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Past Workshops Feedback:

Sadhana with Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar
Follow up...

IYAC AGM with Geeta Iyengar
By Michele Gunderson

At the beginning of May, I attended my first IYAC AGM, where I spent four amazing days with Geeta Iyengar. This was an extraordinary experience for me - I felt like my practice leapt forward in just a few days. It's not just that my arms seemed to move several inches back in Urdhva Hastasana; each morning, I could breathe more deeply, and my whole practice felt more intensely focussed than ever before. Many others I spoke to experienced this deepening of their practice as well. As one IYAC member told me, "It was as though Geeta was talking just to me alone." With the help of her very capable monitors, Geeta was able to customize her teaching to suit 270 people - "that woman in the pink T-shirt, she needs a lift under her feet!" Her teachings were clear and precise, and she had a wonderful sense of humour. She knew exactly how to penetrate and reach the dark and unaware places in us all.

The AGM was extremely well organized, and the food was fantastic: for those of us with special dietary needs, it was a wonderful haven.

Another highlight of the conference was the presence of BKS Iyengar's granddaughter, Abi. Abi assisted with Geeta's students, demonstrated poses, and made corrections in students' bodies. Abi also lead us (one day at a time) in a soulful chanting of the Yoga Sutras.

Geeta's work was professionally video taped and the DVD set will be available later at the IYAC online shop. I am looking forward to hearing again her precise instructions for those with various injuries, her description of the importance of tapas in our practice, her teachings in pranayama, and her condensed discussion of yoga philosophy and practice that she shared with us in Penticton.

 

Penticton 2008: A new member's experience
By Jessie Kerr

As a newly enrolled member of the Canadian Iyengar Association, it seemed reasonable that I should attend the national conference in Penticton.
Over the last many years, starting with classes with Margaret Lunam in Courtenay during the 1970's and innumerable classes since, with Vicky Catchpole, Maureen Carruthers, Victor Oppenheimer, Father Joe and many other excellent visiting teachers, I have been exposed to great teaching in my development as an Iyengar student. The opportunity to study with Geetaji seemed profound at the same time as it seemed somewhat intimidating.

As a newly enrolled member of the Canadian Iyengar Association, it seemed reasonable that I should attend the national conference in Penticton. Over the last many years, starting with classes with Margaret Lunam in Courtenay during the 1970's and innumerable classes since, with Vicky Catchpole, Maureen Carruthers, Victor Oppenheimer, Father Joe and many other excellent visiting teachers, I have been exposed to great teaching in my development as an Iyengar student. The opportunity to study with Geetaji seemed profound at the same time as it seemed somewhat intimidating.

The first day, standing by the door as Geetaji entered, I was touched by the gentle warmth of her greeting. Her lecture on Tapas influenced me on many levels, causing me to reflect upon my life, my circumstances, my future efforts, self-discipline and desires. What could have been a primarily intellectual experience ignited me at the core of my being. The reading of the Sutras has inspired me to review "Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" to better understand the map of Yoga.

As we began to practice asana and pranayama, I was amazed at the manner in which Geetaji's voice crept into my centre and how her words enabled me to become familiar with the potential in each asana. Geetaji teaches with metaphors. These metaphors are stunning in the way that they have dissolved my resistance on the physical, mental and spiritual levels. During these three days, I have developed a new relationship with my physical body, with my breath and with spirit/atman.

Hearing Geetaji making suggestions to "the blue shirt" or "the white shirt" in a room of 300 students was amazing. I have never been in the presence of such a great teacher. Not for a moment, in that room, did she seem to stop paying intense attention to us, her students. Observing her assist those with special concerns only served to enhance my appreciation of her mastery of "the art" of teaching. Her balance of strictness, compassion and even humour are inspiring.

I feel privileged to have been able to participate in this event. Watching Geetaji leave with her gentle "namaste" is a moment that will stay with me. Always.

 

What Some Participants Said about the Convention

"A dream of convention. To be in this wonderful Land with such warm people and receiving the Light of Geetaji have made this convention unforgettable for us. Thank you to you all. Gracias."

"Thank you so much to the Board and all the Kelowna volunteers. I felt very blessed to be in Geetaji's light and you all made it possible."

"I enjoyed all aspects - venue, food, organization, location. Well organized, smoothly run. Great to have chanting and philosophy as well as the pranayama and asana. This was wonderful professional development wonderful community."

"This has been the most pleasant of the Canadian conferences that I have attended. From our point of view, everything went smoothly. The food was superb, and just kept coming. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was friendly, positive, informal. That must be a reflection of the Kelowna House Yoga group! Well done!"

"Excellent teaching and learning!! I appreciated having the meals prepared and ready. This went a big way to making the convention smoother and maximize the opportunity to absorb the teachings and stay focused on the conference. Other aspects of organization from mat placement to prop storage were also appreciated. A big thank-you to all organizers and volunteers!!"

"I have nothing to suggest, this conference appears to have flowed in a perfectly natural way. I know such seeming ease does not come without a great deal of planning and dedication in its execution. My heartfelt thanks and what a brilliant teacher you chose for the occasion!!"

"PLEASE can we ask Geetaji to come back again!!! I've learned so much!"