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You are here: Home / Blog / Dawn of a new era?

Dawn of a new era?

December 4, 2015 By Linda Apps 12 Comments

 

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Prashant’s Class

I’ve been listening to Leonard Cohen and reflecting how Prashant gives us the same permission to be mere humans – with all our frailties – that Leonard Cohen does in songs like “I’m Your Man”.  Aspiring to perfection but accepting the reality of our human imperfection. In this morning’s class Prashant said don’t compare yourself to something you are not. If you stand outside and stare at the sun, how can you see when you come into the room? In other words (it seemed to me), be content to work with what you have, rather than constantly striving to be something you are not.

He asked us to “use” triconasana, not “do” triconasana and notice the difference. We started with an “index pose” (thanks Grant for the warning about index poses, I knew not to choose sirsasana but did choose rope headstand, which we returned to about 8 times!).

I was in a different part of the room and could not hear so well today. He asked us to begin with setting an intention for purity of mind, sanctity of mind. The room is very crowded and as we move around the circuit Prashant notices if anyone has ‘escaped’ from their index poses! He talked about how we are taught to discriminate and then asked not to discriminate against each other. He spoke about people moving in on other people’s territory.

He said his father had told him to stay put and let people come to him to be taught. Prashant made a point of not getting a passport so he couldn’t be tempted to travel and teach. He talked about using appropriate modes of transport to get to where you want to go, as an analogy for ‘using’ yoga (I think!). You wouldn’t go to New York by rickshaw, for example.

I couldn’t help thinking how much he would love the museums and culture of places like new York and Rome. I hope he does get a passport one day.

Assessors’ meeting – dawn of a new era?

The meeting of  assessors and moderators from all over the world finished yesterday. There are discrepancies in the way assessments are conducted in different countries. This meeting was an attempt to begin to address that. All the countries had a chance to stand up and talk about assessment and teacher training in their country. Apparently Prashant made a very moving speech at the end thanking everyone for the hard work they do training and assessing teachers. This (being thanked) has neer happened before. Geeta spoke beautifully about keeping Mr Iyengar’s legacy alive. People are feeling it’s the beginning of a new era.

Filed Under: Blog

Comments

  1. Nicola says

    December 4, 2015 at 7:50 am

    well, wow. 🙂 just, wow.

    Reply
  2. Maria Robertson says

    December 4, 2015 at 10:53 am

    There’s a crack in everything … it’s where the light gets in … came to mind. Thank you for sharing these wonderful insights Linda, how amazing is this to be hearing first hand your impressions and insights of your classes.

    Reply
  3. Tony Ridler says

    December 4, 2015 at 11:24 pm

    If, we don’t mirror a hole, we won’t avoid it!

    Reply
  4. Diane says

    December 5, 2015 at 12:12 am

    This is so beautiful to read. I’ve always been a huge fan of Prashantji. I’m so happy to hear he’s still at the top of his game.

    Reply
  5. James Hasemer says

    December 5, 2015 at 5:41 am

    Hi Linda, keep up the good work (apart from your spelling of trikonasana! 😉 James.

    Reply
    • Linda Apps says

      December 6, 2015 at 2:31 am

      Thanks James! I’ll look to you for spelling in the future!

      Reply
  6. Kristine says

    December 5, 2015 at 6:25 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing Linda. If Prashant wants to get to the goal of Yoga, why does he need to go to NYC or Rome?

    Reply
    • Linda Apps says

      December 6, 2015 at 2:30 am

      I don’t think he needs to go. I just thought he might enjoy it.

      Reply
      • Kristine says

        December 6, 2015 at 2:37 pm

        Yoga or bhoga.

        Reply
  7. deepinder says

    December 5, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    Prashant ji is THe ONLY Yogi
    On face of Earth. Every body else who ever it is is just a yoga instructor.

    I Bow to pious feet of this YOGI .India is proud or I should say is Blessed to have The Great Yogi on soil of this country.

    Reply
  8. Peter Harley says

    December 6, 2015 at 2:52 am

    Thanks Linda Fantastic blogs, so insightful, so well written. James might be able to tell you how to spell triangle pose in sanskrit. Maybe Prashant can see it all on telly (virtual travel). Not sure that his reluctance to travel is a very good example to the rest of the Iyengar community- bad for the business model- but he probably doesn’t care too much about that.
    Keep it up.

    Reply
  9. Elia says

    January 5, 2016 at 4:43 am

    Thanks for a small feeling of Prahants teaching.x

    Reply

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