GURUJI IN FLORIDA! A DETAILED ACCOUNT
I was scheduled to Guruji’s intial shala opening in March of 2007. But he became very ill and wasn’t able to do it.
It was postponed to this March, but didn’t happen then, either. Guruji was again quite ill.
Last month (during Peter Sanson's Mysore class), KT* told me that SKPJ was coming to Florida over Memorial Day Weekend. At first I laughed. But this time I felt in my heart that he was going to come. I bit the bullet and paid through the teeth for a plane ticket to Miami.
The plan was to meet KT from Chicago, who arrived a few days earlier and would pick us up, and KB from New York, whose flight was supposed to get in at the same time as mine.
Our flights actually did arrive at the same time - unheard of on a major travel day.
And KT was there to meet us the minute we walked onto the median - in a cream-colored Beetle convertible.
We got caught in standstill traffic but made it to Islamorada in time to check in to our waterside hotel and change clothes.
The shala was a few miles away. grounds are shala are exquisite. There’s a garden, benches, swings, flowers and a massive Nataraj (Dancing Shiva) fountain.
When we arrived Guruji was arriving too. Everyone was reverent - many holding bouquets of flowers - and waited for him to enter the building.
He was set up in a large chair the stage. Looking a little frail - wearing white, and a little bit less gold jewelry than usual - but happy to be there. He’s been ill for some time, and this was his chance to inally got to see his dream come true - to open his new shala in Florida. He was flanked by his daughter, Saraswati, and granddaughter, Sharmila.
The room was amazing. Bamboo floors. Orange and yellow walls. Large-scale photos of the family - including one wall of Guruji as a young man doing ashtanga as well as Sharath in various poses and young (very young) Saraswati and Manju. My favorite is one of Amma (Guruji's wife), Saraswati and Sharmila.
The latter two were there accompanying Guruji and helping him teach the weekend’s three classes.
The mood was much more casual than in Mysore or for Guruji’s workshops in New York City. There was no line. But one at a time, people went up to Guruji and paid their respects. Some touched his feet; others did not. Just about everyone got their picture taken with him. I became overwhelmed with gratitude when it was my turn, and my eyes welled up with tears.
Spiros-the-NYC-chai-wallah, his lovely wife and some helpers were serving up the best tea this writer has ever tasted. The room smelled of jasmine and other flowers. The largest contingents of people were from Florida and New York, and included Kino McGregor and Tim Feldman, Chris and Wendy from Florida and many old-school faces from the NYC ashtanga scene. I also saw old asthagan friends and acquaintances such as Jennifer, Adarsh, Kelly from Lino Miele’s recent workshop. But surprisingly few senior North American teachers were there.
Longtime Guruji devotee and NYC teacher Eddie Stern, in all white, helped perform a puja in a small temple area and gave a brief speech. He said that Guruji wanted badly to open the shala, and that reason his health better was because of Saraswati’s constant care; when she said she simply bowed her head and said, “It is my duty.” He also thanked Sharath (who was holding down the fort back in Mysore, India) and many others.
Shala benefactor PTJ, resplendent in elegant Indian attire, also gave a brief talk, saying that his wife - the real ashtanga enthusiast - was too shy to make a speech and he was doing it in her stead. The pair financed the shala, and he said that she had the whole family getting up at 6AM each day to do yoga. Indeed - the next day they were all there, front and center, doing the practice. Jones also thanked the others who’d helped make the dream a reality - including the owner of the bowling alley in front, who moved his sign so that people would know tha the shala was there. He also told a story about how Guruji was in the hospital, telling his doctor that it was his wish to get well enough to open the shala.
Next was an Indian dance performance, during which Guruji left the stage and retired to another area. We lounged on large square cushions as we watched.
The spacious, plesant state-of-the-art facilities feature high ceilings, orange and yellow walls and framed pictures of the family throughout. There’s a store, showers and locker areas, a private reception room for Guruji, kitchen and a large reception and cadining area.
The latter was laden with the most sumptuous feast of North and South Indian foods I have ever seen. Despite the practice tomorrow, too much food was eaten. Again the atmosphere was genial, casual and non-competitive - sattvic - and many new friends were made over the dinner table. Everyone seemed thankful that Guruji had made it and they were there, too. The air was filled with reverence.
The next day we were the first to arrive at the shala, and waited outside batting gnats while Eddie Stern and his crew prepared the registration tables for us. We were lucky to get spots in the front row. Slowly the room filled up, and then began to overflow into the other areas. We squeezed our matts a little closer together, and soon everyone had a spot.
When Guruji arrived there was a hush, and everyone stood up. He had no need to yell, “Samasthith!” - a command that means “equal standing,” or get on your feet and prepare to do the opening mantra.
He smiled as he led us through the opening chant. Then he sat down and watched. Saraswati refused to use the mic as she led us through the primary series. Sharmila worked the middle and back of the room, helping students in various poses.
It was wonderful to be with three generations of Joises again - and to have all of that female energy in the room, supporting Guruji. Saraswati’s count was medium-tempo and even, and it was a joy to follow her. This was my first led class with her, and I’m a huge fan. She and Shamila have so much of Guruji’s good nature and sattvic energy.
Soon the room was hot and humid. I hadn’t practiced in a week because I’d been fighting off a cold. Yet somehow I had one of my best practices in memory. What helped it was stealing glances at Guruji, and feeling his presence. I felt like I had come home. All of my past experiences with Guruji, dating back to 2000, came back to me - and there was nowhere else in the world I’d rather be.
Afterwards we all gave our respects. There was chai again. And again it was free.
For breakfast we met TL at Bob’s Bunz, recommended by KT’s mother. The cinnamon rolls were amazing - and their effects were minimized by massive salads.
Then we went to the beach, on the Atlantic side, where parking was $30 per car and admission was $10 per person. We parked down the street and took a free shuttle back to the beach, where ocean was bathwater warm and blue. The breeze was soft. There were frozen drinks (when I asked for a virgin key lime pina colada, the bartender said, with finality, “I’m the only virgin here”). There was a reggage band. There were string bikinis and tattoos. We spent too long and got burned on the spots that the sunblock missed.
In the evening we went for dinner at Lazy Days on Atlantic . It was recommended for its vegetarian food (the choices were pasta or pasta). But the view was stunning. It recalled a view I’ve seen many times in dreams, and had always thought was the southern coast of Spain. Afterwards we went to a free beach on the Gulf side and looked for a place to watch a sunset. People were polite and well-behaved. We walked past yachts and shops and restaurants and a man playing “Hello Dolly” on steel drums, where we found the perfect spot.
We arrived early on Sunday, and found spots in the front row.
Everyone’s head turned when TIm Miller walked in - finally, another senior teacher! - and there were hugs all around
Gurujii’s opening chant was strong and loud - he certainly didn’t need the mic he refused to use - and afterwards he sat on the edge of his seat led us almost through a fastpaced version of most of the standing poses before Saraswati took over. Again I sneaked glances, and often saw him sitting on the edge of his seat, watching us.
One funny moment; at one point during the pratice I felt something funny on my back. I reached back and grabbed something soft; it was a falsiie, which had somehow disengaged itself from my fancy yoga top with built-in boobs.
Afterwards we paid our respects. At one point we were told not to go onstage because it tires out Guruji, and to green him from a discreet distance, because the close proximity tires him out. A few minutes later, Guruji and his helpers were moving his chair closer to the students.
Before we left they announced that we would start a half-hour early on Memorial Day.
Later we raided the local grocery store and had a healthy breakfast on our balcony. Then we headed to the quiet (sattvic) beach at T’s hotel, where parking and admission were free.
We spent the day lounging on hammocks, swimming in the bathwater and enjoying the breeze. I also had a opportunity to catch up with Matrika, a Florida-based friend from my 2006 trip to Mysore..
After dinner at Tower of Pizza, we went back to the previous sunset beach and searched for a place to have key lime pie. We struck gold at the Zane Gray Lounge, which was named for the outdoor adventure writer and located above the largest fishing store I’ve seen (outside of Brass Pro Shop), called World Wide Sportsman. Perched high up, with an unobstructed view of the Atlantic, we celebrated our final night by eating key lime pie, listening to a bluesy rendition of “Brick House”, talking about the Bhagavad Gita and watching the sun set.
The next day we arrived at the sahla early enough to again get spots in the front row.
It was cooler on Memorial Day, and Guruji arrived wearing a monkey (stocking) cap and a broad smile. As he came in, the room quieted and everyone stood at the front of their mats, palms in prayer. The atmosphere was one of reverence and respect - as it had been all weekend.
Guruji led the opening chant even more strongly than he had on previous days. Again he led us through the standing poses, his voice very strong. Near the end Saraswati took over, and Shami adjusted students in the back rows. Eddie Stern and his daughter practiced behind us. Indeed, there were many children practicing along with the adults, while other children (and babies) waited in the wings.
Saraswati’s count (the time in which we hold poses) is longer than Guruji’s, and as on previous days Navasana (boat pose), Urdvha Dandasana (L-shaped headstand) and Utpluthi (balancing on the hands while in lotus) seemed to take forever. During the final bit of Utpluthi, Saraswati kept telling us to lift up (just as her father does) and chided those in the back of the room for cheating.
Since this was the final day of the workshop, we came to standing at the front of the mat after the final vinyasa. Guruji led us in the Mangala Mantra (closing chant), and his voice was even stronger. After one more sun salutation, he told us to lay down and take rest. Instead everyone got up and applauded him - our way of showing him how happy we were to have had the privilege to see him. It was an emotional moment, and my eyes welled up with tears.
Later there was more picture-taking and hugging and touching of his feet, during which he smiled and smiled. I also had my photo taken with Saraswati, who asked, “When are you coming to India?” “Sometime this year,” I promised. Now I have to make good on it.
Before they left, Saraswati said the thing we wanted most to hear - that she and the family would continue to come back and teach there - with her father of course.
-----------
*A huge - HUGE - thank-you to KT for her enthusiasm, patience, photos and excellent driving skills.
I was scheduled to Guruji’s intial shala opening in March of 2007. But he became very ill and wasn’t able to do it.
It was postponed to this March, but didn’t happen then, either. Guruji was again quite ill.
Last month (during Peter Sanson's Mysore class), KT* told me that SKPJ was coming to Florida over Memorial Day Weekend. At first I laughed. But this time I felt in my heart that he was going to come. I bit the bullet and paid through the teeth for a plane ticket to Miami.
The plan was to meet KT from Chicago, who arrived a few days earlier and would pick us up, and KB from New York, whose flight was supposed to get in at the same time as mine.
Our flights actually did arrive at the same time - unheard of on a major travel day.
And KT was there to meet us the minute we walked onto the median - in a cream-colored Beetle convertible.
We got caught in standstill traffic but made it to Islamorada in time to check in to our waterside hotel and change clothes.
The shala was a few miles away. grounds are shala are exquisite. There’s a garden, benches, swings, flowers and a massive Nataraj (Dancing Shiva) fountain.
When we arrived Guruji was arriving too. Everyone was reverent - many holding bouquets of flowers - and waited for him to enter the building.
He was set up in a large chair the stage. Looking a little frail - wearing white, and a little bit less gold jewelry than usual - but happy to be there. He’s been ill for some time, and this was his chance to inally got to see his dream come true - to open his new shala in Florida. He was flanked by his daughter, Saraswati, and granddaughter, Sharmila.
The room was amazing. Bamboo floors. Orange and yellow walls. Large-scale photos of the family - including one wall of Guruji as a young man doing ashtanga as well as Sharath in various poses and young (very young) Saraswati and Manju. My favorite is one of Amma (Guruji's wife), Saraswati and Sharmila.
The latter two were there accompanying Guruji and helping him teach the weekend’s three classes.
The mood was much more casual than in Mysore or for Guruji’s workshops in New York City. There was no line. But one at a time, people went up to Guruji and paid their respects. Some touched his feet; others did not. Just about everyone got their picture taken with him. I became overwhelmed with gratitude when it was my turn, and my eyes welled up with tears.
Spiros-the-NYC-chai-wallah, his lovely wife and some helpers were serving up the best tea this writer has ever tasted. The room smelled of jasmine and other flowers. The largest contingents of people were from Florida and New York, and included Kino McGregor and Tim Feldman, Chris and Wendy from Florida and many old-school faces from the NYC ashtanga scene. I also saw old asthagan friends and acquaintances such as Jennifer, Adarsh, Kelly from Lino Miele’s recent workshop. But surprisingly few senior North American teachers were there.
Longtime Guruji devotee and NYC teacher Eddie Stern, in all white, helped perform a puja in a small temple area and gave a brief speech. He said that Guruji wanted badly to open the shala, and that reason his health better was because of Saraswati’s constant care; when she said she simply bowed her head and said, “It is my duty.” He also thanked Sharath (who was holding down the fort back in Mysore, India) and many others.
Shala benefactor PTJ, resplendent in elegant Indian attire, also gave a brief talk, saying that his wife - the real ashtanga enthusiast - was too shy to make a speech and he was doing it in her stead. The pair financed the shala, and he said that she had the whole family getting up at 6AM each day to do yoga. Indeed - the next day they were all there, front and center, doing the practice. Jones also thanked the others who’d helped make the dream a reality - including the owner of the bowling alley in front, who moved his sign so that people would know tha the shala was there. He also told a story about how Guruji was in the hospital, telling his doctor that it was his wish to get well enough to open the shala.
Next was an Indian dance performance, during which Guruji left the stage and retired to another area. We lounged on large square cushions as we watched.
The spacious, plesant state-of-the-art facilities feature high ceilings, orange and yellow walls and framed pictures of the family throughout. There’s a store, showers and locker areas, a private reception room for Guruji, kitchen and a large reception and cadining area.
The latter was laden with the most sumptuous feast of North and South Indian foods I have ever seen. Despite the practice tomorrow, too much food was eaten. Again the atmosphere was genial, casual and non-competitive - sattvic - and many new friends were made over the dinner table. Everyone seemed thankful that Guruji had made it and they were there, too. The air was filled with reverence.
The next day we were the first to arrive at the shala, and waited outside batting gnats while Eddie Stern and his crew prepared the registration tables for us. We were lucky to get spots in the front row. Slowly the room filled up, and then began to overflow into the other areas. We squeezed our matts a little closer together, and soon everyone had a spot.
When Guruji arrived there was a hush, and everyone stood up. He had no need to yell, “Samasthith!” - a command that means “equal standing,” or get on your feet and prepare to do the opening mantra.
He smiled as he led us through the opening chant. Then he sat down and watched. Saraswati refused to use the mic as she led us through the primary series. Sharmila worked the middle and back of the room, helping students in various poses.
It was wonderful to be with three generations of Joises again - and to have all of that female energy in the room, supporting Guruji. Saraswati’s count was medium-tempo and even, and it was a joy to follow her. This was my first led class with her, and I’m a huge fan. She and Shamila have so much of Guruji’s good nature and sattvic energy.
Soon the room was hot and humid. I hadn’t practiced in a week because I’d been fighting off a cold. Yet somehow I had one of my best practices in memory. What helped it was stealing glances at Guruji, and feeling his presence. I felt like I had come home. All of my past experiences with Guruji, dating back to 2000, came back to me - and there was nowhere else in the world I’d rather be.
Afterwards we all gave our respects. There was chai again. And again it was free.
For breakfast we met TL at Bob’s Bunz, recommended by KT’s mother. The cinnamon rolls were amazing - and their effects were minimized by massive salads.
Then we went to the beach, on the Atlantic side, where parking was $30 per car and admission was $10 per person. We parked down the street and took a free shuttle back to the beach, where ocean was bathwater warm and blue. The breeze was soft. There were frozen drinks (when I asked for a virgin key lime pina colada, the bartender said, with finality, “I’m the only virgin here”). There was a reggage band. There were string bikinis and tattoos. We spent too long and got burned on the spots that the sunblock missed.
In the evening we went for dinner at Lazy Days on Atlantic . It was recommended for its vegetarian food (the choices were pasta or pasta). But the view was stunning. It recalled a view I’ve seen many times in dreams, and had always thought was the southern coast of Spain. Afterwards we went to a free beach on the Gulf side and looked for a place to watch a sunset. People were polite and well-behaved. We walked past yachts and shops and restaurants and a man playing “Hello Dolly” on steel drums, where we found the perfect spot.
We arrived early on Sunday, and found spots in the front row.
Everyone’s head turned when TIm Miller walked in - finally, another senior teacher! - and there were hugs all around
Gurujii’s opening chant was strong and loud - he certainly didn’t need the mic he refused to use - and afterwards he sat on the edge of his seat led us almost through a fastpaced version of most of the standing poses before Saraswati took over. Again I sneaked glances, and often saw him sitting on the edge of his seat, watching us.
One funny moment; at one point during the pratice I felt something funny on my back. I reached back and grabbed something soft; it was a falsiie, which had somehow disengaged itself from my fancy yoga top with built-in boobs.
Afterwards we paid our respects. At one point we were told not to go onstage because it tires out Guruji, and to green him from a discreet distance, because the close proximity tires him out. A few minutes later, Guruji and his helpers were moving his chair closer to the students.
Before we left they announced that we would start a half-hour early on Memorial Day.
Later we raided the local grocery store and had a healthy breakfast on our balcony. Then we headed to the quiet (sattvic) beach at T’s hotel, where parking and admission were free.
We spent the day lounging on hammocks, swimming in the bathwater and enjoying the breeze. I also had a opportunity to catch up with Matrika, a Florida-based friend from my 2006 trip to Mysore..
After dinner at Tower of Pizza, we went back to the previous sunset beach and searched for a place to have key lime pie. We struck gold at the Zane Gray Lounge, which was named for the outdoor adventure writer and located above the largest fishing store I’ve seen (outside of Brass Pro Shop), called World Wide Sportsman. Perched high up, with an unobstructed view of the Atlantic, we celebrated our final night by eating key lime pie, listening to a bluesy rendition of “Brick House”, talking about the Bhagavad Gita and watching the sun set.
The next day we arrived at the sahla early enough to again get spots in the front row.
It was cooler on Memorial Day, and Guruji arrived wearing a monkey (stocking) cap and a broad smile. As he came in, the room quieted and everyone stood at the front of their mats, palms in prayer. The atmosphere was one of reverence and respect - as it had been all weekend.
Guruji led the opening chant even more strongly than he had on previous days. Again he led us through the standing poses, his voice very strong. Near the end Saraswati took over, and Shami adjusted students in the back rows. Eddie Stern and his daughter practiced behind us. Indeed, there were many children practicing along with the adults, while other children (and babies) waited in the wings.
Saraswati’s count (the time in which we hold poses) is longer than Guruji’s, and as on previous days Navasana (boat pose), Urdvha Dandasana (L-shaped headstand) and Utpluthi (balancing on the hands while in lotus) seemed to take forever. During the final bit of Utpluthi, Saraswati kept telling us to lift up (just as her father does) and chided those in the back of the room for cheating.
Since this was the final day of the workshop, we came to standing at the front of the mat after the final vinyasa. Guruji led us in the Mangala Mantra (closing chant), and his voice was even stronger. After one more sun salutation, he told us to lay down and take rest. Instead everyone got up and applauded him - our way of showing him how happy we were to have had the privilege to see him. It was an emotional moment, and my eyes welled up with tears.
Later there was more picture-taking and hugging and touching of his feet, during which he smiled and smiled. I also had my photo taken with Saraswati, who asked, “When are you coming to India?” “Sometime this year,” I promised. Now I have to make good on it.
Before they left, Saraswati said the thing we wanted most to hear - that she and the family would continue to come back and teach there - with her father of course.
-----------
*A huge - HUGE - thank-you to KT for her enthusiasm, patience, photos and excellent driving skills.
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