Issue Sixty Two | September 2019

“As a fire blazes brightly when the covering of ash over it is scattered by the wind, the divine fire within the body shines in all its majesty when the ashes of desire are scattered by the practice of pranayama.”
–Geeta Iyengar

COMMUNITY

“If you don’t know about Prashant I’d like to say his gift is clear. He is a walking, talking anthology of ancient wisdom with a wonderfully witty sense of humor. He is our in-house philosopher. Understanding his teaching precepts takes time. His way of transmitting classical yoga seeps into you drop by drop. At first what is confusing later starts reforming your ideas. If his precepts touch you, they will carve and shape you from the inside with a profound, sanctified, rarified and unlimited breath. His classes are radically different.

“In the end, it was an absolute pleasure to do this interview. One Saturday afternoon in October 2018 I went to RIMYI with my friend Jennie Willford and we sat with Prashant and talked for about 90 minutes. He was serious and good-natured and, of course, made us laugh. I asked my questions and we enjoyed the ride. I hope you do too.”

–Alexandra Carilli

Prashant Interview October 13, 2018
By CIYT Alexandra Carilli
Fourth Question

A.C.: I’ve heard you say that we are over developed in postures and under developed in other aspects of Yog. How should a sincere student begin to become a more balanced sadaka?

P.I.: A student should be initiated properly. They should be made aware of the basic components of yoga. I have emphasized this in my teaching. A sadaka should know the basic components of yoga like connectivity and relativity. A sadaka should know how to relate usages to one another, how to get connected, what the kneaded condition is, what an associated condition is, and they should have accuracy and knowledge of the asanas. In the asanas a sadaka should know how to address the body, how to address the mind and how to address the breath. To develop a balanced approach you must know that you have to take care of all these things. It’s not that you just have to attain a bodily posture. To perform a good posture you have to take care of the breath; you have to consider the mind; then a balanced kind of approach will come. Once there is a balanced approach one develops circumspection. Once you are circumspect nothing will be neglected. If you have a focus many things get neglected. Yoga never advocates focus. To deal with the whole embodiment from the gross to the subtle you have to take together all of those things. Taking all those things together you are circumspect.

COMMUNITY BUSINESS

“Knowledge has a beginning but no end.”
–Geeta Iyengar

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!

IMIYA is looking for an editor and an assistant(s) to take over the newsletter.

IMIYA is also seeking a volunteer to help with the traveling library.

“When you inhale, you are taking the strength from God. When you exhale, it represents the service you are giving to the world.”
–Geeta Iyengar

IYNAUS ETHICS INQUIRY

Visit IYNAUS’s website and click on the “Ethics” tab to learn more about ethics violations being investigated in the Iyengar community.

“Gaining maturity in yoga practice involves learning to respect the paths that other people are on and acknowledging their merits, maybe even acknowledging that your own path is lacking in some area where another one excels.”
–Geeta Iyengar

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 2019

4 Week Iyengar Yoga Basics
Katie McDonald
Santosha Yoga
Wheat Ridge, CO
September 9-30

Beginning Meditation Workshop
Nancy Stechart
Hotchkiss Yoga Tree
September 20-21

Yoga for Bone Strengthening
Jayne Satter
Yoga Shala
Boulder, CO
September 28

2-Part Series on Functional Mobility
Part 1
Angie Woyar and Dana Hanizeski
Iyengar Yoga Center Denver
September 28

OCTOBER 2019

Sacred Sound GongBath
Richard Rudis
Iyengar Yoga Center Denver
October 4

More Bone Strengthening
Jayne Satter
Iyengar Yoga Center Denver
October 6

2-Part Series on Functional Mobility
Part 2
Angie Woyar and Dana Hanizeski
Iyengar Yoga Center Denver
October 12 * correction

Foot Workshop
Jeanne Ann Walter
Living Yoga
Denver, CO
October 12

YOGA FOR A HEALTHY BACK
Craig Kurtz
Santosha Yoga,
Wheat Ridge, CO
October 12

Fundraiser for the Durango Dharma Center Restorative Yoga Workshop
Kathy Curran and Terry Leonard
Durango, CO
October 19

Peaceful Hills Yoga Retreat
Diane Goldstein
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
October 25-26

Yoga Philosophy, Pranayama, and Meditation Workshop
Gary Reitze
Iyengar Yoga Center Denver
October 25-27

NOVEMBER 2019

Yoga Workshop for Insomnia Relief
Kathy Curran
4-Corners Yoga
November 9

Pelvic Floor Health for Women
Jeanne Ann Walter
Living Yoga
Denver, CO
November 9

Philosophy follow up Friday
Gary Reitze
Iyengar Yoga Center of Denver
November 15

Asana Workshop
Dean Lerner
Iyengar Yoga Center of Boulder
November 16

Dean Lerner
Iyengar Yoga Center of Fort Collins
November 18