Namaste Unity Woods Yoga Center
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YOGA IN THE IYENGAR TRADITION SINCE 1979 FALL 2011 • SEPTEMBER 20 – DECEMBER 18 Namaste Free In July I traveled to Italy to teach with my old friend intensive in Rapolano spoke English, a student from and colleague, Gabriella Giubilaro. Each summer the class translated my teaching into Italian. Gabri- Introductory she invites a senior Iyen- ella translated herself. And Classes gar teacher to co-teach a because there were over a weeklong Iyengar Yoga dozen students from Rus- intensive with her just sia, there was a Russian September outside Rapolano, a lovely translator for both of us 12–19 little town tucked into in as well. the tawny undulating hills In fact, in addition to the See back cover of Tuscany. www.unitywoods.com Russian and Italian stu- The classes are taught in dents, participants at the English, which is the lingua intensive came from all franca of Iyengar Yoga. The over the world: France, Iyengars teach in English Germany, England, Spain, Inside at the Institute in Pune Switzerland, Serbia, Croa- and at various conferences around the world. And, tia, the Czech Republic, Israel, Palestine, Saudi John’s Workshop although many of the seventy participants at the Arabia, and, of course, the US. Schedule ......................2 Special Events ...............4–5 See Namaste, page 2 Class Schedule .............6–7 Teacher Information ......8–9 Studio News .....................9 Course Descriptions .......10 Unity Woods Yoga Center Boutique Information ......10 ...is one of the largest and most highly respected All of our classes are based on the teachings Registration Form ............11 yoga centers in the country. We offer classes for of B.K.S. Iyengar. Named by Time magazine Fees and Policies ............11 students of all levels in posture (asana) and breath- as "one of the 100 most influential people in Free Introductory ing (pranayama), special workshops with some of the world". Mr. Iyengar is widely regarded as Classes ..........Back Cover the world’s finest teachers, and programs covering the world’s foremost living yoga teacher. His various aspects of the science and art of yoga. approach develops self-awareness through precision in movement and attention to the © 2011Unity Woods Yoga can provide each of us with improved health, subtleties of body, breath, mind, and spirit. Yoga Center, LLC. serenity, and expanded awareness. At Unity 4853 Cordell Ave, PH9 Woods, our purpose is to offer uncompromising, Bethesda, MD 20814 quality yoga instruction to as extensive an audi- Phone: (301) 656-8992 ence as possible. Our teaching staff is the area’s Fax: (301) 656-7792 most experienced, comprised of highly trained, certified instructors. HEALTH • SERENITY • AWARENESS - 2 - UNITY WOODS YOGA CENTER Namaste (continued) John’s The truly international scope of Iyengar Yoga is instill the desire to explore in ever deeper ways Workshops one of its most remarkable aspects. A student our true nature and our place in the Universe. from Unity Woods can go to over 70 countries September 23–25 In light of its international character, a recent SERENDIPITY around the world, from Anguilla to Zimbabwe, development expanded the Iyengar Yoga uni- Berkeley Springs, WV and find an Iyengar teacher. And because there verse significantly. That was the China-India A weekend of yoga for Level II and up. is a clear, consistent method, that student will (301) 656-8992; www.unitywoods.com Summit, Mr. Iyengar’s first visit to China to give feel at home in a class. The same postures will some 1400 of the yoga enthusiasts of that vast be practiced, and since we use Sanskrit for the October 13–16 country a taste of the Iyengar method. Mind–Body Week DC names of the poses (much to the dismay of some), DC Metro Area even if you can’t understand the individual in- My apprentice, Amy Van Mui, who is herself John will teach on Sat., Oct 15 at structions, you will know what pose to do. Chinese, attended the summit. I asked her if Unity Woods Bethesda. she would be willing to write something for this www.mindbodyweek.com This is not to say that the teaching is cookie cutter newsletter. She graciously agreed and following teaching. In Iyengar Yoga, there are no scripts, October 21–23 are some of her experiences and impressions. Weekend for Teachers and no language formulae other than brevity and di- Serious students: rectness, no prescribed sequences. The teachers’ "I first saw Mr. Iyengar in Hong Kong where he Practicing the Art of Teaching own experience, training, and skill give each of was welcomed by The Hong Kong Iyengar Insti- SERENDIPITY them a distinctive quality and plenty of room tute with an asana demonstration, a traditional Berkeley Springs, WV for individual expression. But it is clear to even Chinese style lion dance, and a dazzling erhu (301) 656-8992; www.unitywoods.com the beginning Iyengar student that the shared duet (a two-stringed Chinese fiddle). It was won- November 12–13 tradition of Iyengar Yoga provides a familiar derful to see all the excitement surrounding my Advanced Asana & Pranayama framework for the teaching. teacher’s teacher, but I’d have to wait several Unity Woods, DC/MD days, take a 200 kilometer train ride, and navi- See page 5 for details. This commonality creates a community that tran- gate a confounding registration process before (301) 656-8992; www.unitywoods.com scends borders, cultures, politics, and religions. seeing Mr. Iyengar again. In the true spirit of yoga, while celebrating our November 17-20 uniqueness, Iyengar Yoga minimizes our differ- "The official summit started on June 16, 2011 Eden of the Caribbean Health and Wellness Retreat ences and emphasizes our shared humanity and with a pre-class ceremony. Mr. Iyengar entered Soufriere, St. Lucia spirituality. After all, when you’re trying to find the auditorium to cheers from 1,400 aspiring 1-800-456-3984 the evenness of your spine in Uttitha Trikona- yogis, mostly Chinese, and a dramatic musical sana, it doesn’t matter where you’re from or what accompaniment. Many of the world’s senior Iy- January 5–6, 2012 your family tree is, you will encounter similar engar yoga teachers found their seats in the front Yoga Rosa Hallandale, FL physical, mental, and spiritual challenges to row followed by a retinue of Indian and Chinese www.yogarosa.com those we all encounter. Those challenges and government officials, cultural scholars, and Tai the realizations that come as we use our prac- Ji and Bagua Kungfu Masters who joined Mr. January 6–8, 2012 tice to meet them provide us with a common Iyengar on stage. This was an historical cultural Yoga Institute of Miami ground of experience that can allow us to look exchange between China and India, two ancient (305) 670-0558; www.yogamiami.org past the things that separate us and embrace our civilizations. The Chinese likened Mr. Iyengar to underlying unity. the Bodhidharma (who brought Buddhism from January 21–22, 2012 India to China). Mr. Iyengar spoke passionately Of course, the thread that links all us Iyengar Advanced Asana & Pranayama about the eight limbs of yoga, trying to impart Unity Woods, DC/MD yogis, directly or indirectly, is B.K.S. Iyengar and the depth of yoga and not just the cosmetic gains. (301) 656-8992; www.unitywoods.com his teachings. His first book,Light On Yoga, has been translated into at least 17 different languag- "For three days, Mr. Iyengar taught in the morn- February 5–19, 2012 es. His decades of practice and teaching have ing while the afternoon Q & A and asana ses- 29th Annual Yoga Vacation in Jamaica provided him with the knowledge and passion sion were led by Indian teacher, Birjoo Mehta. Tropical splendor, great yoga that inspire his students and his students’ stu- I learned more from these sessions then I can with John and Barbara Benagh dents’ and his students’ students’ students and possibly describe here. Instead of trying to detail (617) 566-1489; everything, I will offer a few of the highlights. www.yogastudio.org More workshop information at www.unitywoods.com fall 2011 - 3 - Namaste (continued) John Schumacher is the founder "On the first day Mr. Iyengar used a leaf to teach "On the last day it seemed Mr. Iyengar could and director of us about the importance of how we use our sense the trepidation when he revealed his Unity Woods. feet. Being the foundation of the standing poses, teaching sequence as Sirsasana, Sarvangasana He has prac- the alignment and balance of the feet are an and Urdhva Dhanurasana. He asked for a show ticed yoga for essential first step. We all learn this as begin- of hands depicting how many students had done 40 years and ners at Unity Woods, by standing evenly on these inversions before. Not enough hands were has taught our feet. From a simple device such as the leaf, raised, so Mr. Iyengar relied on his granddaugh- in the Wash- Mr. Iyengar took us into Tadasana, Trikonasana, ter, Abhijata Sridhar, to demonstrate multiple ington area since 1973. John Parsvakonasana, Prasarita Padottanasana, and ways to steadily progress an inversion practice. continues to study in India with Parsvottanasana. He emphasized these as the Awestruck beginning students eagerly wrote in B.K.S. Iyengar, the world’s foremost most important standing poses. their notebooks and drank in his every word Yoga teacher, and is a certified se- so they could start practicing the inversions, a nior Iyengar Yoga teacher. He also "The next day, Mr. Iyengar came in a bit fiery. critical part of a balanced practice. spent many years studying with His senior teachers had informed him, based on internationally acclaimed teacher the previous afternoon’s session, that students "It was intriguing to me that the bulk of the Dona Holleman.