The Yoga Instructor Poem by Angelina Pandian

[On first meeting Emmanuel a Danish Yoga Instructor
Sorry, it’s long, didn’t know where to cut it short]

We read about a new Yoga class in town
Thought we will dropp in as it seemed near by
So there we went and knocked the door
And who comes to open the door
Wow! I was taken aback for a sec’ – There stood
A foreigner fair and tall welcoming us in
Looking at each other we followed him
He made us sit and feel comfortable
My friend first he told of his earlier classes
His experiences and apprehensions too
Then the foreigner took out his file
He explained to us the origin of Yoga
How it is taught by others and how they do
The need to feel and imbibe, learn and practice
Not just jump from one Aasana to the next
As if it were some gymnastic class – He told
The importance of making each a part of self
Such a patient learning he said would give
Benefit to the body, mind and soul!
Ah! I thought now we have mastered Yoga
Then, he said, Tantra now is a different matter
So beautifully he explained the enlightenment
Attainable through the flesh to the whole
Learn to enjoy the beauty in the creation
To realize the splendorous beauty of the Creator
Learn to realize the union of the souls
To realize true union with the Aathma of God
Real experience takes on Surreal meanings
Tantra, he concluded, is just a higher plane of Yoga.
Oh! We both were mesmerized by his speech
In simple words and simple thoughts he expounded
The intricate details and finesse of Yoga and Tantra
If he were in a Kurtha or Kavi clad sure an Indian
He would also be, still in his own simple attire
His ponytail and all he was more Indian
Than most of us I could say – He had by far
More conviction and belief in our way of life
As taught and told by saints and sages of old
He had come on his Guru’s behest to India
To reach, teach, revive and restore what we’ve lost
He never questioned but accepted his mission
In submission, in service, in selfless devotion
He came to spread Yoga and Tantra in India.
His eyes they held a fire, his words were cool springs
His manner so soft and mild yet held an inner strength
We understood why he had been chosen to lead!