guruji's workshops

[Guest guest]

we plan to go to the SoCal workshop. they plan on

having approx 150 people attending the first series each

day. they are going to hold it in a big gym. i was

curious to see how the series went for people in

france,new york and colorado. it's hard enough to have an

instructor help a class of 20-30 people. i would think that

having over 100 people struggling into and out of the

seated postures, falling over in headstand, etc., would

be a little chaotic. for those here who have had the

opportunity to attend, how did it go? were the classes that

large? who is involved in instructing and adjusting? is

there any interaction of the students with guruji and

sharath beyond going through the postures, such as

talking with the class before or after? any discussion of

yoga beyond the asanas? any social events involved

where you can meet and talk with them?

[Guest guest]

I have only been to one NY workshop so far. Maybe

I will attend another next week. The classes were

very large, approx. 200 students. The mats were a

little close so try not to fall over. The classes begin

with the invocation led by Guruji. If you usually warm

up before get there early because the class starts

right away! At first it is a little difficult to

understand the instructions but you will get it soon enough.

The instructions sets are typically inhale, exhale,

head up, head down, breathe 1, 2, 3, 4, 2, 3, 4, 5. I

think he went to 15 once. Guruji and Sarath walk around

and do adjustments. There was also a third person

helping, sorry but I dont know his name. They will get to

everyone. Bring a towel. At the end of class Guruji was

available for a brief visit and he welcomed pictures so you

may want to bring a camera. <br>Namaste<br>YG

[Guest guest]

Oh yea, dont go ahead of the class! Especially

during vinyasa, you will get a "bad man" from the

Guruji. It didnt happen to me but to a friend of mine.

Dont worry about your yoga vs. someone elses yoga.

Practice with a pure heart and be thankful that you can

attend his class. I "sat out" a few postures and there

was no problem.<br>Photos of the NY workshop are

posted on Guruji's site so you can get a feel for the

atmosphere. Also, at the end of class Guruji was very busy

but Sarath walked around and was eager to talk.

<br>Namaste<br>YG

[Guest guest]

The NY workshop has been an amazing experience.

The primary series classes (6am) are huge, with

150-200 people every day. The second series classes (8am)

are much smaller, but still sizable. The large class

sizes take nothing away from this incredible

experience. The classes are not at all chaotic. Guruji,

Shareth, and Manju (Guruji's eldest son) walk around and

adjust. Despite only three assistants, many people get

touched. People struggling seem to get the most help,

those of you who are more advanced should expect to

hold postures like Marichyasana D for 15 or more

breaths while Guruji helps less advanced students into

those difficult postures. Between classes, there is

some time to interact and take pictures with Guruji,

Manju, and Shareth.<br><br>I will treasure the memories

of these classes for the rest of my life. Any

Ashtanga practitioner who has the opportunity to get to

one of Guruji's workshops should definitely

go.<br><br>much love,<br><br>michael

[Guest guest]

The third man that is teaching with Guruji and

Sharath is Manju Jois,Guruji's son. Guruji and Sharath

will be having a lecture and demonstration at the Puck

building(295 Lafayette St)on Wed.August 9 at 6PM> Admission

is free.