Yoga Release & Recharge During Covid-19

Hats off to humanity at this evolutionary moment. We believe the math and are staying contained for the betterment of our sisters and brothers. Yes, deep inside there is the abhinivesha component, that is self preservation and the fear of our own death. But most of us do not believe we will get it. Instead we keep our distance due to the angels of our better nature, to truly live the sutra heyam duhkham anagatam, that is, one is to avoid that which can be avoidable.

There are moments when we are feeling sudden fatigue, or an incredible urge to sigh, then scream. We are all aware of how many are suffering and at the same time we crave to compassionately be together. A forced curb of our desires brings frustration. For our own well being and that of others we can find release. May it be prayer, exercise, writing letters or chatting to loved ones, all help to unfurl the emotions. And as we know, there is yoga. The practice of which swerves us from the me-ness of this situation. The release and recharge yoga brings about physically, emotionally, energetically, mentally, and spiritually is palpable now. Enhanced effects come with a combination of the intensity of practice, tapas and grace. The yoga home practice experience of many has been enhanced through personal efforts. Many have also joined in on our on-line live stream yoga classes.

We are sure we can share this incredible practice with more, at least a taste of it.

Here are some simple exercises that can be practiced throughout the day to remove stiffness from sitting and to help keep one open. They can be done easily by anyone. Feel free to share them safely with your friends and family . A special thanks to Joanna Haszek and her quarantined family for photos!

Stand in front of a chair or countertop then walk back.

Move thighs back and extend the trunk forward thru the arms.

Walk around the house with arms behind your back and lift the chest. Roll the arms from inside out. Change the interlocking of the fingers, and walk some more.

Sit sideways on the chair, lift the trunk of your body and turn.

Shoulders stay down, turn the head last.

Bend forward, feet to the outside of the chair wide, arms under the chair.

Be sure to interlock fingers both ways.

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Here are some simple poses that can be practiced any time of the day even after eating to recharge the bio batteries and remove fatigue. You can do one or all.

Legs up the wall active feet for a few seconds then release. Several times for 3-5 minutes.

Be sure to change the crossing of the legs.

Press feet on the wall and release hips.

If you do not have these props roll blankets and use a wall for the feet.

Prop the legs and head. 3-5 minutes.

Let go of the whole body and mind in the now. Rest the legs on the chair at 90 degrees or with a roll under the knees. Have support for the head. After 5-10 minutes, come out slowly. First turn to the side for a minute and then come up with the head last.

For those of you who have an established yoga practice, it’s important at this time to include Setu Bandha Sarvangasana and Viparita Karani in your practice along with inversions.

More to come.

Temporary Closure

In response to the increasing call for social distancing and other precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19, Iyengar Yoga Source will not hold in-person classes the week of March 15. As the situation is fluid, we will re-evaluate circumstances next week. This decision was made after careful consideration and much deliberation. We believe it is the best way our community can help slow the spread of COVID-19 as well as protecting our staff, students and community members - particularly those who are most vulnerable.During this time, live streamed classes will be offered for some of our regular classes. Please check the website and Facebook to see which classes will be streamed. If you are interested in taking a remote class, please email info@iyengaryoga-source.com and let us know which class you'd like to attend. You will be emailed an access code prior to the class and it will be debited from your current series.If you are not able to or not interested in live streamed classes, we recommend you continue with your home practice. Two sequences are shown below, with additional sequences posted on our website. Regular passes may be extended to accommodate the temporary shutdown.All March events are postponed at this time, including Iyengar Yoga: A Bridge and Setting Intentions & Manifesting Change. The Scottsdale workshop with Carolyn has been rescheduled for April 24-26.This is a stressful time for all, and we recognize that we may play an important part in helping you deal with anxiety and stress given the current climate. Be assured we remain connected through yoga during this temporary closure. Our teaching team is still available for your support; email or call for any additional assistance in yoga and in your life during this challenging time. We encourage you to further develop your home practice and focus inward, explore principles of pranayama and meditation in addition to asana.We thank you for your understanding as we take steps to ensure the safety of our entire community. Your health and wellbeing is our highest priority. Gratitude for your ongoing support during uncertain times.“Life means to be living. Problems will always be there.

Beginner Standing Sequence

This Standing Sequence was designed with beginners in mind. Each pose should be held for 1-3 minutes depending on level of experience. Add supta baddha konasana as an extra immunity booster.

Sequences on our Blog

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Intermediate Immune Sequence

This Immunity Sequence, courtesy of Iyengar Yoga Australia, is for intermediate practitioners. It was given by the Iyengar Institute in Pune during a virulent flu outbreak. Supta baddha konasana is an additional pose for increased immunity.

Download Sequence

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Live Streaming Classes Available

Take a Class from HomeSeveral of our regular classes will be streamed online during the closure.

Please Click Here To Contact Us If You Are Interested!

Bellur: Giving Back To Mother India

February 2014 was the last time I was blessed by the physical presence of Yogacharya Iyengar. Seeing him daily filled the heart with warmth and expansion. As he said, “I live in my cells , I live in my heart.”

“I live in my cells , I live in my heart.”

One day that month I introduced our friend Veronique Porter and her daughter, Chloe, to Guruji Iyengar. Veronique presented him with a small version of her Sahasrara Chakra Mandala Painting. She created the original work as a fundraiser for the Bellur Village Project and the Clennell film Sadhana. It is now housed in the educational complex in his natal village.

The following is a story of our visit to Bellur Village, and the  painting's arrival.

Guruji spoke of the Bellur project to us. He explained that it was a pilot project as the teachers and students both practiced yoga. He told us of his transformation through the practice of yoga. From TB to health; from little education, to author of many books. From village child to yogi. He paved the way for us all through his personal quest, being the R&D master of yoga.

Making yoga available in the Bellur village schools provides students with a jump start. It was Guruji’s wish that this project continue. We are the future now. For more about the village project click here.

The Following Day

The next day Veronique, Chloe and I were off to visit the village and see firsthand the impact made. The painting was to arrive at the village the day before thanks to Deb Moore, a student at the Center who had connections with FedEx!

The following is part one of our 2 day visit. All photos were taken by Chloe. We arrived at night by cab from Bangalore airport. Silhouettes of temples and Hanuman, the Indian monkey deity of devotion, could be made out in the night, along with towering palm trees of the south. We were greeted by Mr. Govindajulu. He told us the package had arrived! Once in our room we slept soundly in the fresh country air, knowing all had fallen into place.

The next morning we walked thru the village. As this was my third visit to the village over the years, I could see the changes. People looked healthier and greeted us with warm smiles. Posters of Guruji’s smiling face could be seen on the buildings. They were of congratulations from the villagers on his receiving the Padmabusham Award from the Indian government.

We passed the Primary School, the first building funded by Guruji and his students in the 1960's. We headed straight to the Patanjali temple complex. There, the Pujari, the temple priest, lead us inside and performed a small blessing ceremony. Five and one half years before I had been there with Mr. Iyengar and many students during his 90th birthday celebration. Hundreds of us all squeezed in at that time during the sacred ceremony. Once again we stood in humble awe inside the first temple built to Patanjali known today. While excavating for it, an ancient Hanuman Murti-statue was uncovered, which now stands in the compound next to Patanjali.

You see, Mr Iyengar breathed culture. His message that through yoga one could culture the mind and body is present today. He renovated and built more than one temple complex of devotional art for the people. We next moved towards the Rama temple recently restored to its glory, now, an Indian archeological site. On the way children played and guided us thru the village. We saw adorable long eared goats, content in the warm Sunday morning sun.

After our practice in the yoga hall, we had a sumptuous south Indian lunch. That afternoon we met with the officials in charge of the Bellur Village Project. We learned the project serves all surrounding villages, not just Bellur. Five hundred sixty plus students from over 30 villages attend the schools. And there is a fairly even ratio of girls/boys. If not for this project the children would be working in the fields.

The students receive uniforms, books, lunch daily, as well as an education and yoga classes. Some who live far away lodge there. The complex now has a college preparatory school as well. Being there inspires one to continue support of this project. We bore witness, first hand of how many families are being touched by our support! Thousands!

We unpacked the painting, which was in wonderful shape, and learned more of the scope of the project and vision with project leaders. Guruji thought of everything from clean drinking water, a hospital and health care units, 3 levels of schools, educational and vocational training for villagers.

Thanks to the children and their transformation the parents are now believers and participants in the project. Some may become future teachers. Trust has been established, which is the first step to any aid project.

One could only see the glory and light of Guruji’s practice spreading to the people at all levels of society.

A copy of the original Sahasrara Chakra painting is found in our yoga Center entrance. The original now stands in Guruji’s natal village filled with one thousand crystals resting on each petal.   Each crystal donation represents sponsorship of our brothers and sisters in yoga in India, and our shared spark of yogic consciousness.