My second day in Pune, India was New’s Years Eve. I checked out of the RJ Marriott hotel and into the Geeta Home Stay for Iyengar Yoga students, on Hare Krishna Mandir Road. Which is also the address for Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI).
I recommend the Geeta Home Stay for any foreigner traveling to RIMYI. It is quite nice, and the owner Supriya is welcoming and very helpful. Rooms rent by the month. I was the first student to check in for the month of January and the only soul to sleep there on New Year’s Eve.
Soon, more students, including my friends from Nashville, arrived in preparation for 50th Anniversary Celebration of RIMYI and a two week intensive with classes.
With my official paperwork in hand, C-From, copies of my Visa, passport and extra passport photos, my next step was to check in at RIYMI. And get registered for regular daily classes beginning the next day, on New Year’s Day.
Yes, this was an amazing way to enter 2025!
First time walking into RIYMI
Walking down Hare Krisna Mandir Road and approaching the gates to RIYMI felt surreal. I had seen many photos of teachers standing in front of the marble RIYMI sign, along the sidewalk. Now, I was here.
Entering the hallway inside, past the large photo of Geeta Iyengar, felt monumental. RIYMI opened in 1975. It’s where BKS Iyengar studied, practiced and wrote many books to share yoga with the world. It’s prestigious but not pretentious. It’s welcoming but intimidating because it feels so important.
I had been taking hybrid Zoom classes with Abhijata Iyengar from RIMYI for three years. I felt prepared for her classes. And now I was getting a full view beyond the Zoom lens.
Inside, I stepped up to the office doors and said I was here to talk to Kunal and register for classes. We sat down at a small desk. He asked how many years I have practiced Iyengar Yoga, and if I was a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT). Read more about my long journey to India and becoming a CIYT here.
I gave Kunal my papers. Then he showed me a computer screen with the classes I was invited to attend. I screen-shotted the schedule and he told me I was welcome to look around.
The class schedule for foreigners was simple and to the point. But it felt BIG. With advanced classes from the world’s most wonderful yoga teachers, who learned straight from BKS Iyengar. I attended as many classes as possible at RIYMI before the two week intensive began, at a bigger location.
Being a student of Iyengar Yoga can feel serious. There is a natural unspoken respect that everyone has for yoga, their practice, being a student and the community as a whole. I am honored to be a part of it. And as a newcomer to RIYMI I didn’t want to make any mistakes.
When I went to look around, it was open practice time in the main hall.
Hardly being able to believe that this moment was for real life – I tiptoed up the stairs, breathing slow, walking slow, taking it all in, being as in the fully present in the moment.
While feeling an abundance of gratitude, joy and amazement, I looked around ”the hall” with my very own eyes. Wide open eyes, and looking like a newcomer I’m sure!
Then a woman with her mat near the wall just inside the door, looked up, came out of her Audo Mukha Svansana (downward facing dog) and asked in the most cheerful British accent, “Is this your first time here?”
I nodded yes, nearly speechless.
“Isssssn’t it ammmazzzing?” She asked? “Welcome. My name is Jayne.”
Photo of “the hall,” taken was a later time, when I had permission to take photos.
For the next couple of days, when I had newbie questions such as how the props get organized or which classes I should observe, I asked Jayne. I was grateful for Jayne’s joyfulness and welcoming spirit. I met many new yoga friends like Jayne. People were very kind. Locals and foreigners.
- Read more about RIYMI click here.
- To apply to study at RIYMI, Click here. Eight-ten years of Iyengar Yoga practice is recommended before you apply. Most foreigners who visit are a CIYT.
- You can find a CIYT anywhere in the world… right here.
The Geeta Home Stay
My teacher Aretha McKinney from Chestnut Hill Yoga in Nashville, along with three other students who I have studied with Aretha, were joining me a few days later at The Geeta Home Stay. And for the 50th Anniversary Celebration intensive and events.
Our room had a rooftop terrace. On New Year’s Eve night I climbed up to the top and watched the fireworks. It was a Happy New Year for me.
The morning coffee times on the terrace were lovely too. I stayed there for three weeks. I’m glad a took a few photos to remember it. And a video to hear the birds and early morning sounds of Hare Krishna Mandir Road waking up before yoga classes.
I also I love that Aretha made watercolor sketches of our stay in Pune. see more on her art page on IG
