days till take-off! L

Went to spa with daughter Sallie to relax and get beaten to a pulp before leaving for India. LOTS OF SLAPPING AROUND AT THE HANDS OF THE KOREANS. We could hardly drive home and we slept well that night!

one week til i leave. i'm at mac store asking questions from the young computer geniuses. it's worth getting a mac just to get the tutorials. L

kapotasana in chair

at lori's studio-, schumacher practice, Leeane demonstrating the def of an intermediate student who can hold a bad pose for a long time

Created a blog today

I leave for Pune in 12 days. I've gotten my shots, bought face masks, diarrhea meds, antibiotics, eye drops and other pharmaceuticals. I am spending 8 hours in a yotel at Heathrow so i will be as rested as possible when I arrive in Mumbai. Then a 4-5 hour trip to Pune and arrival at the Deccan Rendezvoux, recommended by Randy as a top notch hotel with nice beds, sheets, pool and yummy buffet breakfast. Then on to the Kare Spa for 3 days for a nice rest.

Will return to Pune Sunday night and move into apt with Eddy and Mary in the Tower next to Rimyi. Then the fun begins with daily classes with Geetaji (I hope).

I'm nervous but happy and awed to know i'll be in the presence of our living master and his children.