Volume 3 Issue 11

December, 2002

Why Attend a Yoga Workshop?

- B.K.S. Iyengar

In 1985 I went to Feathered Pipe Ranch in Montana.  At that time, Judith Lasater was writing the asana column for “Yoga Journal”.  When YJ arrived in the mail, I went to the asana column first.  It was a great teacher.  I found the person behind those articles to be a dedicated, giving  teacher,  I loved my week at the Ranch.  It was similar to a young woman visiting a large city for the first time.  However, I was a 30-something mother getting away from obligations and roles that tugged and pulled every minute of the day.  Time at the Ranch was filled with experiences and people who were wonderful and new to me.  My role there was so different from that at home.  It gave me space and permission to better express myself as an individual.  When I arrived home, my face was relaxed, I had a new haircut (the best I have ever had), and was better able to cope with my “real life.”  After this trip my husband would periodically ask, “When are you scheduled for another yoga trip?”

The yoga teaching was  comprehensive and fun.  I have studied with Judith ever since.  There are years that pass when I don’t see her, but, like family, we pick up where we left off.  Each time we meet, whether it’s been months or years, it’s as though we just parted last week. 

Judith is a role model for me.  She writes, teaches yoga for a living, and raises her family.  She, and other teachers of her caliber, set themselves apart from  some current instructors by refusing to visit a locale without first knowing at least the person inviting them.  With her history, that is not too difficult to accomplish.  She says, “I don’t go anywhere where I don’t think I will have a good time.”    Her desire is to know some of the participants beforehand and to know they have some sort of background in her method.  If there are students in the workshop who do not, that’s fine.  The experienced students keep the energy of the class flowing for the moments when less experienced students are brought up to  speed. Everyone receives instruction relative to their level of practice. 

Judith asks students if “they are willing” to try this or that.  This question gives us space to consider the depth of the request.  Sometimes we are being asked to do something that we attempt every day in our practice.  Sometimes we are being asked to do something very contrary to our teachings.  She is a teacher who stirs the pot, aggravates our complacency, and pinches our comfort zones.  But, she does it with heart.  We, as students, immediately have faith that she is asking us to try something that is safe, and perhaps open the door to a wonderful new journey.

Over the years, I received great satisfaction being able to share what I have learned with others.  My mentors are equally pleased that there are people wanting to share in the joy that they have found in their yoga practice.  Life isn’t always grand, it can de downright difficult.  There is little we can do to take away difficulty.  A  highly productive strategy is to learn how to accept and grow from challenge.  I have learned so much from my teachers.  I desire to share with others how significant these lessons have been.  That one of my teachers is willing to come to my hometown and share her experience with students who live in my area is just short of miraculous.  Until you have studied with a teacher of this caliber, you can have no idea of the great regret I have when an opportunity to meet and study with senior teachers and lets it slip by.  Yoga teachers have a history of self-sacrifice.  They travel.  They take time away from family.  They often make just enough money to meet their needs.  Yet, you meet them and they are filled with joy.  They share from their hearts.  They bring us peace.

When Judith’s children were very young she was teaching, writing, and bringing yoga to a larger audience with her work in helping establish the Iyengar Institute in San Francisco, the “Yoga Journal”, the Yoga Alliance, and the California Yoga Teachers Association.  She found a way to study in India.  She kept busy with her calling and raised beautiful children. 

What is it about our great teachers that calls us?  It’s their answering, without question, their own calling.

Judith Lasater

visits Fayetteville, AR

December 7 - 9

Sat & Sun, Dec 7 & 8

 Workshop

Mon, Dec 9

Teaching Methods

and Asana of the Spine

Workshop Information

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Ardha Chandrasana

Open Heart, Open Pose

Utthita Ardha Chandrasana

 Ardha is half, Chandra is moon.  This is the half moon posture.  In this posture the body weight is supported by one leg, the arms extended away from each other.   Take time, pause with each instruction and observe.

Place a block about a foot in front of the right leg.

Stand in Tadasana.  Jump or step the feet apart to Utthita Hasta Padasana.  From there move to Parsva Hasta Padasana, turning the left foot in, the right foot to the right.  Stretch out to the right, bringing the right hand to the right shin, Utthita Trikonasana.

Bend the right knee placing the right hand on the block.  Place the left arm against the left side of the trunk and bring the left foot in towards the right foot.  Pause. 

Extend the left leg up and back while straightening the right knee.  The left foot will be higher than the left hip. 

Turn the hips, waist, ribs and shoulders to the left bringing the shoulders and arms to a vertical position.

Ground the right foot firmly, extend the left arm up and the right arm down.  Turn the ribs more to the left.   Open the chest, open the heart as though you are receiving adoration and applause.

The body weight is on the right hip and leg.  Extend the trunk away from the left leg.

Press the left thigh bone back into the hamstring. Lift the left thigh away from the floor. 

Come out by bending the right leg and stretching the left foot back to its starting position for Utthita Trikonasana.  Straighten the right leg and pause in Utthitha Trikonasana.    Inhale and bring the trunk to an upright position.  Turn the right foot in and left foot to the left.  Repeat to the left side.

Hold the posture 20—30 seconds.  Repeat 1—2 times on each side.

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