A Student Writes ~ YogElements.com

Neighborhood Tour

My Learning Expeiernces with Masterji M. S. Viswanatha

My name is Karin Larsson. I'm the owner of a Yoga Studio located at Moreno (Buenos Aires), Argentina. I'm 65 years old, a mother of 4 and a grandmother of 10.

I started my Yoga practice 22 years ago, when I was 43.

Five years later I started teaching; I have been teaching uninterruptedly during the last 17 years. It has been a long period of constant practice, teaching and studying

As many other teachers I started teaching only asanas; vision was focused in the physical aspect. As time was passing by, and after being more involved with Yoga, I realized thay Yoga is an inmense research field. As I have a Master in History, I had the tools to make a proper research. But the research showed that the right way of learning is not only studying; that the main source is to practice under some guide. And this kind of guide or teacher was not available in my country.

In March 2000, I met M.S. Viswanatha in Buenos Aires, the capitol city of Argentina.

From the first moment I understood that the opportunity of having a different learning experience was there.

I stayed in close relationship with Masterji during 8 months: learning Asanas, Pranayama, Mudra, and observing other people practicing Ashtanga System (because it was too challenging for me); translating his lectures about Yoga, Tantra and other phylosophical subjects. At the same time I was taught and was developing the capacity of placing the knowledge in the right place. When Masterji left in November, I decided to continue my learning in India, at Masterji's studio, in Bangalore.

I stayed 4 months in Bangalore, at the Foundation Pathanjala Yoga Kendra, involving myself in those classes that start at 6 o'clock am. But, in between the classes, there was time to relate with the family, mainly the so beloved Lakshmi, Masterji's wife whom I consider and respect as my teacher in the practice of Lalita Sahasra Nama.

It's very difficult to explain with comon human words the meaning and the projections of this experience. It was something very deep and fundamental; and, besides, when subtle aspects are related, there is a special atmosphere that is not possible to put in words. Those four months, in my feelings, were like an inmersion in India and in Yoga. So, I'll just mention some points:

Masterji teaches Yoga through Asanas (Yogasanas); he is teacher in Ashtanga System in a unique way; his main characteristics are: "patience", "kindness" and "understanding"; but sometimes the student has to experience the firmness of the teacher; and this is a very important aspect. There is nothing weak or soft. He teaches also through Pranayama, Mudra and Mantra. And through the valuable Satsang. In Satsang all the questions, if proper, receive answers; besides, the students receive some clues, or guides, directly or undirectly; sometimes, in a casual way that, sooner or later, will feed the individual needs. Also, in Satsang, the students are offered basic aspects of relationship, behavioral patterns and instructions about how to teach, how to understand, etc. And [Masterji] always reminds the students: Listen. Understand. Establish.

Satsang usually follows a main line; Masterji usually uses some classical texts like the Bhagavad Gita or Pathanjala Yoga Sutras. Both are the main sources to understand Yoga in its wholeness. With Masterji's explanations everything is easy to understand, even the most abstract items.

But there is more:

The daily puja that Masterji performs; or other special pujas that need the presence of a priest.
The daily meals or the celebration-day meals.
Walking in the neighborhood.
Visiting temples: Masterji is a wonderful guide. I can recommend Rajarajeshwari Temple, or the beautiful Anjaneya Temple.
If the students ask, there is the possibility of having the Vedic Horoscope charted, so different from the usual occidental charts. Because the system is different, it reveals fundamental information about oneself that matches the personality.
Shopping: books, silks, agharbatis, jewelry, artisans crafts, etc.
And, in the middle of these activities, there is an added experience. If the person is awar, there is contact with a lot of people and maybe, even a rickshaw driver can give you a special spiritual teaching.

Everything is simple if the person is open minded, if he really wants to get knowledge. And Masterji with his patience and knowledge is ready to give support to any serious student who wants to perfect Asana or some other aspect of Yoga. He is very resourceful, open minded and ready to help.

Ashtanga System, in the way he teaches, gets a new dimension, because it's taught as Yoga and not as a technique; so it's really possible to get knowledge about one's Self.

Yet, this is not the only knowledge he has to spread over his students. Masterji is a Tantric Master. He knows the history of his country; Philosophy is not a mistery, nor is a tough subject; Logic and common sense run side by side; besides he joins the most phylosophical aspects with daily life; he reads in the Sanskrit language: so, everything he talks about, comes from the source. Besides, the student has the privilege to listen and be delighted with the frequent Sanskrit quotations. Master ji is an educator. He is a teacher. Masterji knows that in this way, he is leading his students to a strong, calm and comprehensive state of mind, so that they are able to evolve their personality in order to grow and to understand life and to reach to the meaning of Pure Consciousness.

To be "open minded" is a wonderful goal. Masterji always remembers the Vedic wisdom: "Let the noble thoughts come from everywhere."