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Spring 1990

NAMASTE,

Only a couple of weeks ago, just before it was time for the newsletter to go to press, I learned that following the Second North American Iyengar Yoga Convention in San Diego, Mr. Iyengar will visit several cities and yoga centers around the continent, and that he will come to Washington to see the nation’s capitol and to visit with the Iyengar yoga community here.

Wow!

Is it necessary for me to say that this is incredibly exciting? All of us, the teachers and the students, are already beside ourselves with anticipation. Words definitely do not convey the feeling here.

Since we’ve only just found out with some surety that this visit will really take place, all of the plans with respect to Mr. Iyengar’s activities while he is here are still completely up in the air. Because of that, I debated whether to wait until the summer newsletter, which should come out in early June and when plans will be a little more certain, to talk about this.

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On the other hand, since the schedule calls for him to be here July 9-11, that would leave those of you who would like to see him little advance time to make your plans. So I’ve decided to go off half-cocked as it were and let you know what things look like at this point. If there are any major changes, we’ll probably send out a separate mailing prior to the summer newsletter. Otherwise, final details should be included in that newsletter.

Mr. Iyengar will have just finished traveling from India and spending nine very long days at the Convention. If you’ve been to either of the two conventions previously held in this country, you know that the schedule is packed. As arduous as it is for the participants, it is even more so for Mr. Iyengar. He visits literally dozens of classes every day. He gives talks and conducts seminars and question-and-answer sessions during many of the afternoon and evening programs. On evenings when he is not presenting the main program, he is usually at a dinner or social function, making himself available to students, friends and supporters. Of course this is exhausting. And after that, he will be visiting at least three other cities before he gets to Washington. Seems to me he might like to rest up a little bit right after he gets here.

Since part of the purpose of his visit is to see Washington, I suppose that Tuesday during the day and perhaps whatever time (if any) is available on Monday and Wednesday will be set aside for that.

Because we’re not sure when he and his entourage will arrive on Monday and when they’ll leave on Wednesday, Tuesday evening is the time we’re planning a program open to the public to give everyone an opportunity to see and hear Mr. Iyengar.

Since many of you will be unable to attend the Convention in San Diego and there’s no way of knowing if Mr. Iyengar will be back to this country again, I suspect that lots of people will want to come to Washington to see him while he’s here. Added to the substantial number of people in the Iyengar community specifically and the yoga community at large here in Washington, we’re anticipating a turnout sizable enough that the Bethesda studio won’t be nearly large enough to hold everyone. For that reason we’re currently looking for a hall that can accommodate 500-1000 people. Any suggestions with regard to this will be helpful.

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I expect that the public program on Tuesday night will include a brief talk by Mr. Iyengar and a question and answer period following the talk. Mr. Iyengar generally prefers that questions be specific regarding physical problems and performing the asanas. I think what we’ll do is ask people to submit their questions in advance so that Mr. Iyengar can review them and address the ones he thinks most important. A reception following the program will be held at the same location, and coffee, tea and sweets will be served.

I’ll definitely say more about the details of the program in the summer newsletter.

Unity Woods will be required to bear the travel expenses for Mr. Iyengar and his entourage (approximately nine people) to get to Washington and whatever costs are incurred while they’re here, including the cost of the hall and refreshments. In order to help defray these expenses, there will be a nominal charge for the public program.

In addition, we will conduct three special fundraising classes at the Bethesda studio on the weekend preceding Mr. Iyengar’s visit. Tentatively, I will teach a class from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Friday evening (July 6), Stan will teach from 10:00 – 12 noon on Saturday, and Liz from 10:00 – 12 noon on Sunday.

Some of you will be coming from out of town, perhaps from a significant distance, and Mr. Iyengar is available publicly for only one evening. Since you are coming all that way, you might want to come into Washington for the weekend, do some sightseeing yourself and catch a class or two at Unity Woods while you are at it. Those of you who would like to attend one of the weekend workshops should contact us to reserve a space.

Because we will have a number of out-of-town visitors, including the members of Mr. Iyengar’s party, I ask that any of you in the local community who are willing to house a visiting yogin or two, please contact the Center. And if you would like to help with any of the myriad of tasks that will arise in connection with Mr. Iyengar’s visit, please let us know.

I realize that this is all very sketchy, but it’s the best I can do for the moment. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with us. As I said earlier, final details will be in the summer newsletter, which should be out by the beginning of June.

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This is a momentous event for us in the Washington area and here at Unity Woods particularly. We’re pleased, honored, and grateful that Mr. Iyengar has chosen to visit us and that his visit will afford us the opportunity to be in the presence of one of the truly great Yoga masters in the world. I hope you’ll be able to join us and look forward to sharing this very special occasion with you.

Another event that I am pleased to be able to share with you is the addition of Paula Andrzejewski to the teaching staff at Unity Woods. From the time she first began, Paula has given wholeheartedly of her time and energy to the practice of yoga. I have had the pleasure of watching the fruits of her efforts blossom, first as a student and then as an apprentice assisting in the classes. Her dedication and generous nature are powerful attributes from which I’m sure her students will benefit, and I am delighted that she is joining the staff at Unity Woods, and along with her husband, Stan, will be offering classes in the Baltimore area. Welcome Paula.

And a glorious spring to you all.

       

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