Our ambassador and friend Ryan Leier recently went and spent a month in India with the legendary BKS Iyengar. He wrote about the experience on his blog and was kind enough to allow us to share his experience here. For more of Ryan's awesome writing, check out his blog at ryanleier.tumblr.com. 

the lion of pune, rumi and i

“The power of love came into me,

and I became fierce like a lion,

then tender like the evening star.” ~ Rumi

Many years ago I had a dream in which the Yoga Master, Sri BKS Iyengar called me to Pune to “take care” of me.

BKS Iyengar, whose students call him Guruji or Mr. Iyengar has been named “The Lion of Pune” because of his unswerving faithful, fiery, fierce, frenetic, fearsome way of teaching yoga.  He is also known for his compassion and capacity to serve as a healer through his therapeutic approach to yoga.  This man’s presence is much larger than his 5 foot frame.  When I told a friend who practices yoga that I was going to work with Iyengar, he said, “Dude, that is like going to learn how to bat with Babe Ruth!”

The day after I arrived in Pune, I went to the RIMYI in Pune to meet the him.  As I bowed to Guruji, I realized that I was in the presence of a truly remarkable man.  A felt a tremendous sense of gratitude and reverence, but there was also a fair dose of terror.  I have never before  experienced a man who emanates such “energy.”  It was like the way the air feels during the moments right before an electrical storm. You know when this man is in the room, his energy is almost tangible.

When I told my teacher Eddie about the meeting and the subsequent meetings with Mr. Iyengar, he sent me a piece of a Rumi poem that describes the Awe and fear that Mr. Iyengar stirred in me.

It takes immense faith to take one step toward the

Lion in the presence of the Lion…

This is the real step on the Path; all the other

steps are just vanishing footprints.   (The Real Step, Rumi)                 

For the next two months I spent my days at the Institute in the practice hall and the library trying to learn as much as I could about and from this 94 year old genius.  I saw him on his mat practicing daily for at least 2 hours!  Often he would stay in Sirsasana (headstand), Viparita Dandasana or Kapotasana (deep backbend) for 15-45 minutes each.  This man practices challenging, almost painful looking poses, but he becomes so still and calm, while energetically seemingly to flow like water… He encouraged me to integrate more relaxing, restorative poses to bring me toward stillness.

Mr. Iyengar’s daily routine consists of waking at 5:30 am for a bath, coffee and pranayama, followed by the newspaper and another cup of coffee.  At about 9:15 he goes to the Yoga Hall to practice and/or teach for about 3 hours.  After that there is a bath, prayers and a vegetarian lunch.  His afternoons consist of corresponding in the library, reading, and STUDYING.  He is often teaching on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and sometimes Thursdays.  Vegetarian supper comes at around 8pm where he spends time with the family or watching news before retiring at 10:30 or 10:40.  All of this at 94 years of age!  He said to us one day as he was chastising his senior teachers.  ”I am a senior learner and a junior teacher.”

A man with this type of discipline, inquisitiveness and commitment expects nothing less from his pupils.

Do not expect to be always happy on this way.
You have been caught by a Lion, my dear…Watch the man beating a rug.
He is not mad at it.
He wants to loosen the layers of dirt.  Ego accumulations are not loosened
with one swat. Continual work
is necessary, disciplines.   (Disciplines, Rumi)

My first direct encounter as a student came at medical class, where he roars like a lion commanding respect and demanding precision, determination, humility, and vigilance.  Rumi’s Chickpea to Cook poem sums up how this little chickpea (me!) felt with the chef Iyengar seasoning him!

A chickpea leaps almost over the rim of the pot

where it’s being boiled.

“Why are you doing this to me?” 

The cook knocks him down with the ladle.

“Don’t you try to jump out.

You think I’m torturing you.

I’m giving you flavor,

so you can mix with spices and rice

and be the lovely vitality of a human being.”

Eventually the chickpea

will say to the cook,

” Boil me some more.

Hit me with the skimming spoon.

I can’t do this by myself.”

The cook says,

“I was once like you…My animal soul

grew powerful. I controlled it with practices, and

boiled some more, and boiled once beyond that,

and became your teacher. “  (Chickpea to Cook, Rumi)

For two more weeks I was immersed in Guruji’s presence through the medical classes and in the Institute. It was truly “instensive care!”  As Eddie later said, “from the frying pan to the fire!”  Through the blaze I saved many gems to share with you.  Here is some wisdom to take with you for your practice.

“Be Direct.  That is how I was able to spend time with the great people of the world.”  (when I approached him in the library)

“You think you are an expert.  How am I to teach you?”

“Do not use destructive will power.” (as I shook and struggled to hold a pose)

“Don’t do with your head! Bring your trunk to your brain!”

“Your brain is hyper active, it must be made hypo active.”

“I’m not going to be here 24/7 for you.”  (after he told me to do a few poses)

“Don’t help him, he must learn to do on his own”  (as one of the assistant tried to help me)

“The brain must be the witness in your case.”

“You must now consolidate all of the things I have been teaching you.”

The ruby and the sunrise are one.

Be courageous and discipline yourself…

Work. Keep digging your well.

Don’t think about getting off from work.

Water is there somewhere.

Submit to a daily practice.

Your loyalty to that

is a ring on the door.

Keep knocking, and the joy inside

will eventually open a window

and look out to see who’s there.   (The Sunrise Ruby, Rumi)

When Guruji speaks of his pupils or students, he often calls his pupils his “children.”  This depth of love and compassion is probably much of the reason why he is a master teacher.  This along with his discipline.  He says, “To be a teacher, you must roar like a lion on the outside and be meek as a lamb on the inside.”

When Guruji addressed all of us, he constantly encouraged us to purify ourselves through the fire of practice…

“You have to practice with tolerance patience and perseverance, and then only each one can drink the nectar of life… by their own sadhana…

Brother/Sister, stand the pain.
Escape the poison of your impulses.
The sky will bow to your beauty, if you do.
Learn to light the candle. Rise with the sun…
What is it to know something of God?
Burn inside that presence. Burn up…
You tighten your two hands together,
determined not to give up saying “I” and “we.”
This tightening blocks you.   (Tattooing in Qazwin, Rumi)

“God Bless you all.”  ~Guruji

Let us give thanks for the Masters like BKS Iyengar and Rumi.  Let us disciplined in our practice and pray  for  the courage to be Fierce with our Love.

With Love and Gratitude,

God Bless,

Ryan

As a yoga teacher, I get asked daily about which yoga is right, wrong, better or worse. Truthfully, you need to find a style that speaks to you, which can be hard to do when you don't know what the differences are!

yoga quick-guide

anusara: Playful. Expect to laugh and go upside down.
ashtanga: Athletic and vigorous.
bikram's: Consistent poses and very heated.
hatha: Foundation for many yoga styles. Great for beginners.
hot: Make sure to bring a towel - or two!
iyengar/restorative: With a focus on structure, usually uses blocks, straps for support.
kundalini: Focused on meditation and breathing.
power: An athletic and physically challenging style.
vinyasa/flow: A rhythmic class with lots of movement. Great for your 3rd or 4th class.
yin: A slow class that will take you deeper than you've ever gone.

Keep reading for the extended version of the above list to help you find a style that's right for you.

anusara

Expect a playful class with a strong focus on proper alignment and Tantric yoga philosophy (not what you're thinking). It (like most yoga) is derived from Hatha yoga.

ashtanga

This practice is very athletic and made up of six vigorous series of postures. It's one of the oldest forms of yoga and is considered to be the foundation of much of the yoga we see today in the west.

bikram

You're going to sweat in a Bikram's class, more than you ever thought was possible. Bikram yoga consists of 26 postures and breathing exercises repeated twice (that’s right 90 minutes) in a room heated to 105 degrees. Heads up - humidity is 40% and will knock you over the first time.

hatha

The foundation of every style of yoga mentioned here. Traditional Hatha yoga is a holistic path that includes disciplines, physical postures (asana), purification procedures, breathing (pranayama), and meditation. Hatha practiced in the West consists of mostly physical postures and is also recognized as a gentle introductory yoga for people new to yoga.

hot

By adding heat it is said that classes will help you lose weight, loosen your muscles (by adding increased range of motion) and improve your cardiovascular system. It differs from Bikram's in that the series of postures are not always (but can be) in any particular order and modifications are often offered.

iyengar/restorative

Expect a class emphasizing healing the body and mind through use of supported postures. One of the oldest forms of yoga, it’s for a person who loves technical intricacies and is also great for people who are new to yoga or have any issues with their health.

kundalini

Don't be surprised if your waving your hands like you just don't care or laughing uncontrollably (it's a type of meditation- I swear), this practice is intended to wake up the kundalini energy coiled at the base of your spine while activating chakras (energetic centers in the body), as well as detoxing the body and mind.

power

Many say Power yoga is the Western interpretation of Ashtanga. It is sometimes done in a heated room and focuses on the breath as fuel for the practice. This practice can be challenging for beginners, but is a nice balance to more gentle forms of yoga once you become comfortable with the different postures.

vinyasa/ flow

Derived from Ashtanga yoga, expect a class full of rhythmical flow (often combined with music) connecting each moment with unifying pranayama (breath). Classes can be more meditative or focused on the natural movement of the body, almost like dancing through postures. A great transition from Hatha when you’re looking for more of a challenge.

yin

Some believe that Yin yoga is the oldest form of Hatha yoga, since it is the ideal method of physical conditioning for prolonged meditation. Don't let the props and gentle movement fool you, this is not a form of restorative yoga. The long holds require that you focus and release all effort from the muscles.

Yin classes often use props like bolsters or blocks.

last but not least

Remember: your body is your best guide. You don’t have to stick to one kind of yoga, just do what your body needs!

There are many other styles not mentioned here that I encourage you to discover for yourself. Finally, if their is one piece of advice I can leave you with is: if it doesn't feel right, don't do it.

Want to try a complimentary yoga class? If you live near a lululemon location, find a complimentary yoga class near you.

you asked...

I’ve been into hot/Bikrams yoga for a few years now. I use to go 3 to 4 times a week. I was absolutely addicted! I’ve since scaled back to 2 or 3 times a month. I’m hoping to ramp that back up to weekly and eventually a few times a week; like when I first started. I was wondering if it’s ever ‘unhealthy’ or too much to go to hot yoga a couple times a week? Is it bad for your body to be in the class environment, sweat as much as you do, etc. that often? - Andrea S

a yogi answers

Hi Andrea,

I don’t believe practicing hot yoga 3 to 4 times a week is necessarily bad for you unless you have a medical condition such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, an eating disorder, sleep deprivation, heart-related illness or are pregnant. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water to replenish the fluids that you’ve lost during practice, and, like all experienced yogis, just listen to your body.

If you feel like you need to lie down and rest, do that. Don’t worry if the rest of the class is in Dancer’s pose, and you decide to go into Child’s pose. I suggest you consider diversifying your practice by taking other types of yoga classes such as power, vinyasa, Anusara or Iyengar classes so that you do not get burned out on one particular type of yoga. Hot yoga is a wonderful detoxifying practice but it does not build your upper body strength like some of the other styles, and I have heard some yogis say that since the asana sequencing does not change much from class to class, it is nice to mix it up with other yoga styles. All yoga is good, so mix it up. Good luck and I hope to see you in one of my hot classes!

- Danielle


Does Camel pose make you feel sick?

you asked...

I was wondering why Camel pose makes me feel nauseous. Especially at Bikrams, but really in any yoga format. I have been told that it could be because it is a very vulnerable position when your heart is exposed. Is this true?? - Lindsey

a yogi answers

Hi Lindsey,

I am not sure if the position of the heart has anything to do with the nausea experienced in Ushtrasana (Camel pose) but believe it may be due to not breathing fully, misalignment in the posture or a release of emotional issues, which can happen in many different yoga postures, even Balaasana (Child’s pose). Camel pose helps us open up the thoracic spine where most of us tend to be relatively tight as compared to our cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (lower back).

To avoid nausea, make sure you maintain a deep and effortless breathing pattern and that you are not dropping your head too far back and compressing the cervical spine; keep the shoulder blades hugging together as you support your lower back with your hands; keep lifting the sternum up to avoid compression in your lumbar spine; and come out of the pose slowly while maintaining a steady flow of breath. As your body works itself into postures, emotions tend to come up. If a situation is bothering you off the mat, it can affect your body and practice. So keep breathing deeply and never force your poses.

I hope I provided some helpful pointers to help you in this posture.

- Danielle
http://daniellemikanagel.com/

It seemed like Barefoot in the Park, an hour and a half yoga sampler featuring 7 different styles of yoga, was destined to be a rain date. So it was appropriate that on this glorious summer evening, lululemon Regional Community Guru Liz Eustace expressed her thanks to Mother Nature in addition to all the people who made this event possible.

The Lawn at Bryant Park was filled with 417 people young and old, experienced and just starting out, on top of a sea of yellow, blue and red mats. The soft lull of the sitar and the driving rumbling of the drums, created by the group Yoga Organix, provided the atmosphere for an open mind and open heart and accompanied the seven different teachers who were sharing seven different styles of yoga, everything from Kundalini, to Iyengar, to Vinyasa flow.

For those of you who have never done yoga outside, you must drag your mat out into the sun and experience your practice in a completely new environment under completely different elements. As New Yorkers, it's hard to find time to wind down and establish a consciousness that is solely centered on indulging in your yoga practice. In a city where its pure expansiveness can swallow you whole, it can also act as the perfect backdrop to embrace the fresh air and join with strangers in a unifying Om.