August 4, 2010

Technically, today is our “one-week-away” marker. We left Montreal last Wednesday and, while it seems in some ways like I just left, I am also getting used to life here. The routine of classes, notes, relaxing and eating are falling into place. We have not explored much of Pune yet. Instead, we have been taking advantage of the comfort of our apartment and relative quiet of this area. The main streets that I traverse to and from the Institute are busy, chaotic and loud. The Institute, too, has a level of chaos. For example, the classes are filled to the rafters. For those of you that come to the Saturday morning class, imagine adding 10 more people when we think the room is full. I think this morning’s “Women’s Only” class had 100+ people. Mats are literally edge-to-edge (truly no space at all in between mats) and setting up for things like Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) requires creativity and fortitude. It is good to have a bit of a sanctuary to return to at the end of a class, as the chaos is tiring.

The best thing about the apartment is our cook, Abhai. She is fabulous and makes delicious lunches daily and the leftovers become our supper. Today, I feasted on aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower) – one of my favourites and this was definitely the best I have ever tasted -, dahl (lentil) soup, a spinach –paneer (cheese) dish, chapatti and rice. I will be the only person to gain weight while in India! There is something very special about buying vegetables in the morning and having those made into meals right away and eating everything so there are no leftovers. It feels very healthy and also is a reminder of the concept of making only enough. Abhai is a master at that and something I want to learn from her – coming from the land of make sure there is enough (which translates into too much).

Today’s yoga class was an interesting experience. As I mentioned, it was packed. Mr. Iyengar was also in the back practicing with an assistant, Stephanie Quirk, a longtime student who lives in Pune. Abhi, Mr. Iyengar’s granddaughter taught the class with assistance from an eastern European teacher who teaches in the medical classes. However, Mr. Iyengar was in many ways basically teaching the class. He would call Abhi over and tell her what we needed to work on in the pose; she would come back and repeat it. This was an unusual experience as a student, but an interesting technique too, I assume, for mentor Abhai. Despite all the levels of communication, or maybe because of it, it was the first class where we really worked in many poses and I have some new insights especially in Virabhadrasana I.

Besides classes, Oscar and I are going to an Ayurvedic Centre for the weekend. It is connected to the Institute and Mr. Iyengar inaugurated the practice space there in 2005. It is set on 70 acres of land and all the rooms have a lake-view. We get a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor and then treatments based on that. I am looking forward to that! On the way to book that this morning, I came across the cow and calf of the other day. They were sleeping on the side of a very busy roundabout.