NOK Grant Recipient Alice A. Gentles

Traveled to India from August 15 2005, and returned Oct 1st 2005.

I attended the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandarim in Madras India. It is a four week intensive taught by faculty members. Unlike many yoga programs where you are guided and taught by one, perhaps two teachers, we had 8-10 faculty members working with us.

One of our teachers was a medical doctor, and another was a scientist. The program was taught in English with a heavy emphasis on Sanskrit terminology. On a few occasions Sir Desichachar would offer lectures, or work with us as a class. 26 students in all, with only seven Americans, we were a very international group, and emerged after the months time with deep friendships from around the world. It brings to light the universality of yoga, how it has spread and the many different theories and perspectives that have evolved. The KYM program has a conservative approach as compared to western standards, and is very focused upon treating the individual, not the particular disease or injury that may be at hand.

The program is incredibly specific with breaking down the breath and movement leaving plenty of space and time for self-exploration. This can be a bit unsettling at first, as it feels as if you are almost moving backwards, when it fact you are actually breaking down, releasing old patterns, and emerging with a new relationship to your breath and mind. It is truly a program without ego. There is a beautiful humility to the teachers that is at once striking and awe-inspiring. They unassumingly present the work and allow it to resonate with the student. There was no platform for the ego to develop here, there were no fantastic displays of asana, no physical challenges for the student to overcome, only the mental challenge of purely linking the mind to the breath, through simple asana and a very detailed look at pranayama.

If you are considering the program at KYM, I highly recommend the Chanting workshop which is offered as an elective. Chanting is an integral part of the work at KYM and is a valuable compliment to the program.

The Krishnamarcharya Yoga Mandarim is a highly respected institution of the Madras community. Part of the month-long program entails case studies of local students who have come to KYM to seek help with physical and mental ailments from computer jobs, and job-related stress. Their personal stories are at once insightful, and endearing. You are invited into the culture, and into their lives in such a deep personal way you can’t help but fall in love with their spirit, and humor and intelligence. One more aspect to the case studies as well as the program as a whole, is the profound simplicity and effectiveness of the practice and teachings of yoga as handed down by Krishnamacharya, and the dedication of the teachers to maintain this purity of his work, and to continue his legacy. When you study at KYM you become part of this legacy.

This was my first trip to India, and I hope to have the opportunity to visit this incredible country again. I am most grateful to the NOK Foundation, Nigol (Nick) Koulajian and Paula Tursi for their support and encouragement which led to this trip to India. India is many times called the “Mother India.” To me she is a teacher in her so many ways. To travel to this unique land is not a simple trip, nor an easy one, but one that will fill you and guide you, and teach you if you surrender to her many lessons.

On a practical note: On preparing for a trip to India I might suggest a few things:
Pick-up a copy of Lonely Planet India and read, read, read and study this guide inside and out. There are many useful websites that helped me to prepare for this trip as well.

I had traveled for a few weeks in India prior to the yoga program at KYM and found the rail websites valuable in planning my trip. I cross-referenced the timetables on the site with published information out of Lonley Planet guide. The Indian rail system is at once complex and incredible and highly useful for travel within the country. It is the largest train system in the world with over 1 million employees. The train system is truly a phenomenom .
http://www.indianrail.gov.in
http://www.southernrailway.org/

The following website is an introduction to train travel in India and is a must visit to be able to make sense of the rail web pages.
http://seat61.com/India.htm

An excellent travel writer with insight into the India experience.
http://www.moxon.net/india

A note on personal health.
I took the suggestion of lonely planet and had a good travel insurance program through travel guard. I also pre-vaccinated and had a pre-travel consultation with a travel health clinic out of Mount Sinai Hospital.

I created a cheat-sheet of approx currency exchange so that I had a rough idea of what I am spending. I also did a timetable in military time, as most places in India run on military time, especially the trains.

I was careful while traveling to choose my meals carefully and remained healthy and safe throughout my trip. The roads are very dangerous so exercise caution when crossing the street. I prepared as much as I could, by reading asking questions, and researching on the web. I took the precautions in dealing with touts seriously and all these many factors contributed to the success and safety of my journey.

I wish you to a safe and inspiring journey as well.
All the best
Ali Gentles