Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) Pune
January 2002 Jayanti Celebrations

by Kavita Khosa

“Yogey ne Chittasya, Padey ne Vaacham……” I would eagerly rise each morning to begin the day with this traditional invocation to Sage Patanjali at my yoga class at the RIMYI Institute in Pune.

I had finally done it - taken a sabbatical from my job as a corporate lawyer and straightaway enrolled for the month-long yoga classes at the RIMYI Institute in Pune, my beloved hometown, my birthplace. It was only when I arrived at the RIMYI in December last year did I realize that my stay would coincide with its 27th Jayanti (anniversary) celebrations. A greater force was guiding my choices and so there I sat – at the RIMYI yoga hall in the early hours of 1st January 2002, brimming with a burning desire to learn everything I could in my time within these hallowed halls. The Jayanti celebrations were held on the 19th and 20th of January 2002 and attended by Iyengar yoga luminaries from the world over. For me, it was a steep learning curve in every which way, assimilating the knowledge gained from the teachers to the brilliant lectures presented by noted doctors and neurologists. And most importantly, what a delight to see and hear Shri B.K.S. Iyengar, respectfully called Guruji, at such close quarters in a joyous and informal setting.

Prashantji Iyengar inaugurated the evening of the Jayanti with a fascinating lecture on ‘Yoga and the Central Nervous System’, followed by a lecture on ‘Yoga and Neurology’ by Dr. Manoj Naik, a yogi and neurologist. The evening ended with a delicious home-cooked supper served in the compound of the RIMYI where students and teachers from near and afar got a chance to meet and catch up with each other.

The next day, Dr. Lala Telang presented an informative lecture on ‘Elementary Yogic Physiology’. The lecture introduced the concepts of Prana, Panchatattvas, Panchamahabhutas, Chakras and Nadis. Prashantji then concluded the presentations with a brief but thought-provoking talk on ‘Organology and Yoga’. The highlight of the Jayanti was a fantastic Childrens Variety Show performed by some 25 young yogis and yoginis, the youngest barely 4 or 5 years old! The show began with recitation of Mantras and Stotras and moved on to an Indianized yogi version of the hit TV show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” aptly titled “Who Wants to Be a Yogi?” The show was fast-paced, cleverly interspersed with wit and humour and exhibited a remarkable understanding and feel of Yoga for ones so young! Some of the questions in the quiz included identifying names of animal asanas, asanas named after sages, rishis and munis and well as performing the asanas and the children performed with amazing aplomb. Teams were given names like Lolasana and Tolasana. A special feature of the show was an interview session with Guruji on the dais surrounded by the children, which brought a smile to everyone’s lips and hearts. It was endearing to watch the children ask intuitively simplistic, yet incisive questions like Guruji’s fears on teaching his very first student to everyday questions like Guruji’s favourite actor and favourite food.

Guruji addressed the gathering after the show and felicitated a number of teachers for their contributions to the Institute. The Jayanti ended with a release of the RIMYI quarterly publication ‘Yog Rahasya’ followed by a sumptious home-cooked lunch and tea served in the compound of the RIMYI.

And so ended the Jayanti celebrations of RIMYI for the year 2002.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Kavita Khosa for submitting the article. The article has previously appeared in the Hong Kong Yoga Journal. Kavita Khosa can be reached at khosa@netvigator.com.