The 1999 KYTA Conference
Fosters Excitement and Growth

"There was so much prana having 300 teachers in one room together," Priti Robyn Ross recalled, speaking about the gathering of yoga teachers at the eighth annual KYTA conference, June 24-27, 1999. The KYTA members I spoke with after the conference were overflowing with enthusiasm and excitement - not just about the event itself, but also about Kripalu's commitment to KYTA as it moves confidently into the next millennium.

The conference was co-directed by KYTA Director Sudha Lundeen and Shobhan Richard Faulds, President of the Kripalu Yoga Fellowship. "It's such grace to have a president of KYF who is so involved with KYTA," Priti said. "The KYTA voice feels like an integral part of Kripalu now." There was also strong representation by Kripalu's Board of Trustees throughout the four days.

At the Opening Ceremony Thursday evening, keynote speaker Thomas Amelio, one of the founders of Kripalu Center, gave a humorous and heartfelt talk on Kripalu Yoga's place in the world. Friday evening's community gathering served as a forum to provide members with exciting news about KYTA and Kripalu, within the context of an overview of the two organizations' past, present and future. Shobhan and Sudha, along with Director of Curriculum Development Sudhir Jonathan Foust and John Willey, Director of Yoga Teacher Development, shared a wealth of information on such topics as new benefits for KYTA members, new missions statements for KYTA and Kripalu, and the new 500-hour KYTT certification.

New KYTA Board member Maya Breuer, a leader in the movement to bring greater multiculturalism to Kripalu, said she was especially moved by the growing awareness of the work she has spearheaded with other Kripalu Yoga teachers. "A year ago, we were just beginning a dialogue about making Kripalu more diverse," she said. "This year there was a general hum on the topic of diversity."

There were 27 instructive and powerful workshops on the conference schedule. KYTA members praised the diverse programs, such as Jeanne Deignan-Kosmides's workshop on pregnancy and parenting fitness yoga, Nateshvar Ken Scott's Contact Yoga®, Melanie Armstrong-King's Devotion in Motion class, Paula Heitzner's chair yoga, and Shantipriya Goldberg's class on enhancing yoga with self-generated sound. "The presenters were deeply connected to their work," said one KYTA member. "They taught with compassion and clarity."

Saturday evening's celebration of dance, song, and chanting with Kripalu's Shakti Fusion band was a highlight for many, as was the community gathering on Sunday morning, a time for integration and for honoring each other's work. Five KYTA members were presented with the first annual Outstanding Service Awards, and many others were honored in the moving words of their friends and colleagues. "It was wonderful to find out what others are doing and to hear their thank-yous to those who helped them along the path to yoga," said KYTA Board member David Seaman.

Many of those attending the conference rated it the best ever, as an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, as a forum for sharing ideas and methodology, and as a source for renewed inspiration. The spirit the filled the Center was almost palpable - a warm, relaxed atmosphere spiced with optimism for the future and enhance by a deep sense of the sacred.

"Each conference, each year, gains momentum and excitement," said former KYTA Board member Sheila deMagalhaes. Mark your calendar for next year's KYTA conference, October 19-22, 2000.