Is it something to do with the time of year that makes ones mind turn to India, to Mysore (or Chennai). Perhaps it's practicing regular (pretty much) Ashtanga in the morning again (although still Vinyasa Krama in the evening) that's making it ever more tempting.
AYRI may not be my thing (too busy now for my liking, sorry) but I've have started to think about seeking to study with BNS Iyengar (the other Iyengar, the Ashtanga one - Biography below).
Gregor Maehle mentions that he studied pranayama with him for some time, and at the bottom of this post are links to cheat sheets of his Asana series, very similar to structure of the Ashtanga series we're familiar with.
He also teaches mudra.
But perhaps what's most tempting for me is seeing the pictures of his shala, the black & white pictures from a long time ago and the more recent picture, hardly seems to have changed a bit and reminds me of pictures of Pattabhi Jois' 'old shala'.
BNS Iyengar Biography from the official BNS Iyengar website
Hemmige Agrahara is a small village situated on the banks of the Sacred River Cauvery, to the western side of Srirangapattana (first and former capital of the Wodiyar Kings) before the River turns eastwards. This stretch of the river is called ‘Paschima Vahini’ (western flow). Hemmige Agrahara is a holy place as it is considered an abode of, with magnificently beautiful temples dedicated to, Lord Varadaraja Swamy and his consort Poornadevi. Hemmige Agrahara is also a learned hamlet, as its residents there devote all their time and energy to preserving the long traditions of devotion, knowledge and above all, to the value of education.
It is in this holy place that Sri B.N.Sundaraja Iyengar was born, the second son of Sri L. Narasimha Iyengar and Smt Chokkamma, on the 19th of September 1927, on Kaarteeka Bahula Dwadashshi day of Pravhava Naama Samvatsara. (The twelfth day of ascendancy of the moon in Kartheeka, month of Prabhava Sumvatsara) His education began in the village of Balladere. Balladere Narasimha Sundaraja (BNS) Iyengar has brought fame to his Holy Birthplace by reaching the pinnacle of glory in Yoga.
An exponent of Yoga
When he was just entering his teens Sundaraja Iyengar happened to meet a Yoga expert of renown who recognised a growing talent in the young boy and took him under his tutelage. Here he drank the ocean of Yoga knowledge in twelve years of hard and rigorous practice and came to understand the wealth of Divine Education.
By the age of twenty five BNS Iyengar was a Master of Yoga. He also passed his Degree Examination in Science (B.Sc. 1951) at Mysore University.
Later he joined Maharaja’s Samskruta Patashala (Sanskrit School) in Mysore and studied Saanga Yoga Vidya (a chronological study of Yoga). This is not an achievement that can be easily attained, it needs years of commitment and dedication. Sundaraja Iyengar was fortunate to acquire the guidance of Vidwan T. Krishnamacharya and Yogasanavisharada.
Vidwan P. Jois. Under their watchful eyes and with devoted study he attained mastery in not only Yoga but also in Veda, Upanishad, Patanjali Yoga shastra and sutras. After completing his yoga studies he educated himself in the Bahgvad Gita and especially in Saanga Saahitya (formal education in Sanskrit literature). He has travelled across India and has been invited to seminars in Italy and UK to spread the knowledge of yoga.
On the 18th of April 1984, BNS Iyengar started a School of Yoga at the Parakala Mutt in Mysore. Sri Patanjala Yogashala was inaugurated by Vidwan Sri K Pattabhi Jois. In 1985 the head of the Mutt Sri Sri Swamy Ramunuja, conferred on him the title of Yogavisharada in the presence of Sri Srikantadatta Narasimaraja Wadiyar, scion of the erstwhile and ancient Royal Wadiyan Dynasty of Mysore .
The yoga shala was running under the grace and blessings of the swamyjis. Sundaraja Iyengar is well versed in yoga related ayurveda, astrology and musicology. He has also mastered vinyasa vidya (astanga yoga knowledge) and nyasa nidya (philosophical knowledge) which are considered the path to Moksha (Liberation).
Inspired by BNS Iyenga, his students have established yogashalas in many countries. He has been acclaimed for his knowledge and contributions in various books and articles, especially for his teachings in Yoga Philosophy
Disciples of Shree Patanjala Yogashala have competed and earned many trophies in intrastate, interstate & international competitions. Recently, Hemmige Sri Vaishnava Sabha has conferred upon BNS Iyengar the title of Yogaratnakara, Pearl of Yoga.
As we all know yoga is philosophy in practice, science in training and above all, a divine art in demonstration. Sundaraja Iyengar is an embodiment of all the virtues of yoga. A true Master in demonstrating the delicate balance and comfort, grace and poise and the charm and beauty of Divine Knowledge.
BNS Iyengar currently conducts Yoga Research and daily practice in Asana, Pranayama, Yogamudra and Philosophy at Kanchen Home.
AYRI may not be my thing (too busy now for my liking, sorry) but I've have started to think about seeking to study with BNS Iyengar (the other Iyengar, the Ashtanga one - Biography below).
 |
| http://www.joelondonyoga.com/Joelondon/BNS_IYENGAR.html |
He also teaches mudra.
But perhaps what's most tempting for me is seeing the pictures of his shala, the black & white pictures from a long time ago and the more recent picture, hardly seems to have changed a bit and reminds me of pictures of Pattabhi Jois' 'old shala'.
BNS Iyengar Biography from the official BNS Iyengar website
Hemmige Agrahara is a small village situated on the banks of the Sacred River Cauvery, to the western side of Srirangapattana (first and former capital of the Wodiyar Kings) before the River turns eastwards. This stretch of the river is called ‘Paschima Vahini’ (western flow). Hemmige Agrahara is a holy place as it is considered an abode of, with magnificently beautiful temples dedicated to, Lord Varadaraja Swamy and his consort Poornadevi. Hemmige Agrahara is also a learned hamlet, as its residents there devote all their time and energy to preserving the long traditions of devotion, knowledge and above all, to the value of education.
It is in this holy place that Sri B.N.Sundaraja Iyengar was born, the second son of Sri L. Narasimha Iyengar and Smt Chokkamma, on the 19th of September 1927, on Kaarteeka Bahula Dwadashshi day of Pravhava Naama Samvatsara. (The twelfth day of ascendancy of the moon in Kartheeka, month of Prabhava Sumvatsara) His education began in the village of Balladere. Balladere Narasimha Sundaraja (BNS) Iyengar has brought fame to his Holy Birthplace by reaching the pinnacle of glory in Yoga.
An exponent of Yoga
When he was just entering his teens Sundaraja Iyengar happened to meet a Yoga expert of renown who recognised a growing talent in the young boy and took him under his tutelage. Here he drank the ocean of Yoga knowledge in twelve years of hard and rigorous practice and came to understand the wealth of Divine Education.
By the age of twenty five BNS Iyengar was a Master of Yoga. He also passed his Degree Examination in Science (B.Sc. 1951) at Mysore University.
Later he joined Maharaja’s Samskruta Patashala (Sanskrit School) in Mysore and studied Saanga Yoga Vidya (a chronological study of Yoga). This is not an achievement that can be easily attained, it needs years of commitment and dedication. Sundaraja Iyengar was fortunate to acquire the guidance of Vidwan T. Krishnamacharya and Yogasanavisharada.
Vidwan P. Jois. Under their watchful eyes and with devoted study he attained mastery in not only Yoga but also in Veda, Upanishad, Patanjali Yoga shastra and sutras. After completing his yoga studies he educated himself in the Bahgvad Gita and especially in Saanga Saahitya (formal education in Sanskrit literature). He has travelled across India and has been invited to seminars in Italy and UK to spread the knowledge of yoga.
On the 18th of April 1984, BNS Iyengar started a School of Yoga at the Parakala Mutt in Mysore. Sri Patanjala Yogashala was inaugurated by Vidwan Sri K Pattabhi Jois. In 1985 the head of the Mutt Sri Sri Swamy Ramunuja, conferred on him the title of Yogavisharada in the presence of Sri Srikantadatta Narasimaraja Wadiyar, scion of the erstwhile and ancient Royal Wadiyan Dynasty of Mysore .
The yoga shala was running under the grace and blessings of the swamyjis. Sundaraja Iyengar is well versed in yoga related ayurveda, astrology and musicology. He has also mastered vinyasa vidya (astanga yoga knowledge) and nyasa nidya (philosophical knowledge) which are considered the path to Moksha (Liberation).
Inspired by BNS Iyenga, his students have established yogashalas in many countries. He has been acclaimed for his knowledge and contributions in various books and articles, especially for his teachings in Yoga Philosophy
Disciples of Shree Patanjala Yogashala have competed and earned many trophies in intrastate, interstate & international competitions. Recently, Hemmige Sri Vaishnava Sabha has conferred upon BNS Iyengar the title of Yogaratnakara, Pearl of Yoga.
As we all know yoga is philosophy in practice, science in training and above all, a divine art in demonstration. Sundaraja Iyengar is an embodiment of all the virtues of yoga. A true Master in demonstrating the delicate balance and comfort, grace and poise and the charm and beauty of Divine Knowledge.
BNS Iyengar currently conducts Yoga Research and daily practice in Asana, Pranayama, Yogamudra and Philosophy at Kanchen Home.
See an Interview with BNS Iyengar, 3rd Video below
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And an interview with BNS Iyengar that i was sent recently.
UPDATE: This is interesting BNS Iyengar mentions in the interview above that he studied with Krishnamachrya in 1954. The biographies I have of Krishnamacharya put him in Madras/Chennai at this time. The Mysore Yoga Shala closed in 1950 and Krishnamacharya was invited to Madras, he stayed in a rented room but was soon in enough demand for him to start renting a small flat in the same year. He began to teach more regularly it seems because two of his sons, Srinvasana and Sribhashyam moved to Madras to join him and assist in the teaching. In September 1952 Krishnamacharya was appointed lecturer at the Vivikananda college and in 1956 he moved into a larger apartment whereupon his wife and the rest of his family joined him.
This suggests that Krishnamacharya was travelling back and forth between Madras and Mysore at the time BNS Iyengar mentions he was studying with him, even allowing for his memory putting him a year or two out.
How long/often did BNS Iyengar actually study with Krishnamacharya and were these in a one to one setting or in group classes, more interestingly what was the structure of the lessons, how close or how far from the Ashtanga Series that Pattabhi Jois was teaching and that BNS Iyengar went on to teach himself. Or where the studies Bns Iyengar had with krishnamacharya mainly theoretical, lectures on particular texts.
Has anyone attended any of BNS Iyengar's classes or workshops? I hear the one in May 2014 had a Q and A session at the end of each day, can anyone shine a light on any of the above questions?
BNS Iyengar Ashtanga series 1 and 2 cheat sheets.
http://www.ashtangayoga.info/fileadmin/downloads/cheatsheet/06-Ashtanga-Yoga-Series1-Iyengar.pdf
http://www.ashtangayoga.info/fileadmin/downloads/cheatsheet/07-Ashtanga-Yoga-Series2-Iyengar.pdf
another layout here
http://www.joelondonyoga.com/Joelondon/ASANA.html
And a link to a blog writing about the blogger's time studying with BNS Iyengar
http://leavingstressbehind.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/ashtanga-vinyasa-with-bns-iyengar-the-lost-asana/
Update.
https://www.path2yoga.net/2015/04/interview-bns-iyengar-ashtanga-yoga-teacher-mysore.html
8 comments:
Yes, nice feel to see the room with two students to the teacher... one practicing pranayama the other doing Mari what? F? no vinyasas in between, only when changing asana... have not looked at the asana sheet yet, will observe... felt the impulse to comment first.
Was just looking at the photos of Saraswati, through Sonia Jones Facebook page and she does not seem to be too crowded yet... plenty of room for her Saturday led at the main shala... but, I admit that the teaching of the bandhas and pranayama is quite something...
I can't wait for all of us to grow into the pranayama limb and perhaps fall out of our collective obsession with asana... quite a resource to have this amazing teacher actually teaching it!
hi Claudia
Doesn't it look just like those old videos of the old shala with Richard freeman practicing and being adjusted by Guruji.
It's tempting but I have to question my motives first just as with AYRI.
I wonder if I'm not just trying to capture a little of the 'romance' of 70's Mysore, nostalgia as it were. Not sure if you can practice pranayama and mudras first time around would have to check.
Doesn't matter where you practice of course, purusha doesn't have brown skin and speak Kanada
I wonder if pranayama will ever really take off within the ashtanga context, here and there perhaps. I think Sharath would have to make it a fixed part of the sequence, you don't leave 'till you do it : ) if it's voluntary it'll be a passing fancy perhaps. Hard to do it in the shala context, sitting on your sweaty towel in your sweaty clothes. Of course you could start practice with it like Tim Miller but how long I wonder would people commit to, ten minutes, twenty, half an hour before moving onto a ninety minute asana practice and what of meditation? I don't think Ashtanga is set up for such a practice in the shala context.
Been reading and listening to a lot of Richard Freeman this week in prep for the course, Interesting what he's doing with asana, bringing those later limbs into the asana practice in quite a subtle and sophisticated way.....am looking forward to next week. Shame you couldn't make it.
Lino Miele also studied pranayama with BNS iyengar. He practiced asana with Jois in the morning and later in the day he went to BNS for pranayama. This was also stated in his CV in the beginning, but then Jois decided that if you´d like to study with him in Mysore you should not have any other yoga teacher in Mysore and then Lino (and probably other people too) quit at BNS, and also removed from his CV that he had ever studied with BNS. Oh yeah, yoga politics is nothing new ...
I didn't know that about Lino and BNS Iyengar Roselil....but then, from what you say it's not surprising, sigh. Thanks for mentioning that...perhaps he's put it back in his CV now.
Has anyone Lino's his new book yet?
That Anon is me roselil, hadn't logged in
http://leavingstressbehind.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/ashtanga-vinyasa-with-bns-iyengar-the-lost-asana/
look blog
Thank you for the link Anon. So it seems BNS Iyengar is only teaching led, 50 minute classes now. Will need to look into that.
Thank you for the link, will add it to the post
Hi I know Lino since I'm italian and I study with him (when he is here!!) I can tell for sure that he studied with BNS cause he told me!! anyway, the shala in the pictures are not the same, the first is above Visnu temple near jagammon palace, the other one is in agrahara, near double road (i'm in a picture!!!)
PS I had to add, sadly, that I agree about yoga politics, BNS used to teach asana to indian people for free or very few money while western people went to pattabhi jois, the most famous abroad, paying very different fees (this is a fact) Anyway they were friends and studied toghether with T.Krishnamacharya, I recomand people, if in Mysore, to study at least pranayama with him (for asana don't expect adjustement)also Mudra course is very interesting. Om shanti
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