MahaMondo

HH Hridayananda Das Goswami : Bhajan

Via Rupagopi is this vdo of HH Hridayananda Das Goswami singing bhajan before a class . Hridayananda means " Heart of Joy " ; and I would like to thank Maharaj for the joy , humor , wisdom & insight that he shared with us when we visited him this afternoon. Jaya !

Matthew Volmer : Lesoes No Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Muito obrigado to Yoga Pela Paz for posting this vdo of Brazilian Ashtanga teacher Matthew Volmer . I had heard of Matthew a year ago when I met his student Dany Sa' at Bliss Ipanema . He conducts Mysore classes during the week at the Jardim Botanico in Rio. Visit his site , www.astangaspirit.com , for all the details.

Jehangir Palkhivala : Yoga - A Reason To Smile

I met Jehangir Palkhivala at lunch today , as he is a houseguest of my teacher , Jorgen C.

Jorgen had mentioned Jehangir taught yoga in Mumbai but did not really provide any additional info. beyond that.

During lunch , I asked Jehangir how long he had been practicing , and he replied , since the age of 7 , as the yoga teacher was a friend of his family.

The "yoga teacher" turned out to be B.K.S. Iyengar.

You can read the full article on Jehangir's story from UpperCrust India here : 

http://uppercrustindia.com/jehangir.php

As the article states , " How many are priveleged to be nurtured by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyenga himself ? To be simultaneously blessed by Sri Aurobindo & The Mother of Pondicherry ? "

And to remain humble & radiate calm as a result. 

Image via UpperCrust People.

 

Sharath's NYC Led Class : Broadcast Live

Via Casa Vinyasa , Ashtanga Yoga Shala , in Lisbon Portugal is this vdo of Sharath leading them through the Primary Series Live from NY on April 8th. Sharath will be conducting Led Primary & Intermediate Series the next 2 weeks at Jois Yoga Shala , Encinitas. I hope someone posts this live broadcast on YouTube in its entirety eventually. Would be great to play on my iPad when I am travelling & endeavoring to practice.

Sri Radha & Krishna : Devotion

The shrine of Sri Radha & Krishna at the Broome Street Temple radiate as the website's mission states ,   " These beautiful temples provide both seekers & devotees the unique opportunity to exit the frenetic energy of Manhattan and enter a tranquil & beautiful space , where one can feel peace , calm & a connection to the timeless culture of India's spiritual traditions . "

It seemed to be serendipity that I always managed to be in front of this shrine during Mysore class. The proximity to these beautiful deities added an element of offering to my practice.

As Puja Dasi relates regarding the divine love of Radha & Krisna , " Radha was one of the closest & purest "Bhakta " or devotee of Krishna , and she loved him as a Lord , and Krishna loved her as a devotee. This tells us that the purest relationship such as the relationship between God & a devotee comes before any other relationships. That is why Lord Krishna & Radha's murtis are kept together.

The image always reminds us to become a better person & a good devotee , then we will be closer to God because God loves his devotees more than anything . "

430 Broome St. : Yoga Buzzer # 2

I am back from 3 weeks of travelling . Toronto , Washington , the Hamptons , Greenwich & Philadelphia , non-stop.

It was a blessing to be able to stay at the same   SoHo , NYC apt. from my trip in Jan. Coming back on weekends and last week to a space & area that felt like home relieved the stress of being on the road.

The image on the left is of 430 Broome St. , where Ashtanga Yoga New York & the Broome St. Temple are located.

Like all the dichotomies that co-exist in NY , it is located above L'Orange Bleu , a Moroccan-French institution that has been around since SoHo was still an artist's neighborhood.

I'm very grateful to Eddie Stern for allowing me to attend his Mysore & Led classes. Thanks so much for helping me out with binding in Marichyasana. Yes , it is all about taking it slowly , breaking it down & focusing.

For those out-of-towners who intend to drop-in on his Sat.AM Led class , the yoga buzzer is # 2. Wait for them to let you in & proceed to the 2/F.

Mysore Sun. AM classes tend to be packed with his regular students. You will have to wait in line iif the shala is full. Definitely worth doing so though.

Mangala Mantra : Ashtanga Closing Prayer

The Mangala Mantra is chanted at the end of practice. It is an ancient chant form the Rig Veda that is traditionally recited at the end of ceremonies. I am feeling the peace that it evokes after the Sat. AM Led Classes at AYNY. As stated in the Bhagavad Gita , the proper reason for practicing yoga is to help to improve the state of the world , for the benefit of uplifting & enriching the world. Om shanti.

Ram Navami Celebration : Broome Street Temple

The Broome Street Temple in SoHo NYC is celebrating Ram Navami this coming Sat. PM from 5:30 to 10:30 with Vishnu Sahasranama & Rama Taraka Homas followed by kirtan. This vdo shows Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits singing the Maha Mantra at the temple.Was able to practice at a great led class at AYNY last Sat. AM as well. And thanks to Marie Ann from Toronto for the suggestions regarding Indian & Thai food . Your comments & support are much appreciated.