Sunday, October 29, 2017

The first week of Online Yoga

A little late to get started -- or catchup, rather with the first week lessons on Online Yoga!
The first video yoga session - about an hour - was a little overwhelming. With a few of the postures - particularly leg raising, will take me some more time to do comfortably

I liked the mix of asanas, breathing and mindfulness in the practices this week.
As I started late, not sure how much of the journaling / record keeping I can do in this week for the 5 breath watches..

Looking forward to more to come

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Glimpses of Haridwar

Recently, had an opportunity to visit, or rather transit via Haridwar.
While there were many good sights and great people I came across, including a rural school [where the kids taught us the importance of personal hygiene and water purification as well as sang us some rhymes and songs], a Self Help Group of Women, who has just been home makers, now aspiring to set up a dry leaf based plate making unit among other projects, a couple of things were interesting, when seen in person.

The Thomson canal – aka the Ganges canal, build by a British Engineer Thomson – who was also instrumental in setting up the Civil Engineering department at Roorkee – that had portions that were actually at 2 levels..
IMG_1374  You can see the canal flowing at the lower level [somewhat west to east] IMG_1377
and another [with no water] at the higher level [north east to southwest]IMG_1382
Another interesting observation was at the Har Ki Pauri, which is one of the famous Ghats on the Ganges.  Water had been let out after an annual break, when the Ghats are desilted and the shrines also appeared freshly painted.
 IMG_1389
It was a full moon day – Sharad Poornima – and we reached there just when the Aarti had got over.
IMG_1393IMG_1395
the crowds slowly moved out. IMG_1416
. and we could go near the water
IMG_1402
Many people did some pooja and let lamps float on the river..


in this very short visit. also touched Rishikesh, for a brief overnight stay – checked in late evening, when it was dark and checked out the next morning before sunrise..
Even in that short drive, could see that every other building seemed to be a Yoga center!
Maybe that was an indirect influence to my enrolling in the #YogaMOOC! Smile
so, no pictures.. only a recording of the roar of the Ganges..


Thursday, October 19, 2017

Excited about online Yoga!

years ago, when I enrolled in a Yoga class, it was partly curiosity and partly peer-induced.
The brisk morning walk to the yoga class was an added incentive, to feel the gentle, cool breeze - and the meeting of friends along the way and the conversations around global concerns!

Practicing Yoga as a group had its definite advantages.
being in a place, where everybody knows your name, is a reassuring feeling.

Though I had some challenges with some postures, particularly bending the lower back, I could do some other postures much better than the class! So, I had the hope of bending my back also, some day!

Then, a little moment of indiscretion, while climbing on a stool, to look for some stuff in the loft - led to a broken right arm, that stopped the yoga practice.

With the routine broken - and a shift to a new home, slightly farther away - which meant, I had to drive to the class and not walk.. - just lost it!

So, when edX announced a YogaMOOC, that was teh call to action!

Looking forward to restarting my practice, along with a global peer-group.

See you there!