Geeta gave her opening remarks tonight. The theme of this convention is Yoga Therapy. She told us that when BKS Iyengar started he did not have a teacher, but a guru. His guru, Krishnamacharya, told him which asanas to perform and he performed them. There was no instruction as to the poses. At the time there were no yoga teachers as such, just yogis and not many of them.
After some time guruji began to investigate the poses and their effects on his own body and mind more closely. He used himself as a living laboratory, as an experiment . . . what happens if I do the asana this way or that way? Which adjustments have a good effect and which have a bad effect? In this way he began to perform the asanas with more and more feeling and sensitivity to his own condition.
Geeta told us that yoga therapy is not just giving a sequence of poses for a certain condition. It is not like going to the doctor to get a prescription - the teacher must be sensitive to the students condition. The teacher must see the student - how they walk, how they talk, how they breathe, and how they hold themselves. What is there? Which parts move freely in the body and where is there restriction or obstruction? The teacher does this with the tool of sensitive observation.
There are two types of observation. Geeta said that one must learn first to observe oneself so that one can begin to observe others. This observation process is done using asana and pranayama. When performing an asana don't just go to the end of the asana form. Go step by step and find out what moves and what is stuck. In Utthita Trikonasana take time to see the change of the breath from feet spread wide to turning the feet, from extending over the leg to stretching the arms and from turning the waist to looking up. Refine yourself in this way, and see your students in the same way. This type of work leads to yoga therapy.
It was an absorbing talk and Geeta's words had the depth of experience and dedication behind them. Even after a long day of travel she had my full attention. After the talk there was a big dinner for everyone.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
Hi Z!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I think I know the feeling you are describing about being among strangers in busy travel scenarios. I always think to myself I know who I am, where I am headed and why. But who and what ARE all these other people doing here?...and therefore, what makes me so sure? Then to look out from the plane and see cars, boats, trains, people scurrying here and there-- too bizarre.
I am glad to know you have experienced Geeta in person. No longer mere second hand impressions and anticipation but your own experience. How satisfying, whether she confirms or defies her reputation. Thank you for the blog. I will check back again. I look forward to you sharing these learnings through your own teaching soon.
Lee