Lisa Walford

First day. It did not begin as planned; does it ever? Last night my cat, Devi, set my alarm. She walked on the clock and somehow set it for 6 AM, with the most annoying of choices, the buzzer. This is an old clock, and I could not get turn it off! That would require the manual. At midnight, I just was not that interested in digging up the manual. Maybe she was supposed to get me up early for my first day of the program?

At 6 AM, when the buzzer shook me from a deep slumber, I took the clock to another room and piled pillows over it, determined to enjoy the peace of my pre-dawn snooze. I did not want to start the first day with “oh how auspicious, how cute, your cat made you get up early!” when I really like that pre-dawn snooze. And no judgments, I promised myself. If you want those last few minutes of sleep, enjoy them!

By seven, I was on my pillow. The preamble for me is often: how lovely! My meditation time! I opened my ears. From the left side I could hear the gentle hiss of the fireplace. From the right side the soft hum of the outdoors. It was very quiet. And then the fireworks began. What am I going to write about? My mind began to design my blog.

Almost every day I notice that within the first few minutes, once I have settled in, my mind gets busy. It enjoys these moments dedicated, seemingly, to it. I am not doing anything else, so it must be time to think, dream, imagine, figure things out. These first few moments can be very rewarding, and I have come to many a simple discovery or realization here. But I know this terrain.

I wait, I listen, I breathe. My cat curls up on my white blanket just in front of me. She loves meditation time.

I wait, I listen, I breathe.

In her book, Sharon states that: I realized that struggling to keep the mind on an object such as the breath doesn’t create the conditions in which concentration most readily arises. Then: This act of beginning again is the essential are of the meditation practice.

I wait, I listen, I breathe.

Half an hour later.. I had dropped into a field of quiet ambient sound. The fireplace still hissed, the birds sung, cars moved through the alley. It was all part of a field of awareness. Occasionally a thought would drift up, and I would start again to listen, and breathe. My cat still curled up in front of me.

I end my meditation with a simple prayer..

May all beings be happy
May all beings be at ease in their body and heart
May all beings be fulfilled, and find purpose
May all beings be at peace.

May we share our mornings together this month!

The sages who composed the Upanishads interpreted the ancient Vedic edicts by explaining their own mystical experiences through various stories, discussions between teacher and students, and metaphor. For example, the yogic “kosha”- sheath model of the human body, mind, spirit comes from the Taittiriya Upanishad. We will review the Manduka and Katha Upanishads.

The asana practice can point us to the inward turning spiral of insight, integration and harmony, which is at the heart of all spiritual practices. Sensations the body gives us moment to moment are honest, and can lead us into bhoga/preyas (instant pleasure) or shreyas, what is ultimately good. Guruji Iyengar says that we must reach from the skin to soul. We will use the kosha model as an antenna to refine our perception of the symphony of sensations as they lead us in yoga.

I have been swimming in the poetry and wisdom of these readings. If the Upanishads inspired Ralph Waldo Emerson, then I am interested! Join me in an immersion into the inner life through asana and literature, discussion and meditation.

All levels. Readings will be provided.

Location: YogaWorks – 1426 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Saturday 9/15: 2:00pm – 5:30pm, $55
Sunday 9/16: 1:30pm – 5:00pm, $55

To register online visit http://goo.gl/1aBPR.

For more information, please call YogaWorks – Montana Ave. at +1.310.393.5150

Prashant, on cultivating will, what is the will?
This summary is my rudimentary version of a fabulous class taught by Guruji’s son, Prashant. He has been teaching here in Pune at the Institute for over 30 years. He addresses very deep and complex issues that cover the interrelatedness of the body, breath and mind in every class. I will post more summaries to introduce you to some material that I hope to work with myself, and hence you as well, in the future. The italics are my comments. Enjoy!

How do we practice? We practice for technics, not technology. We practice for muscles, bones, strength, stretch, not to see how it affects the will, volition, resoluteness. We all have a restless mind, a hypo or hyper active mind, not a mature mind. Can you use muscles, bones, stretch to strengthen your will? What is the will? It is a role of the mind; the mind can take on the role of anything, but watch if the will is working, if everything contributes to the will. It is a part of intelligence, to cultivate the witnesses – the body has its will, the mind has its will, it is not a dead mechanical shape doing, it discerns.

Perspective
Depending on your perspective, you will see and perceive and utilize differently. Take a rose, the lover will see one things the botanist another, the florist will thank which rose will customers buy, which will sell better, what is the wholesale price. The biologist; what is the chemistry to create perfume, the distillation process.

My interpretation: When I understand that we each have our own perspective, as I interact with others, I can inquire, find out what lens they view from, rather than compare or judge. Let each have their view of the elephant, and let me clarify my lens; what perspective am I seeing/perceiving from now? The teacher, the apprentice, the student? I can then appreciate the reality and perceive, discern, and use this to strengthen the will and tame the restless mind. Am I practicing today to release tension in my shoulders or to open my lungs? Am I practicing today to quiet my mind or to deepen my forward extension. One will affect the other, but which lens I am using, which intention will direct my practice.

Practice Utthitia trikonasana for the legs
Practice Utthitia trikonasana as if you are hooked up to a biofeedback machine, how would you practice? To keep the muscles quiet?
Practice Utthitia trikonasana for the for the chest from the inside space
Practice Utthitia trikonasana for the organs.
You can also do systemically, the breath for the tailbone, breath for the tailbone and chest and eyes.. imagine if you are practicing with dentures, there will be no tension in the teeth. What would happen to the brain?

October in Pune is perfect, not too hot, not too wet, not too dry. The monsoons came late this year, so it rains a little very day. Just enough to clean the air of smoke and dust; to shine the leaves on the trees, and to wash the cars. There is a gentle floral smell as flowers drop to the earth.

There is a little less traffic then last year on Hare Krishna Mandir road. This morning we actually saw a few cows strolling down the center divider. When I first came to Pune in 1986, cows meandered everywhere. They napped in the intersections, grazed from trees, rummaged through the trash. Now, the new Toyota dealership at the intersection that begins Hare Krishna Mandir road leaves little room for cows. But, other things have changed more recently still.

Security. Ever since the bombings at the German Bakery in Koregaon Park several years ago there has been a security guard at the Institute. Now, when we register for classes, we have to bring a letter from our landlord – if you are renting a flat – and a utility bill to prove that he/she is the landlord. The landlord has to file papers with the police that include a dark legible copy of your passport with the entry stamp and visa. Tracey and I had to go to the Xerox place several times as the copies were not good enough. Many things have changed. But many things remain the same.

India. The general kindness of the people, the beauty in their eyes. The liveliness of the streets, the craziness of the traffic, the cacophony of crows, and the good food! One does not know Indian food until one has traveled to India. The Indian food in Los Angeles is like pointing to a meal in a window, and I like many Indian restaurants in LA! But the variety here is amazing, and delicious. Within the first three days, Tracey and I have eaten two thalis – at the Shreya and Asha Dining Halls – and hare baba kabob, methi korachoan (don’t ask me, it was fenugreek with a little paneer and wonderful spices), bhindi (okra) fry, rava dosas, and more. They know how to enjoy food!

This morning was our first class, with Gulnaz. It was a ladies class, on Saturday morning. Perfect for people arriving recently and recovering from jet lag. Supta Padagusthana series, Jattara Parivatanasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana, Sirsasana, Adho Mukha Vrksasana, Salamba Sarvanagasana, Savasana. fab….

I will post every few days, so tune in for Pune Play #2 in a few days. Sweet hellos from India…

I’m giving my first retreat! I look forward to having enough time to share a more complete experience of yoga, including pranayama, discussions and meditation. It will be in India next February. The details are below. You can also download the flyer. I hope you can come!

Yoga Retreat with Lisa Walford
February 15 — March 1, 2012
Rishikesh • Varanasi • Agra

Recharge, renew, and rejuvenate, in one of the most spiritually charged places on Earth — Rishikesh. Study at the foot of the Himalayas, in a fully equipped yoga studio. Then voyage to Varanasi, one of the holiest places in India. Finally, visit Agra, to see the majestic Taj Mahal.

In Rishikesh
Within view of the Mother Ganges, we’ll enjoy a week of asana and pranayama with Lisa. All levels are welcome. Optional activities will include sunset aarthi (fire ceremony) and kirtan, discourses, hiking, and a day trip to Haridwar, where the Kumbh Mela is held.

In Varanasi
Varanasi is a pilgrim’s mecca and is considered an auspicious place to absolve one of past karmas, and for major life transitions. The rhythms of life are palpable, as many bring loved ones here for cremation near the sacred waters of the Ganges. Magical, colorful, and rich with cultural history, our memories of Varanasi will last a lifetime. Our guide will take us to Temples, Ghats, and on a leisurely boat trip.

In Agra
No trip to India would be complete without taking in Agra, on the river Yamuna, to see the Taj Mahal, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. If time permits, our guide will also take us on a tour of the Agra Fort, and a Shiva temple, both just minutes from the Taj.

Schedule
Wed Feb 15th leave US » Thu 16th Delhi » Fri 17th Rishikesh » Fri 24th Varanasi » Wed 29th Agra » Fri Mar 1st Delhi » Fri 1st arrive US

Cost
US $2,799 ($3,099 after November 15th), includes all transportation (to/from LAX and throughout India), double-occupancy upscale accommodations (4/5 star in Varanasi and Agra), and our personal tour guide. Meals can be arranged, but are not generally included. Register soon, as we are limited to 15 participants.

For more details, or to register, please call/text
+1.310.985.9642, email us at rishikesh2012@walford.com or visit http://walford.com/rishikesh2012.

About Lisa
Lisa Walford holds an Intermediate Senior Iyengar Yoga certificate, and has been teaching in Los Angeles for over 30 years. She has a BA from UCLA and is on the Board of the Iyengar Yoga Therapeutics Group, and the advisory council for the International Association of Yoga Therapists. In her rigorous and technically informative classes, Lisa creates an ambiance of internal focus inspiring both beginning and advanced students.

My Master Class article on finding inward focus in Kurmasana is in the September Yoga Journal, and it includes a podcast of the article. Your comments are appreciated.

and I’m in it! The premiere was just down the street from my house at the Aero Theatre, in Santa Monica.

View the movie trailer, then get the DVD. Your donation will support Yoga-Recess in Schools.