We had a led class again this morning, meaning we’ve gone full circle with Vijay – I can see how the days could start to merge into one dreamy yogic existence here. Sleep, do yoga, eat, chat in a cafe for rather a long time, drink fresh coconut, do pranayama, eat, socialise in a cafeContinueContinue reading “Downward dog tired”
Category Archives: Ashtanga yoga
Institutionalised yoga?
I found out yesterday that I hadn’t got in to study at the Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPAYI) in February next year and, since I applied, I’ve found out that obtaining a place is as fraught and nigh impossible as getting hold of Glasto tickets… For those that don’t know, Pattabhi Jois is theContinueContinue reading “Institutionalised yoga?”
Cow question time
Since my last post, I’ve had a euphoric back-bending moment, have been entered into a Karnataka State yoga competition (errr… hello?!) and have drunk many more fresh coconuts. But enough about me – today’s post will focus on that very Indian of beasts – the common cow… 🙂 Cows are everywhere in India – atContinueContinue reading “Cow question time”
Meat and sleep – the universe provides…
Today my body is hurting BIG-TIME. Last night’s back-bending class stretched muscles I didn’t know I had – and that’s coming from a yoga teacher/masseuse with anatomy training! Vinay’s teaching techniques were unusual – he has devised a series of stretching and strengthening exercises, almost like calisthenics, that prepare the body for back-bending. You repeatContinueContinue reading “Meat and sleep – the universe provides…”
The slow count
This morning we had our first led primary series class with Vijay – it was a sloooow count, and I swear he slowed down even more for navasana (the dreaded boat pose, where you balance on your bum in a V shape) and utpluthih (where you lift up onto your hands whilst in lotus andContinueContinue reading “The slow count”
Return of the monsoon
Today I learnt that hareem pants are not good in a downpour – whoever said the rainy season had finished here has a lot to answer for… We were having lunch on the street with 25p man again (his pakoras are so amazing!) when we heard ominous rumbles that were definitely not emanating from ourContinueContinue reading “Return of the monsoon”
Puja and pranayama
Today, the yoga bungalow where we’re staying was decked out in its finery ready for puja, which is a kind of Hindu offering ceremony, and we were all invited. The offering was made to the Hindu gods Lakshi (goddess of wealth and good fortune) and Ganesh (remover of obstacles) in order to help bring successContinueContinue reading “Puja and pranayama”
And so it begins…
This morning we attended our first class with Vijay Kumar. We were in the second batch at 6:30am – the first one begins at 4:45am. Obviously the second session is heaving as, for most people, 4:45am is not a time that exists, except for back in the day when we could still party all night.ContinueContinue reading “And so it begins…”
Wussy westerners
We seem to have fallen on our feet with our accommodation. The owner, Prashanth, is a yoga student of BNS Iyengar – not to be confused with the recently deceased legend that is BKS Iyengar. Both BNS and BKS Iyengar were students of Krishnamacharya (that must have made for confusement in class) and BNS IyengarContinueContinue reading “Wussy westerners”
Frond yoga arrives in Mysore
So, I am finally in Mysore, after the surreal experience of spending eleven hours in a weird artificial limbo in the sky then being plonked down unceremoniously somewhere utterly different from when I was last on solid ground. To me, flying long-haul really is a strange form of travel, almost like some kind of darkContinueContinue reading “Frond yoga arrives in Mysore”
frond yoga with Rebecca May 