As a dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher, I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities to learn and grow in my practice. So, when I was offered the chance to join a Peter Thomson workshop in Auckland a few weeks ago, I jumped at it. My senior teacher Suzi Carson is a Peter Thomson student, and it felt like getting to play in the sandpit with the big kids, from a yogi point of view.

I had no expectations going into the workshop, other than being told there would be more talking and less asana than I was used to. I approached the workshop with an open mind and heart, ready to be inspired by the wisdom of a long-term yoga practitioner.

The first day was a Friday evening, and I had driven up from Taupo in another big rain event, it was tiring and soggy. Once Peter arrived, everyone settled and waited for him to get started. There was a long pause as he scanned the room, looked like he was thinking, then said “come over here” and we all sat in a huddle around him. Once he started speaking I was having trouble hooking into the meaning of what he was saying, Peter also said himself, he was never sure what he was going to say. Listening has never been an easy way for me to learn, I am better at watching and then doing. I found I fidgeted a bit and got irritated with myself, everyone else was seeming to hang on each word, was I missing something here? It would seem I would have to readjust myself to make the most of this opportunity.

Day 2 was similar, much imparting of wisdom, this was when I really began to understand the unique approach of this workshop. We spent some more time in asana, but still sitting and listening, being invited to ask questions, being invited to answer questions. This was interesting, as we became more interactive, to observe how others were receiving information, I imagined we were all using our own unique context to make sense of what was being shared with us.

At the end of the day, I told Peter it was like baking a cake, adding ingredients, mixing, and baking, then chocolate cake. His response was, “fruit cake is better”, I added, “that had more nuts in it.” I thought it was funny.

By day 3, I was fully engaged in Peter’s process, over the 5-day workshop, these were the foundations for what was coming next. I was beginning to get the idea that this was a mental and emotional lesson with asana as the vehicle for delivery. Peter trained directly under Mr Iyengar and spoke of Guruji and how he would teach. One very vivid memory of the workshop is Mr Iyengar telling Peter “Don’t show me your strength”, instead intelligence in practice was required. I loved the little glimpses into that world, something I would never experience from Guruji himself.

Day 4 was when my ego took a back seat, and I was making no assumptions that I was “good” or “bad” at anything. This was wonderful, to be wholly a student to this master, it was like waking up after a long sleep and finding myself again. The asana was getting more demanding, and the ingredients of the cake were baking in the oven.

The last day was a culmination of all that had come before. I was present in the moment, experiencing the asana and the first point with complete focus. The asanas we practiced that day were the most challenging yet. However, by staying grounded in the first point and allowing the asana to reveal itself to me. I understood (again) that I had been imposing myself on the asana rather than allowing the asana to show me the way. My friend and fellow Mandolorian fan, joked with each other: “This is the way”

As the workshop came to a close, the talking had become my favourite part of the experience. I felt immense gratitude for Peter Thomson, Suzi Carson, and my fellow yogis for the opportunity to learn and grow. We had a powerful tool at our disposal that could help us navigate through the complexities of life. I understood that the overwhelm I was experiencing was coming directly out of my practice. This was the biggest and most valuable gem, again I felt like I was in the driving seat of life, able to be proactive rather than reactive to what was happening around me. I returned to Taupo feeling brave and loving for the many blessings I had received over 5 days with Peter Thomson. I can’t wait until next time.

Over the last 20 years or so, I have been fortunate enough to study with Glenn over a dozen times.
This most recent retreat was my 4th week long immersion. To be able to leave my own life as a full time yoga teacher, part time marriage celebrant, running my own studio, for a full week of intense practice was such a gift.
No cooking or cleaning or having to take care of anyone else was complete bliss. To be a student full time. One very happy yogini.

I always say, the best type of holiday for a yoga teacher is to go somewhere beautiful and be taught yoga everyday by someone else. As yoga teachers we can all agree on that. We’re kind of weird that way.

The retreat began on a Tuesday evening. Everyone was very excited and grateful to be there. There were a lot of teachers in the group, quite different from last years where Eira Kramer and I hardly knew anyone as there was a large Australian contingent. Although it was kind of a nice change to be anonymous… This time it was great to be amongst friends.

What impresses me most about Glenn, is his ability to quietly and confidently guide us through his teachings. Practising 6 hours a day, starting with the Gayatri Mantra, silent sitting, Pranayama, then Asana. Back in the afternoon for another Asana session.
With over 40 years of practice and teaching, the detailed instructions seem to effortlessly flow from him.
His repetition of words designed to bring us back to ourselves.

“Regular, consistent practice over an extended period of time equals change and development.” “Be aware of your existence at this moment.”
“Measure, monitor and manage.”
“Soften the face, the throat and the abdomen.”
“Adapt, adjust, accommodate.”
And my favourite, ( when you’re about to expire from his legendary long holds in the Asana, he quietly says, )
“Turn the corners of your lips up.”

Not once did he get ruffled when we were all getting noisy and excited about doing something we hadn’t done before or in a while.
Like Bird Balances on the last day!
He was cool, calm and collected.
Except when discussing anything to do with politics, or the state of the world in general.
Then he got excited! Usually at our lively after dinner conversations where both Margaret and Glenn were very generous with their time.

His skill at building the momentum of the classes. Seemingly starting quite simply. Basic poses that were suddenly experienced through fresh eyes. Unique instructions that changed the pose as you were experiencing it. Building upon these foundations, so by the end of the week, I and I think everyone there, felt transformed.

We were lucky to have his wife Margaret with us too. She was a solid and affirming presence to have in the room. Her passion for her spiritual practice and her generosity in sharing her beliefs and stories was truly memorable.
It was lovely to see the interaction between Margaret and Glenn. A mutual respect and admiration. She proved to be a willing demonstrator and also a wonderful assistant. A senior teacher in her own right. We were fortunate indeed to have her and Glenn’s years of experience and hands on adjustments throughout the whole week.

If you haven’t experienced Glenn’s teaching, I encourage you to go to his weekend Raglan workshop or week long Mana retreat next year. You won’t be disappointed.
It was a memorable experience and I’m already booked for next year.

To spend this time immersed in the practice, with like minded people and a teacher with the wealth of knowledge and passion that Glenn has to share, is a unique opportunity. And one for which I am truly grateful.

In May 2022, for the first time since COVID19 disrupted our lives, a national Iyengar yoga convention was held in Raglan. It was taught by Australian teacher, Glenn Ceresoli.

It was a wildly wet and dramatically stormy weekend in Raglan as about 60 of us gathered in the town hall. Grateful the hall was heated, we eagerly waited for the first session to begin on the Friday evening as the wind and rain lashed the windows outside. Glenn opened the weekend by speaking at length on yogic philosophy based on the sutras and discussing integration with our asana practice. I found this delightfully refreshing since most of us were teachers or well-established practitioners.

As the workshop continued over the weekend, he delved deeper into examining the koshas and how we can experience these layers of existence in our practice. He guided us to apply our attention to the sensations of the body, breath and mind in our practice. He encouraged us to observe and be sensitive to what we were doing and experiencing in a pose, gracefully guided by his clear and methodical instructions. He directed our focus to the physical base, unfolding to our deepest version of our pose and observing our experience through all the layers. Personally, I felt a deep sense of transformation and growth in these sessions. At the end of the weekend, I felt I had gained new insight into my practice and myself.

It was a festive and joyful weekend with props, convention t-shirts and books available for sale. There was a delicious catered dinner on Saturday night and a lucky draw sponsored by Suzi and Yoga Arts. Rich and tasty chai tea was available during the break on Sunday.

Deep gratitude to Glenn for so masterfully sharing his insight and teachings with us. A heartfelt thank you to the organisers, events committee and everyone else involved for their hard work and coordination ensuring a smooth and thoroughly inspiring event. After the separation we’ve experienced during the past couple of years , it was awesome to come together as a community and connect through the teachings and practice of Iyengar yoga.

Raya Uma Datta taught a series of four zoom classes exploring the themes, alignment & precision, timing and sequencing. Raya referred to these themes as parts of a single leaf, and aligned the theme of the workshop with B.K.S Iyengars 1988 80th Birthday celebration, where Prashant Iyengar introduced these themes. Raya shared that this workshop had come from his exploration and practice attempting to understand these themes, and their relevance within the Iyengar Yoga practice. Throughout the workshop series we explored these themes through practice,, developing an understanding through practice.

The four classes with Raya were so rich and filled with in-depth explanations, creative analogies, Yoga philosophy, stories, quotes and explorations through asana. In this article I want to share some of the knowledge, wisdom and expertise he imparted.

Raya began the first class by advising us to “be sensitive and sensible” during the online workshop, (good life advice) asking us to be self responsible as he didn’t know our regular practice and couldn’t see our eyes, notice our breath and advise us accordingly.

The theme of the first class was precision & alignment and we began in Tadasana. “Learn to feel your body”, he said, “In Iyengar yoga we speak of precision and alignment almost as the same thing … As we are moving we use alignment to understand precision … alignment is an outside-in phenomena, precision is an inside-out phenomena”.

We then explored alignment through a series of asana. Through trikonasana and the alignment of the front foot and ‘how’ we turn that front foot he offered three positions of the turning of the front foot, turning on the heel, turning on the toes and the placement of the front foot to one side of the mat, and the back foot to the other.

We were asked to observe how the front and back hips align. We were also encouraged to reflect, “Did you notice a difference? Is one placement of the front foot more precise than the other? “ Thus making the point that all three ways can be precise and offer different experiences of alignment.

Raya highlighted practice and the importance of exploration in our practice, quoting B.K.S Iyengar, “alignment gave me enlightenment”. Raya suggested we do as B.K.S Iyengar taught, to start with alignment, that the body is the first prop however not the only prop and that alignment in our practice becomes the means to get to enlightenment. Utilizing the analogy of a pendulum Raya talked about finding the centre point by swinging to the opposite ends, he also said “We will never find precision unless we have overdone and underdone”.

We next explored balance through a series of asana and Raya explained, “External alignment and internal balance add another dimension to your alignment and a better understanding of a precise asana … we need to add alignment to balance to understand precision better”. He went further saying, “Being balanced internally or a balanced person is very different to not falling”.

Through practice we then explored the concept of effort and comfort in practice. Raya asked us “When we bring alignment, balance and comfort together, what kind of precision does that gives us?” He explained that Subjectivity is important, that we should be able to relish the moment in the asana and consider the aesthetics. “Our tendency is toward objectivity, we follow instructions and directions and they are extremely objective and precise in order to get to a well aligned pose, however what do we do once there? The precision applies once we have arrived in the asana“.

He explained, “The mental ego needs to be surrendered into the bodily posture, we need to connect the body, mind & breath, reflect and surrender”. “The body is stretching, the mind observing the stretch and the breath is interpreting. “

Raya completed the first class reminding us that if we cannot do the ‘Light on Yoga’ version of an asana, it doesn’t mean we cannot experience precision. He explained, “Alignment is a subset of precision. Balance is a subset. Comfort is a subset. The body mind and breath are lenses we can look through”.

In the second class we explored timing and through practice we explored the difference between what B.K.S Iyengar spoke of as ‘chronological time’ versus ‘physiological time’. “When we have support and don’t have to fight, our sense of time in an asana is different”.

Raya suggested we examine what our sense of timing in practice is. We tend to focus of the linear sense and timing of an asana, and the end of an asana, however as we develop as a Yoga practitioner, we need to “engage in more than chronological time, where we don’t log the time, instead we stay and lose a sense of time”.

Through a Vinyasa sequence we explored the difference in mind and body between static asanas and moving quickly between asanas. Raya explained how motion is beneficial for drawing the mind inward, quieting the mind and removing mental fatigue. “Do the asana by the feel of it rather than getting carried away by our minds.”

Raya taught that it is through our Yoga practice that we get an opportunity to learn the practice of how we can ‘become’ and work on the being of what we want to become. He explained that when we practice Yoga, more than a biological change happens, we learn empathy and sensitivity and we can change our brain structure and the neural networks within our brains.

Raya advised us to “practice to lose the sense of time”, and to practice stillness in our asanas, witnessing rather than constantly engaging. He asked us to consider asana becoming our confidant in life. “Can there be an intimacy between the different parts of your body, mind, breath and intelligence?”

In the final moments of the class he explained that we needed to let go and have an incredible amount of acceptance, “the best counter to anxiety is acceptance … and non- judgement brings us to the lightness of being”. During savasana Raya explained that it is when we let go of the mental shape, ego shape and intellectual shape, we become shapeless.

In session three Raya focused on sequencing. He began the session with a quote from ‘Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’. “Yoga is an art, a science and a philosophy … a practical method for making ones life purposeful, useful and noble.” He explained there needs to be a balance between all three aspects.

Raya taught how sequencing can be seen as a part of the science aspect. As in a science experiment, in yoga, we are given a set of objective instructions and we have the opportunity to experiment through sequencing, observing the impact of our practice on our mind, body and breath. Also, when we use props, if used properly, they can give us objective feedback.

Through asana we explored through repeating an asana but changing the orientation. For example, we practised three ways to understand tadasana, standing, supine-lying on the back and then supine-lying on the stomach.

Referring to the sequencing in ‘Light on Yoga’ Raya suggested we trial the sequences and order of variations in our own practice, to explore why the variations are ordered this way. He advised the teachers of the group to look at our study of the asanas and pranayama as a practitioner, rather than as a teacher, and to divert away from linear sequencing and compulsive single route sequences. He said that even doing an asana in a different way is exploring through sequencing and encouraged us as practitioners to see the asanas as a web rather than linear, and sequencing as multifaceted. He suggested we notice what and how sequencing impacts our body, mind and breath.

The fourth and final session with Raya was practice based. He led us through a sequence, offering instructions and we explored all he had shared with us about precision/alignment, timing and sequencing in the previous classes, highlighting his message that Yoga is a practical & experimental art philosophy and science. He demonstrated that when we are sequencing we work on alignment, balance, timing and body, mind, and breath. He encouraged us to sequence our practice for the internal body, to release the abdominal area and to consider ‘progressive sequencing’ rather than just moving from one asana to the next.

Through this session we experienced that some asanas fatigue us quickly physically and some asanas fatigue us quickly mentally, and that the same set of asanas can take us in two very different directions. Another important message he shared was hat through our practice we can get past the limitations we set for ourselves.

Throughout this series of classes Raya used asana practice and demonstrations, physical exploration, intellectual inquiry and breath inquiry, to impart his knowledge. He shared examples, metaphors and stories from B.K.S Iyengars teaching, quoting B.K.S Iyengar and Patanjali to highlight precision, alignment, timing and sequencing in Yoga. With humility and respect to his teacher B.K.S Iyengar Raya taught with fluency and clarity, he embodied the practice and is a dynamic teacher with so much knowledge, experience and wisdom to share.