Each group or team was assigned to read the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. Then through discussion they were to pick one sutra that they want to explore or that resonates with them and make a presentation about that sutra to the group. Here is what they came up with — fantastic!
Each person on the Bodhisattva team had a sign on her head representing an obstacle to practice. Anu -- my translator -- was in front trying to meditate.
But it is hard to practice when the obstacles come alive!
....and spin around you in circles!
...and start dancing to Lady GaGa!
But Anu's commitment and calmness prevailed and she conquered her obstacles, becoming luminous and mirror-like.
Great job, Bodhisattva Team! Next up, Sokrates!
They began their presentation by saying that they have no talent. I like that they all borrowed shirts from Kumi, who is an accupunturist, and are holding spatulas. I asked them why and they said, No reason.
Sokrates team had everyone else get in their groups and then they had us sing together in harmony: Ah, OM, Sukha, Cyndi, David, Joe... it was fun and creative. If we work together, we can find balance and harmony. Then Kyoko led us all in our final recitation of the Dedication of Merit all together. Beautiful job, Sokrates.
Next up, Nadeshko. Miho was the MC for this group which enacted a fairy tale.
Here is the lazy person.
Here is the good, hard working person.
Here is the Noriko monkey.
The hard working person accidentally threw her ox into the lake but the goddess came up out of the lake and said because you are good and honest you can have your ox back and also a golden ox -- that thing she is holding is the golden ox.
Hardworking Miyo is so happy to have her ox back and a golden ox.
I didn't exactly understand the rest of the story or what sutra it was but the next thing I knew we were all up and dancing in a conga line!
And then Miyo, who is also a Zumba teacher in Osaka, led us in a kind of Bollywood dance for about five minutes! And that was their sutra presentation -- great job, Nadeshko.
Honeymoon's sutra presentation was about Purusha and Prakrti and how to become more balanced through the gunas. Here is Shizuka being Purusha.
Here are the 3 gunas: Chama is tamas, lazy boy on the floor watching TV; Yukiko is hyper active, agressive Rajas; and Hideyo is a sattvic princess with a miner's light on her forehead. They are pulling on each other all the time because they are out of balance.
There was more -- Hisako got into balance through yoga practice and then Hideyo's miner's light turned on as she became enlightened. And, then somehow, we were all up in a circle, swaying together and singing We are the World. Very fun!
Smile team -- on the subway. Check out the subway strap that Maya is holding -- very clever.
Maya did a fantastic dance showing us how she was frustrated with all the aggression around her.
Then Fumiko, who you can see from her mat bag, is a yogini gets on the subway. She is nice and considerate and her energy shifts the vibe of everyone else on the subway. The power of our practice!
Then they all did a yoga dance together!
Opening their hearts to each other...
Their sutra was the one that is like the Dedication of Merit: friendliness, compassion, joy and equanimity. Bravo!
