by Vivian Chavez
To celebrate my retirement from San Francisco State University I signed up for a week-long
Yoga Retreat en Español, led by Patxi Lizardi, founder of the Spanish Iyengar Yoga Association,
commemorating their 30th anniversary. The retreat took place in Bellur, India, the birthplace of
Guruji BKS Iyengar. More than a retreat, the experience was pilgrimage with fellow yogis eager to
deepen their practice and promote to the educational, health and social projects of the Bellur Trust.
The Bellur Turst was established in 2003 by BKS Iyengar to promote the well-being of his village.
The organization started with upgrading the primary school Iyengar built in the 60’s, purchasing 23
acres of land, erecting a water tank, and manifesting a larger vision for rural children to have the
same opportunities as urban children. Today the Trust supports students in middle and high school
with meals, transportation, and employment opportunities. A health clinic supports villages around
the area and a partnership with Bosch has made a trade school possible. Furthermore, its projects
finance cultural and religious projects like building the first Patanjali temple in India and restoring
the appearance of a Hanuman murti/wall that’s hundreds of years old.
Patxi Lizardi was entrusted to supervise the translation of Guruji’s complete works into Spanish. I
learned about him through reading La Luz del Yoga and seeing the clarity, rigor, and nuance of the
method transmitting across language and culture. Patxi is a humble “teacher’s teacher” and
dedicated student, studying with Guruji Iyengar since 1984. While his background is impressive,
the most meaningful part of studying with him was witnessing the deeply cherished relationship
with the Iyengar family. That warmth and kindness extended to our entire group, and we were
received with the sweetest hospitality by Savitha Raghu Iyengar, her son, and the Bellur Trust
staff.
After a warm greeting, Patxi starts the retreat emphasizing Yoga Sutra II.26: The way to liberation
is viveka khyati (uninterrupted conscious discernment). Patanjali’s wisdom preparing us for the
inward journey. The next morning a sunlit path brings my attention to a banyan tree where a statue
of Adisesa is quietly poised. Natural light emanates from all directions brining my attention to the
colorful high ceiling, walls with ropes, tall columns, and inspiring photographs. Daily puja
simultaneously grounds the yoga practice and makes it expansive. A tiny statue of Laxmi sparkles
next to a Ramanuja painting, and the grand statues of Patanjali, Guruji and Ramamani. The yoga
center could not be more inviting! It has accommodations and a kitchen hall that reflect thoughtful
design and sacred intention.
The schedule included 5 hours of asana, 90 minutes of pranayama, various community outings and
evening philosophy lectures. Patxi’s instructions throughout emphasized a calm face, eyes that can
see the heart and back of the skull, and a tongue resting on the palate. Profound energetics and
intimacy came not only from the practice but the serene environment and community living.
Digital detox, healthy eating, and peaceful sleeping came with a surrender to Guruji’s dream.
Practicing Iyengar Yoga in Spanish added a whole new layer of interpenetration— not just
physically, but linguistically and culturally to support my practice and learn be receptive with
uninterrupted conscious discernment.
Studying with Patxi was beyond extremely rewarding. I am grateful to him and for Adeline Yoga
in Berkeley that prepared me well for this once in a lifetime experience. For more information
about the Bellur Yoga Center https://belluriyengaryogacenter.com