Gearing up for Week 2: Monday, August 9, 2010

This week is supposed to be a hot one and I am preparing myself mentally and physically for the shift. The first week of classes passed by quickly and for the most part I am feeling settled here and in a routine. Four of my weekly classes are with Prashant, the son of B.K.S. Iyengar and three are with Abi (B.K.S.’s granddaughter) or one of the Indian assistants. It feels different without Geeta in the hall. The schedule has shifted somewhat. In 2005 there were two assigned practice times per day except Saturday and we all now have the same practice schedule so the hall is crowded. Guruji (B.K.S.) is in the hall to practice during the morning practice sessions and instructs Abi from headstand, viparita dandasana or some other posture.

Guruji also practices as Abi teaches the Wednesday and Saturday classes for ladies and he often calls her over to teach her something and then has her return to the stage to teach us. He is insistent on the language, often repeating exactly what he wants her to say: no room for creativity or interpretation. It’s a sort of live-action teacher training that we are part of.

I ended the week with a couple of extravagant shopping expeditions. On Saturday roommate Kathy and I started the afternoon at Little Italy, a restaurant around the corner from the Institute where you can order a pizza for $5. We then took a rickshaw to the other side of town so I could find some travel-appropriate clothing and a few gifts and saw an elephant in traffic. Sunday I joined Karin Brown and Care Parker for a decadent buffet breakfast at a hotel. There was a mix of offerings of Indian and Continental menus, fresh fruit and dark coffee. I enjoyed some upma and idli. Idli is a south Indian fermented rice cake that is steamed, Upma is a semolina cake. Both are served with chili, pepper, sambar and coconut curry. I forgot to take pictures of my breakfast but I will remember to next time to give a visual. After breakfast we went all over town to shop- this time primarily for gifts. We had planned to visit a few temples but everything takes a little longer to plan so next time some sight-seeing will be included. After five hours we had had enough and returned home to rest.
I better sign off here and go to the hall to practice and see what is in store for this week.