Practice Point #20 - Iyengar Yoga in Turmoil???

I received a question from Seth in the USA. Their question is...

What is it like being an Iyengar yoga teacher in a time of such turmoil in the organization? When people have passed away and all the stuff?

A little background to Seth's question.

BKS Iyengar passed away in 2014 and his daughter one of his successors passed away in 2018. In 2019 the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute announced a new teacher's assessment model which has not been finalised due to COVID-19.

It is no surprise this question has been asked as many people in the community are perhaps feeling in turmoil or disillusioned.

I don't feel this way. As BKS Iyengar said "It is my profound hope that my end can be your beginning”

I feel hopeful, inspired, and excited by change.

This is my nature though. I thrive on change.

Furthermore, I am a 'young' teacher in the Iyengar community, I was never directly taught by BKS Iyengar and see Abhijata Iyengar as my teacher and look to her for guidance and direction.

She may be young, but she holds her ground, is articulate, and has shown great leadership during this time.

How we respond (react) to the change is a practice of yoga in itself. What is our reaction to telling us about ourselves? What are we gripping to? What are we fixed on?

If you feel disturbed by the changes in the Iyengar system, listen closely to their teachings. There has been a tremendous emphasis on your inner teacher and Svādhyāya.

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