Joined this Yoga class
two month ago and I am enjoying it. The
classes are at walking distance from where I live and I chose the early morning
batch thinking that there won’t be much rush. But I was wrong. People do get up
before sunrise (unlike me)
On the first day when I
saw these contraptions hanging on the wall I asked myself “where have I come
to?”
But when you see how
these ropes are put to use you realise how it helps in stretching different
parts of the body.
In fact, after attending
for about two months I realised that this Yoga class is something different and
the basic principal on which it works is “stretch your body” Something
that we forget to do in our daily lives.
Every student who attends
the class is ready with a blanket, a belt, a brick and a bolster (all provided
by the class)
The brick is not an
actual brick but it’s made of wood.
The belt is put to good use
especially when you have to stretch and straighten your lower limbs.
In case you are wondering
about those chairs in the above picture, they are also a part of the prop.
Notice that they have no back rests.
There are more appendages
and props that I have seen and I am sure I will see them in use in due course.
It is not right to ask “what is this used for?”
If you look at the wooden
block on which his left leg is resting (picture below) it is smooth and curved,
ensuring that his heel does not get hurt.
The class starts with a small prayer.
There are classes
dedicated for all age groups: senior citizens, teenagers, ladies and for
children. I shot these pictures while the class was in progress as I did not want
to disturb anyone nor did I want them to pose for me.
There is a difference in
being in a pose with the eyes bandaged (as compared to having your eyes closed),
another appendage that is used to concentrate with your mind. The bandage will
help us see better as introspection gives better actions - physical, physiological
and emotional intelligence. So the journey takes you inward. The institution is
rightly named Shriyog (the journey inward)
While I took a break in
between classes, I saw these birds outside doing the balancing act on a small
twig to get to their favourite flower.
And this guy was hanging
on his hind legs to get his choice fruit. Maybe he does have a clear view of
the classes from the window.
They do have an open
library and I found some interesting books in their collection.
I like some of the
thoughts of the Guru. Like “Giving does not impoverish, withholding does not
enrich”
And this one “Life is
immortal, death is mortal”
For that matter, I like
the board which is placed at the entrance:
And those small graphic
displays at different locations, like the one above indicating where the
footwear has to be kept.
At the entrance there is
a small idol of Hanuman with a bell hanging
When the class is in
progress emphasis is given to explain which muscle in the body benefits by each
pose. And to understand where the muscle is, they explain with these visual
aids.
One of the best things I
noticed in the class was that the instructors/teachers were sincere and made
all efforts to see that you did it the right way. They allow you to perform
within your limitations.
While in Shavasan, a
light instrumental or Carnatic music is played in the background which soothes
the mind and helps you to relax.
As
I attend the early morning class, I can “sense” the dawn breaking by listening
to the different bird calls outside the class. As it gets brighter each bird
has its own time slot of tweeting. I was particularly fascinated by the call of
the white browed fantail. You can
hear it here. (Click here)
Is this bird new to Pune?
Or is it that it was always here but I never “listened” to it before?
Maybe, by concentrating
and listening with my inner mind, I am slowly being aware of the surroundings
and the nature.
You can get more information at their site
You can get more information at their site
