Islamorada is back on, after 2 cancellations (last March and this March). This is from the official AYRI.org site:
URGENT BREAKING NEWS
We are pleased to announce that Guruji’s doctor has given him a clean bill of health and has released him for travel to America. Guruji will be opening the Yoga Studio in Islamorada beginning with a Grand Opening Party on Friday, May 23 from 6PM – 8PM.
We are very sorry for any inconveniences caused by the cancellations in the past two
years but are very excited to share this experience with all students who plan to attend.
Today there were some comments on our October 2007 post Guruji in Florida in March 2008 about the workshop next month being canceled.
I asked a friend who had signed up for the second week who said that while she did not receive any official email, when she called up she was told that they were just starting to call students who were registered for the second week (March 24 to 28 2008):
Guruji is not going to make it for the trip - he’s ok but just can’t travel. However, Sharath and Saraswati are still coming but they will only be conducting classes during the first week (see Update below).
It seems students who registered for the second week are given the option to switch to the first week. Here are the details of who to contact from the AYRI.org registration page:
Nargis Lengacher at nargis@sdcreations.org and 831-659-3779 or Camille Kochon at creations@sdcreations.org and 760-804-9333.
I will update this post if anything official is posted.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois USA Tour 2008: On the advice of his physician, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois will not be traveling to teach at this workshop. We hope you will support Guruji’s new Florida center by joining his daughter Saraswathi and his grandson Sharath for the grand opening party of March 14th followed by classes.
Week 1: March 15-20, 7:00am and 9:00am
Week 2: March 24-28, 7:00am and 9:00am
I have just been informed by my physician that it is recommended that I not travel at this time. While I am extremely disappointed that I won’t see each and every one of you. I hope that you will support my new center by joining my daughter Saraswathi and my grandson Sharath for the grand opening party of March 14 followed by classes.
This will be my family’s only visit the United States in 2008. I look forward to your support.
Love, Guruji
UPDATE March 4 2008 14:00: Now I am hearing that the workshop has been canceled completely. As I mentioned above, if you want to find out exactly what is going on contact: Nargis Lengacher at nargis@sdcreations.org and 831-659-3779 or Camille Kochon at creations@sdcreations.org and 760-804-9333.
UPDATE March 7 2008: The AYRI.org site has been updated and the workshop has been officially canceled:
The Florida tour has been cancelled. Further updates will be posted soon.
Guruji is doing fine and resting. Please do not call the family at this time due to the abundance of calls coming through. Further updates will be posted on the website.
The Shala in Mysore will re-open on the 27th of April.
UPDATE March 12 2008: From this post’s comments below:
Paradise Yoga would be happy to host ashtanga classes again this year. If there are any teachers coming to town who would be willing to teach classes or workshops, please give us a call at (305) 517-YOGA. Our schedule can be found online at www.paradise-yoga.net and will be updated with the ashtanga information. We are located 1.5 miles south of the Shala in Islamorada. Thanks and hope to see you- Audra Santoro
Posted by govinda on July 31, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
Categories: Guruji
[Guruji’s 92nd Birthday Celebration, July 30, 2007, Mysore, India as experienced by Govinda Kai. The photos in this post come from his flickr.com photostream.
UPDATE 8/4/07: Congratulations to Govinda for his Certification!]
The first birthday celebration I attended in Mysore was in 1995, which was Guruji’s 80th birthday. In India, one’s 80th birthday is considered especially auspicious. Thus, the celebration was especially grand with many extra preparations and events, including a marriage ceremony and renewal of vows between Guruji and Amma. Because the celebration was considered extra special, nearly all of Guruji’s older students made the effort to attend, including Richard Freeman, Tim Miller, Chuck Miller, Lino Miele and others. It was my introduction to the allure of Mysore and naturally, it made an extra intense impression.
May He Have Many More…
This year was the tenth celebration that I have attended (I was not present in 2000 and 2001) and was Guruji’s 92nd birthday. Though the celebration was not as grand as the one in 1995 or 2005 (his 90th), this celebration seemed almost more precious and special. As most of you know, Guruji fell very ill this year from complications arising from his diabetic condition. He contracted a very serious form of pneumonia and at one point could not breathe on his own. There were moments during this illness that many of us thought that we might lose Guruji. Fortunately, he was able to recover and is steadily growing stronger. Guruji is now teaching from time to time, although it is doubtful that he may ever teach full time again. His presence is missed sorely in the Shala, especially by those of us who have known him for many years.
92 and counting
So, naturally, to have him still with us for this particular celebration carried with it extra weight and significance. Guruji showed up to the celebration looking particularly well and even shone forth some of that special radiance and strength that we know him so well for. I think many people felt something very special on this day, as there seemed to be an extra amount of joy and exuberance in all the proceedings.
The day began with a large homma or fire ceremony with a coterie of Vedic priests chanting loudly and continuously. I always love how the smoke from the fire, which is fueled mostly by ghee and rice fills up the room and strongly purifies the air and the energy. These devotional rituals really do work. You can feel the shift in the energy and the heightened energy that they bring.
After the fire ceremony, there was a procession of different performances from students, friends and family for Guruji’s pleasure. These included traditional Indian singing and chanting accompanied by traditional Indian instruments (veena and tabla), as well as, non-traditional instruments (guitar), a special song was composed and sung by Peter and Daniela and a Balinese dance was performed by a woman named Miki from Japan.
After the wonderful performances, a beautiful cake was brought out and we all wished Guruji a very happy birthday. Again, I felt an extra special energy and feeling from everyone. It was truly palpable.
Great Souls
I was very happy to see that Swami Brahmadeo was in attendance again this year, as he was last year. He is a long time friend of Guruji and the family and has, for many years, hosted students up a very special retreat/ashram space in B.R. Hills, which is in the jungle not far from Mysore. Swami Brahmadeo is truly a living example of the power of Yoga practice. I have rarely met a man who embodies such joy and selfless love. For much of the proceedings, he sat up on stage next to Guruji and you could clearly see how much joy the two men brought to each other. It was very moving.
Much love, many guests
Naturally, the event was concluded by an extra tasty thali meal down in the garage area of the Shala. Somehow I think the food this day was infused with an extra amount of care and love.
Let us all take extra care to include Guruji in our thoughts and hearts. May he remain with us and continue to shower us with his blessings for many years to come. Shiva OM!
What a wild and woolly year it’s been in the lovely world of Ashtanga Yoga. As always the wind of change seems to be blowing, but it’s an especially strong one this year. It’s hard not to reflect on the many changes that we’ve seen in Mysore just since March 2007.
First of all we are very blessed by Guruji’s returning to health in the past few months, and that he’s hung on to be with us.
For those of us who have traveled to India often, though, it’s hard not to feel like the ground below our feet is shifting. I guess we all know that nothing lasts forever, but somehow, it’s hard not to harbor the illusion that practicing in Mysore would last forever, that our little pilgrimages would go on and on without change. I know of a few old timers who have “outgrown” their visits to India based on the changes we’ve already seen: the crowds, the “scene,” or just the feeling that they received enough, and that things have changed too much for them to not feel the loss of what used to be.
Guruji manning his usual post in the old Shala (from Govinda)
Now things just keep changing. The practice itself is the same, and that’s why many of us will not change their habits, whether or not Guruji actually teaches this fall, or even Sharath, who with Shruti is expecting a second child in September.
We who got to go to Mysore at any period are lucky indeed. The events if this year can only lead us to value what we have been given all the more.
I saw a clip of Guruji teaching in London a few years back, a clip from Dominic, and it brought back to me how visceral an experience it is to practice with Guruji. Its an experiential thing, not one of words or meanings, but of direct experience.
News From Mysore
Current reports from Mysore indicate that Guruji is still recuperating. He is doing well, occasionally on the floor teaching and coming downstairs to greet students. Sharath and Saraswati are teaching, and numbers are up as people gather to honor Pattabhi Jois’s birthday. I imagine the birthday has added to the folks there (Rolf & Marci, Govinda Kai, David Swenson & Shelley, Lino, Vance, Peter, and Charlie & Alice are already there).
Changes in Teaching Requirements
And while Philippe and Tracy have reported on the changes in teaching requirements, what was not mentioned is the addition of the 3 month yearly limit for studies in Mysore. Gone are the days when students could save money, give up their day jobs, and move to Mysore to be with the Guru. In its own way, this change makes sense, not unlike all the others, when one considers not just the students, but the well being of our guru and teachers. Not only is there the fact of the exponential growth, and the unsustainable demand for a limited teacher supply, but there’s also the fact of balance, unless one works in Mysore, there is a balance in going back and forth, between giving to one’s life at home, teaching, or what work one might do in the world, and then going to Mysore to practice and be a student and receive. This does insure that balance.
I think that part of the reasoning in the new authorization requirements is in keeping with the intent of this yoga, we are always to be discouraged from the have to get there, have to get the next pose, have to get authorized oriented practice. We are urged to surrender that for showing up with a humble attitude and patience to really understand the practice - that is my understanding of Guruji’s, Sharath’s and Saraswati’d teachings in Mysore.
All and all, the changes are probably good for us. Forcing us to adapt, to be flexible, to keep our focus within in spite of all outward things. Thank you Sharath, Saraswati, and thank you Guruji, for asking us to stand constant in the face of change, and to go to that place within our practice where we can be constant.
Happy Birthday, Guruji. May all of these changes bring good things for you.
Posted by philippe on June 12, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Categories: Guruji
Most Ashtanga practitioners will be aware that Pattabhi Jois went through a very difficult time with his health in the past few months. Recently reports have been coming in from Mysore of a spectacular recovery.
On Friday morning, we did the led primary series class as usual. In Guruji’s absence, Sharath has been skillfully guiding us through the sequences and counting the breath (slowly) through the most difficult poses. His pace differs slightly from Guruji in that he is a little slower - the class is closer to 1.5 hours. Guruji’s led class (nicknamed “the Pattabhi Express”) is rather brisk, I can recall several occasions finishing the entire primary series (including 100 breaths in Uth Pluthi) in under an hour.
Anyhoo, after the Friday led class, I quickly went into the changing room to get dressed when a friend poked his head in and whispered that Guruji was in the office…
Ah, what a nice feeling to see “the Boss” back behind his desk familiarly receiving his students for darshan. I was overwhelmed with emotion. Everyone was so happy to see him. It is such a lovely sight when we can all become like children at Christmas having a peek at Santa…
Even when I’ve been in Mysore for longer stints, I never took for granted being able to see this living yoga master on a regular basis, but now that his visits to the shala are less frequent I can truly appreciate how lucky I and my fellow students are to see his loving smile.
Pattabhi Jois has often been regarded for his sense of joy and genuine enthusiasm for life. In fact I think that is one of the biggest reasons that people get hooked on visits to Mysore. I’m so pleased to report that Guruji looks great. He is as handsome and joyful as always. I don’t know if his visits to the shala will be a regular thing, we are just pleased to have been treated to his presence one more time.
Full Primary Series led by Guruji, San Francisco 2006 (by Govinda)
Guruji Teaches a Full Primary Series
And here is a report from Shirley via Jeff and Harmony Lichty’s blog via Shannon (dated June 8 2007):
On Thursday, June 8th, Guruji came out and said the opening prayer before the Mysore class. He walked up to the front of the room and chanted it as powerfully as he always does. I found out later that he was so excited to get down to the shala, he was dressed and ready by 4:30 am. Sharath and Saraswathi had to tell him that he had another hour to wait! After class he was sitting in the office, and it was the first time since being sick that I was able to bow to him and touch his feet. Then without me even asking the question, he told me in a very determined voice that he was going be be back teaching in one week!
This morning, (June 9th) for usual Friday led-primary class, Guruji was back again to say the opening prayer. Then, it seemed to everyone’s surprise, he started to count, without missing a beat, he moved right into leading the whole primary series class. He call the whole thing with all the vinyasa-s, and didn’t forget a single posture or side for even a second. It was so powerful. At the end, he stood up without help, and said the closing prayer with such strength both in his stance and his voice. It was an amazing experience to witness. He’s back!
I just can’t express in words how inspired I am by him. I feel truly blessed to have him for our Guru!
With Love,
Shirley
Registration for Pattabhi Jois’ new shala in the Florida Keys is now open. Dates for the inaugural workshops are March 25-29 and April 1-6, 2007 with a grand opening party on March 25.
No practice on Moon Day, April 2 photo from meepfly
With all this excitement about Ashtanga with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and family in the U.S., you probably haven’t had time to find out about Islamorada, the Florida Keys’ location of the new shala. For information about Islamorada, stay right here.
Anne’s beach, ocean side of the shala from IrishNYC
How do I pronounce Islamorada?
In Spanish it is pronounced Ees la more eh dah, but if you want to fit in with the locals, pronounce it eye la more ah dah. - Easy Adventures Boat Charters
Where is Islamorada?
Islamorada is about a 2-hour drive from Miami International Airport. It is one of the Florida Keys, located between well-known Key Largo and Key West. It actually consists of several keys (islands):
The Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute USA is on Upper Matecumbe Key. Here it is on Google maps.
What film should I watch before going?
It’s a trick question: Key Largo of course. This 1948 classic with Humphrey Bogart set in the Florida Keys will put you in the right mood.
What will the weather be like?
According to Fodor’s travel guides, temperatures in March range from 68-79°F (20-26°C). Tourist season runs from December through May so prices will still be high during the March workshop. (Also, summer is hurricane season, so phew, it’s not in the summer.)
What can I do on Islamorada besides practice Ashtanga yoga?
Sport fishing. Islamorada is the sportfishing capital of the world, according to the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce (and pretty much all websites about Islamorada). Although this activity may be inconsistent with the Ahimsa (non-violence and a respect for all life, one the Yamas, the first limb of Ashtanga Yoga).
Bowl! The new shala is conveniently located near the Fish Bowl, a bowling alley (not a place to dive or snorkel). It has 12 lanes!
Eat Key Lime pie. There really is a difference between a key lime and a regular lime. According to a review of key lime pie in the New York Times, the Cheeca Lodge has some of the best key lime pie (along with a real key lime tree). Key Lime is the official state pie of Florida, and it’s vegeterian.
Founders Park Beach, on the bay side of the new shala, from KellyKeys
Swim with the dolphins. I am pretty sure it will be possible to see wild dolphin and this could be the experience of a lifetime. Those of you who want to swim with dolphin might try Theater of the Sea (a marine park) in Islamorada.
Dive, snorkel, kayak. Just take a look at the photos in this post! And if you want more photos, the Islamorada photos on Flickr are stunning.
But you don’t care about any of that. You just want to practice Ashtanga with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois! However, if you do want to share anything you know about Islamorada, please add it in the Comments section. Thanks!
The rumours have been flying around for months, but now it’s official: Pattabhi Jois is opening a new shala on American soil, in the South of Florida, called the Ashtanga Yoga Institute USA. Here’s the announcement from the AYRI.org site:
My beloved students,
For the last 30 years I have been visiting the United States to spread my teachings. With great pleasure, I am proud to announce the opening of my new yoga center in Florida.
I would like to invite each and every one of you to join myself, my daughter Saraswathi and my grandson Sharath for the grand opening party on March 24th, followed by a 2-week workshop. This will be our only visit to the United States in 2007. I look forward to seeing you there!
Love, Guruji
Islamorada, FL
First week (5 days): March 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
Second week (5 days): April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 (April 2nd moon day holiday)
7:00AM Led Primary Series
Fees: 5-day workshop $200, single class $50
Workshop students are invited to the opening party on March 24
Registration opens November 15
Apparently it was financed by a very dedicated student of his.
Islamorada, at the very tip of the Eastern Coast of the USA
Islamorada “purple island” is part of the Florida Keys about 2 hours drive from Miami Airport - so a little bit easier to get to for most students than Mysore. The climate should as close to Southern Indian as you can get in the continental US, and from the photos it looks like paradise (you know, the lying on the beach kind of paradise).
Someone should alert their tourist board that they are about to receive a lot more attention in the years to come!
From the way it has been presented though, it does not look as if AYIU will be a replacement for going to Mysore, especially for teaching authorization puposes (part of the criteria are 4 trips to AYRI). It seems to be more of a replacement of the annual multi-city World Tour for now. At least in 2007, the World Tour will take place at AYIU.
Perhaps in the future, the Jois family will decide to teach Mysore-Style classes in Islamorada. In any case, this is a big milestone in the development of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and we welcome it wholeheartedly!
Posted by tracy on July 9, 2006 @ 12:05 pm
Categories: Guruji
So Many Flowers from Govinda Kai
Sri K. Pattabhis Jois’ birthday is on the first full moon of July, Guru Purnima day. This means this Tuesday is his 91st birthday!
Every time I practice Ashtanga, I dedicate my practice to someone significant to me (sometimes myself).
In honor of his birthday, I’ll be dedicating my practice to Guruji, so I thought I’d give AshtangaNews’ readers a heads up in case you want to do the same.
Guruji’s birthday happens to fall on a Moon Day this year, which is why I mention Guruji’s birthday so early.
Here are just a few of Govinda’s pictures from Guruji’s 90th birthday celebration. The captions are his.
Sharath and Guruji Cut the Cake
Over a 1,000 Gathered
A Very Special Family
Meal on a Leaf
Sri K. Pattabhis Jois’ birthday celebration is also shown on film with Guru, the Movie. Robert Wilkins, the film maker, includes the event in his documentary on Ashtanga Yoga.
With Guruji’s World Tour 2006 just behind us, I thought it would be nice to take a moment to reflect on where it all started: Krishnamacharya’s shala in Mysore, India.
Despite the pigeon droppings on the floor, to stand in the very space where SKPJ learned Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga was an experience that was awe-inspiring and hard to describe. But I will try soon.
and
Walking into the building, and onto the very floor where yoga titans Jois and Iyengar were taught by the most influential hatha yoga teacher in the world, I got goose bumps. History was seeping out from everywhere.
Krishnamacharya’s Shala
Thank you to Alan Little, certainly one of the most well-known and prolific Ashtanga bloggers out there, for unearthing this photo.
