MahaMondo

Bozeman : Big Sky Montana & the East Coast

Here's a shot taken at the Bozeman airport upon my arrival on Monday.

Wild weather mood swings with it getting almost summer-like & sunny  when we drove up on Tuesday to Big Sky headed to the YC .

Thursday was winter-wonderlandish once again with snow falling continuously.

I had intended to drop-in for the afternoon Led Class @ Down to Earth Yoga near Main St. but ended up taking my associate to an early dinner. Next trip then.

Flying out to NYC this Sunday , & am looking forward to having a business thali @ Saravana Bhavan after I check-in to my hotel. 

Hoping to make it to evening artik on Tuesday @ New Gundika Dham Boston.

Will also endeavor to attend Eddie's Fri. 6 AM Led Class @ AYNY.

And yes , I've got a ton of meetings on my schedule to get to as well in both Boston & Greenwich ( & possibly stop by the new JYS Greenwich. Sharath has rescheduled his Led Class from 6 AM to 8:30 AM ; might be a tight squeeze to attempt to attend on Thurs.)

Just witness it all & breathe.

 

H.H. Niranjana Swami : Jaya Radha Madhava

His Holiness Niranjana Swami chants "Jaya Radha Madhava" before Srimad Bhagavatam lecture on December 26, 2011 at ISKCON Boston Temple. ISKCON Boston - http://iskconboston.org

Swami's & JYS Led PM : Encinitas

After shuttling back & forth between meetings in Rancho Sta. Fe, Santaluz & La Jolla , mid-week , it was great to take a breather In Encinitas late yesterday afternoon.

The image on the left was taken shortly before sunset at Swami's , the legendary surf spot in Encinitas named after Swami Paramahansa Yogananda's golden domed ashram right above it.

Then it was on to David's 6 PM led class at JYS.

I was meant to drop-in as I found parking on the same block shortly before. My lack of regular practice manifested itself shortly after the Surya Namaskars , I was still feeling pretty stiff.

But as the saying goes , " A little is better than none at all." 

 

Bhagavad Gita 2.48 : The Real Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 2.48: Perform your duty equipoised, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga. In devotional mood, give up attachment to the fruits of actions (Karma), perform your prescribed duties & become equal in Profit & Loss, Such steadiness of mind is called Yoga.

Nyepi Bali : The Day of Silence

Nyepi is the Balinese " Day of Silence " that was commemorated yesterday prior to the celebration today of the Balinese New Year 1934. It is a Hindu holiday marked by silence , fasting & meditation. Thanks to the folks from Gaya up in Ubud for sending me the reminder via email on Monday.

Realizing Mysore : Sans Politics , Just Energy

Kaz who writes the blog Realizing Mysore , has this insight into all the current monkey chatter re Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in the Western media :

" For most of the students here, Mysore is the method of their practice. Few have been to the place, or understand how Guruji's Lakshmipuram room good for 12 people helped give birth to their practice many decades ago.

They are more concerned about what is happening presently on the mat and how it's reflecting in their daily lives than being caught up in what the NY Times magazine is saying about yoga, or what's happening to Anusara's John Friend, or the controversy around Jois Yoga as illustrated in Vanity Fair--all of which does make me want to launch into some grand yoga debate.

However, I think there's something really beautiful and uncomplicated about the students I've been working with this week.

Regardless of whether or not they have the memory of Mysore itself imprinted on their system, as they dive into their practice they are tapping into Mysore's magic, the lineage in its purest form, sans politics, just energy. "

Well put Kaz , sans politics , just energy. Om Tat Sat.

As Guruji said , " The empty pots make the loudest noise. "

* The image is via Tesa Celdran , who is also currently in Mysore , her 3rd return trip if I am not mistaken.

Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute : Roma

I have always had fond memories of Rome , most especially of the last trip we all made there as a family ; the whole troupe which included  my very Catholic Grand Dame grandmother , my parents & cousins.

It was a wonderful experience to see the city with my elders as it is their favorite destination in the world. As I learned from them  , Roma is Amor spelled backwards.

Throwing a coin in the Fontana di Trevi really ensures a return trip a Roma' , as I have purchased a ticket to meet up with family there once again in October.

I will most likely be excused from having to visit the Vatican & other churches this trip. Which will enable me to practice at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute of Rome , which is directed & run by the light hearted Lino Miele & his certified teachers.

We will be staying near the Spanish Steps , so I will probably take the Metro in order to attend classes.

Then it is on to India & back to Brasil next year.

El Bulli : Soul

Since I don't own a TV or watch movies , I can do some media viewing when I am travelling. I caught Anthony Bourdain's segment on the last days of El Bulli ( a place like no other place )flying back to LA from Toronto on Air Canada last night. It was a bit perverse , as I am now a vegetarian teetotaller , to sit through an hour devoted to the pleasures of food & drink I can no longer partake of. However , it turned out to be quite inspirational and transcendental , as Ferran Adria' , Jose' Andres & Anthony Bourdain are what I would term gastronomic creatives / philosopher chefs. The essence of the whole El Bulli journey was summed up by Ferran's protege' , Jose' Andres , who very emotionally said , " We came to El Bulli without a spirit , and left with a soul - "

Pose Posse : Eddie Stern , AYNY & The Broome St. Temple via T Magazine

T Magazine finally captures Eddie Stern's rasa & the vibe of the Broome St. Temple & AYNY in a feature    entitled " Pose Posse ".

The best gurus & teachers have a developed sense of equanimity & humor , and this is what always comes across whenever I visit Eddie in SoHo.

I love this quote from Guruji that he cites in the piece : " The empty pots make the loudest  noise ". No drama & sensationalism here.

" Infuse your yoga with a deeper purpose ( Bhakti & spirituality ) , so you can do good work in the world. " Hari Om Tat Sat.

Thank you for keeping us on track Eddie.

Here is the link to the accompanying video :

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2012/02/28/t-magazine/100000001375299/on-yoga.html

 

 

 

 

Living the Practice : Ashtanga Yoga Center Toronto

"The depth of the practice can't be seen in asana. Somebody that can do a backbend and grab onto their ankles isn't going to be further ahead in their practice than somebody who has trouble forward bending or is stiff. That doesn't make a difference- that's not what the practice is about." Jai ! It is not about exercise , it is about building equanimity. I'm in Toronto next week & am intending to practice at AYCT.