December 2010 Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada ... · PDF fileIyengar Yoga Association of Canada ... (Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga) ... Pranayama, Kriyas and Meditation. Later I

12/16/11 10:17 AMNews from IYAC/Les Nouvelles de l'ACYI, December, 2010

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December 2010

Iyengar Yoga Association of CanadaNewsletter/Les nouvelles de l'ACYI

In ThisIssue

CanadianTeachers in

Portland

A letter fromLinda

Shevlov

Guruji andthe Dalai

Lama

CertificationMark Fund

TheVancouver

YogaConference

India VisaAlert!

IyengarYoga inCuba

Changes tothe

CertificationMark

Requirement

VictoriaTeacherTrainingIntensive

Social Mediafor the

IYAC/ACYIwebsite

Groupon

How Can WeImprove

IYAC/ACYINew?

Dear Marilyn,

Welcome to the Fall issue of IYAC News/Les nouvelles de l'ACYI! First I want to thank Traci Skuce for her efforts and contributions as editor of IYACNews/Les nouvelles de l'ACYIfor the past several years. Traci has stepped down, and I have stepped in, but just for this fall issue. Leigh Milne hasoffered to take over as editor/coordinator of the newsletter for 2011. IYAC News/Les nouvelles de l'ACYIwas started as a way to communicate with our memberson at least a quarterly basis to inform and update on what has been going on in ourcommunities. As many of us are spread apart in this large country, it is important to stayin touch. I also want to thank Linda Shevloff who has strongly supported our association for severalyears. She recently advised that she is stepping down from her position. (See her letterbelow) As members we must reflect on all the work done to date by so many here in Canada toget our Association where it is today. Here are Traci's comments from this year's first issueof IYAC News/Les nouvelles de l'ACYI: "As members, we are very grateful for all thosebehind the scenes and those who maintain the momentum of such a formidableorganization." If you would like to offer your time and learn more about how our organization is runPLEASE contact us.Over the next several months we are in need of volunteers in several areas of ourorganization both on the board and in the professional development area. Your voice isimportant. Remember that we are a community not just an Association! So, please participate in anyway you can -- offering up nominations, voicing concerns,joining a committee and/or writing an article for IYAC News/Les nouvelles de l'ACYI. Namaste,Lynne BowsherIYAC/ACYI PresidentEditor/Co-coordinator, IYAC News/Les nouvelles de l'[email protected]

A note to our readers:if you can't see the photographs in this newsletter, please checkthat your email program is able to view remote images.In Mac's Mail program, for example, go into "Preferences," then into "Viewing," and thenplace a tick in the box beside "Display remote images in HTML messages."



Canadian Teachers in Portland, for Geeta's May, 2010 Conference

A letter from Linda Shevlov Dear Friends, Some of you may have heard that I am stepping away from my duties as Chair ofProfessional Development. I am also coming off the Board of Directors for IYAC/ACYI.The reason is that Guruji recently ruled that teachers may not be teacher members ofmore than one Association, and that they should be members of the Association wherethey reside.

Even though I am now a part-time resident of Canada, my permanent residence and mylegal address are in Hong Kong. I am a member of the Asian Association called IYASEEA(The Iyengar Yoga Association of South East and East Asia). If I continued to holdpositions in Canada I would be breaking these regulations. Therefore, I am leaving theseposts. I have had a long and happy relationship with the Canadian organization, and I expectthat when my husband and I are permanent residents in Canada again in the not toodistant future, I will join IYAC/ACYI once more. As yet there is not a new Pro D chairnamed. I am continuing to do the work for the Pro D committee until the end of January.The committee will soon make an announcement about how they will proceed. I wish everyone the best in their yoga pursuits. I hope to see you on the mat at events inthe future. Warm Regards,Linda Shevloff



BKS Iyengar in Conversation with the Dalai LamaIn November 2010, our beloved Guruji participated in a Mind Science conference held inNew Delhi. Click here to read the article that describes the conversation between BKS Iyengar andHis Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

Certification Mark fund The IYAC/ACYI Board of Directors recently formed a Certification Mark Fund Committeeto design and implement a process for the use of the Certification Mark funds. Since itsinception, 40% of the fees we collect from the Certification Mark have stayed in ourcountry to be used to promote Iyengar yoga. This information was recently emailed to you, including how to access these funds andthe application process. Funds are available to individual IYAC/ACYI members in good standing who hold thecertification mark.Project proposals need to meet certain criteria and all projects need tohave a component of promoting Iyengar Yoga. So if you have an idea to promote Iyengar Yoga in your community why not apply?Applications are accepted at any point during the year. Information and the application form are also available on the Members Only page of thewebsite. The Certification Mark Fund Committee consists of Donna Fornelli and Steve Boechler. Ifyou have any questions please contact Donna Fornelli at [email protected] orat 819-685-0491.



BKS Iyengar Association booth at the Vancouver Yoga Conference

Vancouver Yoga Conference

The Vancouver Yoga Conference was held Oct. 1-3, 2010, marking its second appearancein Vancouver. The venue was Canada Place, located in the inner harbour of the city. Theboard of the local BKS Iyengar Association decided to sponsor an Iyengar booth at theConference and a committee was struck. Our purpose for exhibiting was essentially to raise the profile of Iyengar yoga in this vastand expanding '"yoga market." Although Iyengar yoga has been formally established inVancouver and nearby regions for 34 years, it's still relatively unknown to many, so thiswas a good opportunity to spread the word. Thank you to Val Speidel, Marla Britton, Claudia MacDonald, Eve Johnson and SarahGodfrey for their help organizing, advertising and putting our booth together, and to themany volunteers who helped to staff the booth (16 in total). We were given a 30-minuteteaching slot in the big Garden Floor of the Conference Hall where Gerie Primeranoguided roughly 75 people through some basic standing poses. (No props!) Dozens of names and email addresses were collected from people who said they would beinterested in further information on Iyengar yoga and local events. Our mission wasaccomplished and our presence at this event worthwhile.The volunteers were enthusiastic and engaged many in conversations bringing a sense ofcommunity to those involved. Many thanks again to all who helped out and special thanks to Liz Shaw for helping takedown the booth and to Lauren Cox (Victoria) for use of the lotus graphic on the brochureand our t-shirts. Heartfelt thanks to Morgan Rea and Jayne Lloyd-Jones. Namaste,Sarah Godfrey



Gerie Primerano teaching at the Vancouver Yoga Conference

India Visa Alert! Leslie Hogya recently brought to our attention that India has a new Visa applicationprocess.Several people have had their visa applications rejected. If you are planning to go toIndia in the near future please READ all the online instructions carefully. There are many! Leslie has provided these tips: 1. Use only one pen, don't change pens!2. Include a utility bill with your application. This is required if you have your passportissued from Ottawa but you live in Alberta, or the Maritimes, or anywhere but the citywhere application is being made.3.Don't leave anything blank!4.Where it asks about relatives from Pakistan, if you have none, write none , do not useN/A.5.Where it asks for employment, don't just put teacher or self-employed. You have tohave details of what type of work you do, and where.

My Cuban Yoga ExperienceLeigh A. Milne A few years ago I had a whim to "cruise the net" for Iyengar yoga in Cuba.To my delight, the name Eduardo Pimentel and the Cuban Yoga Association popped up. Ifound an email address for Eduardo and sent him an inquiry in English regarding Iyengaryoga in Cuba. Eduardo replied in English, and we continued to correspond making plansfor me to visit and teach.This March I travelled to visit Eduardo and his yoga community. Yoga maestro Eduardo Pimentel began his study of yoga from a book in the 1970s andbegan teaching ten years later. Over the past thirty years he has travelled to the USAand India to further his study, meeting Mr. Iyengar and receiving permission to teach hismethod. Eduardo has published a book on pranayama in Spanish and is currently workingon a translation of the Bhagavad Gita. With few resources, Eduardo has established yogain Cuba and has even brought yoga to high security prison inmates.I spent two days with his students in Havana; one day was spent teaching anatomy to a



I spent two days with his students in Havana; one day was spent teaching anatomy to agroup of yoga teachers. My husband and I spent even more time with Eduardo and hiswife Elsa.I was deeply touched by how, without a host of commercial yoga studios, locations toteach from, yoga paraphernalia, financial remuneration or recognition, this earnestcommunity thrives.A number of years ago a group of American yogis brought mats, blankets, blocks andbelts to the Cuban yoga community. This spring my students raised money to sponsorthe CYA 20th anniversary held in Havana.If you wish to visit Havana with a mind towards teaching or study or if you wish todonate by mail or deliver much needed yoga supplies for CYA you can email Eduardo [email protected]

Eduardo Pimental and Leigh Milne

Letter from Eduardo Pimental to IYAC/ACYIProf. Eduardo PimentelPresidentCuban Yoga Association In 1972 I was very impressed with Sivananda's books (Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga)and I began my practices on Asana, Pranayama, Kriyas and Meditation. Later Idiscovered Theos Bernard, Selvarajan Yesudian and Indra Devi books. During 12 yearsthat was my practice. I had read two articles on BKS Iyengar and in 1982 wrote to him. I received my firstletter from Guruji in May of 1982. In 1984 a friend sent me "Light on Yoga" and "Light onPranayama."

Those books were a revelation and a new beginning. . . totally new! I practiced "Iyengarway" from these books for 10 years more. I visited Miami FL in 1993 and studied withsenior Iyengar teacher Bobbi Goldin, who gave me classes during four months, and a



senior Iyengar teacher Bobbi Goldin, who gave me classes during four months, and aworkshop with George Purvis. I also had been receiving classes from Bobbi and LinseyClennell, Dean Learner, Aadil Palkhivala, Judith H Lasater, John Schumacher, RogelioNuñez, Rodney Yee, Mary Paffard and Marta Rodriguez (Spain), some of whom came toCuba to teach.

In 1990 a Church belonging to a Jesuit Order agreed to allow yoga classes in three roomsand from that day big public classes began and some months later I founded the non-profit Cuban Yoga Association (CYA). During the next four years, an amazing quantity ofstudents registered. I would teach 200 students in one day. Later, thanks to the help ofmy assistant teachers, yoga opened in different places in Havana, like Art Galleries,Churches, Theaters, Social Clubs, Sport Institute. It's important for us in Cuba topromote Iyengar Yoga because it has deep roots in Anatomy and Alignment in a scientificapproach.

Then, it was necessary to write a Yoga Teacher Program - 300 hours - having now 25graduate Instructors. In the 90's I created better material conditions for our "Vidya Yoga"Studio in home with new Activities Programs like yoga library, videos, lectures, freeclasses, workshops and theoretical courses. I authored a book, "Prana, Mantra andKundalini Yoga," published last year in Cuba. From 1995 on I organized and taught a lotof yoga groups all over Cuba. Another special Yoga Project is in a high security prison,initiated in 2006, where two Yoga Instructors have graduated and now teach fellowinmates. This is a unique program.

During Guru Purnima I celebrated Guruji birthday and remembering. I never used thename of Guruji for promotional proposes (because I am not certified) but my Programand teachings are under his influence. I corresponded with Guruji from 1982 to 1997. In1997 the Indian Government gave me a scholarship and I lived in India three months. Ivisited Pune and had two meetings with Guruji. His letters to me were my introduction.He received me immediately and was very kind with me. I said to him "I am not your certified disciple but you are my Guruji." He laughed.Any kind of support will be welcome for my teachers and students: sticky mats, straps,books, DVDs . . . and love.Shanti, shanti, shanti, Prof. Eduardo PimentelThere is a wonderful e-article on Eduardo athttp://www.cubaabsolutely.com/design/eduardo_pimentel.htm



Eduardo, Leigh and a group of Cuban yoga students

IYAC/ACYI recently donated several items to Eduardo's community. Barbara Young andPatricia Lyle-Barlow helped to assemble boxes of duplicate items from our IYAC/ACYI'slibrary. Here is Eduardo's email of thanks: NamasteDear Barbara Today arrived very fast two boxes with the following gifts:-- 8 DVDs Sadhana with Dr. G S Iyengar.-- DVD Ramamani Iyengar Memorial- Monthly Meet - 26/2/09-- 2 DVDs Pranayama - Aug. 18/93 Iyengar Conference-- 3 DVDs Patanjala Yoga Sutra - chanted by STN-- 2 DVDs Healing Aspect of Asana - copies 2 & 3-- DVD Light on Teaching 1990-- DVD Iyengar Yoga with West - TV Series-- DVD Interview with Geeta Iyengar - Oct. 1992-- 2 VHS Healing aspect of Asana - (c2 & c3)-- VHS Samadhi - Integration Body, Mind and Spirit - India TV-- VHS Interview with Geeta Iyengar - Oct. 1992-- 3 Audio Cassettes. Pranayama 1993-- Book - The Tree of Yoga (1 copy)You can check if everything is okay. What I could say! - Gratitude and Respect to IYAC and your members and also for you,Patricia Fernandez and Leigh.My deep reverence to our Guruji, BKS Iyengar, and his teachings. I do my best spreadinghis way of teaching and giving lectures about his life and profound understanding onspirituality.Once again thanks so much, your friend in CubaEduardo Pimentel

Changes to Certification Mark Requirement The IYAC/ACYI Board recently changed the Certification Mark requirement forIntroductory II teachers. Previously, an Introductory II teacher did not have to purchasea Certification Mark license until one year after being certified as an Introductory IIteacher. However, our research with other Iyengar yoga organizations and our review ofrelated documents shows no foundation for the practice of waiting one year. The IYAC/ACYI Board decided that, effective 1st January, 2011, all newly certifiedIntroductory II teachers will be required to purchase the Certification Mark licenseimmediately after they are certified as an Introductory II teacher. For further information, contact Patricia Fernandes, [email protected].



Leslie Hogya demonstrating Virabhdrasana 1

Gems from the Teacher Training Intensive:Victoria 2010 Every year, The Iyengar Yoga Centre of Victoria offers a one-week Teacher TrainingIntensive to those who wish to be assessed as Iyengar Yoga Teachers. This year was the first Victoria Intensive offering training for the both Level I and theLevel II Assessment. The teachers were Ann Kilbertus and Leslie Hoyga, along with several other teachers whocame at various times during the week. This week is, as advertised, very intensive! Some of the group members submitted theirgems, which arose from the intensive:

"I learned that when teaching in assessment, to come into the room (centre or to astudent's mat) to demonstrate, is acceptable and good. This pointer is a great gemwhich resolves the mirroring difficulty in twisting poses."

"Why not go out on a limb. That is where the fruit is." (Written on a sidewalk inVictoria by Cathy)

"Yoga Nourishment. Friday a.m. Pranayama practice using a vertical bolster at thesacrum....softly sitting, softly breathing. Prone Savasana brings more lift andmovement to the very top of the spine. Quiet. And then sitting for a silentinvocation to Patanjali. Peace within." (Jana)

"Understanding the directions in Iyengar Yoga comes from practice. Use thedirections you understand when you teach, and continue to practice."

"The room was full of yogis training to become yoga teachers. Each person



"The room was full of yogis training to become yoga teachers. Each personcontained a spark of light revealing a very special quality. My gem was seeing howamazingly talented the men and women in the class were." (Cheryl) Finding out Leslie has an "outside" voice! She can yell, if only in fun." "Ahimsa, especially for yourself. Patience!" (Ann Leeds)

And a song, "Santosa", written by Lucka Hegerova which she sang beautifully to

us.

Santosa

I'm grateful for the distance that seems to keep us apartIn this I learn to stand strong and let expectations departI'm grateful that you are only a thousand miles awayTo know that we are both walking on the same earth each dayI'm grateful for not always knowing which path to takeI trust that this is life guiding me to calm my mindAnd think from my heart. It's that easy.Don't always think that you have to know everythingThis is your journey and it's just beginningAnd time and time again, it's the same lesson...learning contentmentAnd always remembering that this life is a giftIt's up to your mind how you experience it."

Thank you to all of those who contributed their gems to this newsletter. Your learningand sharing makes IYAC rich.

Ann Kilbertus teaching pranayama

Refreshing the IYAC/ACYI Website



Refreshing the IYAC/ACYI Website

Barbara Young and Melissa Schoales are coordinating an update of the IYAC/ACYI websitethis year. One element we'd like to add is social media such as Facebook, Twitter and a blog, but ofcourse this would require someone to maintain and update them. If you love to blogand tweet, please let us know!

Barbara Young [email protected] Schoales [email protected]

Groupon - A Collective Buying Concept I would like to bring the Iyengar community's awareness to a new company calledGROUPON, which works on a collective buying concept. I think it could be an effectivetool for studios throughout the country to offer discounts on their classes to get peopleregistered, therefore, getting the name of Iyengar yoga into the public eye. The website works because it utilizes social media like email, Facebook and Twitter as ameans to get the word out to the public and it is free to the seller. A restaurant, store, orservice makes up a "Deal." Groupon offers this "Deal" on a specific day for a specificprice. If enough people buy the "Deal" (minimum amount specified ahead) then the"Deal" goes through and the buyers receive a coupon. For example, a yoga studio here in Victoria put their classes up for a sizable discount-108 people looked at it and 25 people signed up to buy the classes. The studio received acheck, the buyers came to class - then they kept coming back!! Check it out and see what you think: http://www.groupon.com Jayne JonasVictoria

How Can We Improve IYAC News/Les nouvelles del'ACYI?

The main reason we initially launched the newsletter was to be able to group as muchinformation together as possible for our members on at least a quarterly basis ratherthan send out several emails via the RR's randomly. As a board we feel the newsletter is a great vehicle to stay in touch with and inform ourmembers of items of importance throughout the year. Since we want to make the most out of each issue, we are asking you as members, howcan we improve IYAC News/Les nouvelles de l'ACYI? What would you want to seeincluded in upcoming issues? We would like to welcome Leigh Milne as our new editor/coordinator beginning next year.If you feel that you have some great suggestions and ideas to contribute to ournewsletter why not consider joining the newsletter team?



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December 2010 Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada ... · PDF fileIyengar Yoga Association of Canada ... (Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga) ... Pranayama, Kriyas and Meditation. Later I