Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States Updates from IYNAUS You do not need to seek freedom in a different land, for it exists with your own body, heart, mind, and soul. -B.K.S. Iyengar Light on Life Dear Members, Thank you all for continuing to share your photos, memories, and links to articles about Guruji on our IYNAUS Facebook page. Your contributions add to our collective appreciation of Mr. Iyengar’s incredible legacy. Please keep them coming. If you haven’t shared articles or links because you haven’t joined Facebook--and don’t want to--no worries. You can send submissions here and your content will be added into mix of daily additions to the site. You can also read articles and follow the links without having to sign up or join. Bellur Trust As you consider ways to continue to honor Mr. Iyengar’s memory, keep in mind that one of Guruji’s enduring hopes was that the charitable trust he established to improve conditions in his birthplace of Bellur and other small villages in that part of India would continue to receive the generous support of his students around the world--for the hospital, water system, temple, schools, and yoga centers that the trust has built and continues to build. In one of Mr. Iyengar’s final interviews, which you may have seen on Facebook, Guruji talks about the importance of education. A few minutes into the interview he says, “Without education, confidence does not come.” It is a simple but moving statement, especially considering how self-educated Mr. Iyengar was and how profoundly he has educated all of us. There are many ways to contribute; one is to go directly to the IYNAUS website and click “Donate.” From the page that appears, you can choose “I want to give to the Bellur Trust” and fill in your information. (Also, please contact your employer to see if they have a matching nonprofit gift fund. If they do, send us that information so we can maximize your contribution.) Donations given this fall will be collected and presented to the Iyengar family and the trust on Gurujis birthday in December. To read more about the project and see photos, click here. Many of you have already given, and we appreciate your generosity. On September 1, the day of the Vaikunta Samaradhana ceremony marking the end of the traditional 13-day mourning period, IYNAUS was able to present a check for $10,000 to the Iyengar family for the Bellur fund in honor of Gurujis memory. This gift was made possible by donations to the Bellur Fund by IYNAUS members over the past few months, and by additional contributions from IYNAUS board members. Membership Drive Be on the lookout for our first ever national membership drive this fall. Get a free class when you renew! Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to teach these classes and spread the word. Our list of free classes and mini-workshops for the membership drive is growing slowly. If you are interested in offering one in your area, please contact me with details: your name, best contact information, the date, time, and location. We are looking for at least 70 participants and have plenty of room for you to be a part. Mandala Project The mandala painting that many of you saw in progress at the San Diego conference / convention was presented to Guruji on February 14, 2014. “Sahasrara Chakra Mandala” is an oil painting with a gold leaf yantra, representing the crown chakra, in honor of Mr. Iyengar’s wisdom and connection to Yoga. Veronique Porter, the artist who created the piece, reports that this fundraising project has raised about $4,500. Most of the funds have been donated to the Jake Clennells feature documentary Sadhaka, which is now in post production. Of her meeting with Mr. Iyengar at the time of the mandala presentation, Veronique said, “It was clear during our conversation with Guruji that all his efforts are focused on the improvement of the condition of his natal village of Bellur. He personally assured us during our interview that his most cherished wish remains for his students to help continue to raise funds for the Bellur project. Mr. Iyengar told me that the mandala’s home will be the new yoga studio he is building in Bellur where it will continue to shine a light and unite us all.” December Intensive Making plans to travel to Pune in December? Dont forget to make use of the Guide to Pune compiled by Bobbie Clennell. Also, some regions offer scholarships for travel and study for their members. IYAMN is leading the way by offering a $1,000 scholarship to its members. Contact your regional association to find out what might be available in your region. As always, we invite you to keep in touch. Also, please send us your favorite Guruji quote and we will choose one to share every month in the bulletin. Enjoy these last weeks of summer! Sincerely, Phyllis Rollins Membership Chair
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 16:34:27 +0000
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