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| I took a workshop wiith her today in San Francisco on intermediate backbends and arm balancing. I don't mean to sound rude, but I wish more Iyengar teachers would take note of her teaching style. She's firm, like an Iyengar teacher should be, but still leads in a way that lets students explore and grow.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Iyengar method. It just seems like some of the teachers I've been exposed to in the Bay Area lately are a little more harsh than warm and inviting. It was nice to see that Patricia Walden isn't like that.
Has anybody else studied with her? |
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Expert Yogi
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Location: A Blue State | Rodney Yee is from the Bay Area -- is that who you mean? He's not really Iyengar, though, at least, he doesn't seem to do certification and Pune, etc. There's a long thread in the "teachers" section that addresses his qualities as a spiritual teacher. .. bg |
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| No... I wasn't talking about Rodney, although he is from the Bay Area... he doesn't teach here much as far as I can tell. I was talking about the Iyengar-certified teachers I've taken from. Nobody that people outside of the area would know probably.
I was just saying I haven't had a lot of expereience with teachers in other areas, but that's been my experience here. |
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| Maybe they're trying to live up to the stern image of BKS Iyengar himself. I hear his son and daughter can also be intimidating.
Hi Bay Guy, don't let yourself get fixated on Rodney. Patricia Walden is the one in the white unitard.  |
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Expert Yogi
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| I have met a lot of Iyengar teachers and even those who appeared stern were kind and compassionate. BKS has lately warned us to not immitate him but find our own style. |
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Location: A Blue State | Oh, okay, white unitard, tall, no pony tail. I got it. ... bg |
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| Hi
I am relocating to SF and read this post and got really concerned. I currently practice in NYC with the greatest Iyengar teachers ever. i have also been fortunate enough to study with Patricia in Massachussetts.
If someone could direct me to a class in the SF area that would be great. I know there are alot of teachers out there but it is a bit overwhelming. I have been practicng Iyengar fo r8 years and would do the teache rtraining in NYC if not fo rmy relocating.
If you want to email me directly that would be fine! berylnyc @ earthlink.net
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| I'm probably not supposed to tell this story ...
A friend of mine has two friends who are serious yoga practitioners in San Fran. They were, at some point back, debating a move here to Seattle. Upon their visit they informed my friend they were not going to move here as there were not any Iyengar teachers here worth studying with.
And that may have some truth to it. One Inyengar certified teacher here is so agressive in approach that outsiders are not intrested in attending. And this, from what I can tell is a teacher who does go to Pune to study on a regular basis.
But the point is that the city, to these two friscoites, isn't worth living in because Kathy Alef or Ben Thomas (senior iyengar instructors) don't teach here.
You are right on, more Iyengar teachers could take note of teaching style.
Edited by purnayoga 2007-02-02 6:52 PM
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| Thank you Purna.
The SF area is my top choice to move to (we have to relocate due to work) because of the apparent wealth of senior Iyengar teachers.
Of course my first choice is to stay in NY.
What I will do before our trip there is ask my current teachers in NYC where I should go.
B
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Expert Yogi
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Location: A Blue State | In SF, there are two other Iyengar teachers not already mentioned who should be mentioned -- Ramanand Patel and Manouso Manos. I actually don't have any experience with Manouso, but Ramanand is a really excellent teacher. ... bg |
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| I have already contacted Ramanand about classes. Thanks Bay Guy. I have a few days next month to check out the Iyengar in SF. If anyone has any other suggestions that would be great. You can also contact me directly.
berylnyc @ earthlink.net (spaces added to avoid spam)
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| yogaspy,
It's funny you mention the sterness of the Iyengar community here in the bay area. There is a small joke in the teaching community that refers to Iyengar yoga teachers as "I'm angry" yoga teachers. Never understood why as a community they are pi**ed off all the time!
I second Bayguy recommendations. Although from what I have heard you can't even get into Manouso's class unless you have been going to his studio for years. But he is supposed to be the teachers teacher in the Bay area.
You also may want to check out Santosha yoga center http://www.santoshayogacenter.com/ Not many class options, but Annette is supposed to be great. |
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Expert Yogi
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Location: A Blue State | "I'm angry" teachers ! I've also had the impression of considerable tension in the SF Iyengar community... To see a list of the CERTIFIED Iyengar teachers in SF, you can use the directory at iynaus.org: http://www.iynaus.org/Search/search.aspx ..bg
Edited by Bay Guy 2007-02-04 9:59 PM
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Expert Yogi
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|    Hey!!! I resent that !!!!! 
I have never come across an angry Iyengar teacher. Well, I have seen Iyengar teachers get angry, but not as their typical state of mind. Ramanand is famous for his jokes (not all great - and that is part of the charm) and Manuso, while very firm in his opinions and teaching in a way that is often purposely provocative, was also fun. They each have great stories of working with BKS, which is always interesting. |
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Location: A Blue State | What are you complaining about? You're not a San Francisco teacher. ... bg |
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| ...all my Iyengar teachers are very nice 
Jonathon |
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| Hmmm - another tricky thread. I have to post something in order to read the next page...
Ahhh! And so worthwhile that I made the effort  I agree jonnie  |
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Location: A Blue State | jonnie - 2007-02-05 1:33 PM ...all my Iyengar teachers are very nice Jonathon Which ties back nicely to the original subject the thread, as Patricia Walden is also very nice. See, we go full circle in these things! .. bg |
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| I can wholeheartedly recommend the teachers at the Iyengar Institute of NYC. |
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| yogaspy - 2007-01-20 4:59 AM
I love the Iyengar method. It just seems like some of the teachers I've been exposed to in the Bay Area lately are a little more harsh than warm and inviting.
I found this interesting little quote from BKS Iyengar:
"As a teacher, remain sattvic inside and show the rajasic nature outside. The rajasic quality of the teacher helps to overcome the tamasic nature of the students".
Jonathon |
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Expert Yogi
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Location: A Blue State | This is funny. But I am rajasic by nature, and a rajasic teacher can drive me away from sattva -- at least, until they have exhausted me! .. bg |
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| iyengar teachers can come across as stern or fierce, but it is simply a teaching method. most are very warm and kind in person. AND most are giving correction from a place of love and wanting to help or teach.
there is a REASON patricia is one of the two TOP iyengar teachers in USA. ;) |
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Patricia Walden
