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[accordion-item title=”Tricia Booth” id=TB state=closed]
I first met Guruji in my early 30s. I am now nearly 80. He was giving a talk and demonstration at Umist, part of Manchester University.
I was so impressed with his sincerity and wisdom that I vowed to follow him as his student.
Through my lessons with him in the U.K. and Pune over the last, nearly 50 years, he has been my mentor and friend. Sometimes a hard task master but always concerned about my well being.
Thank you Guruji.
Tricia’s memory of her first visit to Pune in 1977:
I had practised Iyengar Yoga and had become a teacher. Although I had had lessons with Guruji on his visits to the U.K. I wanted and needed to visit the Institute in Pune. So in January 1977 I did.
In those days the classes were small. There were 30 of us from Manchester . Guruji met us on the stairs as we entered the yoga room. We had seen photos of the practice room and when we entered I made the comment that it felt like coming home. He immediately said ‘Yes this is your Spiritual Home’.
Over the following visits I have always remembered him welcoming us to our Spiritual Home.
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[accordion-item title=”Jenny King” id=JK state=closed]
A beam of light radiated from Mr Iyengar as he entered the yoga room, he was so focused, observant, instructive and thoroughly in control of the class. No one could linger in the background. Yoga taught by Guruji was completely in the moment, I will always remember his insight, instruction and presence.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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[accordion-item title=”Clare Tunstall” id=CT state=closed]
I have often wondered how can someone I have never met have so much positive influence on my life: David Bowie and BKS Iyengar. I was lucky to see David Bowie three times but never meet him, yet strangely it is Mr Iyengar whom I feel like I have! After BKS Iyengar died I realised that it is because I have lived and learnt his teachings through others who have shared his passion for yoga and life. I have been taught by those who were taught by him, I have been and still am told stories continually about him, we are still taught by his family and his principle pupils, we are still all that close to him.
I didn’t need to meet Iyengar himself, (but would’ve have loved to), because I have experienced him through others. I have learnt that Iyengar’s selfless teachings and instructions are to be passed on, to be shared, to be practised ‘pass it on’. Not only did Mr Iyengar inspire me to practice, he inspired me to draw. By observing the photos in Light on Yoga and drawing the postures it helps me to help me understand their direction, their actions, their links and by putting pictures together, as opposed to a list of Sanskrit names, I hope I pass something on to inspire my students and others to carry on their practice at home.
Oddly I was visiting Pune for the first time, to be taught at the Iyengars’ home of yoga when I heard that Bowie had died, but I knew, this is not something to be sad about as the ‘work’ of geniuses lives on forever.
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[accordion-item title=”Kirsten Agar Ward” id=kirstenagarward state=closed]
Words cannot adequately express my gratitude. Told by medics we had a 0.0001% chance of a pregnancy without unaffordable IVF, Guruji helped us with yoga programmes, we performed pujas and we were blessed with our son. Guruji was so compassionate and generous in helping us all in so many ways – directly like this, by his teaching of course, by his example. Being in his presence, whether in practice, class, or more informally was awesome. He gave us so much. It was truly a godsend to live at the same time as he and to have encountered him directly.
Guruji with our son, aged 6
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[accordion-item title=”Richard Agar Ward” id=richardagarward state=closed]
One may seldom ever meet souls as evolved as Guruji. Perhaps those such as he may only emerge once every few hundred years. Those of us who learned directly from Guruji were especially fortunate. Guruji was transformed by his own efforts in the field of Yoga. He received Divine Grace to become the outstanding individual, practitioner and teacher in the art, science and philosophy of Yoga in the twentieth century. If anyone can be said to have lived life to its potential it was he. We pupils should be eternally grateful. What would our lives have been like without him?
Guruji’s hands: In 1987 I was able to spend a little time with Guruji outside the class. I mentioned to him that I was developing an amateur interest in palmistry. He asked me if I wanted to look at his hands. On inspection I found it hard to believe my eyes. The lines on his right and his left hand, though numerous, were absolutely identical to each other. This I have never seen before or since. His fingers were straight, above all, his middle finger on each hand. I said, “It looks like self-discipline is your strong point.” Yes, he said!
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[accordion-item title=”Lucy Joslin” id=lucyjoslin state=closed]
I was studying in Pune at the institute for the first and only time in August 2010. It was early in the morning and still dark outside and we were taking our first class with Aby. She had been berating us because everybody’s postures looked a bit dull and lacklustre and she wasn’t wrong!
All at once I became aware of a new alertness in the crowded studio, it reminded me of a pack of meerkats standing sentry. Suddenly legs had straightened, spines extended, shoulders retracted, ribs softened, it was the yogic equivalent of a Mexican wave. I dutifully copied but it was only a moment later that I understood the cause…..Guruji himself had entered the studio for his self practice, I think I saw him smile to himself, but I may have imagined it. Despite the fact that I could never claim I met him directly, I certainly felt his presence!
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[accordion-item title=”Emily Druiff” id=emilydruiff state=closed]
I first met Guruji in 1998, when he came to South London to bless the IYISL. I was a young and impressionable teen and I was in awe!! I went on to become a close devote of his work through the teaching of Glenys Shepherd. I met him on several occasions following that at RIMYI, Pune as a student under Guruji’s tuition. What struck me the most about Guruji was his ease in his body, the glowing nature of his skin and his lightness of being. To simply be in his presence was an inspiration that gives me strength.
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[accordion-item title=”Georgia Marnham” id=georgiamarnham state=closed]
Even though it has been nearly ten years since I went to Pune, I frequently recall with deep gratitude the small collection of personal experiences that I had with Guruji during my trips to the Institute. Most of my personal experiences were in 2008 when I was put in the medical class due to my lower back, neck and shoulder problems. There were also occasions in other years, in the library or during the Sunday children’s’ classes when I had a chance to observe Guruji or be in his presence. While all these experiences were very special for me, they are similar to those many students have when they went to Pune.
However there is one outstanding experience that I think is worth sharing with you.
In 2006 I went to Pune with my first child, Oliver, then aged 10 months. I stayed in the apartments next to the Institute, and either my partner or my mother, both whom generously came with me, cared for my baby while I attended the classes. On one particular afternoon, I took Oliver over to the Institute, and carried him around the building and went with him to observe the medical class until he became restless. As I descended the stairs, Guruji was coming up and so of course I stood to one side as best I could to let him pass. But he didn’t pass. He stopped and was very interested in Oliver. Both Guruji and Oliver’s big, warm eyes met and they beamed at each other in silence. Guruji then asked me a few questions about him and I was deeply moved by his obvious love for and interest in children. Before continuing on his way, Guruji blessed Oliver and wished us both well and I was left with a memory and an experience I will treasure forever. Needless to say, Oliver now 12, is also very happy and pleased to know he carries Guruji’s special touch.
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[accordion-item title=”Anonymous” id=anonymous state=closed]
My essential experience in connection to Guruji came from my dearest teacher Pamela Lever.
I was a young mother from a troubled childhood, having lost my sole parent, Mum, to brain cancer in 1979.
She was 42 years old. At the age of 17 I borrowed a Vogue beauty book from the library; I read the information about yoga and this remained a permanent imprint in my brain.
From my troubled childhood, I had many mental troubles, too long to list (I was not aware of these at the time). I married at 19. My husband, being a steady and fit man, became a rock for me. From my heart I was devoted to my wife and mother role. But my mind needed something else to heal the scars of past experiences: I became a regular smoker at 9yrs, my husband inspired me to quit; I regularly drank alcohol from the age of 12; there was no parenting from the age of 10 and I was unprotected from abuse, or rather I became one of mum’s carers.
I later came in contact with the opportunity to follow yoga in a playgroup meeting, where Iyengar yoga was discussed.
I sought everywhere in my town to find an Iyengar teacher. Just by chance I found Pam teaching in our local hall. I found her teaching hit me straight at the heart and following the Iyengar method through the body, my mind could not get enough of this good stuff. I practised at home every day as I could barely afford one lesson a week, and very often children in tow, Pamela was so generous to accommodate me in her lesson.
I am a Junior Intermediate level 2 teacher now, running my own school, a mother of four, grandparent, and wife of 35 years. I have been practising Iyengar Yoga for 30 years and teaching for 21 years. I have barely needed to seek medical attention and use the philosophy for physiological strength and guidance. None of this would be so if it wasn’t for Pam recommending that I do teacher training, when I was a little unqualified to apply.
Pamela was attending Pune regularly and was glowing with the generosity of Iyengar yoga Guruji had imprinted in her on every level. I would never have been freed from my mental anguish if it wasn’t for Pam’s kindness and inspiration, which Guruji humbly offers radiantly in everyway possible from his being.
My gratitude goes equally to Pam and Guruji, as we all become one.
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[accordion-item title=”Eliza Bishop” id=elizabishop state=closed]
Yogini’s Song
Let me be the prayer going
Down to that unchanging shadow
Hid beneath the star-rich earth.
Let me be the prayer.
I’ve loved it all so much:
Loved the jasmine’s golden scent,
Loved the pansy and, impatient,
Loved to bend, to sift, to touch
The land’s hair in the running dust—
But not enough to keep me here,
Not enough to make me fear
My part of the ancient trust.
Let me be the prayer.
The yoga-garden taught me all I know
Of life, taught me how to read
Spark and flame in the shriveled seed,
In the thinnest vine, the flow-
er; and it showed me how to breathe,
Gave me metaphor and posture:
In it, past and future were
The same eternity of growth.
Let me be the prayer, therefore.
What could be more beautiful
Than brimstones in the olive trees,
Than darkened soil and the twitching leaves
Dancing in a pre-storm lull?
I’ve watched the palings of a fence
Harden and bend upon the ground,
Watched that cobalt sharpness drowned
In the night’s slow increments.
Still let me be the prayer:
For I am not afraid to die.
Everything that I have loved—
The swallow’s crescent wing, a dove,
Vrksasana’s hue, a teacher’s sigh:
All will lend their textures to
That darkness like a pure blue sky,
Changeless in itself, though I,
Looking, change to something new.
Let me be the prayer.
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[accordion-item title=”Emma Harrison” id=emmaharrison state=closed]
Dreams of Guruji
Towards the end of my first full month in Pune, in July 2017, I began to dream yoga.
I dreamt that Guruji asked me to do Urdhva Dhanurasana (bridge pose) with my feet to a high metal bar. This is a pose I find very challenging. Doing it with feet elevated is particularly challenging. On waking, I realised that Guruji was setting the bar high for me, testing my mettle.
For those who came to RIMYI when Guruji was alive, his absence is particularly hard. I felt he was a palpable presence at RIMYI. The whole building is imbued with him – from the friezes of him in asanas which decorate the exterior of the building, to the many pictures of him performing asanas which adorn the higher parts of the walls. These are not just decoration. The teachers frequently point out the photos to illustrate aspects of a particular pose.
But not to have his presence at the back of classes or him practising in the practice hall, this is a sadness, even – or especially – for those students, like me, who never met him. He has influenced our lives so profoundly, but to never see or meet him is a grief.
And yet, somehow, he was with me, nevertheless. Near the end of my time at RIMYI, I dreamt of Guruji twice. In the first dream he was practising extreme backbends in the last weeks of his life. His aura was so strong that everyone in the practice hall was able to perform the same difficult poses with versatility equal to Guruji’s. This dream seems to show how you can influence others by the way you are. Leading a yogic way of life can influence others, maybe even transform them. This is certainly what Guruji achieved.
The second dream was the one with which I began – Guruji telling me to practise Urdhva Dhanurasana with my feet to a high bar. This dream seems to be telling me to set the bar high in my practice.
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[accordion-item title=”Meg Laing” id=meglaing state=closed]
My first trip to RIMYI, Pune: 23 August to 9 September 1977
Meg Laing
I was 24 years old and had been doing Iyengar yoga for about 5 years, first with Penny Nield-Smith in Oxford and then in Edinburgh with Bob and Kathy Welham. Bob and Kathy were both newly qualified teachers and we had arrived in Edinburgh at the same time, not knowing each other previously. Bob was doing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and I was doing one in medieval English dialects – both at the University of Edinburgh. You can imagine my joy and relief at finding I could continue my two-year-old love affair with Iyengar Yoga in the University of Edinburgh Iyengar Yoga Society that Bob and Kathy started up. Bob quickly realised the necessity of getting other people in Edinburgh qualified as teachers –although he didn’t bother to tell us that was his intention! Three of us students were sent to Manchester in 1976 for a weekend of classes taught by Mr Iyengar (as he was always known then). Suffice it to say I was totally and utterly hooked. So when Bob said I should go to Pune the next summer I took time out of the PhD for three weeks and wrote to Mr Iyengar to ask if I could come. The dates I’d requested were accepted and I set off.
I was all on my own having never been to India before and the journey (5 hours delayed at Heathrow at the outset because of a catering go slow) was a huge adventure in itself. With the flight so badly delayed and not arriving till the afternoon, I missed the last electric train from Bombay to Pune the next day and had to get on a slow one, having already been travelling by now for 24 hours. I arrived in Pune at 11.30 pm and, having slept at the station (in a proper bed!), I got to RIMYI at 7am the next morning in time for the first class but not having booked anywhere yet for my stay. It was not an auspicious beginning, especially as I had come in on the final few days of an intensive course! Prashant, who was helping Mr Iyengar with the class, reasonably enough pointed out to him at one point that I was yawning. Mr Iyengar looked at me and just said “Leave her alone. She’s new”. I think in that one look he probably took in the essence of my whole journey. After class I was scooped up by the wonderful Sylvia Prescott, who is so much missed and whose kindness to a (then) stranger I shall always remember. She took me to the hotel she was in – now the Ketan then the Sutlej – and that’s where I stayed.
The next three weeks were electrifying. The intensive finished and other students arrived. It was more informal than now; there were other singletons like me and much more coming and going, with far fewer in the classes than nowadays. Many of us were young and most very raw – with more enthusiasm and energy than skill. When I registered I had put down as my occupation ‘Research student’ (I was hyper-conscious that I was a post-graduate!). At one point Mr Iyengar looked at me and said “Huh, she calls herself a Research student and she can’t even research her own knees”. Fortunately my immediate reaction was to grin sheepishly and he threw back his head and roared with laughter. I appeared not to have learnt my lesson however. Anxious to show I was attentive and could research at least something, I always keenly watched whatever he was showing and was quick to be in the front row whenever he said “Look here”. He was teaching twists one day and was not happy with our inability to get a good strong connection with the entwining arm in Marichyasana 3. “Look here” – and he went into Marichayasana 3, just sitting on the bare floor. I was right there in front of him and all eager. He looked at me severely from under his already burgeoning eyebrows and said “Push my arm”. I was so surprised and confused that I did nothing. Thinking I hadn’t heard he shouted very loudly: “Push my arm”. I was only inches from him and, in shocked reflex, I shoved his entwined arm so hard he fell right over onto his straight leg side – nothing else changed at all. Now everyone was in shock and there was a horrified silence as I waited for the ground to open and swallow me up. But he just lay there still in full Marichyasana 3, but on his side, and burst out laughing. Through his laughter he said: “I wanted to demonstrate how my arm was so well entwined that you couldn’t push it off my leg. Here I am and it’s still entwined”. I couldn’t have proved his point more effectively.
Much of the three weeks seemed to be spent doing jumpings, arm balancing asanas and backbends. I found I had to get very strong very fast but I remember everything being fun as well as hard work. We had a 3- or 4-hour asana class every morning first thing and then a pranayama class every early evening. One class in particular was typical of the sort of crazy inventive surprisingness that seemed the hallmark of that life-altering three weeks.
On Tuesday September 6th, in the morning class, we did intense backbending work on the ropes for just over an hour, followed by all the forward bends (Tuesday was forward bend day normally) for another hour and a half or so. We did not do especially long holds except Paschimottanasana for 15 minutes in the middle of the forward bend sequence and Urdhva Prasarita Padasana (legs perpendicular, arms at shoulder height) for 15 minutes to finish.
In the evening we came back for what we expected to be the usual 90-minute pranayama class. Listed below is what in fact we did, totally out of the blue, with Mr Iyengar calling the asanas at lightning speed and Mr Shah on the platform leading us. Someone observing the class took down the sequence and let me copy it afterwards. I remember that it went so fast I sometimes had to leave out a couple of asanas in order to catch up and I think I also spent some of the time wallowing about on my stomach, vainly attempting to persuade my arms to push up one more time, until the miraculous ordering of the sequence enabled another access of energy to materialise.
Click here for sequence
Mr Iyengar ran out to the house and came back with a huge pan of sweet mixture and we had to hold out our cupped hands for him to give some to each. I remember a lot of laughter.
Towards the end of my three weeks there were only four of us students left for the last few days. In one class My Iyengar organised for us each to be one on one in rotation with himself, Geeta, Prashant and Mr Shah. He asked what I wanted him to teach me. I had had a kidney stone removed surgically the previous year and I asked for help with preventing such an occurrence in the future. So I had a tutorial on my own with Mr Iyengar for 45 minutes on twists. What an experience. At the end of my three weeks I went to say goodbye and Mr Iyengar handed me my Introductory teaching certificate. I was completely amazed and only afterwards realised that it was what Bob Welham must have hoped for all along. Of course I was ludicrously untrained as a teacher compared to what is expected nowadays, but you certainly learn on the job!
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[accordion-item title=”Lydia Holmes” id=lydiaholmes state=closed]
GURUJI
I value every day my practise and what I have learnt from it. The effort, intelligence, space, freedom, expansiveness and peace it brings. When I heard Guruji had died I remember feeling shocked and numb. The next day I went to practise and then I felt overwhelmed by emotion. I cried heartily. As I began to recover I felt so sad that he had gone but then I had the realisation that he had not gone. He was “in me”. I then realised he was not only “in me” but also in every one of his teachers and students. He had instilled in all of us a way of practising, being and understanding the world. He had given us all so much. I felt overwhelmed with gratitude and completely awed by this legacy. Not many people can be thanked for touching so many people’s lives in such a profound way.
He was a genius in his artistic, scientific, philosophical approach to Yoga. His ability to impart this understanding to others is unsurpassed. He started with the tangible body though asana. He taught how the mind could be tamed via the body and the body sculpted by the mind. His profound subtle teaching on breath and prana brought about an absolute awareness and profound sense of peace. This leads to a spiritual sense of oneness or union (yoga). His ethical life style, giving unceasingly until he died is inspirational. We are so lucky that there is still so much to learn through all his books, photographs, videos, talks, and indeed via his children, grandchildren and many dedicated teachers who have so much to share of his wisdom. I feel very blessed to have met him and to have been alive during his lifetime and to carry his name as an Iyengar Yoga teacher.
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[accordion-item title=”Stuart Thom” id=stuartthom state=closed]
Thank you, Sir, for
the puzzle you gave us,
though darned hard to follow and
precious difficult to explain,
bringing the possibility of change
to body, mind and soul.
There are more questions than answers ….
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[accordion-item title=”Kristyan Robinson” id=kristyanrobinson state=closed]
Deep embodiment
Breath moves mountain into sky
Every sun sets in time
Subject to object
I become body and breath
Grateful to teacher
Seeker hunches here
Teacher liberates her spine
Wheezing breath transforms
Hunching seeker falls
Teacher liberates her spine
Wild sea of breath calmed
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[accordion-item title=”Gerda Bayliss” id=gerdabayliss state=closed]
I was 11 when i first visited the institute in Pune, my mum and dad (Alan Brown and Diana Bayliss) were doing one of the intensives. myself, my brother, sister and a couple of the other children used to wait for our parents to come out after class. I remember one time we were all slumped outside in a very unyogic way, leaning by the wall chatting. All of a sudden we sensed Mr Iyengar walking past, we all went completely quiet and sat up really straight in unison! I remember being completely in awe even as a child. Another time when they had a party celebration at the institute during one of the intensives. My little brother Giles who was 5, went over to Mr Iyengar and asked him if he could move all the hairs on his eyebrow individually. I think he laughed. It’s a nice memory. in 2014 I went to the institute now as a fully fledged Iyengar Yoga teacher, we were fortunate enough to meet him and lots of people gathered round to wish him a happy birthday, he spoke to me but i was so nervous I’m not really sure what was said. I’ll always wish I’d been braver and stopped to speak to him.
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[accordion-item title=”Diana Bayliss” id=dianabayliss state=closed]
It was at a social during a teacher’s intensive in 1989. The Iyengar Family had laid on some delicious food in the courtyard and my 6 year old son Giles was itching to ask Guruji a particular question. It was our first visit to the Institute, the course had been gruelling, Guruji severe and to me a bit scary. But Giles, unaffected, approached and the next moment Iyengar was roaring with laughter.
The question? Could Mr Iyengar move separately each individual hair of his eyebrows?
I never did find out the answer but I got the photo.
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[accordion-item title=”Alan Brown” id=alanbrown state=closed]
At the UK convention after sharing an amusing anecdote about Guruji, I noticed a younger teacher had tears in her eyes, the reason she said, was that she had never met him. This incident reminded me how fortunate I am to have lived at the same time as Guruji; to have been taught by him and even to have had conversations with him. But it also made me realise how loved he was, even by people who never met or spoke to him in person and how much he meant to us all.
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[accordion-item title=”Vula Bolou” id=vulabolou state=closed]
The Tadasana of Tadasanas
My most teeth-rattling stage fright experience ever was when I performed Sirsasana in front of Guruji Iyengar on my first trip to Pune. Needless to say, I placed myself in my worst pose, so when I came down I had the most painful neck in the history of mankind. There went my dreams of blinding Guruji with my sincere sadhana. But, then came His teaching of the Tadasana of Tadasanas, which realigned my aching and frightened being. Thank God, that first trip was not a complete disaster after all. Luckily, I didn’t blind Him.
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[accordion-item title=”Rhitu Barua” id=rhitubarua state=closed]
Guruji for me
Growing up in India, karma and rebirth are very much a part of the individual belief system. You do something good in this lifetime, your soul will evolve and move you towards the final destination of moksha. Harm someone and there is no getting away from it – there will be repercussions in this lifetime or the next.
I feel I must have done something really wonderful in previous lives to have discovered Guruji.
The discovery too was such a quirk of fate. I grew up in Pune without knowing anything about him. I don’t think I was ready for yoga then being a complete bookworm who hated play and couldn’t even touch her toes. At 22 I discovered Light on Yoga in a bookshop in a tiny town I happened to be visiting for a couple of weeks – a town literally in the middle of nowhere.
And that was the start of my journey with him. Over the following years it was the physical aspect of the asanas which interested me. His depth of knowledge of the human body, his sequencing to help one achieve more, gradual challenges to keep me striving and motivated – Guruji’s influence in my life has been the one constant as I moved across cities, countries, jobs, got married, had a baby.
I have recently enrolled for the teacher training program. Thanks to that I find myself delving further into his readings and there is this strong sense within me that it wasn’t just a quirk of fate finding LOY. He’s made the path for pranayama and meditation so much simpler. All I can hope is that there is some positive karma I have earned in previous lives and I can’t help but believe Guruji is handholding me further along in this lifetime.
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[accordion-item title=”Anila Mazin” id=anilamazin state=closed]
I came across Iyengar Yoga 7 years ago when a friend casually mentioned she was doing Iyengar yoga with this amazing teacher.
I decided I’d give it ago and haven’t looked back since.
I was, and still am, in awe of the unrelenting focus and dedication my teachers have for the teachings of Guruji BKS iyengar. To me, he is a genius at feeling, understanding, performing and teaching asanas. It is with tremendous humility that I pay tribute to such a richly textured man. A man so deeply human, of profound insight and generosity of spirit, whose enthusiasm, intensity and razor-sharp intelligence were legend and whose light shone on thousands of people. He has had such a profound impact on my experience and development as a yogi, and as a human being. I only wish I could have met him.
I found Mr Iyengar’s passion and dedication infectious. I am so grateful to have been touched by his light. Inspired by his teaching, I have recently enrolled in a teacher training programme, where I find myself eagerly delving deeper and deeper into the art of yoga. Thank you Mr Iyengar! Your legacy will live through the knowledge you shared so deeply with us as well as through your written words.
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[accordion-item title=”Diane Sage” id=dianesage state=closed]
With gratitude to Yogacharya BKS Iyengar: how he has deeply influenced my life, my practice, teaching, reading, study of philosophy and much more. It is incredible how he has shared and spread Yoga around the globe. His generosity to the villagers of his birthplace: drinking water, the hospital, school, college, temple and Yoga Centre. Go to Bellur, stay at the beautiful Yoga Centre and see his vision as a working reality. I will never forget how moved I felt by my experience. How many lives can one person touch and influence? May we live a deep and meaningful life too?
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[accordion-item title=”Maureen Payne” id=maureenpayne state=closed]
The event was held in Sunderland in the early 80’s, organised by Margaret and Gordon Austin. Written questions were to be submitted, read out by Gordon, and answered by Mr Iyengar who sat in padmasana for the whole afternoon.
“Please will Mr Iyengar explain the chakra system?
“Will the person who wrote this stand up?
Do you know all about the gross body?”
“I do not. I apologise, Mr Iyengar.”
Guruji said, “Do not read! Work on your yoga mat!”
During the interval whilst signing our new copies of “Light On Yoga” he looked at me with a twinkle in his eye, patted my cheek and said, “The chakra lady!”
Irony, warmth, humour, kindness and wisdom were all included in his words.
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[accordion-item title=”John Aplin” id=johnaplin state=closed]
Mr Iyengar and a back injury
In July 1996 while on a hiking trip in the local hills I fell about 10m into a ravine, landing in a rocky stream bed and by some miracle avoiding any head injury. Luckily another hiker arrived a few minutes later and called the emergency services. 3 hours later I was stretchered out by the local mountain rescue team and taken to hospital. X rays revealed three thoracic spinal wedge fractures, several other broken bones and a pneumothorax. I spent the next 6 weeks lying on my back in hospital with repeated checks from medical professionals, many of whom expressed surprise that I could still feel and move my feet. Resetting a Colles fracture of the wrist had to be done twice and was quite challenging. At first I struggled to breath properly because of broken ribs but later I was able to become absorbed for quite long periods in breathing.
The previous year I’d qualified as an Introductory level teacher, and had started a regular class. During the second week in hospital I was delighted to have a visit from my teacher Jeanne Maslen who fortunately was about to go off to Pune. She kindly volunteered to take a list of my injuries to discuss with Mr Iyengar. I soon received a message to say that he had requested photographs of my trunk, arms and hands. At that time, it was necessary to fax these to the local post office, which must have surprised the staff! Jeanne returned to the UK with a programme of asanas devised by Mr Iyengar. A few weeks after discharge from the hospital I was able to drive to the Manchester Institute, attend the therapeutic class and start work under her supervision. The spine was kept supported at first supine on a thin longitudinal bolster. It was surprising to see Mr Iyengar’s strong emphasis on the wrist and hands –I’d also suffered broken fingers and he was concerned about future functionality.
Supine tadasana and suptabaddhakonasaa were practiced with the hands overhead, arms extended straight, palms turned up and trapped beneath a piece of furniture, pressing the palms of the hands firmly upwards. This helped in lengthening the ribs and – the injuries having been on one side – starting to even them out. That led to suptapadangustasana I with arms still extended and Jeanne helping to straighten and extend the lifted leg — I still remember her holding a belt looped above and below the knee with two hands, and using the back of her head to extend my heel! In time I was able to hold the belt myself for suptapadangustasana I and II. Utthitha trikonasana and uttitha parsvakonasana were eventually practiced with a wall at the back for alignment. Janu sirsasana followed using the belt, extending the side ribs, lifting the chest and extending the sternum – not coming forward. Supported backbends were started, supine with a transverse bolster beneath the thoracic spine. The cautious approach involved evaluating the effects of postures one by one, by practicing anything new a little and then waiting until the next day to evaluate the effects. The first headstand was a big adventure!
The following year Mr Iyengar visited the Manchester Institute. There was only time for a brief consultation. He sat me on a chair facing the back frame and had me working to lift the side ribs and open the collarbones in symmetry.
Thanks to yoga, Jeanne and Mr Iyengar I made a full recovery, returned to teaching the following January, and have never looked back.
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In November 1997 I attended a lecture by Guruji in Manchester* I remember how excited I was in the days before he arrived. He explained that asana is not merely a physical discovery. I was absorbed in his words, the ideas and the poetic images he used. When a child is holding the thread of a kite string they can feel the tug of the wind in their hand. So it is with Yoga we hold the thread of intelligence, connecting the body with the mind. As Guruji spoke he communicated his experience to us directly, with imagination and simplicity.
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Yoga on the radio
In 1985 Guruji presented a film of his life in Penzance Town Hall. For most it was our first encounter with him. After an Indian buffet, Radio Cornwall interviewed Guruji, asking about the benefits of yoga. Guruji’s brilliant eyes under those bushy eyebrows scanned the group – he chose me to perform Trikonasana, saying ‘See the underside of the trunk is squeezed and the upper side gets extended. This tones the abdominal organs.’ The interviewer brought the mike down to my level. ‘How are you feeling down there?’ Honestly ‘I wish I hadn’t had so much lunch.’
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