Namaskar - July 2009

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Tribute Honoring K. Pat attabhi abhi Jois David Swenson K. Pattabhi Jois is one of those rare souls that are larger than life and electric in their presence. He had an incredible ability to bring joy to anyone near him and make that person feel an immediate tangible personal connection. It really did not matter if one met him for only a moment or knew him for decades. He made a lasting impression. There are no words truly befitting the impact Guruji has had on those that knew him directly or those that knew him only through his teachings. The vacuum left in this world by the departure of such a magnanimous soul cannot be measured. There are only a few rare entities that appear on this earth that have such an impact. Guruji is such a soul. I liken his presence to a great and magnificent tree growing in a forest. When this tree falls it leaves a large void where it once stood. That feeling of emptiness is the most evident result of it’s falling. Then as we look closer we see that the father tree has opened the canopy above to provide light for the young seedlings to grow toward. The grand old tree also left behind fertile earth upon which the new young tress are able to set deep roots. In this way the energy of the great and powerful tree provides sustenance and strength to generations of trees to follow. Yes it will take a forest to replace the void left by K. Pattabhi Jois yet maybe that was the plan all along! That is the benevolence of those that walk the path before us. They prepare the way so that we may more easily journey down the path. Thank you Guruji for the deep, rich and fertile teachings that you have left behind. Your physical presence will be missed at every moment while simultaneously the glory of your time spent with us will be celebrated and relished as we partake of the fruits of your presence and teachings! Happy journeys dear Guruji! 4
In loving memory of Guruji 16 th <strong>July</strong> 1915 – 18 th May <strong>2009</strong> Paul Dallaghan The first time I heard his name I thought the teacher was talking about some Irish guy called Paddy Joyce. Being Irish myself, I was intrigued and caught up with the teacher, Sharon Gannon, after class to ask her about this “guru”. I got the name right but remained curious about who he was. In the early 1990s I lived in the East Village of Manhattan, New York City, above a young and vibrant yoga studio called Jivamukti, owned by Sharon. The yoga was Ashtanga and Jivamukti’s approach to vinyasa. Being quite devotional themselves there were always pictures up of the Gurus so I started to get to know Mr. Jois through the photo. I eventually formed a dedicated Ashtanga practice, initially with Eddie in downtown Manhattan. He is very devoted and traditional so I felt the strong force and influence of Guruji. That first year in the Ashtanga practice started to open me up and change my practice. Ironically, it centered me and gradually reigned in all my wild energies. Naturally I had doubts and many questions along the way but was always advised to keep at it. It takes time. It must go in. For a year in the late 1990s Manju, Guruji’s son, was teaching in New York so again I was drawn closer to this man. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois was born in a small village called Kowshika in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on the full moon day, aka Guru Purnima, in 1915. Twelve years later in the nearby town of Hassan he first met his guru, Krishnamacharya. This began a lifelong journey in the field of yoga. By the age of 15 Pattabhi Jois left to study Sanskrit in Mysore where he was again reunited with his guru. He arrived penniless and even had to beg for food from other Brahmin families for his first year there. His dedication to practices and study revealed itself, and by 1937 he was appointed by the Maharaja of Mysore to teach yoga at The Sanskrit College. His practice of yoga, which included asanas, pranayama and devotional practices continued as life moved along. Marriage, three children and family responsibilities came. Many times I tried to make it to India but limited funds and opportunities held me back. Then Guruji and family came to New York. Still intrigued and respectful, I was also weary of the whole Guru worship thing. As I reflected within about this I could see what he passed on to me and many others and how it strongly influenced my everyday back then. My wife Jutima, who then was my girlfriend, had also started the practice and I observed how it positively affected her. Together we went to our first visit with Guruji not knowing what to do. People were bowing down and touching his feet. Never in my life had I done such a thing but I was up for it. I found myself asking inside “what am I doing?’ as I approached, offered flowers and touched. He looked at me like “eh, who are you? Eh,” or at least that’s what I imagined. Somehow though the initial direct connection had been established. Soon after that first meeting I made one of 14 trips to Mysore to study with him and family. When Jutima and I realised we wanted to be between India and Thailand, Mysore almost became a home for us between 2001 and 2004. We started Yoga Thailand and had our first son. All along we kept visiting and practicing with Guruji, Sharath and Saraswati for four to five months a year. My love and respect for Guruji really grew from the time I started to practice with him in the old shala in Lakshmipuram, Mysore. Part of my practice had become bowing down and 5
Page 1 and 2: namaskar A VOICE FOR THE YOGA COMMU
Page 3: We record the passing of Sri K. Pat
Page 7 and 8: NEWS ASIA YOGA CONFERENCE Evolution
Page 9 and 10: RETREATS KAILASH AKHARA MOUNTAIN RE
Page 11 and 12: our True Nature and what is not. An
Page 13 and 14: Teacher’s Voice Wai Ling Tse comp
Page 15 and 16: Yoga Event Bali Spirit Festiv tival
Page 17 and 18: Yoga Event SINCE YOGA IS A SPIRITUA
Page 19 and 20: Yoga Practice Is Your Practic actic
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Page 23 and 24: limbs of yoga. This deeply spiritua
Page 25 and 26: peaceful jungle surroundings and th
Page 27 and 28: Asana Adjustment Pas aschimo chimot
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Page 31 and 32: Ayurveda Ayurvedic approach to dise
Page 33 and 34: that and the fact that I have been
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Page 37 and 38: to death because of their ideals. M
Page 39 and 40: Music resemble dried Parmesan chees
Page 41 and 42: Workshop Review Joy & Love with Fae
Page 43 and 44: Teacher Training Review Planting th
Page 45 and 46: Tia’s Crossword Our ancient yogis
Page 47 and 48: Yoga Teachers & Studios Sangeeta Ah

Namaskar - July 2009

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