Many of you have asked me about my experience with Guruji while I was in San Francisco, so I thought I would share some of my impressions with you.
Each morning I awoke at 4:45am and traveled into downtown San Francisco. I stood in line outside the Regency building waiting for a space for my mat in the crowded room within. I was one of more than 300 practioners in the first class. Space was at a premium...we were told not to stagger our mats. I was kicked as people rolled back in chakrasana and hit as people reached up in Virabadrasana 1. The first day was the hardest...it was easy to allow my mind to be distracted by so many people and hard to understand Guruji’s thick Indian accent. However, I had tears of gratitude in my eyes after that first day.
I have practiced Ashtanga yoga nearly half of my life and in that time worked with countless teachers. Practicing with Guruji was like returning home after a long trip...both familiar and soothingly comfortable. He was tough! His approach while confrontational was non-aggressive and reminded me a great deal of my own teaching style. I was struck by the direct nature of his teaching...unfettered by his individuality, it harkened to a much greater experience. For me the experience was like tuning a guitar and Guruji was the perfect pitch.
Finally, I was grateful for having been taught such a dynamic practice. Ashtanga yoga teaches us directly that liberation does not come looking for us. We must consistently make the effort to seek it out...it is in the seeking that we find freedom from our limitations.