September, 1993

In honor and great appreciation of the genius and compassionate wisdom of Shri B.K.S.. lyengar, I offer this story for consideration in the commemorative issue:

In 1980, I had been practicing asana for 9 years in the classical Hatha Yoga form. I felt that I had a solid and consistent practice and the beginning of a good understanding of what Yoga was about. I had gained a great deal of flexibility in my legs but not much strength. My upper body was strong, but less flexible. At that time, I considered myself to be within the realm of balance. I was ignorant and unaware that the ignorance even existed. My strength from a gymnastic background gave rise to a large ego and competitive nature. Thank goodness that I was introduced to Mr. lyengar's tradition of Hatha Yoga. After taking a workshop in Denver, CO from 3 of his teachers who had just returned from India, I discovered that the Art and Science of Yoga was an extensive and complex endeavor of which I had barely touched the tip. My interest and internal flame were ignited, my ego definitely challenged, the mind more inclined towards the beginning of moment to moment awareness. I have been practicing the lyengar method of Hatha Yoga ever since; learning about all eight limbs and how to more clearly manifest them in my life.

In 1984, I was fortunate to be able to attend the Ist International lyengar Conference in San Francisco, chaired by Manouso Manos. It was my first exposure to Guruji in person. I was struck with a tremendous amount of compassion and felt able to really see what movement he was helping the students to feel in their own bodies. Because I am short, I always was able to be in front and close at hand. If I was focused and present with the experience, the mastery of this man's Art and Science would be accessible; within my own realm of understanding. I watched closely, I was quiet and listened as much as possible to all that was said over the week. I left the conference with my internal fire reignited: the flame continued to burn, a bit more brightly than before. It became clearer to me more than ever that learning about Yoga came through greater dedication to my own practice.

The years of my Yoga background and practice between 1985 and 1993 have been a time of great learning and growth: physically, mentally and spiritually. I pegan working with Manouso Manos in 1985 in Denver at his workshops.. As he and his teaching grows richer, so my understanding and ability to learn. In 1990, a horribly violent automobile accident severed my right lower leg from my body and brought about a transformation which continues momently to guide me and help me to be more in my heart of compassionate understanding and response.

Having attended a workshop with Manouso just prior to the accident was a blessing: my asana practice, breath and stillness were so present in my body and mind. My spirit had been released to a new realm of understanding. To this day, I continue to be thankful that I have been able to learn from Yoga the necessities which, in this adverse instance, helped to keep me alive (with the earnest help of the two Yoga friends with me). I honestly know that if I hadn't had the background in Asana, Pranayama, Dhyana I would have died. I did not! Such monumental changes in all aspects of life are being handled with so much more equanimity because of my Yoga practice. Balance has become a chief challenge and ultimate goal in my life and I see that Yoga with Guruji's influence and understanding is present in all aspects of my practice, my life.

Working with Shri B.K.S. lyengar at the Convention in Ann Arbor was such an honor. An incredibly light and focused learning and feeling experience. To be on stage and have the opportunity to see so clearly and closely the various points he was demonstrating and sharing with us was so valuable to me as a student and a teacher. To understand clearly enough that my teaching honors his genius and the Art & Science of Yoga is a very important part of my learning process. I felt it was with grace that I was on that stage being guided by such compassion of purpose. My unspoken question at the beginning of the convention was to please help me not to over-use my left leg and hip so much. Doing all the standing poses with the proper props to balance the weight back into both legs and Guruji's guidance gave me the answer without ever a word spoken in that regard. The more I responded to his instructions, the more I felt, the more he gave me. Balance in all movement in all directions. Go to the dead spot and bring life and awareness to that area and extend from there; increasing the space and alignment for clearer movement of energy. I felt totally taken care of: a patient of a master, creating a healing environment. My particular understanding of Yoga is greatly enhanced through my continuous study and practice of Hatha Yoga in the lyengar tradition; my spirit soars and is connected time and again with God's energy. Thank you, Guruji for this gift. Happy 75th Birthday to you!

Respectfully submitted with Blessings, Light and Love