Show less but do more - Prashant Iyengar

I arrive in Pune yesterday morning very tired and extremely jet lagged. The direct flight from Frankfurt was great, but an 8 hour layover was something I didn't anticipate being so tiring. I saved the hassle of driving from Mumbai to Pune in the wee hours, but there is always a price to pay - EXHAUSTION and LACK OF SLEEP!. I arrived in my hotel at 5 am (its about 20 km from RIMYI, but right next door to work) and crashed. I woke up at 3 pm. Had to rush to the Institute to meet Mr. Pandu.

As always he had graciously allowed me to take classes, though I have been advised to take them in the beginning of the month rather than end. So that will be the plan next time. I finish formalities with Mr. Chandru. The place is buzzing. I got a few minutes in the stairwell to watch the medical class. I looked forward to my schedule for the next 10 days. 7 am - 830 am on most days is how I saw the schedule.

I woke up bright an early today. I need to take my walk in the park. A 15 minute ride to Hanuman Mandir Road. I missed staying at the Shahanis. They and apparently most of the housing around the Institute is rented out this time. I did remember Neena's comment about being back in August. Faith brought me back.

I spent a little time walking in the park. The laughing yoga group was there under the canopy as usual. I couldn't hear the sewer water running, but there was something new. There was sitar and tabla music being piped through speakers through the entire park. It felt like it came from the trees. It was amazing. I had planned to work my arms prior to class. I needed strength for handstands. No time for that, I was busy taking some pictures and absorbing the serenity of the music and chirping of the birds. It was nice to be back.

A short walk back to the center to be a bit early at the class. Everything was familiar, but there were lots of unfamiliar foreign faces this time. I was one of the first and I immediately got into action. The rope colors had changes to pink and black. Interesting choice of colors I say. This is India - full of vibrance and colors. I practiced stretches a bit with the ropes, along Chaturanga Dandasanas for arm strength.

The class started sharp at 7 am. It was Raya today - oh yeah tuesday morning is Raya and then a sinking feeling! Was I in the wrong class? The class went great. We did standing poses with feet spread apart. He talked about strength and how this was different than spending an hour at the gym. He talked about Guruji's discourse on Guru Purnima about the need for white color workers to stretch and build strength. The class seemed very advanced, but there were no familiar intermediate students. New faces and for the first time majority men. Something was missing - but I couldn't tell.

I did a great Halasana without a chair and I think I had good control of my poses. It all seemed to be coming back. We ended with a Setubandh Sarvangasana. The class then ended - it was only 8 am. The sinking feeling came back, but Raya said nothing. Did they shorten the Intermediate class to 60 minutes? So I have half an hour more. I walked down the steps through a stream of students for the next class. They all looked familiar. I guess I did it again. I was in the beginner's class. But I was so sure the schedule said 7 am - 830 am on tuesday!

I stopped to see Prashantji teaching his class. I couldn't resist to hear his discourses in the middle of his class. I had an hour to kill as my car was not to arrive for at least an hour. So I sit and watch and absorb his wonderful discourse about Yoga kriyas and his signature yell to "change fast" as groups of nearly 100 students switched between posses on the floor, chair and ropes. Some day I will be in the class I say to myself.

As he instructed some of the students to get into Urdhva Dhanurasana, out came words that have resonated with me for the entire day. "Show less but do more" he said. We all want to show that we are doing more - when in reality we maybe actually doing less". He wanted the class to "show less but do more" in the poses he was instructed. I guess he meant he didn't want the students to put out a show of perfect looking poses, but rather focus on being in the pose and really understanding the pose. He said that was more sincere.

Those were powerful statements, as they apply to our lives as well. We put so much emphasis on the outwards, the showman ship, the projection of perfection. Whats inside maybe completely different to what is being shown on the outside. That one statement from Prashantji set the tone for my day. What a wonderful experience to hear such great words from a great mind and experience this great yoga. Little I knew the firestorm I was just about to step into a minute as his class ended and I walked down the steps to see Mr. Chandru. All my learning as a yogi was about to be tested. Please return for the completion of this episode of my first day of yoga in Pune.

Namaste

The Yogi

Day 14 in Pune - Great yoga with Gulnaaz and Rememberence Day for Mother

April 25th 2008

April 25th is a day I will always remember and cherish. Its the day the person who gave me birth was born. She would have been 73 years today. Her birth name was Swadesh (meaning freedom, given to her by her parents as a symbol of the freedom movement in India in the 1930s). Her married name became "Seema" which means limit or boundary but she was limitless and there were no boundaries in her generosity, compassion, love and care for others. She taught me how to be patient, persevere and have hope as there was always light at the end of the tunnel. She taught me to be sweet and kind. In moments of torment and struggle, she would say "leave it to god" as everything will work out as you wish and not to ever give up hope. Though highly educated with a double masters, a degree in law, she chose to stay home and be a housewife.

She was determined and ambitious but she put that aside to be there for her kids, her husband and his extended Indian family. That was the tradition. She would always be there for anyone in pain, trouble and sorrow and was sought after to mediate and solve problems for everyone in the family. She garnered huge respect and love from all. She faced many struggles in life, her father passed away when she was only 13. She along with her younger brother ran the family business as teenagers. She lost him young when he was only 41. She held my father's hand for 20 years after he became blind and sacrificed more to make sure that I and my siblings could build a future out of India. She was determined and she made it happen.

She died suddenly in 2004. She had been very ill for a few years and suffered much pain. But I know she passed on happy and in peace, knowing that despite the challenges she faced all her life, she was respected by all and loved dearly by her husband and children and grandchildren, and all her sacrifices brought her a few years of happiness and joy at the end. It is her death that was a catalyst for me to seek out my own spiritual path and I am who am because of the limitless, courageous, determined and loving "Seema". She will always be there in my heart and my family, especially my younger girl who calls her Mumma.

So today as I attended my final class with Gulnaaz - it was a happy and funny class and a relaxing day after 3 days of upheaval with my health. Gulnaaz pushed us hard, but she was also very attentive to the students and especially me. I had trouble with my handstand and Pinch Mayur Asana. She even wise cracked on me -"Sirji are you still alive there - don't give up trying". I didn't and I struggled, but I got a few jumps. At the end there was Pranayama - Ujai and Viloma. It brought much needed relaxation. My blood pressure has stabilized. I bid her good bye. She was happy to have an eager student who had so much enthusiasm. It was a fun class and yes just like my mother I am determined to get those poses perfected over time. I feel her presence around me and in my heart. She still continues to encourage me to face life with courage and compassion and to do my best and leave it upto god for the rest. I hope all who read this will do the same.

I love you mother!

Namaste...

The Yogi