Inspiration!

"Disease & onslaughts may come, but if our yogic practice profoundly touches our hearts, death will come majestically, in spite of the disease."             -BKS Iyengar

Made it to Pune! 2014 Adventure-Day 1

Wow, it is intense here! So glad to have made it with such amazing friends. The Institute was extremely welcoming today. Immediately, I felt Guruji's missing physical presence which was a bit emotional. I saw an empty chair where he sat, the empty trestle he used to practice at, and his chair in the library where I first met him with a big photo of him on it. When this sense of missing came in, then the smiles of everyone took the ache away. Guruji's grandson was so very nice! Thank you to all of the helpers, it is very organized!

Kate cried when she went into the main hall for the first time, it was precious. It is not easy coming or being here. The pollution, noise, and traffic is intense, plus my room reeks of moth balls. My belly is already rumbling from different foods and water....only about 5 minutes of hot water to shower then ice cold...a hard bed....not being able to get money out of ATM's.....but it is all worth it. To be able to learn Iyengar Yoga from the source. As my new friend Ananada (Bliss) was talking about, it is a special time to all come together, not only for Geeta's 70th Birthday, but to keep Iyengar Yoga going. The invocation of about 700+ people on Monday will be quite special.

Oh, and I met Patricia Walden at the airport!!! We talked a while about my migraines. She was very interested in how I practice. Our conversation was inspiring on both ends. Then, heeee heee...my rickshaw driver was chasing hers around and then we passed her, quite a comical scene of the yoga students in rickshaws honking and zipping around. Feels like a year of adventures in one day.

Here we all are in the apartment I will share with Lois...Happy crew!