Musings ...

The last working day at Zela, went prepared with the new visiting cards ... handed the first one to the CEO right after his farewell speech. It was a beautiful purple, with an awakened lotus. Created with the help of a dearest friend ... it read... radhika chaliha +91 ********** radhikachaliha@gmail.com passionate about yoga & sharing it with you. ___________________________________ That was 4 years ago! If there was a second tipping point in my life, this was the moment... everything changed from here! What began as a "passion for yoga" & "sharing" it.... continues even today .... in similar textures but entirely different hues. Zela Health Clubs gave the platform to lead 'asana' classes & it was quite a ride. A small tucked-away quaint neighbourhood studio named Core Pilates in Koramangala, enabled to reach out in an intimate manner - to be able to listen to nuances of the breath & modify accordingly wa...

A month since soaking the whole experience of 'World Yoga Day'. In this reflective space, the assimilations happened & now for expression.... Being invited to participate 2 months ahead, was indicative of the significance of 21st June to people related to 'yoga'. A day to commemorate "YOGA" had to be celebrated! It was exciting to be invited to be part of what I sensed a tipping point for things to come. Reflecting back, 3 distinct phases unfolded experiences & emotions of varied hues. Stage I -  Pre 21st June :  The International World Yoga Day Celebration  - 4 schools coming together in celebration immediately resonated. The various forms of yoga - classical to neo-classical, to contemporary; shared by guides/ teachers at a common platform cultivates a sense of community among teachers. One that is essential in maintaing this eco-system - we as teachers, should rely, support, learn & thrive through each other's capabilities....

….was the question… She rambles…. A friendship is a 'relationship' - relationships are formed through shared experiences & communication The more sharing ... stronger the bond I t's a need for socialisation - humans are social animals that seek community , kinship & companionship Why ? Because deep down we want to be loved & give love - that makes us most content (love is not expectations but considers human values & ethics) Friendship or any relationship is vibrations at the similiar frequency... the law of attraction brings us together but then what? Where do we go from here ? We exchange , share , love ... we grow ... we stay &…. we part . It seems quite natural & organic - t his coming together & parting (or staying i f the vibrations resonate - t here is harmony … music & oneness) Is friendship or any relationship based on exclusivity or inclusivity .... Why are you my friend ? Can we all be friends ? Must we cho...

8 weeks in Mysore !  This time, I go down the “Intensive" path - 3 practices a day! The way was to start slow & steady; build pace and then slow down towards the end of 8 weeks (much like a sine curve… wave…. a flow. It amazes me to find this concept occur in so many aspect of our lives). I spent the first 4 weeks of my sadhana focused on building strength/ stamina through the “Primary Series” of the "Pranavysha Series". Yog Acharaya, Vinay Kumar formulated this vinyasa series. He comes from a classical hatha yoga & pranayam lineage and had infused his knowledge and understanding into a unique series, which he calls, “Pranavashya”.  www.pranavashya.com Most practitioners in Mysore are practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa. There is intrigue & curiosity about Pranavashya. Similar in some aspects to Ashtanga Vinyasa. The highlights  of this sequence are: Breath retention is part of the series, incorporated into asana sequence specifically the vinyasa ...

Such a wonderful place! … in between the end of an 'aum' to the beginning  … in between the completion of an inhalation and the start of the exhalation … in between the end of a movement, to the start of the next … in between bites of food … in between, shifting gears  As, life shifts through beautifully…  i often find myself pondering upon these "in-between spaces" …. the end of a relationship, to the start of the next It's in these spaces, that we can catch; that moment in time... to reflect, assimilate and understand. And; then begin on the next inhalation… our next action. It's in these spaces, one finds great understanding, insight, stillness and ... silence! … in between a stimulus and a response Lengthening these voids in space... …. in between going down into water and coming up for breath Becoming more aware and mindful of that moment in time!

On mention of leaving Bangalore, to practice yoga in Mysore.... I get asked thought-provoking questions... - are you going for a re-fresher? - is it an advanced yoga program? - are you getting re-certfied.... re-trained? - are you developing new skills & knowledge?  - 2 whole months ! What will you do with all that time? - why do you need to be there for 2 months, can you not refresh your skills in a 2 weeks, intensive program? etc. I contemplate upon... Why do i choose to move away briefly each year? .... the essence distills through the processing...crystal clear to me... explained in three powerful & beautiful sanskrit words  - "Tapasya" , "Sadhana" & "Swadhaya". The yoga practice teaches me to go deeper into subcutaneous levels ...so I delve deeper into the meanings of these powerful words.  Simply put;  "Tapasya" is  any process to reach special observations and insights "Sadhana...

One finds great solace... in walking long distances... alone.... and in silence! A few years back, i lost a dearest friend to a tragic untimely accident. I was physically away from him when it happened. How does one deal with the experience of sharing each little moment of our lives to; the very next day the person disappearing from your life? Even disappearing altogether, to appear later would be welcome. But, that was not to be! My world had come undone, the ground underneath shook me unsteady. I walked.... Long and hard. It is in this; i regained steadiness, balance, orientation. Emotions moving with each footstep. Like the dance of shiva, shifting through highs and lows, smiles and tears... sun and rain and.... hail.... and wind... in my hair... on my face. And in these slow, silent, long steps... clarity emerges. It is as if, Mother Earth gave balance back. These moments open up to me when needed the most in this life.... Nepal! A transformative walk done enti...