Nov. 15th: Day 3 of the Margot Kitchen Workshop

Focus: Fun with ropes* and backbends. Today we prepped for and worked on poses "at the back of the book", referring to advanced poses towards the end of Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar.

* If you don't know what a yoga rope wall is, check below for a pic of my home studio wall. I'll post more photos soon showing the wall in action.

Supta Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle) - two straps around legs
Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero)
Uttanasana - feet hip width apart, heels out slightly, toes in
Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) - variation
Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana (One Foot Extended Upwards Pose)
Urdhva Muhka Svanasana into Halasana (Upward-facing Dog into Plough) - on the ropes x 20
Udhva Muhka Svanasana (Upward-facing Dog) - with ropes, partner using a slant board pressing in and up on lower tips of shoulder blades
Purvottanasana (Intense East Stretch Pose) - alternate between on the ropes and on the mat (from "table top" to the full pose), feet flat on the floor
Urdhva Danurasana (Upward Bow) - on the ropes: rope placed high on your tailbone, toes at wall, arching over to the floor
Urdhva Danurasana II (Drop-back Upward Bow) - on the mat, with a partner or not, arching over to the floor; some participants worked on coming back up to standing
Halasana (Plough Pose) - on a bolster
Savasana

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Nov. 14th: Day 2 of the Margot Kitchen Workshop

Focus: Twists.

Virasana (Hero Pose)
Parsva Virasana
Parvattasana in Virasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-facing Dog)
Uttanasana
Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand) - Practiced at the wall and in the middle of thw room. The focus was for us to move away from doing a "Canadian Headstand", one where you are always leaning forward slightly. I admit I do this. Fear of falling back is always a culprit but even more so is having a solid foundation in the wrists, arms, and shoulders. Moveover, when my legs work properly there is more ease in the pose. Key points to remember: outter thighs draw in, internally rotate the legs, contract the inner thighs
Utthita Trikonasana - Place one hand in the hip crease of the leading leg and the other hand on the tailbone. The idea with a hand on the hip crease is to draw the hip in while still externally rotate the leg. The hand on the tailbone is there to bring awarenes to tucking the tailbone while moving into the full pose
Utthita Parsvakonasana
Prasarita Padottanasana
Parsvottanasana
Virabhadrasana I - same as UT with keeping the hand on the tailbone and maintaining the tucked tailbone
Virabhadrasana III
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana - from kneeling in lunge on the floor. Lunge, twist, then lift knee off the floor
Upavista Konasana
Parsva Upavista Konasana
Triang Muhaikapada Paschimottanasana
Marichyasana I
Krounchasana
Parsva Krounchasana
Adho Muhka Svanasana
Janu Sirsasana
Salamba Sarvangasana I
Eka Pada Sarvangasana
Parsvaika Pada Sarvangasana
Halasana
Karnapidasana
Parsva Halasana
Parsva Karnapidasana - this was a new one to me. Margot was smart for having included it. I nice deep twist while mainatining the Sarvangasana-zen feel
Savasana

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Nov. 13th: Day 1 of the Margot Kitchen Workshop

As with all her workshops, Margot began by giving some words of wisdom. She choose this time to share insights from her latest trip to India. Margot mentioned how Geeta Iyengar emphasized how practitioners must "find out for themselves" about the asanas and how their bodies relate to them. Geetaji spoke of the need for a commitment to independent practice to nurture and deepen and understanding of their practice. Only then can the yogi move beyond the superficial gains made by going to classes and workshops and become fully emmersed in their practice.

My thoughts: I completely agree. I have had many "ah-ha!" moments while attending classes taught by the best, but the greatest stuff has come about when practicing solo. I've had the best breakthroughs about my mental limitations through my home practice, not to mention my physical challenges.

Good advice from the best of the best..

Focus: Pranayama. Think poses to open the chest, collar bones, rib cage, and shoulders all in prepration for breath work. Here is the sequence with some notes on points that stood out for me.

Adho Muhka Virasana (Downward-facing Hero): Emphasis on lengthening the front of the body, not only the back. The back also needs to elongate in two directions: backwards and down towards the heels and forwards towards the shoulders. The shoullders and upper arms externally rotate towards the floor. The hands can be placed at the outter edges of the mat to help maintain this action and broaden the upper back. Elbows are kept off the floor for a more active pose.
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-facing Dog): Same points as in AMV. Keep the feet widder than hip width with the heels out slightly to broaden the buttocks. Keep the upper arms in the shoulder sockets
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend): Same action in the feet as in AMS, broaden the buttocks; grabbing the backs of the calves or hands on the floor
Salamba Sirsasana (Headstand)
Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana - through a chair, crown of the head on a bolster

Here is what we use for a "yoga" chair:

Bharadvajasana - seated normally on a chair
Salamba Sarvangasana I and II (Supported Shoulderstand) - using a chair, bolster under the shoulders. This is an active version of the pose where you come completely off the chair with the body, i.e., no "sitting" on the seat of the chair nor are the legs supported by the back of the chair. By grabbing the back run of the chair with my palms turned up, I could externally rotate my arms more resulting in a more open chest and fronts of the shoulders.
Niralamba Sarvangasana I (Unsupported Shoulderstand) - on a chair, bolster under the shoulders, arms over the head along the floor

Lower back release - laying on the floor, shins resting on the seat of the chair, lower back supported by a bolster
Bharadvajasana - seated sideways on a chair twisting towards the back of the chair
Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellowing Breathing) - seated backwards in a chair, feet flat on the floor and pointed forward. The idea was to hold onto the back of the chair to once again open the chest, broaden through the collar bones, sit up straigh, and open the groins and hips. Use an alternate nostril fingertip placement. This type of breathing is used to clear the nasal passages without the use of say, a neti pot. It works!
Ujjayi Pranayama (Conquering Breathing) - seated backwards in a chair. Same alignment points as for Bhastrika Pranayama

* Personal note: After sitting in a chair backwards for the previous two types of pranayama, I developed knee pain. I had to work on not allowing myself to be distracted by the pain. Eventually I corrected this for myself by turning my feet ourwards so they matched the direction of my knees (pointed out from the abduction of the thighs).

Viloma Pranayama (Interrupted Breathing) - in Savasana II supported on a bolster, folded blanket under the head
Savasana (Corpse Pose) - bolster placed on thighs

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Iyengar Workshop with Margot Kitchen, November 13-15th, 2009

One of the many requirements for completion of my Iyengar Teacher Training was to attend a workshop this past weekend taught by my dear teacher, Margot Kitchen. I would have attended regardless but it's always a priviledge to skip to the head of the line when registering because you're teacher is, well, the teacher. I was late signing up and would have missed out on attending otherwise (sorry again for my tardiness, Margot).

As a trainee, I had to complete a workshop-related assignment which involved doing a review of the workshop: discuss the points that resonate with me, decide if there was a balanced class each day, discuss the use or lack of use of linking, pinpoint a theme if any to the weekend or to each day, and take note of anything else I thought was relevant.

Margot even offered to receive the trainees thoughts how the workshop could have been improved. A gracious gesture from a Senior Iyengar teacher with decades of experience!

My next few posts will discuss the above and give the sequence of classes from each day.

Stay tuned; there's more to come.

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Sept. 20th: Day 3 of the Jayne Orton Workshop

Another four hours with Jayne today. I had stayed up late the night before and was wiped, not to mention s-o-r-e from the two previous days. Funny how those things don't matter once you get into the groove of a good workshop. On the last day: Arm balancing, hip openers, and more fun things.

Gomukasana (Cow Face Pose) - Nothing new here. My outer thighs were thanking me *ahem* afterwords so I had to include it here for you.

Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle) - Done alone on blankets for support, them with friends in groups of three. Picture one person in BK holding the ankles of a second person standing in front of them and a third person with two straps lopped around the thigh creases of the BK person. Think medieval torture device as the standing person steps back slowly while the person with the straps draws back and down. Goal: surprisingly not the make you cry but rather to ground the buttocks, keep the BK person's thighs rolling back, and their spine lengthening forward. Lovely.

Bhujapidasana (Shoulder-pressing Pose) - Stand in Tadasana with the feet slightly no wider than hip-width apart. This is unusual for me as I generally try to keep the feet wider. Crouch down and lift one heel, take one arm through your feet and place the hand down. IMPORTANT! Instead of dropping the heel down, make sure the back of the thigh is resting high on the upper arm near the shoulder. Do the same with the other heel and hand. Then as you press up and straighten your arms, continue to press your inner thighs against your upper arms. Then all you need to do is hang out monkey style..

Bakasana (Crane Pose) - Women, listen up! Take your hands wide to make up for our narrow upper frame. This helped me even my with my broader shoulders. Keep the elbows in line with your wrists, take your time, and lift up onto your toes first before taking the leap with feet off. Then straighten your arms. Breath.

Salamba Sirsasana II (supported Headstand II) into Bakasana - Take your time, elbows in line with the wrists, an place your shins onto your upper arms first before lifting your head completely off the floor.

Parsva Bakasana (Side Crane Pose) - Crouch, walk your hands to the right side, and place them wide apart on the mat. The left upper arms and armpit stays close to the outer right thigh. Walk your feet around to the left and then using your lower right leg to lift the left, place your right thigh against the left upper arm. Balance.

Vasisthasana (Side-plank Pose, stage 1 and full-pose) - We positioned ourselves perpendicular to the wall with the lower foot's inner edge pressing against the baseboard. Feet stacked at first, then we took the top leg up as vertically as possible while holding the big-toe.

Akarna Dhanurasana (Archer Pose) - A great way to end an incredible workshop. I made big strides in my own body with this one. Variation: Take the bent leg tight into your side, draw the knee back as much as possible without collapsing in the spine and overly externally rotating the hip. Grab the foot of the bent leg with both hands if possible. Straighten your bent leg all the while keeping the thigh as close to your body as possible. Draw the thighbone back down into the hip socket. Repeat the sequence of thigh into the body, leg straightening, thigh bone down as many times as need until the leg is straight. Full pose: Do the above again but this time hold the big toe of the bent leg; hold the big toe of the opposite straight leg with the other foot.

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Sept. 19th: Day 2 of the Jayne Orton Workshop

Day 2 consisted of 2 sessions, 4 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. Needless to say my body was an aching unit later that evening. The below descriptions are not for beginners but rather those who have are already familiar with the poses and have good body awareness. Having said that, some of the cues below can be practiced by a novice student. One focus: twists. Here are the poses and cues that stood out for me in sequence:

Vrksasana (Tree Pose) - For the bent leg, concentrate here on pressing 1) the inner thigh forward and 2) the small toe/outer heal side of the foot into the inner thigh to allow the hip to open and the knee to point out to the side. For the standing leg, contract the thigh muscles, lift the knee cap, and draw the outer hip and thigh in. These actions compact the hips and help to maintain the placement of the bent leg foot (no slippage!) and balance. Students who are less steady can stand with the wall behind them at arms length

Parighasana (Gate Pose) - Similar actions to Vrksasana - showing off the concept of linking* in Iyengar yoga. Instead of straightening the "leading", externally rotated leg, bend the knee and place the foot flat on the floor, front edge of this foot in line with the opposite kneeling knee. I like to use the front edge of the mat for this to ensure the knee and foot are perfectly in alignment. Place a block in front of the leading heal. Bend towards the leading leg as usual and place your hand on the block in front of the leg. Press the inner thigh of the leading leg forward towards the front edge of the mat. Don't bend forward at the waist! Use the arm whose hand is on the block and press back into the inner thigh. This last action helps you to twist the torso, open the chest, and look up

Garudasana (Eagle Pose) - Place your feet one foot-length away from the wall. Take your feet together. Bend the knees slightly and rest your buttocks on the wall, back off slightly while maintaining it's nature curvature. Cross the right leg over the left, tucking the shin and foot around the standing leg calf. This variation allows those who may not be able to usually "bind" the legs do to so being balanced against the wall

Utthita Hasta Padangustasana (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose) - Not really big news but using the wall for all variations of UHP is great for keeping the hips level and thighs compact

Adho Mukha Vrksasana and Eka Pada Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand) - While facing the wall, this variation allows you to get more extension in the spine by pressing the feet/fott into the wall

Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand) - Using a folded blanket under the arms to allow for the little fingers to come off the edge helps the wrists the press down and ground. Another trick I liked was to keep the thumbs together to prevent the wrists and forearms from rolling out

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand) - Many styles of yoga use no blankets to practice this pose; Iyengar is not one of them. I even figured I could use 5 blankets to give myself LOTS of height under the neck. This extra height is more than I've ever used and may seem excessive to some but keep in mind it frees the back of the neck to prevent stiffness. The extra support cause a rebound action in the torso where the chest opens more, the upper back is allowed to extended, and the pose eventually becomes almost effortless

Marichyasana I and III - For M I, allow the buttocks to come off the floor slightly to enable a proper, safe, and full forward bend. For M III, sit with your back towards the wall and when you twist, take the leading hand back pressing against the wall to leverage yourself into a deeper twist.

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolving Head-to-Knee Pose) - We also practiced regular JS but I'll only talk of the revolving pose here. Jayne showed how you can twist, lean way back towards the side of the straight leg, allow the bent leg to list off, and reach up and back with leading arm (bent-leg side). This point of this prep work was to allow for a deeper rotation in the torso usually restricted for most by the grounded bent leg. From there, garb the foot and work to press the bent leg down again.

*A note on linking: The process in Iyengar yoga whereby poses with similar cues and actions in the body precede one another. The benefits of linking are to teach proper body alignment in beginner poses and prepare the student to eventually practice more advanced poses.

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Sept. 18th: Day 1 of the Jayne Orton Workshop

Our first session with Jayne was 3 hrs. Some poses from the workshop have been excluded here to keep things brief. The poses you see below are listed in the order Jayne taught them to maintain as much of the Iyengar sequencing as possible. Here are the poses and cues which stood out for me:

Supta Padangustasana (Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose) I and II - the thigh bone of the lifted leg needs to draw back into the hip socket to keep the hip joint stable (N.B. this action is used in many other poses! e.g., Tadasana, Adho Muhka Svanasana, etc), hands can hold either end of the strap with elbows to the edge of the mat to keep the chest and collar bones broad; opposite leg extends out and stays lifted off the floor an inch or two before being lowered down. Think: I need to bring the back of the thigh down to touch the floor first, then the calf, then the heel. Watch the toes! Tadasana feet with the pinky toe and outer heel drawing down towards the floor to keep the toes level.

Tadasana (Mountain Pose) - use a brick between the inner heels so as to not collapse through the inner edges of the feet, arches, and ankles. How-to: roll to the outer edges of the feet and then roll back to press the inner heels into the block; at the same time, ground through the big toes of both feet. Press the thighs back and remember to keep a slight internal rotation of the legs

Parvottasana - Keeping the thumbs together; once the conventional way, once starting with the elbows bent, backs of the hands on the top of the head and pressing up. The latter version is intended to keep the arms in line with the ears but it's a much more intense pose. That's an understatement!

Urhva Hastasana (Upward-facing Hands) - With a block between the hands, once the conventional way, once starting with elbows bent, block on the top of the head and extending up (similar to Parvottasana - linking)

Ardha Chandrasana (Half-moon Pose) - Lift the thigh bone into the hip socket as you straighten the standing leg. Brilliant cue! My stability went from nothing to rock solid.

Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (Revolving Side Angle) - Same action as AC

Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch Pose) - Arms up, palms facing forward, bending forward with arms reaching forward, arms down to blocks or floor; front outer hip must draw inwards and back into the hip socket

Virabhadrasana 1 (Warrior 1) - Done on a chair. I had never tried this variation before. Sit with your front bent leg through the back of the chair, front outer heel pressing against the front leg of the chair where possible. Back leg extends so the back heel can press into a block behind you. Using the back of the chair, press your hands and lift yourself off the chair slightly. Here is where the real work comes in. Lift and lengthen the front of the body from the pelvis to the naval, to the chest. The tailbone draws in and up, the spine lengthens up, and you now have a much longer torso with more freedom in the lower back. Then "sit-don't-sit" back on your chair so as to not loose the action in the torso. And if that weren't enough, with your back leg contract your thigh and press your hip and top of the thigh forward into the back of the chair. These last steps create a strong, stable, long back leg with a more rotated pelvis.

Important note: chairs with padded seats as better here ;)

Because we hadn't had enough, we then practiced Virabhadrasana 1 without a chair. Maybe it was Jayne's teaching, maybe I was warmed up or in the "zone", but my VB 1 never left so good especially in the back leg.



Seems as though there were quite a few "lightbulb" moments. This is going to take longer than I thought..

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Iyengar Workshop with Jayne Orton, September 18-20th, 2009

I attended a workshop this past weekend at the Family Yoga Centre in Edmonton taught by Jayne Orton. Jayne is a certified Senior-level Iyengar yoga instructor teaching in Birmingham, England. With 30 years experience teaching and over 35 years practicing Iyengar yoga, you would assume she knows her stuff. I am nevertheless thoroughly impressed by her teaching and charisma over the three-day workshop. Her insight into the Iyengar method, the proper movement of the body in postures, and yoga in general solidifies the fact that Jayne has done her work over the years. Iyengar instructors at her level don't get there overnight. They especially don't gain that level of proficiency in their teaching by taking a weekend instructor course. It take years, decades to learn what they have and it takes personality and talent to teach as well as they do. I continue to aspire to that level of teaching. Until then, I'll blog about my experiences here.

The next few entries on the workshop aren't a step-by-step synopsis but rather a review and discussion of the instructions that stood out for me. I'll discuss the "lightbulb" moments where I made real progress in my poses and gained knowledge of what works for my body. I'll also mention pointers that stood out as ways to improve my own teaching.

Stay tuned.

P.S. Feel free to comment on Jayne's teaching if you've been lucky enough to attend her classes before.

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Days 4 & 5 - Gala Evening & Conclusion of the IYAC 2008 Conference

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

Penticton, BC - The gala evening included a dinner with Geetaji. The head tables were reserved for the guest of honour, her niece Abi, senior Iyengar teachers, and IYAC commitee members. Margot Kitchen, senior Iyengar instructor for Calgary, acted as emcee; Ingelise Nherlan, senior instructor from Vancouver, surprised the audience with a song. What a beautiful voice! Some women worn the traditional Indian dress, the salvar kameez, in numerous vibrant colours. I wondered why traditionally we Westerners shy away from such briliant tones. I made a private vow to eliminate black from my wardrobe.

Throughout the Conference, all meals were vegetarian and food was served buffet-style. The Gala dinner was no different except the chef had prepared special Indian-inspired dishes of curried vegetables and naan bread. Whomever said a vegetarian diet was tasteless and dull has never attended a IYAC Conference. We all mistakenly thought we would loose weight during the week. Harty, colourfull salads and bountiful legume entrees were difficult to resist, as were the deserts.

Calgary friends and fellow participants Sharoni, Shelly, Anna, Nimmi, and myself.

~

Sunday, May 4th

A special mention to my brother who is celebrating a birthday today. Happy 37th, Pat.

Penticton & Kelowna, BC - The morning marked our third and final three-hour asana practice with Geeta. I can say without ego that this was the most difficult class I have taken part in during my 10 years practicing yoga. Geetaji pushed our physical limits. She asked us to repeat poses numerous times. When we thought we had gone as far as possible, her instructions allowed us to reach new heights. "Simple" seated twists like Bharadvajasana were now the most challenging. For days following, my back felt the aftermath of forward bends such as Triang Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana and Janu Sirsasana. I didn't check but I'm sure I grew a few inches.

Once finished, Geetaji graciously and without fanfare ended the practice and hence the conference, but not before taking the time to answer questions prepared in advance by students. I could have used a few more days. I could have used a few more WEEKS of her teaching. If it had been possible, I would have transported my students there to experience her teachings with me. It was a milestone on my yoga journey I won't soon forget.

One last note: To Christine Brown, with whom I have more in common than I would have guessed, and to the lovely woman from Toronto (who's name I have forgotton), thank you for engaging me in such lively discussion at the Kelowna airport. Although we joked about it, I would have liked more time to get to know you both before dashing to catch my flight. Our hour sharing drinks was the perfect way to end the weekend. Namaste, Kim.

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Days 2 & 3 - 2008 IYAC Annual Conference with Geeta Iyengar

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Penticton, BC - The morning started with confirming my registration. The volunteer at the desk handed me my nametag and conference information package highlighting the importance of reading the protocol for Geeta Iyengar’s visit. Points included:

1. Students should be in modest dress with both men and women wearing underwear, including a bra for ladies. No room for skimpy athletic wear here.

2. You are asked to stand when Geetaji enters and exits the room, do not speak to her unless spoken too, and always use formal speech including “Ma’am" or "Geetaji” to each sentence.

3. Do not point your feet in her direction when seated as this is a sign of disrespect. Good thing, because I was a few days late for my pedicure.

Students rushed around nervously awaiting the arrival of their teacher’s teacher. I was reminded of ealier years when I attended swimming competition,s although there was no competition there. Just a sea of colours and energy as we all worked to find our appropriate spots and set up our props. Groups of people were introduced to highlight where they were from. Every province in Canada was represented. Some came from as far away as the US, Mexico, Bermuda, Spain, and even Hong Kong!

After the dust settled, Geetali entered to applause and a Namaste greeting. It was an emotional moment for me as I realized she is the highest ranked Iyengar teacher in the world since her father, Guruji BKS Iyengar, retired from teaching. He is, after all, turning 90 this year.

Geeta started with the puja, a traditional Hindu ritual consisting of a offering of food and flowers concluding in a series of chants. We performed the puja in honour of our Guru, BKS Iyengar, whose photo sat promently on the alter. The puja is part of the path of Raja or Royal Yoga. Once the ceremony is over, Geeta explained it as an offering of things we hope to receive. She then translated and interpreted each chant, for those of us not quite as stong in our Sanskrit.

Invocation to Sage Patanjali

Yogena cittasya padena vacam

Malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena

Yopakarottam pravaram muninam

Patanjalim pranajaliranato'smi

Abahu purusakaram

Sankha cakrasi dharinamsahasra sirasam

Svetam pranamami patanjalim

Hari ohm

Go to http://www.bksiyengar.com/ to learn more about Sri BKS Iyengar and Geetaji.

The afternoon was set aside for pranayama or breath control. Geetaji first included a restorative asana practice in order to lengthen the spine to allow for more fluid breathing. She emphasized flatening the back, extending the sides of the trunk, and opening the armpits. What if you can't touch your abdomen to your thighs in Uttanasana without rounding your back? Then don't touch your thighs. Why, Geeta asked, do we feel we should push past where our bodies need to be, at the expense of our alignment and our health?

Other poses included supported Adho Mukha Virasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana, and Supta Buddha Konasana.

One last note: I'd like to wish Trish a Happy Birthday once again. The Calgary Iyengar group organized a surprise brithday party for her on the first night of the Conference. Needless to say, the surprise worked. Check out my friend Anna W's blog for photos of the evening: http://yoga-it-up.blogspot.com/

~

Friday, May 2nd, 2008

With one day already under our belts, the pressure was off. The morning schedule included our first full asana practice of three hours. The basics were emphasized; no fancy backbends or crazy inversions. We stood in Tadasana until we could really feel what Geeta was asking of us. We ended the morning by chanting the first of the four Padas or sections of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a new experience for me. We were lead by Abi Iyengar, Geetaji's niece. She recited each sutra, we repeated after.

The afternoon was our second pranayama session. After a break of a few hours where I rested the sun and read the newspaper, I found it difficult to stay awake in reclining pranayama. Seated breath control proved easier, although several of us commented on how our legs fell completely asleep through the twenty minutes or so of supported Sukasana. Techniques practiced included Ujjayi and Viloma. In the former, Geetaji maticulously described the sections of the rib cage and emphasized their independent expansion and release.

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Day 1 - 2008 Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada AGM and Annual Conference with Geeta Iyengar

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

Kelowna & Penticton, BC - Even though the day was overcast, flying into Kelowna I could see the vineyards dotting the landscape. I arrived just before 7:30am local time. Four hours snoozing on a bench at the tiny airport made the eventual shuttle trip to my final destination, Penticton, all the more enjoyable. The sky cleared and the ride allowed for more sightseeing as we drove through Okanagan wine country; simply stunning. Construction slowed the ride to three times as long as usual, eating up most of the afternoon, but regardless, I knew this was going to be a wonderful few days. Only my third visit to the area, I quickly wondered, “Why don’t I live here?” Everything was alive and green. Spring is how it should be this time of year with crabapple trees in full bloom and tulips and daffodils showing their colours. Views from the hilltops are breathtaking.

As an Associate Member, a teacher working towards certification as an internationally reconized Iyengar Yoga Instructor, I was attending the of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada (IYAC) Annual General Meeting and Conference for the first time. For information on the IYAC, visit: http://www.iyengaryogacanada.ca/

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