Tuesday August 26 2014 National Commemoration Day

B.K.S. Iyengar
December 14, 1918 - August 20, 2014
"I always tell people 'live happily and die majestically'".

To honor the memory of Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar, IYNAUS (Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States) invites us to do the following practice sequence at the same time in our homes or yoga studios on Tuesday, August 26.

For our time, Eastern Daylight Time, that is 8:30pm.

Since another group already uses our space at Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor on Tuesday evenings, I'm encouraging you all to practice in your homes or wherever you are at that time.

The suggested sequence:*
Tadasana - 3 minutes
Uttanasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Utthita Trikonasana - both sides
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Uttanasana
Tadasana - 3 minutes

Sit quietly for 5 minutes

*If you don't know what these poses are,  scroll down to the end for the English translation.  Or make it part of your yoga practice to look up these poses and learn what they are (that's what I really recommend!)

Why is the suggested timing for Tadasana 3 minutes?   For this sequence you are using Tadasana as a meditative experience, by focusing on how you are holding your pose.  Observe how you are positioning and holding each part of the body.  Include paying attention to how the feet are placed and weighted.   What instructions do you remember from class?  Are there any instructions that were particularly helpful for you?

We haven't practiced holding the pose this long in class.  You will get a very different experience of the pose if you hold it for 3 minutes....or even one minute.   Try it and let me know what your experience is.

BKS Iyengar said about Tadasana:

“It is essential to master the art of standing correctly. One thousand things that apply to Tadasana apply to every other pose. See how much your intelligence has to peep in, has to go in, even to understand tadasana? When truly in tadasana, one feels light in body and the mind acquires agility.” 

Here is a link to a YouTube video of Geeta Iyengar (BKS Iyengar's daughter) teaching Tadasana in great detail, including a long segment paying attention to how the feet are placed.

Sitting quietly is also to reflect on the teachings and life of BKS Iyengar, or if you're not very familiar with his work, then reflect on your own yoga practice and experience in the classes you take.


And now the English translation of the sequence.  Look in books or search online if you are unsure of any of these poses.  Any of you who have been to Harmony Yoga for any length of time will be familiar with them.  Modify them how you need to, as you've been taught in classes.

Mountain Pose - 3 minutes
Standing forward bend
Downward Facing Dog pose
Triangle pose -- to the right, then to the left
Downward Facing Dog pose
Standing forward bend
Mountain pose - 3 minutes