The Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York Celebrates 25 Years!
Last week, I hosted a wonderful gala in the spacious clerestory at our offices in the Starrett Lehigh building in New York City. It was the 25th anniversary celebration of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York (IYAGNY) and aptly named “25 Years Lighting the Way.” Festivities included delicious Indian fare, spectacular Indian-inspired dance, music, and more. I was first introduced to Iyengar Yoga in the 1990’s and have been an enthusiast ever since. This innovative and inspired practice of yoga has been developed by the living yoga master, B.K.S. Iyengar, throughout a long career. In 2005, I began my regular practice with IYAGNY director James Murphy. I firmly believe that it helps to keep me focused, strong, and flexible. At the gala, I was proudly honored for my extensive commitment, not only to the Iyengar Yoga method, but healthy living, as well.
1 Here I am at the celebration. I was given a bindhi for my forehead. Photo credit: Billy Cunningham
2 The clerestory before the guests arrived - The soft light, the monotone tables and chairs, and the billowing tulle on the ceiling added a wonderful "gala" feeling.
3 Giant alocasia leaves and carnations and roses were focal points.
4 The bar was well designed and flower garlands were festooned here and there.
5 Everyone was given B.K.S. Iyengar's new book, Light on Life: The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom.
6 A projection of the Iyengar Yoga logo - It was a very well planned event masterminded by James Murphy, Association Director of IYAGNY and my instructor.
7 Posing with Dan Slater, Sophie Herbert - my niece, Alexander Vreeland - President of IYAGNY Board of Directors, and James Murphy - I wore a Dries Van Noten tunic.
8 This is the entryway into the celebration.
9 The aisle was illuminated with candles and strewn with rose petals.
10 The Om symbol was stenciled with baking powder.
11 Om is a mystical Sanskrit sound of Hindu origin.
12 Popkarma popped Masala Popcorn.
13 With Adam Vitolo - certified Iyengar yoga teacher, Sophie Herbert, and Dan Slater
14 Eve Holbrook, Judi Fiedman, Debby Green, and Judith Isaacs are all certified Iyengar teachers and were excited to be at the event.
15 Everyone was invited to get free mehndi henna tattoos. Elvis Durand was one of many volunteers.
16 He decided on a labyrinth. The henna dye dries and when rubbed off, a tattoo remains, which can last for about two weeks.
17 Opening ceremonies - leading of the celestial beings into the arena by the priest and umbrella bearer - The priest was played by Kavi Patel and the umbrella bearer, Ajay Balakrishnan.
18 The first was Ganesh, Elephant God, the remover of obstacles, played by Tasso Pappas and Daniel Truini.
19 Pretty amazing! We have not seen anything like this outside of India!
20 Krishna was played by Steve Schepis.
21 Patanjali, the father of Yoga was played by Darrell Thorne.
22 All the costumes, makeup and body paint were all wonderfully designed and coordinated by Darrell Thorne http://www.darrellthorne.com/
23 Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, was played by Serena Jost.
24 And Hunuman, the monkey god, was played by 'Tigger' James Ferguson.
25 Food to appease the gods were set under their pedestals.
26 MSLO employees Julyann Moon, Heather Kirkland, and Soo Jee Lee helped in the coordination of the event.
27 My makeup artist, Daisy Schwartzberg
28 Haya Kramer and her mother, Laura Kramer, who is chair of the Advisory Board and Nicole DeJesus, Development Chair of the Iyengar Association
29 Iyengar teacher, Jeff Logan and Iyengar member, Silvia Lattova
30 Sr. Iyengar teacher, Sue Salaniuk, celebrated children's book illustrator, Paul Zelinsky and his wife (and breast cancer survivor) Deborah Hallen and Sr. Iyengar teacher and author of The Women's Yoga Book, Bobby Clennell. Deborah is taking and enjoying the Breast Cancer Survivor class at the Yoga Institute of New York.
31 Yoga student, Judy Dennis and teacher, Kavi Patel
32 Posing with photographer, Vinoodh Matadin
33 Lisa Vreeland and Inez Van Lamsweerde
34 Kris Barragan and Mary Tedesco - my trainer
35 My niece, Sophie Herbert and Iyengar Yoga certified teacher, Lara Brunn
36 Visitor, Hideko Colton took it all in and enjoyed the good karma.
37 Yoga teacher, Naghmeh Ahi and lifetime student, Viren Mehta
38 Visitor, Rozanne Zacarias fully enjoyed the experience of getting a mehndi henna tattoo and bhindi.
39 B.K.S. Iyengar is now an active 93-year-old. This is Iyengar as a young man.
40 I spoke about my yoga practice and what it means to me. In his 2005 book, Light on Life, B.K.S. Iyengar wrote "I am so grateful for what yoga has made of my life that I have always sought to share it." I feel much the same way and try, as he says, to "carry the flame forward" in my own fashion.
41 Mira Nair - Celebrated Indian film director (award winning Salaam Bombay and Monsoon Wedding) and Daphna Keitel. Mira has studied extensively with James Murphy and is on the IYAGNY advisory board.
42 Yoga teacher, Naghmeh Ahi and actor Harvey Keitel, who practices three or four times a week.
43 During dinner, we were entertained with traditional Indian music. David Freeman performed on tabla.
44 Adam Laboz played an excellent sitar.
45 Junoon prepared delicious food. http://junoonnyc.com/ Each guest was served a sectioned platter like this, containing Paneer Mirchi Ka Salan, Chana Pindi, Nadru Kofta, Daa Makhani, Mint Raita, Kachumber Salad, Plain Naan, and Pulao Rice. Dessert was a Pumpkin Tart.
46 Actress, Andrea Gabrielson - actress and Jane Jeffrey - James Murphy's niece really enjoyed the delicious food served.
47 This is James Murphy's sister, Samantha Jeffrey.
48 Aditi Malhotra is owner of Tache Artisan Chocolate. She donated the very delicious chai chocolate truffles that everyone enjoyed.
49 Jean Tsai is owner of Pop Karma, popcorn company. She brought her unique and very delicious Masala popcorn which was fitting for the occasion. However she has many other flavors, including Bacon Apple Bourbon Caramel, Porcini Cheddar, Classic Mediterranean and more!
50 Dried fruits and nuts for enjoyment
51 Member Silvia Lattova and photographer Vera Miljkovic
52 Iyengar VP of the Board, Sylvia Kier. Former VP of the Board, Lisa Cirando and Nicole DeJesus, Development Chair on the Board.
53 A colorful performance was given by Sa Dance Company.
54 Sa Dance Company is a group committed to increasing awareness of Indian dance in the mainstream.
55 Their mission is to express the India-American identity through movement inspired by Indian folk, classical, and Bollywood dance as well as jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance.
56 Why the name “Sa”? “Sa” is the first note in the Indian musical octave.
57 Sa Dance Company had the excellent company of Red Baraat
58 A dhol is a unique sounding double-sided barrel shaped North Indian drum that gets slung over one shoulder when played.
59 Sunny’s unique beats are complemented with additional percussion, sousaphone and five horns to meld the infectious North Indian rhythm Bhangra with a host of sounds, namely funk, go-go, latin, and jazz.
60 This year the band has been called "The best party band in years" by NPR, have delivered a TED Talk, played the White House and Bonnaroo, amongst over 100 other shows throughout the world.
61 James was thrilled with the success of his efforts.
62 Judi Fiedman really enjoyed the Red Baraat Band.
63 Who says the gods can't dance?
64 MSO employee, Heather Kirkland in the moment - Sienna Tedesco looked smashing in her hot-pink pumps.
65 It was a remarkable evening of food, fun and festive activities! Heres to many, many more anniversary celebrations for the Iyenga Yoga Association!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Great picture of you, Martha. It all looks very interesting.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | November 20th, 2012 at 12:21 am
Martha, you live one exciting life! What an exciting looking celebration. Thanks for sharing this blog. And why weren't there any pictures of you dancing?
Posted by: KLBrown | November 20th, 2012 at 3:14 am
Hello Martha, good morning.
It must have been a wonderful celebration. Yoga, a milenar art, brings harmony and peace to those who practice it. The pictures are lovely and the bindhi given to you was very charming.
Posted by: Maria Lúcia | November 20th, 2012 at 5:57 am
Lovely, colorful party! Yoga is a practice that I know should be a part of my week between walks and gym workouts. Guess I found a New Years resolution...
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | November 20th, 2012 at 6:07 am
What a festive celebration Martha! I love yoga and practice it daily. I think it's admirable that you share with others, esecially your fans, what yoga has done for you and to "carry the flame forward". You look beautiful with the Bindhi and I love the Dries Van Noten tunic you are wearing.
Posted by: Cindy F | November 20th, 2012 at 7:50 am
Just in time for the heat and electricity to come back on in your building! It looked like a real fun event - would have been nice to hear the music! I do a version of yoga in my garden called 'pulling weeds'. I get into so many positions when weeding that I have to say it is akin to yoga not to mention that it relaxes me. Either way, I agree that keeping limber is a good thing. Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 20th, 2012 at 8:15 am
Hi Martha, Thank you so much for sharing such an unusual, charming event at your Starrett Lehigh Building! I know you have been going to Yoga companies for many years and that Sophie and Alexis teach yoga, also! What a great thing to do to stay so healthy for many years! Everything about this event was absolutely gorgeous and the gifts and the bindhi were fabulous! You looked beautiful and very happy in these photos! How fun to see some of your employees and Sophie in some of theses great photos and they all looked happy, also! James Murphy sure is a great yoga director and the 25th anniversary is incredible! Every one of these photos about the yoga people is absolutely fantastic and your information about them is wonderful to learn about! You always share such wonderful events with us and I sure appreciate learning so many things from you! It was also fun to hear you and the other great chefs on Sirius Radio XM 110 yesterday and will listen again today and tomorrow! Waiting now to see you on The Today Show! Hope you have another great day! Off to see The Daily Wag about "Sharkey's Yoga Practice!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 20th, 2012 at 9:11 am
thank you so much for sharing - you look beautiful and wonderful pictures
Posted by: minouche Waring | November 20th, 2012 at 9:44 am
I just had to check out the Red Baraat band and found plenty of their music on you tube. Here's a link to Red Baraat Music at Desk of NPR. I really like them, great instrumentals and I love drums! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kQD1P0_KUs - Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 20th, 2012 at 10:13 am
Yes! Its Leo the Lion! ROAR!
Posted by: nicole wilkinson | November 20th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Beautiful event Love Indian culture, the food looks delicious. You look beautiful Martha.
Best wishes
Posted by: Rowaidaa Flayhan | November 20th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
I can't remember the name of the first one that you sent out. The second one is Ganesha. I love Iyengar Yoga! Looks like it was a beautiful event!
Posted by: Jason Johnson | November 20th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Thanks for promoting Yoga and Yog. You certainly look beautiful in that bindi. It must have been a fun filled evening, the pictures speak that. Even I would have failed to make such a good rangoli even with a stencil. Though I find celestial beings a little western but it was beautifully done, superb. Kris Barragan and Mary Tedesco certainly deserve a loud applaud for being your trainers. From Yoga move towards Yog. I am seeing Meera Nair for the first time though I have heard her name. That dinner platter appears so beautiful and tasty. Red Baraat must have made everyone danced, dhol is magical. Thanks for such a great occasion for everyone. The pictures are beautiful and looks everyone is enjoying.
Posted by: Peeyush Malhotra | November 20th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Love the top your wearing
Posted by: Dilani | November 20th, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Hello Martha! you look so so cute! very interesting you enjoy that beautiful
culture, I really would like to see some pics of you, dancing that wonderful
music.Big hug dear Martha!
Posted by: Beba | November 20th, 2012 at 11:12 pm
That Daisy is so cute. No wonder Martha always looks beautiful.
Martha you are a real knockout.
Posted by: mattie | November 21st, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Love the detail and the use of materials on the costumes, they look amazing!
Posted by: Rachel Read | November 22nd, 2012 at 5:30 am
Helllo Martha i wonder if you can help me i have fallen in love with your Holiday Garden 4 piece diner set i tryed to purchase two sets on line through Amazon however i have been informed they do not ship to my address. Is there any where in the uk i can purchase this beautiful diner wear which i would dearly love to adorne my Christmas table, or how can i get it from the USA Many thanks for your help. May i take this opportunity to wish you Martha and your family a very happy Christmas, and continued Prosperity, Health and Happiness in 2013
God Bless Patricia Kelly
Posted by: Patricia Kelly | November 24th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Like the blog. nice photo Martha.
Posted by: Nayeema Akter | November 25th, 2012 at 7:40 am
What enormous fun!
Posted by: Karen | December 9th, 2012 at 1:41 am
Lovely photo of Ganesha! No wonder you have been able to do so much, dancing alongside him. Love and admire you, Martha!
Posted by: Em Maxwell | December 13th, 2012 at 9:30 pm