Yesterday Guruji oversaw the medical class. I got my sequence from the notebook and began my practice. All the poses on the sequence are modified, and require help to set up. There are many teachers and teacher observers in the class willing, able and wanting to help. It’s like a big yoga butler convention. Luckily, Peggy, who assisted me the day before, was also there and helped me.

Before I knew it, Guruji was giving orders of things for me to do. He came over and moved me to the grill, which is like a security window. At first I frustrated him trying to get my arms into the holes, and he told his assistants, Raya and Abhi (who are wonderful & brilliant) that I had fear, and they shouldn’t let “these people” in medical classes, and he walked away. I thought that was it for me. But I wasn’t able to stay under the radar long. He was right back at me, standing over me, giving direction, having me doing various standing poses with my back to the grill, my arms through the grill, holding, extending, revolving, while he stood over & demanded more and more out of me. This was extremely emotional and challenging.

Every new pose, Guruji would have either Raya or Abhi do it first so they could “feel” the pose. He would have them do the correct action, then do the incorrect action so they understood, and then the correct action again. Then he would have me do it. This was great because I was able to see on someone else what he was expecting me to do next (& I could see the effects of the wrong actions as well). Stephanie Quirk, a senior Iyengar teacher who lives in India, also assisted quite a bit. Stephanie is concise, compassionate and absolutely wonderful.

Those of you reading my blog who aren’t Iyengar yoga practitioners may not comprehend what this means, but let me tell you, it was extremely intense, and to have Guruji give modified asanas specifically for me and to spend the amount of time he did with me was an absolute honor and dream come true.

After I was done with the grill work, Stephanie told me Guruji wanted me to work at the column (approx 2’x2′ pillars). She had me take my back to the pillar, squat and extend my arms to grab the back side of the pillar where Abhi and Peggy were there to help lift and extend my arms. I then began to straighten my legs as Stephanie adjusted my shoulders. As my legs straightened and shoulders got higher, my arms were lifted to adjust to the height. Again, very intense.

In between each of the poses, I would stand in Tadasana (the basic standing posture), and my shoulder was so light, it felt as though it could float away.

My last pose (supported Halasana) was more restorative, well received and deserved! Abhi told me to go to Geetaji’s class Wednesday and Saturday, and Pranayama Friday (which Geetaji also teaches). So I will be attending medical classes Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays only until told otherwise.

Now, onto India and more pictures from our Sunday outing.

There are more pictures I’ll save for tomorrow.

Today – 9:30 women’s class with Geetaji and personal practice at 4pm. In between, a walk to the Om Supermarket, which isn’t what it sounds. Trust me.