Coverage of the
2002 KYTA Conference
Oct. 24-27

• Yoga teachers attending: 379
• Number of states represented: 30
• Number of Canadian provinces represented: 4
• Number of European countries represented: 4
• First-time participants in the KYTA conference: 23
• Conferencegoers who also attended the 1992 KYTA conference: 29
• Kripalu-trained teachers: 325
• Teachers trained in other traditions: 54
• Assistants for the conference: 33
Kripalu-affiliated studio owners at the conference: 8 of 13 (10 more will become affiliated in 2003)
• KYTA surveys completed: 184
• Workshops, presentations and talks offered: 37
• Hugs exchanged, connections made, hearts opened: Countless

Voices from a conference

Kripalu used to be structured as a set of concentric circles, with the guru in the center, surrounded by several close disciples, then the residents, then the yoga teachers, then the guests. The core belief underlying this structure could be summarized as "he knows." That structure and belief were appropriate for a while. It had its time and reason for being. But Kripalu is not about inner circles anymore. It's about a group of collective wisdom holders and a core belief that "it's in every one of us."
--Shobhan Richard Faulds, conference co-director, speaking at Thursday evening's opening session

If you're going to take compassion out in the world, you need to first find a way to be compassionate toward yourself...One of the things I do is say a mantra, when I'm on the subway platform, waiting for a bus, waiting in line: May I be happy. May I be free of suffering. May I be full of compassion. Then I take it out to whoever I see in front of me. I just beam that message to them. We all need to be ambassadors for compassion...The energy is just streaming out of this room and I know it's going to continue streaming over the planet in very beautiful and surprising ways.
--Mina Hamilton, KYTA member, speaking at Thursday evening's opening session

I titled this talk "The Hidden Genius of the Pathless Path." Our genius, I think, is that we understand that our job is only to create an environment in which people can discover their own truth, in which human beings can discover who they really are...How can we create the conditions in which our students can find themselves? The only way we can create that environment is to be it, to, ourselves, be seekers...The brilliance of being a teacher on this path is that it forces you to find yourself, because there's no other way. There's no formula for being a Kripalu Yoga teacher. Only the discovery of your own genius, your own authentic expression.
--Stephen Cope, speaking Friday evening. [KYTA members will receive a recording of his talk, Kripalu Yoga and the Hidden Genius of the Pathless Path, next spring.]

The intention of affiliating [your studio] with Kripalu is not about a franchise. It's not about inside telling outside how to do it...These are studios that are already established. They may have one teacher or 15 teachers. They may be 1,000 square feet or 4,000 square feet. It's not about how big or how much. It's about setting the tone so those who come to your classes have the Kripalu experience.
--Vandita, conference co-director, speaking at Sunday morning's closing session

We share a rare blessing in knowing that we are on a path, making a conscious journey from the birth of the body to the death of the body, and along the way being transformed by the experiences of life, feeling everything from joy to sadness. Reflect on what your next step on this path is right now, be it personal or professional, practical or spiritual. Where do you need to place your foot after this conference. What is your next step?
--Shobhan, speaking at Sunday morning's closing session