I had not thought of my own internal struggles as a war within–until recently. This past year presented three different situations in which I was maitri challenged. They involved my car, a fountain in my yard and a recall on my hip replacement. They were all paid for, repaired and now in need of re-repair! Any one of these was stressful, but three at once had all of my attention. And I was building quite a case in my head on how these situations weren’t right or fair. I was using a lot of energy to justify how I was right and they had been wrong. The doctor, mechanic and fountain person were becoming the villains in my story.
I remember an article Mr. Iyengar wrote about dealing with stress, and this line stood out: “We have to know how to deal with ourselves when the external world disturbs us.” And I was disturbed! My inner conflict was how to stand up for myself and what is best for me, while not being consumed with anger and resentment at having to deal with all of this.

Around this time, a doctor friend told me a story of a patient who was waiting to be seen, and somehow her name had gotten lost in the shuffle. After some time, she approached the desk, and asked about it, and caused such a scene that everyone scrambled to get her in. Even with all the doctor, nurses and staff did, she stayed upset and let them know how inconvenienced she had been. Now, whenever she comes in, the staff and nurses are very nice, but braced for her complaints and relieved when she is out of there. My friend remarked that the women had won the battle, but lost the war. She is thought of as the angry, demanding patient whenever she comes in.

I became aware that I needed to decide how do I deal with these “inconveniences”, these disturbing injustices: a faulty hip, a fountain that wasn’t working and unsatisfactory car repairs. The most harmful part was how I felt inside.

I had started yoga in 1980 to handle the inner and outer struggles, as well as the strong emotions that kept me trapped and unhappy. I remember in my very first yoga class, going in feeling overwhelmed and sad, and the transformation after class of feeling more at peace, at ease with myself and the conflicts in my world. My first introduction to Sutra 1.33, I thought, what lovely words and ways of being and connecting. These were ideals I wanted more of in my life: lovingkindness and friendliness, compassion, joy and tolerance and equanimity – both for my self and others. I included myself, because honestly I had to start with me to assuage my own demons before I could feel these caring attitudes towards others.

Thinking about my early yoga experiences and what I was facing at the time made me wonder what kind of person I would be without my yoga practice, teaching yoga, my students (whom I learn from), the Sutras, my teachers, the Iyengars, The Iyengars!, my trips to India. They have all profoundly influenced me and given me guidance. These yogic teachings have given me ideals to grow up to. And there I sat with my recent battles and coming to terms with how they were impacting me and my well being. Truthfully, I was getting tired of being upset, and of feeling scared and alone with what to do.

Originally, I sought out my doctor because he was the best in his field for what I needed fixed. With all the problems with my hip replacement and then the recall, I decided a new doctor was what I needed. In my anger and fear, I considered doctors in other areas and cities, but realized my doctor was still the best I could do for me, and I needed his help.

I needed to loosen my rigid position and to make friends with this idea of getting him to help me again. First, I had to let go of being right. Right about how wrong the first surgery had gone and the complications that came with it. The being right was a rigid position fueled by my anger that the people I turned to for help had let me down. My anger and emotional distancing was my way of holding them apart from me and what I was going through. Feeling more positive and hopeful about what I faced became more important to me than being in a battle against them. As my feelings changed, my interactions changed with the doctor and his nurse. My doctor friend of the above story said to me “You know this surgeon wants nothing more than to make it right with you and a new hip”. I just had to drop my criticisms and rigid positions to hear this. It was allowing myself to feel they wanted to help me and were on my side.

So as my inner dialogue changed, and I surrendered my position of being wronged, we weren’t in a battle against each other, we were working together. Like in every yoga pose, what do I hold onto that uplifts and supports, and what parts do I need to let go of to create space and openness? What needs to be strong, and what parts of me need to soften and be receptive to move forward in a positive way? As long as I fanned the flame of me against them, I would stay stuck and not move towards positive solutions and outcomes. Letting go of blaming the doctor came from wanting to feel better and brought with it a mental and physical release.

Maitri is a practice, a way of being that opens my heart and mind, making it possible for me to connect to others and to receive their love and support. Three months out from the surgery, I experienced wonderful support, care and treatment from the doctor and staff. The pond has fish, but lots of algae. And I am still looking for a new mechanic!

We are happy to offer a morning series and an evening series for you to choose from.These classes are especially designed to introduce new students to the principles of yoga postures and build a foundation of understanding for a continuing yoga practice. If you want to learn, or simply to review, the basic yoga poses, this is the ideal class. Particular attention is paid to helping you practice in a safe and beneficial way.
Call Lou at (901) 767-6093 to register.

For intermediate students with an established personal practice and teachers who want to deepen and explore more advanced poses.
Cost $30.00. (Lou)

   Satya —— In this regard, truth becomes significant when we accept it, especially at a time when it is most inconvenient to do so. This one in particular has karmic consequences. There is no getting away with a lie. It’s karma will follow.

     Asteya —— This means non-covetness. Asteya is holding back desires, letting go. In Ramayama (indian epic), when Rama (the prince) was sent to exile by his father (the king) on request of his step mother, the younger brother, Bharat was asked to ascend to the throne as the next king, but he refused to do so in lieu of the fact that Rama was still the elder brother and heir apparent to the throne. So Bharat let go of the desire to rule the kingdom. That is a lofty example from mythology, but for our perspective, Asteya could mean desire to let go of un-necessary buying, trying to be rich etc., make more money, or the desire to always use A/C during summer.

    Brahmacharya —— To me this means life of moderation, discipline, punctualism, surrender and abhyasa. Bhramacharya is used in conjunction with childhood, esp., with kids who are under the tutelage of a guru and live with him/her personally in his ashram (monastery) for a good chunk of their formative years, usually between ages 8 to 25. This is the period to learn all the arts and sciences from the guru and his wife. So as a student you do as you are told by the guru and his wife without hesitation and reserve. It is through surrender to guru that you learn. I think that is a big part of Brahmacharya. Example could be from the epic Mahabharat when the Pandavs and Kauravs (brothers and cousins) lived with their guru (Dronacharya) to learn different arts and crafts from him.

Aparigraha —–  Non hoarding. This is a big one and probably the most relevant to our times. This has a direct impact on environment and planet. If we become less consumption oriented we will have a positive impact on our planet. Hoarding can translate to excessive consumption of food, buying unnecessary garments, books, electronic gadgets, excessive use of technology etc., too much furniture or a fat bank balance and portfolio.

• The part that’s earth urges you to be ON the pose. be on your feet and on balance, root, STAY!

• The part that’s air urges you to be IN the pose.  be in the lightness of it – let your inspiration float over your head..

• The part that’s fire urges you to accept the things that are difficult and allow the challenge to be soothing somehow and warm

• The part that’s water urges you to be aware of the things that are unpredictable and not to get too comfortable in a stream (or a routine obviously when not being metaphorical)

• and the part that’s ether reminds you it’s all mystery and all you can do is learn from all of the above

Cleanliness, purity, keeping our bodies and surroundings clean and neat, physical as well as mental purity, internal and external cleanliness.

Santosa

Contentment, the ability to be comfortable with what we have and what we do not have, positive attitude towards past, present, and future events.

Tapas

Heat, burning, shining, ascetic devotion, a burning desire to reach perfection, self-discipline, the restraint of impurities in our physical and mental systems through the maintenance of such correct habits as sleep, exercise, nutrition, work, and relaxation, a disciplined life that aims for mental and physical balance.  Tapas develops strength in body, mind, and character.

Svadhyaya

Study which leads to knowledge of the self, study and the necessity to review and evaluate progress, study of spiritual books, daily study of scared texts, including chanting the sacred syllable “Om”.

Isvara Pranidhana

Reverence to a higher intelligence, Self; surrender to God, making God the focus of concentration.

Harmlessness, non-violence, not causing pain, respect for all beings and all things, consideration towards all living things

Satya

Truthfulness, genuine, honest, virtuous, right communication through speech, writings, gesture and action, not lying

Asteya

Non-stealing, non-covetousness, the ability to resist a desire for that which does not belong to us, respect for the belongings of others, not adopting someone else’s ideas without crediting them

Brahmacarya

Continence, moderation in all our actions, celibacy, non dissipation of energy, resolution of desire by spiritual means, balancing of actions, desires, thoughts, and feelings and channeling them toward a wholesome purpose

Aparigraha

Non-hording, without possessions, not seeking to possess undue, superfluous goods

1.  Yama – Universal ethical disciplines; rules and restraints for us to live in society; our attitudes toward our environment; respect for others and self.

2.  Niyama – fixed observations and guidelines for personal conduct to build character; guidelines for personal daily behavior; our attitude towards ourselves.

3.  Asana – practice of yoga postures; seat in general; the practice of bodily exercises.

4.  Pranayama – practice of breathing; regulation and restraint of breath; breath control management of the energies that control the body linked to the emotions via breath control.

5.  Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses from the outer world toward the soul; restraint of the senses.

6.  Dharana – the act of concentration; keeping the mind focused and collected; the ability to direct our mind.

7.  Dhyana – meditation; contemplation; reflection; attention; the ability to develop interactions with what we seek to understand.

8.  Samadhi – profound meditation; absorption; complete integration with the object to be understood.

Printable PDF version of the Immunity sequence.

Now there are cars and more cars.  Tiny little cars, some made in Japan and TATA cars and trucks made in India.  The other day out in a rickshaw, I noticed the rickshaws are still competing and instead of just rickshaws, bikes and motorcyclec, there are now all these little cars competing for space.  The roads have been rerouted one way on many of the larger roads to help traffic flow.

Something else I noticed, that even though there are less saris worn by the women -except the very wealthy and very poor- the women where scarves on their heads wrapped much like a burka.  It is interesting how they wrap them so stylishly and only slits for the eyes. So the women/girls still find ways to wear the scarf and wrap it around them.

When I walk to the little store for groceries and water I haul it all back and I feel like the women who carry these huge baskets and bags on their heads as you see oftern in pictures. I can relate.

My car to my kitchen is much closer than the little store and where I live here.  But it is doable and I am like the other women carrying  just what I need home.

A few other things that I have felt touched by are how the Iyengars use people around the institute who have some disability and yet have a role that they contribute to for work.  It is thoughtful and touching.

Yesterday at practice. Mr. Iyengar didn’t show up, so the assistents now teachers, started practicing and experimenting and it was fun to see them having fun,  experimenting with things and all trying it out.  The hall was more lively, without Mr. I there!  Most people are leaving today and tomorrow.

This is pranayama week, so more restorative and pranayama. I don’t know if that will continue or not. Prashant’s classes are always unpredictable so I will see what my last week will be.

New people will be arriving so standing poses will start Wed. the 1st and Thurs.  I will leave after the Thursday morning class for Mumbai. Then on to the states.  I am glad to be able to see you all and teach some of what I am getting from here.   I am not sure what that is at the moment , but it comes out eventually and gradually.

Love to you all,

Lou