The Purple Yoga Mat
At the age of 10 in a small industrial town of Malnad region in Karnataka, named Bhadravati I had found my first yoga teacher. Narayan was that good natured soul who gathered a few kids in the neighbourhood behind VISL Hospital and taught yoga for free. I took a liking to this human being and was heart broken when I heard that he committed suicide due to family and financial pressures (that’s all I could understand at that age). There ended my Yoga practice.
Yoga (mostly the Asana part of Yoga) remained in some remote subconscious corner of me. Then during early part of this century there was the popular guided video practice of Yoga through Baba Ramdev’s programs and video CDs. Only 25 odd years later, I found myself in the midst of Yoga learners and my teacher this time was Mr. Somshekhar. The practice didn’t last beyond a few months and after another year’s break Dr. Adarsh Shetty now a part of Ananda in Himalayas was our next guru. Dr. Adarsh re-kindled love for Yoga in us.
Out of the blue I got introduced to the Body for Life series book and overnight it was my dream to build well toned 6 pack body. The next four and a half years were spent with intermittent gym sessions dotted with personal training (and even a few dozes of the famous Protein shakes).
Many failed attempts at dietary discipline, various philosophies around what, when and how to eat and eventually giving into the binge temptations followed. Suddenly the health consciousness seemed to have grown (into a fad).
It took me about a month of contemplation during July 2014, before I made the switch from “thumping-music pumping-iron” domain at Golds Gym to the quiet resort of Yoga (yes once again!) at the Ashtanga Yoga Kendra at HSR Layout.
Here is where I found my morning companion ‘The Purple Yoga Mat’.
Soon, I was filled with gratitude for the days I missed at the Gym! Serious.
My shoulder was super stiff (it still is but better than before) I could barely do half Padmasana (thanks to our four wheeler driving posture largely).
Barely 4 months (with regularity!) into the Ashtanga Yoga Practice now, I already see marked improvement in my breathing, flexibility and absence of allergic irritations with sinuses. Not to forget the added peace inside my being.
This simple, systematic yet intense and profound yoga practice has to be learnt under guided supervision of a master. I consider myself supremely fortunate to be learning under Shri. Gururaja Anemajal disciple of Shri. Sharath Jois who learnt the masterful ‘Shasthra’ under his grandfather Guruji Shri. Pattabhi Jois. I understand there are not many masters teaching this rare science of livelihood.
A sincere seeker (I consider myself one ;)) had to go through the various channels to reach his ultimate destination. To cut the whole story short, I wish to make it simple for the reader of this blog – “Go find an Ashtanga Yoga teacher (or come to Ashtanga Yoga Kendra HSR layout) and start immediately”. Every human being worth his livelihood should adopt this way of life. Find your own colour of yoga mat as a companion.
Everyone of us deserves to live young (independent of biological age), healthy and strong with a sound mind and peaceful being.
Here is wishing you a healthy 2015 and complete wellbeing!
For more information on the subject of Ashtanga Yoga visit: http://www.ashtangayogakendra.com
