Yesterday was a day off and, having yet again failed to have a lie-in due to a cacophony of crowing roosters, howling dogs, wailing muezzins, chanting yogis and warbling pigeons from around 4am onwards, I enjoyed a very lazy morning with coffee and a trashy novel in bed (BKS Iyengar’s ‘The Tree of Yoga’ book firmly put aside to giveContinueContinue reading “Yoga-overload”
Category Archives: India
Slippery slope
Today I experienced a castor oil ‘bath’ (it’s actually more like a massage, just with a LOT of oil), which is a traditional weekly Ayurvedic home remedy often used by ashtanga yoga practitioners. Pattabhi Jois used to recommend that students have one every Saturday (the weekly rest day), the reason being that, as well as relievingContinueContinue reading “Slippery slope”
Every day’s a puja day
I promise I’m not going to wang on about every puja that we experience in India, as I suspect the novelty might wear off rather quickly… But yesterday’s puja experience definitely deserves a mention. Actually, I didn’t attend the puja myself, but am acting as reporter for Chris and his new moped. Yes, that’s right – I appearContinueContinue reading “Every day’s a puja day”
Climbing out of the hole…
Following on from my recent downward dog tired post, I think (hope) I reached the nadir yesterday, and that it’s onwards and upwards from now on. We have had two days off and so I thought I’d be full of beans, refreshed for beginning classes again. However, when pranayama class loomed I was already feeling sulky andContinueContinue reading “Climbing out of the hole…”
Mysore bum
Yesterday we had a precious day off, as Vijay had his engagement party – quite a big deal in India, involving the priest chanting mantras for a good hour or so and a detailed look at the couple’s joint astrological outlook (in order to determine the most auspicious date for the big day). To makeContinueContinue reading “Mysore bum”
Downward dog tired
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”
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”
frond yoga with Rebecca May 