It is hard to describe the feeling of being in the presence with someone who has 'done the work' to master themselves. You know they are self-realized, self-actualized and authentic, you see it in their eyes, and they can see you in a way that you've never been seen. In that connection, something happens, and you are forever changed. 

 Pataleshwar means 'God of the Underworld' and is one of the names of Lord Shiva. The entire temple is literally carved out of a huge piece of rock as is this statue at the cave entrance.

Geeta Iyengar's Birthday Intensive in Pune, India became a meeting place for Iyengar Instructors and practitioners all over the world. Pictured here are instructors, Howison Hollenberg (left) and Nancy Mau (right) who combined have probably over 25 years experience. Iyengar teachers are expected to evolve their practice through continuous study, advanced instructor workshops, and direct education from the Iyengar family in India. This 10-day intensive with Geeta Iyengar improved our skills as practitioners while also enhancing our ability to instruct our students. 

An evening out on the town in Pune, India turned into a crazy adventure. Rickshaw drivers took us on a wild goose chance to find a restaurant tucked away from their mental maps. As with all the adventures in India, it was worth it. The evening turned out to be delightful albeit a little later than we hoped to easily make our early morning yoga classes.

The wonderful part about our Iyengar Community is the friendships that build. I found one of my training buddies, Certified Iyengar Instructor, Sam Cooper in his new studio in Beaufort, SC. We worked on poses, shared our latest tips from more senior teachers, and explored set ups to address specific student issues.

A Patricia Walden Workshop at Kripalu put the heat of Tapas into my heart. It was a good thing considering how cold it was there.

Kathleen Pringle is Atlanta's best kept secret. She has been an Iyengar Instructor for over 30-years and every winter, she spends three weeks or more in Pune, India. She is an Iyengar Assessor for Certification and recently attended a Worldwide Iyengar Meeting in Pune as a key contributor to Certification process changes. Known as The Teacher's Teacher, along with a full schedule of class offerings and Teacher Training Intensives at her Stillwater Yoga Studio, she also offers Yoga Therapy Classes to address serious physical and mental concerns. Find out more go to stillyoga.com

Kquvien DeWeese specializes in unsticking you when you are stuck in fear, weakness, or laziness. She knows life is not easy and we can come up with all kinds of excuses why we can't pull up our knee caps and stand on our head. She breaks poses and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras down in bite-sized, digestible pieces, so students grow stronger physically and mentally. Learn more about her classes, workshops, and retreats at kquvienyoga.com.

Finding stability in our poses is metaphor for finding stability in life.  No matter how much life swings at us we can remain steady and unwavering. 

All of us have strengths and weaknesses. BKS Iyengar says, "Know your capacities and continually improve upon them." By modifying this revolved hand-to-foot pose, this student is working more effectively to increase his range of motion.

Getting advice from mentors and more senior instructors, we were able to formulate the perfect set up to address this students issues and enable a dedicated Iyengar practitioner, Nora Winji to weight her upper arms equally to allow her to get the lift in the upper back, buttocks, and legs needed to build strength in this pose.

Private classes at your home or office with our Yoga Connections instructors helps you learn how you can do your yoga in all kinds of spaces.