Newsletter September 2017
“Knowledge and Love are synonymous. Love is to join and knowledge is to tell. They need to go hand-in-hand.”
Dear One
How are you feeling now and how’s your practice going? My teacher, Iyengar, would visit London every summer for three weeks of intensive teaching. During this time, he would ask us teachers and trainees to meet as a group without him. These meetings were not always agreeable as one after another would put their ideas forward as a better method of teaching. There was some squabbling about which was the best way to correct and promoting of one’s own ideas and putting down someone else’s. Iyengar got to hear about this and, feigning anger, told us that we meet to share knowledge, not to argue. This was the real purpose of our retreats; to share. When we share what is happening in our personal practice and in our teaching, we all grow and benefit. We learn by experience and when we learn and then speak about our truth it can be inspiring. So, make it your own by trying it out and practising it back and your students will recognise that it is first hand. Teaching from the heart like this has a different quality to it than teaching from the head (intellectual knowledge). You can only teach through love and when the teacher teaches from the right place, the heart, and the student is open and receptive, not defensive, then true communication can take place and knowledge arises. And it means that the teacher is in such a privileged position when a genuine question or need is presented.
21st September was the equinox when day time equalled night time. When our cells are working correctly they eliminate sodium and calcium at night and magnesium and potassium in the day. There is a stronger energy at the times of the equinoxes and solstices for elimination. The body’s reaction to eliminating toxins can manifest in flu symptoms – sore throat, headaches, sneezes and wheezes. So please don’t suppress these symptoms but let the body throw them out. It might even run a temperature to hasten the elimination. Full moon is another great opportunity for the body to cleanse. Symptoms can recur in the next full moon.
Practice
Twists and variations in Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and Sirsasana (headstand) are particularly helpful in allowing organs to eliminate – especially the liver and kidneys. Remember your practice is a counterbalance to any stresses and imbalances you feel, for instance twists can release an ache in your back, forward bends can quieten your head, standing and back arching can bring warmth and energy.
In the coming weekend at Hawkwood (7th & 8th Oct) we will look at postures as remedies for specific ailments and attitudes. There are a few places left for those who would like to join us.
I was talking with Angela, an old friend who lives and teaches the Greek island of Lesbos, and she says her classes are running well. She said there was a problem with refugees landing two years ago but this is no longer the case. I can go into more detail for those would like to join us on our residential there in June next year but be sure that it is quite safe to come.
Next year’s residentials
3 Feb 2018 – A day of yoga at Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton under Wychwood
10-11 March 2018 – Two days of yoga at Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton under Wychwood. We will be joined by Narain Ishaya
9-16 June 2018 – Yoga in the Greek Island of Lesbos
27-31 Oct 2018 – Yoga at Park Place Pastoral Centre, Hants
I hope you can join us
Breathe well
With love
Ruth