IYAGNY NEWSLETTER

Dear Members,

It’s hard to believe that we are over halfway Pulling together as a community is through the year. We’ve had some won- especially important right now, as Mary derful workshop150 W. 22nd experiences Street, 11th Floor with Laurie Dunn, our senior teacher, responds to New York, New York 10011 Blakeney, MatthewTel. 212 691 9642 Sanford and many the challenge of cancer. Mary looks forward of us attended the National Iyengar to being a presence at the Institute as soon Convention in May as is prudent and possible. She continues with . to be an inspiration through her blog, We’ve had some www.marydunn.blogspot.com where you Pulling together as a community is real successes to can read her words and the wonderful especially important right now report, including stories, poems, and ideas and thoughts The Namesake that have come forward. movie premiere event and party, and our third annual Yoga-thon, as well as participation in events at ABC Carpet and Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Initiative. James Murphy Director, Institute of New York So thanks especially to all of you “behind the scenes” who are members of the board, 7 0 0 2 r e m m u s who volunteer to produce events, coordi- nate the catering, clean the studios, write articles for the newsletter, work on commit- tees, and all the many ways that we come together to keep the Iyengar Yoga Associa-

tion of Greater New York a thriving organi- Below: Sage Patanjali zation and regional hub for Iyengar Yoga. ©William Irwin - IrwinPhoto.com Events such as the Yoga-thon provide a time that people can socialize in the space when normally they are rushing in and out of class. It is a great boost in building community. laurie blakeney: hidden mysteries by julia shaida

"Have you ever practiced in such a way as not to proceed further?" —Prashant Iyengar, Yoga and the New Millennium

(Laurie Blakeney visited the Institute been the student who, in doing forward February 2-4 and gave four interrelated bends, needs to stay with the concave classes. She is the owner/director of the spine, the head still lifted. Look for me in Ann Arbor School of Yoga and, for the Parsvottanasana, you would see me hov- past 23 years, has traveled annually to ering uneasily in the air—perhaps fretfully Pune to study with the Iyengars). reaching to the floor— dreading the next blowout of the hamstring. I started with recognition when Laurie In the past year there have been no blow- Blakeney said the apana vayu organizes outs, and my lower body has started to the movement of the legs. And yet what feel more integrated. There was one expe- was a vayu? I wasn’t sure. I thought I rience in particular that helped me. I was had heard the word “apana” before. Did in class and Parsvottanasana was the next it mean exhale? pose. I didn’t want to do it—I had recent- ly strained my right sacroiliac joint, and I Laurie showed the region of the torso— was sure I would reinjure myself. “Let me the abdomen from the pubic bone to the see,” the teacher said. I carefully lifted my navel: “The apana vayu is the governor chest, created a big concave spine and of the lower body. When the governor started to bend forward. “Stop,” she said. is absent the legs cannot integrate “Start over.” She came up behind me and their actions.” This sounded familiar to pressed the front hip bones together as me—legs that didn’t quite know their I bent forward. She made length through direction, that lifted the knee-caps only the belly for me. My back released, my to jam the pelvis. hamstring released. I had been over-con- caved in my low back. What I needed was In my fifteen years of doing yoga, I a softening, a flowing, a gentle hollowing have had a series of low-back injuries as of the exhale of the breath. and many upper-hamstring pulls. I am muscular. And I am tight. I have

 I had been missing my governor: the She began the Saturday class on twists consolidate can I withdraw the efforts apana vayu. with a series of hip openers, Baddha but still do the same pose? In other Konasana variations with a block, and words, can I do the same pose with less- Vayu comes from the root vaa, to Gomukhasana. It is common, she said, er efforts. This leads toward maturity.” “move” or “blow.”Vayu is often trans- for us to experience our legs and pelvis lated “wind.” Ayurvedic texts describe as one “leg-hip-torso clump.” The apana In exploring the vayus, I transform my five vayus: apana, samana, prana, vayu helps differentiation to come, so eagerness to progress, my determination udana, and vyana. (See the illustration.) the spine is freed for the twist even as to “do correctly,” into an inward penetra- Over the course of the weekend, Laurie the legs can ground more effectively. tion. Strangely enough, I make less mus- explained that the apana vayu, located cular effort. But what have I done? I have in the abdomen, and the prana vayu, On Sunday, as we moved through a allowed the wind, the breath, the cosmic in the chest, are wedded. The apana variety of vinyasa sequences, Laurie energy, to teach. vayu (which means literally “downward breath”) is more associated with exhala- tion, the prana vayu (“filling up breath”) "It is in the known poses, the with inhalation. Laurie wove into her teaching the role simple poses, that the 'hidden these two vayus played in twisting, back- bending, and in vinyasa sequences. mysteries' reveal themselves." She emphasized the importance of dwelling in familiar poses to explore these aspects. Taking on more challeng- ing poses, she said, is like taking on new pointed out how the apana and prana territory. “One must stay and colonize vayu can link unlike poses (for instance, the area already taken. It is in the known in a series like Tadasana, Uttanasana, poses, the simple poses, that the ‘hid- Adho Mukha Svanasana, Navasana, den mysteries’ reveal themselves.” Utkatasana, Ustrasana, Adho Mukha Virasana) and bring grace and coherence So what are some of the qualities of the to the changes. activated apana vayu? It is a movement of the breath at the back of the abdomi- As I have worked in my practice with nal organs, which brings a lengthening the vayus since Laurie’s workshop, I in the belly and a settling back of the have been reminded of her phrase “the organs. It brings a feeling of emptiness hidden mysteries.” What is mysterious or hollowing in the belly. Laurie had us about the vayus? What keeps them do Adho Mukha Virasana and imagine a hidden—in plain view? For that matter, beach ball in our belly. Breathe in along how have I learned, really, to stop injur- the back surface of the beach ball, she ing myself? said. And as you exhale, let the muscles of the back soften and broaden out from In the booklet New Millenium, Prashant Illustration from Astadala Yogamala Vol. 2 p. 100 the spine. Iyengar talks about “consolidating” our poses. “How much effort have I put in the pose,” he asks, “and in order to

 matthew sanford workshop: Reflections By tracy young

Salamba Sarvangasana. perched on folding chairs—in wheel- chairs. This was not your everyday I am curled over my shoulders, my Institute crowd; it was more diverse, a hands digging into the warm dough of gathering to celebrate yoga outside of the my lower back as I pry loose one index studio—and beyond the able body. finger and tuck in the hem of my shirt before my stomach escapes. Pressing my The air on the eleventh floor felt ionized, heels toward the ceiling, I strain upward, as all eyes focused on the platform where trying to find the right combination of a slightly paunchy, scruffily bearded, muscle, balance and will that might twinkly-eyed man unlocked his wheelchair allow me to rest, however briefly, in the so he could roll around while he talked, pose. : to abide in. How can I rest? then threatened to dive into the mosh Sarvangasana is challenging—and it pit because the platform was slanted. freaks me out with its close-up of what I “Mine was a mind body injury,” Matthew find most dismaying about my middle- said moving past the horrific details of aged body. Chin to chest, I could easily his injury and rehabilitation to spend the drown during a particularly fulsome hot next two hours talking primarily about flash. My thighs look…hideous. Is my his struggle with conventional medical pose even remotely perpendicular? And thinking. He described how at one point Photo: Jennifer R. Sanford on and on and on. he decided it would be a good idea to amputate his legs since they were "use- citta vritti nirhodha.1 less." The crowd sighed. Everyone under- stands self-loathing, the feeling that the The chatter quiets, ever so briefly, and all body has betrayed us. I can hear are fifty other people breath- ing and the soft whirl of the overhead “But the body doesn’t fail you.” Matthew fan. Then I am startled by unexpected said as if he knew what we were think- squeak of rubber tires on the bamboo ing. “It’s the mind that fails, the body floorboards. The squeaking tires belong keeps trucking along.” He described his to a wheelchair that belongs to Matthew realization that alignment and precision Sanford, a yoga teacher from Minnesota, could increase mind body integration in who has come to the Institute this last spite of paralysis. That his mind could weekend in March to teach us about a feel into his legs, creating a subtle flow subtle level of mind body integration. of energy that made him feel whole. It is this shift in consciousness, he explained, The workshop began on Friday night, that the medical establishment told him with a reading from Sanford’s book, to ignore and that yoga has helped him Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and to believe in. Now, he said, his goal is Transcendence. Both studios had been to bring these techniques back to the opened to accommodate the spillover medical community, educate people who crowd of students, teachers, curious are involved in rehabilitation, spread the friends. People lounged on bolsters, word to veterans’ hospitals.

 I cheered along with the rest of the audience when the evening was over, but I couldn’t help wondering what all of this had to do with me on a practical level.

On Saturday, Mathew taught two classes, one for students in the morning, the other for teachers in the afternoon. I arrived for the morning class, early enough to get a spot and help line up the mats in neat rows, making lanes for Matthew’s wheelchair. And then, without fanfare, we began.

Dandasana. Urdhva Hastasana. The poses were simple. Matthew’s instruc- tions were quiet. No rapid-fire exhorta- tions to lift our kneecaps or firm our shoulder blades or stretch our heels up the wall. No instructions to cut, wring, or hit out with any of our muscles.

Part of the time we worked in pairs, laying one hand on our partner’s dia- phragm, another one their upper thighs, my body spite of the fact that I couldn’t And then it’s over. to establish a connection. We placed do the poses. I got a little better. I got our hands on our partner’s ribs as they ambitious. I hit a wall. I got discouraged. Matthew has made me feel both stretched their arms overhead. We belted I went from Level 1 to Level 2 then back ashamed of my vanity—and less ham- our wrists and feel into the connec- to Level 1, not knowing whether my prac- strung by it. He has made it clear that tion between our arms and shoulders. tice was maturing or I was just showing the estrangement I feel from my body— We rolled up our sticky mats, belted it my age. and the various mind body disconnec- between our legs. I wondered if this is tions that our culture supports, the fear how Matthew felt when he was wearing We are finishing up with Salamba of aging and death—are not so very dif- a body cast: the “calming compression” Sarvangasana. I have finally found a point ferent from what he has experienced. that allowed him to relax. Then he asked of balance, not in the pose so much as in But most of all—and when he spoke of us to rock back from Dandasana into a my feeling about the pose, when I hear this I saw him drop his guard and really double leg raise. Forward again. Back. Matthew call out. “Don’t be a hero,” he smile—he has shared the profound grati- Forward. Very quiet. Very slow. Feeling says, rolling past. I didn’t think I had tude we all feel to Iyengar Yoga. into each small adjustment. been in the pose for very long. When I took a workshop last year, I hung on by “I am not suggesting you practice like my fingernails for what felt like a week, this,” Mathew said wryly as he wheeled sweating mightily. I didn’t need to come down the aisle. “This is yoga backwards.” down. And yet, being relieved of the bur- den to prove anything feels like freedom. How appropriate, I thought. My own I am beginning to reconnect to the part practice has going backwards too. I of me that first came to yoga, with no started out feeling completely at home in ambition other than to be there. 1 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali I.2  updates and announcements

IYAGNY receives first iyagny participates in ever grant "gateway to india" at The Disney Cast Community Fund abc carpet & home presented IYAGNY with a $2,500 grant Mary Dunn and Dr. Frank Lipman spoke on that will be used to support our HIV “Yoga as Medicine” and a talented troupe class. As this is our first grant, it is a of practitioners gave a lovely demonstration wonderful step in moving forward with at ABC Carpet & Home in March. The event our goals and sets a precedent to apply aspired to “seek to shift the paradigm of for more grants in the future. It took place the West’s perception of India, moving in the ABC building on 66th street and beyond outsourcing and mass produced even Mickey was there for photo opts! goods and waking our understanding of the L-R: Christe Sanis, Mickey Mouse, Mary Dunn, James Murphy. Special thanks to student Christe Sanis profound influence that India has had on who works for ABC and nominated us our culture...” and to all the staff who worked on making it all happen.

donna karan's urban zen initiative hosts well-being forum In May, Donna Karan hosted a well-being Panel Members included: forum of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, Lindsey Clennell, Faculty Member, wellness and spiritual educators, artists Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York; and more whose mission is “to create a Mary Dunn, Senior Teacher, working environment where the worlds Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York; of conventional and alternative medical Carol Foster, Experienced Practitioner practices unite to invent new ways of and Teacher, Cancer Survivor; healing, health, and well-being for all James Murphy, Director & Faculty Member, of us.” As part of the 10-day Urban Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York; Zen initiative, one day was dedicated Dalia Zwick, Physical Therapist, PHD, to Iyengar Yoga. James Murphy and Senior Rehabilitation Supervisor at The Mary Dunn taught participants using Women's Center, Premier HealthCare, Yai/ their vast collective experience in the National Center for People with Disabilities practice of Iyengar Yoga. There was also a panal discussion of “Yoga for Health and Quality of Life.” The panelists, moderated by Matthew Sanford—author, 2008 workshops paraplegic yoga instructor, and founder to watch out for! of Mind Body Solutions, demonstrated Manouso Manos various ways that Iyengar Yoga postures Faeq Biria affect a person's physical, mental and John Schumacher psychological state, showing how and why these postures empower structural and physiological change.

 from the front desk! Our policies are intended to enhance the experience for everyone at the Institute— bobby clennell's A HOME PRACTICE students, instructors, and staff alike. new book! SEQUENCE FOR LEVEL I Enjoy Bobby Clennell’s New Book, We encourage you to begin a home We ask that you sign in prior to The Woman's Yoga Book: Asana and practice to deepen your yoga studies. The the start of class. Please wait for an for All Phases of the Menstrual following sequence was designed by the cknowledgment from the staff member Cycle. Bobby brings decades of yoga study faculty of the Iyengar Institute of New at the desk before proceeding to the and teaching experience to The Woman's York specifically for Level 1 students. We changing room. Yoga Book. She offers a comprehensive recommend using a book such as Geeta program of asana and pranayama Iyengar's Preliminary Course (PC) as a Presenting your orange IYAGNY key designed to support menstrual health guide, and have included page numbers tag is the quickest way to sign in. If you from menarche to menopause, along here as a reference tool. Enjoy! don't have one, we'll provide one. Paying with nutritional and lifestryle information by cash or check will also speed the for those times off the . Available Tadasana to Urdhva Hastasana process. It's tempting to rush into class at the Front Desk. 3x (PC, p 15, 2a) and worry about signing in afterwards. While this might be more convenient for Tadasana to Urdhva Baddhanguliyasana your immediate needs, it makes life much 2x; change interlock of fingers more difficult for our staff and faculty. (PC, pp 16-17) Please be mindful of our environment. Vrksasana Kindly turn off cell phones and pagers. If 2x each side (PC, p 2, 8a or c) you must make a call, please return to the vestibule outside the glass door. When Utthita Trikonasana waiting for your class, please speak in a 2 x each side (PC, p 27, 12b) quiet voice as other classes are in session.

Utthita Parsvakonasana Please be generous with your space in 2x each side (PC, p 31, 14b) the studio. Welcome fellow students by moving your mat to make room for those roger cole workshop Parsvottanasana who need a place. Revolutionize your yoga by deepening 2x each side; hands on hips, concave back your knowledge of the body in a variety of (PC, p 45, 23a, then fold halfway down) We have a 15 minute window to poses. Join us for an Anatomy/Physiology accommodate late students. Please do Asana Practice Weekend for Level 2 Prasarita Padottanasana not ask us to grant you an exception. The and up, September 7-9 and a Teacher's 2x hands on floor, concave back policy prevents disruption for your fellow Anatomy Intensive September 10-13. (PC, p 47, 24a) students and the instructor, and protects (Teaching experience not required to you from injury. attend). Roger Cole, Ph.D. , student since Adho Mukha Svanasana 1975 and teacher since 1980, has studied 2x (PC, pp 52- 53) Leave no trace. Please use the cubbies yoga at the Iyengar Yoga Institutes in San and hooks provided in the changing Francisco and Pune, India. He studied Urdhva Prasarita Padasana rooms to store your belongings. Put away anatomy, physiology and psychology at 5 minutes; resting quietly; legs up on wall; props neatly, place trash in receptacles, Stanford University and the University of back flat on floor (PC, p 93 with modified and take all belongings home with California San Francisco medical school. instructions above) you. Your suggestions for ways we can Roger currently teaches at Yoga Del Mar enhance the experience are welcome. in Del Mar, California.

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150 W. 22nd Street, 11th Floor New York, New York 10011 Tel. 212 691 9642

Editor Tori Milner Contributors Julia Shaida, Tracy Young Photography William Irwin, Jennifer R. Sanford IYA of GNY Board of Directors Mary Dunn, Senior Teacher James Murphy, Director Neil Stevenson, President Barbara Olejniczak, Vice President Ginny Shubert, Secretary Peter Berry, Treasurer Laura Shapiro Kramer, Advisory Board Chair Robert Bresnan Lisa Cirando Simone Ellis Ann McDermott-Kave Barnabas McHenry Best Wishes to Hugh Millard, who will be taking Tori Milner a leave of absence to attend an MFA program at Richard Sprano regional representatives Boston College over the next two years. We have Rebecca Lerner, PA been so lucky to have him on our faculty and Jeff Logan, Long Island, NY Kim Peralta, NJ we want to congratulate him on this wonderful Cynthia Worby, CT undertaking. You will be missed, Hugh!