#drop in yoga classes Goa | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

mynameisdreartblog · 6 years ago

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Cars 2

Leo: Audi Quattro. Yo, does anyone remember the time where I was buying Ben 10 minifigures from a cash-grab machine at the skewered chicken grill? Damn, you could really see the smoke coming off the grill there, and it was like, situated directly in a corner and accompanied by a window directly in front of it… floor three, wasn't it? Baby, come home… yeah, my thick alligator baby… come home. […] What? Wh-what was that? Ugh, Viz, goddammit: You have something to do with that probably. They’re the only person I know who could alter my subconscious to make me attracted towards plump alligators. <Oro is suddenly interrupted by a steep drop off of an unidentifiable platform; it’s hard to see in the dark atmosphere of the room.> Oof, that was almost as bad as when I got on that kiddie trike and it nearly impaled my taint. There’s no goop dripping off my body, and there’s no sensation that I’m nude either, so I’m not in a Matrix-like situation either. […] Ah, my phone, yes: The communicator. If I’m right, it should be situated in my right pocket, — the one with only one white stripe pattern — and if I turn it on, there should be a background image of Remigio Ángel González as required for opsec in the case that our operations are compromised… <The room Oro is within suddenly lights up, revealing a brick-layered second-floor with a unique and prominent detail.> Forget the phone, the phrase “somos los segundos nefilim” is written all over the walls. I think it’s a weird, religious thing, but the agnostic in me feels it’s related to general flooding, like that you’d find clogging up the pipes. [,] Viz? «Hello, I thought you were writing up a thesis to expose fireworks manufacturers; what gives?» I think my father’s job as a plumber is coming back to haunt me in ways I don’t like: Maybe it’s retribution for plunging that kid into the toilet once… «Cool; I don’t care. Just tell me where you are now so I can get an idea of your status.» Uh, second-floor, religious scrawl on the walls, darkness turned to light, hallucinations of thick alligators, and- <The walls begin trickling water.> Err, I’ll call you back.

Taurus: Maserati 3500 GT. Good morning, how can I interest you at all in- Good Lord! I could tell immediately that you’re spiritually exhausted: If it wasn’t obvious, your face looks like it was peeled off like the skin of a potato. «Uh, what does that mean? I’m coughing up something funny here, big guy, and I don’t have time to deal with the metaphors.» Oh no, don’t get me wrong; You came into my establishment not for the purpose of nutritional sustenance, but rather the mystical services I offer on the back of the sign. «Is that sexual implication?» Can you believe the degradation of this man’s morale? Do you wanna look through my Zen Cat calendar until you feel an improved fighting spirit? «I am the governor of the state of Goa, and this is the treatment I receive from shop-owners in the north? I was nearly killed just making it… Oh no, he caught the tone-switch.» <Gresham leaves a pillow for the weary man who claims he’s the governor of Goa, leaving him with the Zen Cat calendar that he didn’t request.> [,] «Did he notice the façade, or did he actually buy it? If I just stay here, admire the atmosphere, and pretend I’m hurt in some way, he’ll still buy my story. That titan of a man can’t know that I work for the CWW or that he’s wanted by th-» Heh, sorry about that, I was trying to look for that Zen Cat calendar ‘cause I thought you needed it, but apparently you’ve had it with you the entire time. Silly me: I always forget that there’s spare calendars below the restaurant calendar. <The CWW agent breathes with relief and continues pretending to be the sickly president of Goa: Offended attitude from poor service still maintained.> Your condition clearly hasn’t improved much since I left to aid: This is a healing that’ll require a lot more than simple yoga. Your atman (true self) is still locked away behind many layers of grief and domestic malnourishment which keep you hindered back to cycles that have washed you away. This isn’t a naturality according to my senses, and must be the work of minor demons attempting to prod at your well-being. Natuk, bring me the Soma! «<The CWW agent mumbles under his breath> Either this guy is a nutjob, or he plays a really sincere act as a nutjob.» Do you fancy the Zen Cat calendar? I favor the Himalayan cats out of all. «Typical.»

Aquarius: Mini. “Oh, hello. I see you two have come in the corner of Paula’s Sports Cards, and, sorry to say, but if you came here for the tourney sign-up, we’re currently not listing right now. However, we’re making some special deals for you. We also sell Magic the Gathering singles, but they're the really shitty ones that nobody wants." […] My plan to help these teens outta Magic cards isn't going too well, <Aukai thinks to herself.> «Yeah, whatever, lady. We saw the flyer at the noodle shop and I wanted to fulfill my cardboard crack addiction.» <Aukai contemplates dropping the act of a shady dealer for just a moment, then she returns back to a more aggressive form of the same act.> “Eh, don’t compromise this deal, buster, I only have several, ultra-rare cards stored between my boob wedge, and being dismissive to my game is bound to get you kicked out.” «Just show us the cards and tell us what you’re offering.» [,] Ugh, fine. <Aukai drops the act: The one that had brittle legs to stand on. She then begins to monologue with the cardboard-addicted teenagers as she literally takes the cards out of her bosom.> You know, I was on board on a cruise ship once, — that’s usually not my style; I’m the one manning the ship more often — and I saw this cute magician who blew me away, and I thought imitating her style would help me, but I guess I’m better at this merchant personality when I’m selling ship parts. <The teenagers are thinking if her cleavage possibly damaged the material of the cards, but they don’t question it: They’re battle-hardened players.> «Yo, is that a Judge Foil Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite?» <Aukai reflects on what Tehura told her regarding the basic cultural knowledge of Magic, and she grinned somewhat deviously, knowing that she can present as malicious.> “I could make you cough up $400 for this card, but do you know what’s a better investment than this?” «Literally nothing else, just give us the cardboard crack,» <Said the teenagers in a creepy unison.> Yeah, but teacher-learner skills when it comes to the game are way more important than what cards you can get your hands on. <One of the teenagers breaks the creepy, unison speaking to speak their thoughts.> «Actually, I’m intrigued by what she can offer to us in terms of both real-world and game knowledge. The fact that she was able to get her hands on such cards tells us that she’s more than meets the eye.» <The two other teenagers counteract in unison.> «Shut the hell up; she stores cards in her boobs.»

Pisces: 1948 Tucker Torpedo. “Copulation is just the insertion of an appendage into a bodily orifice for the purpose of expelling a juice containing seed that is absorbed into the body for the purpose of procreation.” I’ll use any disgustingly medical and biologically-existential definition of human biological functions to make me as repulsed by humanity as possible. For the previous time, I attempted to embrace naturality as much as possible by isolating myself from what I perceived as corruptive forces of civilization, but then I found out that I ended up terrifying whoever came along with me, and that I was guilty of several counts of potential assassination, so I had to call that one off. But now, I’m a changed man: I seek to embrace a transcendence beyond my natural form as quickly as possible. […] «Oh, my son Aleep? Yeah, he’s in one of those moods again where he tries to see if he can flex himself beyond humanity. I don’t get it, and I think it’s the corruptive influence of too much television and tinkering around with electronics that’s getting to him. I preferred his older hobbies of ambitious poetry, but now, I don’t know what he’s doing anymore.» I can hear your valid criticisms, mother! The walls in this house are made out of cardboard and so are my feelings! «He likes to engage in these dramatic monologues or whatever, and he’s saying it’s leading up to some “connective truth” as he calls it. He’s a bright young man, but he’s kinda flippant.» <Only silence can be heard from the upstairs room where Aleep stays. It’s like this for a good two minutes, and Aleep’s mother assumes he’s busy and likely didn’t hear the continuation.> I seek to busy myself in the virtual world since my mother is already occupied with introducing a false image of me to her regular guests; they probably think I’m so gross hermit, when the truth is that I’m a well-kempt hermit. The boys at my gym class thought that my locs were sexy, and that’s all the confidence boost I needed for the week. […] I look around my abode and I see nothing but human unnecessariness: The floors are covered in years of shedded skin, rolling around as it were a wasteland, and the windows are marred with the remnants of oils excreting from the human hand. It disgusts me, and I see it fit that only the world of human exclusion can save me now… Olligestaia, here I come. <The Olligestaia theme starts playing from cheap speakers.>

#Zodiaccupuncture #Zodipunc #Leo #Taurus #Aquarius #Pisces

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mahamukti-blog · 6 years ago

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Checklist: What to Look for When Choosing a Yoga Class

In case you're new to yoga, you probably won't realize what's in store when you stroll in the entryways of a beginner's yoga class out of the blue. You probably won't realize how to begin in picking a learner's yoga class to visit. Here's a "how to" agenda.

Nail down your objectives and locate the correct style for you.

Everybody comes to yoga for various reasons. Now and then these distinctions are slight, different occasions they're tremendous.

For example, would you say you are keen on an extreme physical exercise to throbbing music, or would you say you are on to a greater extent an otherworldly way towards (calm) edification? It is safe to say that you are pulled in to yoga in view of its medical advantages, and assuming this is the case, is it physical or passionate wellbeing you are most intrigued by?

It is safe to say that you are keen on the rationality and rich customs of yoga, or would you say you are on the other outrageous and wouldn't be found dead recounting a mantra?

Whatever your own needs and proclivities, there's a yoga for you. On the off chance that few kinds of yoga school in goa are offered in your general vicinity, do your exploration on the web or in the library to discover which style would be the best fit for you.

When you recognize what it is you're searching for, you can set a few objectives. Call the educator of the amateur yoga class you're thinking about and inquire as to whether your desires are sensible.

Pick a drop-in or arrangement fledgling yoga class

A drop-in yoga class enables you to pay-as-you go. There will probably be some turnover week to week with respect to which understudies appear for class. The instructor is probably going to keep this class on the mellow side, since understudies will be at such varying capacity levels.

This might be exactly what you're searching for in the event that you simply need a sample of yoga yet would prefer not to purchase a costly bundle of classes. This may likewise be a decent decision for you if your calendar won't enable you to go to a class each week. Remember there are huge disadvantages.

One, on the grounds that the class is progressing, you will never get the chance to begin at "the starting." You might be somewhat lost at first while you get familiar with the way of life of the class. Likewise, drop-in amateur yoga classes will in general be tedious.

An arrangement yoga class is diverse in that you purchase a set number of classes and each class expands on what you realized in the earlier week. A decent arrangement class is redundant just in that there is some audit each time, however then the educator presents new material.

You can adapt considerably more a lot quicker in an arrangement class, however again there are downsides. In the first place, on the off chance that you miss a class it might be hard to make up the material that you missed. Additionally, you will be approached to pay for the entire arrangement in advance.

Investigate your dimension of duty, your calendar and your spending limit and choose whether a drop-in or an arrangement class is better for your requirements.

Ensure the instructor has sufficient preparing.

Yoga is currently a noteworthy supporter of games wounds. This can be credited to two things: understudies propelling themselves unreasonably hard for flawlessness and lacking preparing of educators.

Try not to be bashful in getting some information about their experience. There are affirmations for educating "exercise center yoga" that an educator can get in a long end of the week. A multi day preparing is sufficiently only to make somebody hazardous. This isn't to imply that that a portion of the general population who begin with such accreditations don't end up being phenomenal teachers by committing themselves to rehearse and expanding their insight through the span of months and years.

There are obviously individuals who show yoga with no formal confirmation at all, and however it may be troublesome for these educators to get obligation protection, there's nothing unlawful about it. Remember that yoga is a profound convention a great many years old, and giving somebody a testament for learning a couple of postures and breathing methods would have been an odd thought in fact even seventy years prior. It is one thing to get up one morning and choose to show yoga with next to zero involvement. It is very another to educate subsequent to living for a considerable length of time under the tutelage of an ace yogi who simply doesn't put stock in declarations.

When in doubt, search out yoga instructors with somewhere around 200 hours of preparing. In the United States there's an association considered the Yoga Alliance that offers a vault of educators who went to preparing programs that satisfy certain guidelines. Somebody can have the Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) assignment from the Yoga Alliance and still be a terrible instructor, however generally RYTs are a sure thing.

Investigate extra expenses of the yoga class.

Some of the time there are extra costs associated with taking a novice's yoga class other than the enlistment expense. You may need to purchase your own yoga tangle, tie, or different props, for example. In certain classes you may need to purchase certain books for study or even unique dress of a specific shading.

It is essential to recognize what the related expenses are direct so you and your financial balance won't experience any shocks later on.

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abigailhartland · 6 years ago

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Unconditional, uninterrupted joy

We have spent the last month in Agonda Beach in South Goa at Sampoorna Yoga School where I completed a 200hr teacher training course! 🙌After so much travelling around Sri Lanka we were looking forward to having a base for a month, but I was nervous about being in a non-baby related learning environment for the first time since Woody was born and Ged was nervous about being essentially the sole carer for Woody for a month! Here’s how it went...

The journey from Colombo to Goa went well thanks to taking the ergobaby on the plane and being lucky enough to have a spare seat in our row meaning we were all more comfortable and Woody slept 🙌 we then transferred him into the ergobaby and he slept the whole hour and a half journey to Agonda.

At 4pm we had our welcome meeting. Turns out everyone was just as nervous as me which made me feel better. We were put in to two groups of 30 (I was in the Tulip 🌷 group) and told to meet in one of the shalas at 6.30am the following morning for the fire ceremony which would officially start the course.

Our timetable was pretty intense and despite having long breaks for meals there was little time for anything but yoga. Here’s an example of a typical day:

6:30 Asana practice (Ashtanga/Vinyasa)

8:30 Tea and banana/biscuits

9:00 pranayama and meditation

10:00 breakfast

11:00 philosophy/anatomy

13:00 lunch

15:00 alignment and adjustment

16:45 tea and banana/biscuits

17:00 posture clinic/ asana/ workshop

19:00 dinner

Some evenings we had an extra hour of lessons so finished at 19:00 instead of 18:00 and sometimes we had extra philosophy Q&A for an hour after dinner. We also had reading to do, flows to create and practise, the whole Ashtanga primary series to memorise and exams to prepare for so it was all consuming. I didn’t actually leave the yoga village during the first 5 days, but it was never a chore. Our teachers were better than I could have hoped for, they are absolute experts in their field, full of passion, and so kind, supportive, encouraging and entertaining. I have learnt so much about the other Limbs of yoga and come away with a curiosity to learn more and an intent to try to lead a yogi life both on and off the mat when we get home.

The view from our shala - yoga from dawn ‘til dusk

Ged held the fort with Woody like a pro. He was essentially sole carer for a month and made it look easy. Their daily routine involved a morning and afternoon trip to the beach where Ged put Woody through what sounds like a boot camp involving long stretches of crawling, walking holding on to the pram, braving the pretty big waves of the Indian Ocean and climbing rocks. Then back to Sampoorna for breakfast and what became a routine 2hr long nap for an exhausted Woody. (It’ll be laps of Queens Park when we are home to try to continue these long naps!)

Meal times were interesting as most of the food was curried vegetables of some form as everything was vegetarian or vegan. The staff very kindly made non-spicy alternatives for Woody, but they were still curry and therefore very messy for a Baby-Led weaned baby. Most of Woody’s clothes are now turmeric-yellow and Agonda-dust orange in colour! Woody was a bit frustrated by the food, I think, because he couldn’t grab it well enough to eat as quickly or as much as he wanted so he was very shouty/ teary at a lot of mealtimes. Fortunately everyone was really understanding with a few wonderful friends who were really lovely with Woody and helped me and Ged out with him whenever they could! 🙏❤️

For anyone planning extended travel with a baby, I would recommend having at least one longer stay planned somewhere where you can settle in a bit and recover from all the moving around and packing and unpacking of the rest of the trip. Being in Agonda for a month really helped us all recharge our batteries.

Agonda is a tiny beach resort with nothing more than beach huts along the front and a single track road set back from the seafront lined with little market stalls, a few boutiques and several delicious restaurants and cafes as well as lots of beach front restaurants attached to the ‘resorts’. The beach is a 2mile white sandy beach that never feels too busy. It’s protected so you don’t get hassled by vendors either. Weekends were a wonderful mix of free time, beach time, eating deliciously fresh veggie and vegan foods in the local cafes, Ayurvedic massages, surfing, dolphin watching and eating dinner with our toes in the sand. Life in Agonda is so simple and beautiful.

On the second weekend, my dear friend Liv arrived for 10 days. We spent blissful times at the beach at weekends and going for sunset swims after my lessons during the week. Liv did drop in classes at Sampoorna and was able to join us for meals there too when there was no time to leave the village! Woody adores her so she also helped Ged out with him meaning that he could go surfing a few more times.

As I mentioned, I was designated a Tulip. Our group was full of inspiring, committed, warm-hearted, passionate individuals. Every single person gave the course their all, supported everybody else and was a joy to spend every day with. There were people from all over the world ranging from early 20s to mid 50s with many different paths having led us all to the same place. There were a fair amount of injuries during the course, some Delhi belly (in Goa) and emotions riding high and low with a fair few tears being shed on and off the mat, but throughout, everyone was so supportive and caring and fun to be around. We had each other’s backs and made sure that ‘no-one got off the bus’, to quote our anatomy teacher, Olivier.

By the day of our final exams and graduation ceremony, I felt like I was sharing my pride and joy with my own little Sampoorna family. It was such a special end to an incredible life experience; everyone wore white and garlands made of carnations. First we had the closing fire ceremony and then the presentation of certificates before heading to the beach for photos and back to Sampoorna for dinner with live music and an after party at a bar on the beach. Ged and Woody and other family members were invited to the ceremonies and Ged and another Dad got a special mention from the Course Director for all their hard work with the kids. He thanked us for bringing them and said that they had bought a different energy to Sampoorna that everybody had enjoyed. I felt really proud of my little family and so grateful to everyone who made us so welcome.

Tulips and our teachers ❤️🌷

I am taking home from Sampoorna so much more than knowing how to teach yoga poses (although I am so excited to start doing this too). I have learnt about our natural state of emotion, one of unconditional, uninterrupted joy and how yoga can help us to experience this. I have been reminded of how I want to live life and what is important to me and given the tools by which to try to live it, even if it won’t always be easy. I am excited to go home and start sharing what I have learnt with plans for an Ashtanga beginners course which will prepare yogis for led and Mysore-style Ashtanga classes. More information to follow xxx

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oceanicyogasblog · 2 years ago

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How Yoga Is More Holistic Than Other Stretches

You can use many kinds of stretches to loosen your muscles and your body. Typical, traditional stretches involve stretching muscles one at a time. This is often done before or after a work-out.

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is another type of stretching. When you practice a PNF stretch for a muscle, you use the help of other muscles to enable you to get a deeper stretch.

There are a few other styles of stretching, including assisted and partner stretches, but yoga may be the most holistic type.

Yoga Roots-

Yoga (Become Yoga Instructor) is an ancient art. It has been practiced for thousands of years, with origins in India. It was developed as a lifestyle practice to keep the body and mind flexible.

It was originally developed by upper-class citizens, which is why yogic names and expressions are in Sanskrit. It was developed as an elitist language, but traditions have not dropped it from modern-day yoga practice "for the common man".

Yoga was developed as a system, practiced for health and vitality. Because of its many health benefits, it is considered Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurveda(Yogan Training in Goa) is the world's oldest system of medicine, dating back seven thousand years. It is practiced heavily in many Far Eastern countries. Health practitioners in the U.S. are new to understanding and practicing Ayurveda.

Health benefits of Yoga-

A yoga session(Yoga training class in Goa) is a kind of meditation. Throughout parts of the meditation, you may be focused on breathing. Other times you might be focused on clearing your mind, and filling your body with positive thoughts.

During most yoga sessions, the majority of your time is spent in a moving meditation.

You focus on a series of movements to stretch your muscles in different ways. You may pause and concentrate on the proper technique for an asana, or pose. Or you may keep movements more fluid, briefly pausing before moving to the next asana.

Some of the health benefits from regular yoga practice include:

Improved mood and energy

Reduced anxiety

Enhanced relaxation

Improved sleep

Increased blood flow

Loosening muscles

Physical tension relief

Reduced emotional stress

Many of these benefits are common to all types of exercise. But stretching does not provide the same benefits of cardiovascular or strength training, so it is important to include those in a well-rounded exercise program.

The holistic nature of yoga.

Yoga (Vocational Yoga teacher course) is a dynamic form of movement. First, unlike other types of stretching that isolate muscles, stretching one at a time, yoga is based on asanas. Asanas are poses, or postures. To perform most asanas, you need to focus on holding several muscles in a stretched and balanced position.

Yoga is also unique in that it involves multi-directional stretching. Stretches, exercises, and sports are more dynamic when they involve movement in multiple planes, or directions. Multi-directional exercise is beneficial because many everyday activities use movements that are multi-directional.

Furthermore, yoga loosens muscles with specific focus on tension areas. For example, "hip opener" asanas release tension in a way that allows great amounts of circulation and energy to flow from the upper body to the lower body. Around our shoulders, our thoracic outlet is an area that can get tense from overuse and typical poor posture. Yoga is dynamic, using several muscles in multi-directional movement. Combined with its effect on improving circulation through tension areas, yoga may be a powerful holistic therapy.

#yoga course #200h YTTC #Yoga course #sudents #spiritual vibrations #mediation

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joannabuckle · 4 years ago

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Food and Drink in Varkalla

Varkalla is not a million miles from Goa, and caters for a party crowd, who might also drop in for a yoga class, or maybe are having a yoga teachers’ day off. Great western breakfasts are de rigeur, while a bit of trance music and a curry will do for the evening. Several yoga and meditation schools on the busy cliff path switch to unbelievable health food cafes between classes. Wonderfully…

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adiyogamyogateachertraining · 3 days ago

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What to Expect from Drop-in Yoga Classes in Goa

Curious about trying drop in yoga classes Goa? Here’s what you can expect from these flexible, traveler-friendly sessions.

Goa’s yoga studios cater to all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. Each class is led by experienced instructors who guide you through various yoga styles, such as Ashtanga, Yin, and Power Yoga. The goal is to offer something unique for everyone, whether you're looking to de-stress or build strength and flexibility.

The settings often include open-air spaces with views of palm trees and beaches, adding a serene and meditative vibe. Classes are typically 60–90 minutes, making them perfect for fitting into your day while exploring Goa’s attractions.

At Adiyogam, drop-in yoga classes in Goa prioritize inclusivity and personal growth. The expert teachers focus on alignment, breathwork, and mindfulness to ensure you leave feeling refreshed and recharged.

So, whether you're a traveler passing through or a local seeking wellness, these classes provide a hassle-free way to incorporate yoga into your life. Just bring your mat and open mind—you’re in for a rejuvenating experience.

#drop in yoga classes Goa

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xpbali · 6 years ago

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Top 5 things to do in Bali this month:

1. Fitness Fanatics:

If you are anything like me, every holiday is planned around and close to a gym. Yes holiday is about relaxing, but a sweat session is important too.

Here are my 3 top gyms to visit and train at when you visit Bali:

Bali MMA:

Bali MMA is situated in the heart of Canggu, which is a very popular area most tourists book into when they visit Bali. Bali MMA is the number 1 MMA gym on the island which offers classes for all levels of fitness and experience. From Muay Thai, BJJ, Wresting to Yoga, they have you covered. They have top level coaches running the Muay Thai Classes, and Black Belts from all over the world joining them for a session, spreading knowledge from all different schools in the world. Definitely worth a pop in or a session to burn off that pizza from last night. www.balimma.com

Crossfit Wanderlust:

The Infamous Crossfit Wanderlust is situated right next door to Bali MMA is Canggu, not only do they have top Crossfit athletes from all over the world coming to visit and train there, but some of them even run retreats which you can book and enjoy. Crossfit is one of the best workouts which burns off all those burgers and beers in a session. So make sure to make a turn at Crossfit Wanderlust, oh did I mention their amazing banana flour pancakes and delicious coffee… www.crossfitwanderlust.com

2BEFIT BALI:

Well, you are on holiday. So why not do a workout where you have scenery. 2BEFIT runs specialized bootcamps on the beach. Challenging you not only physically but mentally too. They have qualified coaches to push you to your limits and help you reach your goals. After your session, what’s a better way to cool off then having a dip in the beautiful ocean, followed by a refreshing coconut. 2BEFIT hosts bootcamps in Canggu, Seminyak and Sanur. www.2befitbali.com

2. Night Life:

We cant dispute the reputation Bali has when it comes to its night life. Bali is always happening, and often has top DJ’s and music artists performing here. Due to the fact that there are so many Clubs to choose from, offering different genres of music, it was hard to name just 3. With the help of Bali by Hotels.com, we picked our 3 from their top 10 clubs.

Sky Garden Rooftop & Lounge:

Sky Garden Rooftop is situated in the heart of Kuta, with not only raving reviews about their DJ’s and music, but their amazing food and drinks such as the Triple Vodka. “With an unbeatable ALL YOU CAN EAT BIG TEXAS BBQ BUFFET, that includes 4 HOURS of Free flow drinks of your choice for only 99k IDR.” Says TripAdvisor. This is definitely a place to see and enjoy at least once when you here in Bali. www.skygardenbali.com

Omnia:

Omnia is located on the limestone cliffs in Uluwatu, which has a breathtaking panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. A day club with a vibe which is so addictive, being surrounded by infinity pools, bungalows and pool beds which is accompanied by some of the best tunes played by famous DJ’s from all around the world – where else would you rather be? Also situated in Omnia is a modernized Japanese restaurant, ‘Sake No Hana’. With its flagship being in the center of London, I’m sure it’s food compliments the surroundings perfectly. www.omniaclubs.com

La Favela:

La Favela is situated in one of the most popular streets in Seminyak. La Favela is definitely a must. The interior decorations are mind blowing, with ponds and small bridges with semi gardens and artificial waterfalls, it captivates anyone who steps foot past the front door. Gonzalo and Sandra Assiego became fixated with turning this place which was originally a house into the masterpiece it is today. “For me La Favela is really underground. That is the soul of LA Favela. The party spirit. Yes you have dining in a beautiful place – the garden is beautiful but then its like the inside of a museum that has been made with love from our own search for pieces, to things from our homes and the homes of our friends. We also wanted to recreate the ambience of the underground 90’s party scene.” – Gonzalo and Sandra Assiego.www.lafavelabali.com 3. Spirituality:

For those of you who are looking ‘inwards’ and are on a journey to find yourself and heal. Bali is the Island of a thousand Gods, and speaks to your soul on so many different levels. With beautiful temples and incense burning around every corner, add in prayers and meditation, and all the answers you are seeking will surface when you least expect it.

Elephant Cave

:In the heart of Ubud, the Elephant cave was built as a spiritual place for meditation. As you walk down towards the temple, you will be asked to wear appropriate attire such as a sarong, which you can rent at the entrance. Once you head down, you will see a pool with 5 out of 7 Hindu Angels holding vases which are sprouting out water. You can step into this shallow pool, where you can go stand in front of each angel and ask or wish for something. www.balibyhotels.com Once you are finished in the Pool, you can head up the stairs and towards the elephant cave. You may enter the temple where you can meditate and prayer to the respected Hindu Gods. If you are lucky, a Pemangku will bless you after your prayer.

Yoga Retreat:

When we find ourselves feeling lost in life, it often stems from too much stress, lack of self love and feeling overburdened. This is the time we need to center ourself and go deep within. We highly recommend booking into Como Shambhala Estate. At Como Shambhala Estate, you can book and find a package which best suits you. From Yoga teachers, Ayurvedic doctors, dietitians to signature massage therapies and beauty retreats – this a place where you can receive some TLC (tender loving care) and find peace and calmness. www.comohotels.com

Goa Giri (Nusa Penida):

Goa Giri is situated in Nusa Penida, which is located southeast of Bali. Not only is Nusa Penida known for its crystal blue waters which is popular for day trips that include snorkeling and hiking, but there is also a Large Cave Temple. The Large Cave Temple is found in the village of Suana. You will find the entrance is a narrow opening in rock face. Just before the main shrine in the cave, white marble covers the corners in the temple. In the temple, you will find 6 praying spots. “This includes the preceding stairway up to the Ida Hyang Tri Purusa lan Ganapati shrine at the entrance. The remaining five spots are inside. Visiting pilgrims must go through all of them, consecutively. Visits usually include a holy water purification ritual. Devotees take their seats on the raised marble platforms.” www.bali-Indonesia.com The Final praying spot is devoted to the Chinese deities known as Guan Yin or The Goddess of Mercy. “This is where a lot of people ask for blessings of better business and prosperity.” As stated by Bali by hotels. Definitely worth the trip we would say.

4. Surfing:

You cannot fly all the way to Bali and not try the surf. Not only is Bali one of the top places to surf, but it’s a great place to learn to surf. There are nearly surf school at every beach you go to, you have to give it a try.

Uluwatu:

As you know when you search Bali, Uluwatu will always come up somewhere in your search as a recommendation. Uluwatu is very popular for its Surfing, Scenery and Unique temples. Once you have had your fun in the sun and caught those massive waves, there are plenty of massage places to pop into for a quick rub down before you make it back up to the top of the cliff, where you will probable find yourself enjoying sundowners to end off an epic day.

Padang Padang:

As you head through a beautiful hollow rock entrance, which is easily accessible. You will come across a white sandy beach which offers consistent barrels and an average of 4 foot waves and above. Padang Padang is a regular host for international surfing competition such as Rip Curl, therefore we recommend this beach more for intermediate and professional surfers.

Canggu – Pantai Batu Mejan – Echo Beach:

This beach is a black sand beach, and is well kept and is spotlessly clean. This beach is one of the best surf spots in Bali, with a laid back, chilled vibe which is complimented by beautiful sunsets. On top of all of that, there is amazing seafood to fill the gap after a busy day in the ocean. This beach is for intermediate to advanced surfers.

5. Eat:

This was a tough decision to only mention 3 restaurants to try. I can think of at least 10 amazing restaurants to eat at all offering something unique. I absolutely love food, and Bali is definitely spoilt for choice.

Sisterfields:

Sisterfields being an Australian concept, is found just at the end of Eats Street opposite Seminyak Square. This is a place which is buzzing all day long. Their coffee is definitely up there and is one of the best coffees I have had so far here in Bali. Their breakfasts cater for everyone, but if you are a health conscious bunch, I would recommend their Açaí Berry breakfast bowl. If you are just dropping in for lunch, well their Australian all day Brunch menu should definitely fill the spot. www.sisterfields.com

Murni’s Warung:

If you are looking for the best Indonesian Cuisine, all you have to do is Whisper the word Murni and your driver will know exactly who you are talking about and where to go. The living Legend Murni is in Ubud and is often refereed to as the Mother of Ubud due to the fact that she pioneered tourism in Ubud and is still very active in her restaurant. The great thing about Murnis Warung is, if you would like to stay over and experience ubud a little longer she has a guest house and spa which you can book into. From A le carte menus, healthy menus to vegetarian menus she has something for everyone. To book a reservation to indulge: www.murnis.com

Ultimo:

Ultimo Italian Restaurant was definitely worth every penny and the 10min wait to get a table. When driving down Eats Street in Seminyak, I often wondered what the hold up was as taxis stop and empty out by the car load in front of this restaurant. Now that I have experienced their delicious food and buzzing restaurants, I will definitely be returning for more. Pizza, pasta, chicken, steak – everything was and is excellent. Give them a try when you visit Bali: www.bali-business.site.com #Bali #BaliProperty #BaliInformation #TodoInBali #Surfing #BaliRestaurant #BaliGym

#bali #bali property #bali information #to do in bali #surfing #bali restaurant #bali investment

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flossinginthesunshine · 8 years ago

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From Chapati to Sticky Rice

People who have spent considerable time in India have repeated to us time and time again the same line, “India will change you.” And to neither of our surprises, this turned out to be the case. Here are few examples:

We learned quickly that every day would be a challenge, and that nothing can be taken for granted in India. Getting from A-B, finding a restaurant, finding a pharmacy, finding a bathroom, heck even walking next to each other in a crowd can be tough in Delhi. Travelling here forces you to maintain a calm and composed state of mind even in the most trying of situations. Given that timetables and stated schedules are meaningless, letting yourself get flustered at the first hiccup can be a trip ruiner.

True Statement: If you can travel in India, you can travel anywhere in the world.

We experienced sensory overload pretty much every day. I’ve never been in a place that had so many smells, sights and sounds ricocheting off each other at all hours. While we continuously felt overwhelmed by this, we soon learned to appreciate the vibrancy of the everyday chaotic routine of India.

Living healthy is incredibly easy to do when you put yourself in a healthy environment. For two months we didn’t eat meat, rarely drank alcohol and didn’t consume dairy. Restaurants aren’t marketed as “vegan” or “farm to table”... they just are. We found ourselves sleeping incredibly well, practicing yoga nearly every day and reading more than we ever had in our lives. There is a reason that India is the yoga and meditation capital of the world… it is the perfect cure for the everyday chaos of living in such a country. Our New Year's resolutions are to continue this healthy lifestyle as we continue our travels and re-enter the “real world” in April.

India constantly reminded us that the best way to get our questions answered was by talking to other people. Finding information online, if it exists at all, is often outdated and incorrect. The blogs we were reading tended to be 3-4 years old, and many of the restaurants/attractions we went out looking for had inaccurate pins on Google Maps. Instead of burying our heads in our iPhones, we were reminded of the old fashioned way of asking for help. Human-to-human interaction, to no surprise, was our lifeline when we were lost or confused (which was often). Locals were more than willing to point us in the right direction after we showed them a restaurant/guest house on on phone, and a few times they even walked us where we needed to go (without asking for anything in return) just to make sure we didn’t get lost.

Most important of all: trust your gut. If you don’t like a guesthouse, leave. If you don’t trust a taxi driver, look for another. If a menu looks questionable, the food is probably also questionable & you should keep searching. Letting your gut and intuition guide the way is the only way to survive long term travel in India. Decisions should be made from the heart and from the gut, not because a guidebook says something or Trip Advisor suggests it. The best way to experience India is through an open mind and flexible schedule. Things will go wrong, and your ability to roll with it will make or break your trip.

When we get asked about out two months in India we speak in incredibly fond and honest terms. We say “It’s crazy. You should go. You need to go. If you are able to slow down & let things happen how they may, travelling in India will simultaneously astonish you, startle you, and ultimately, change you.”

See you later India!

And just like that… exactly two months from the day we landed in Ft. Cochin, India, we hit the road for Chiang Mai, Thailand! Our 21 hour travel day looked something like this:

Alarm goes off at at 2:30, 2:35 & 2:40am in Delhi 3am taxi from Delhi guesthouse to Delhi airport 6am flight from Delhi to Calcutta 4 hour layover in Calcutta 2pm flight from Calcutta to Bangkok 8pm flight Bangkok to Chiang Mai 20 minute taxi from airport to guesthouse Bed at 11pm

^^ That is a cricket :)

From the moment we were dropped off in front of our guesthouse in Chiang Mai, we were struck by the silence that surrounded us. People weren’t honking their horns, dogs weren’t barking, construction wasn’t being done on every corner… we could even walk side by side without the fear of being run off the road. Compared to Delhi, Chiang Mai felt more like Disney World than the second biggest city in Thailand. It was refreshingly eerie.

Chiang Mai is the capital of Northern Thailand, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The charming “Old City” is a one-mile by one-mile grid, surrounded by a picturesque moat dating back to 1292. Buildings don’t rise above three stories, and there are cafes on every corner with reliably fast wifi. The developed, yet chilled out vibe of the city is what makes it one of the most frequented destinations for digital nomads and expats to settle in.

We spent our days exploring the city by pedal bike, and our nights eating street food at the market and listening to live jazz at a bar down the road from our guesthouse.

I ran a few times while in India, specifically in Goa, but gave up after being chased by dogs on more than one occasion. In Thailand I was able to run again, with the boundaries of the Old City creating a perfect four mile running path.

One afternoon we ventured into to the beautiful countryside for a traditional Thai cooking course. We arrived at an organic farm 30 minutes from Chaing Mai, and promptly went to work pounding green curry paste, stir-frying pad thai and chopping ingredients for papaya salad. After these dishes were cooked and eaten, we escaped to a set of hammocks overlooking rice paddies to sleep off our meal. An hour later, we were awoken by the chef to begin cooking our second round of food: fresh spring rolls and mango sticky rice. It was a successfully glutenous day.

7-Eleven's are on every corner in Thailand and are the perfect place to escape the heat (the AC is always on full blast). You can find everything from soy chocolate milk to fresh mango, and even pay for bus tickets at the checkout counter. Even the most run down 7-Eleven in Thailand is more helpful than most of our hostels were in India.

Almost equal to the number of 7-Elevens in Chiang Mai are the number of Thai massage parlors. In an effort to discern the quality establishments from the ones looking to prey on backpackers, we followed the suggestion of our guesthouse owners and went to their favorite place. A Thai massage is more in line with a 60 minute full body stretch session than a traditional western relaxation massage, which is why they get mixed reviews from travelers. The masseuse takes full advantage of their feet, legs, elbows and forearms in their attempt to stretch and contort our bodies into once thought impossible positions… and we loved it. At $6 USD for a full hour, it is no surprise that I returned a few days later for a follow up.

One afternoon we took out 40-year-old rented bikes and ventured to the only public park in the Old City. To our delight, the park was in pristine condition and full of westerners doing acro yoga, tai chi, and slacklining. We spent the next few hours doing yoga, reiki, reading, napping and admiring the acrobatics going on around us.

I’ve been getting beard trims throughout our time abroad, but the time had come for a proper haircut. We asked our guesthouse for a recommendation, and after showing us on the map where the nearest place is, they warned us not to go after 5pm because that’s when the barbers start drinking. It was 7pm... and we decided to give it a go anyway. When we showed up the whole family was having a big feast outside the parlor, complete with several bottles of alcohol scattered on the tables. They greeted us with big smiles and welcoming “Sawadees” (hello in Thai), and we asked, “Haircut?” A woman who looked like she hadn’t been drinking (too much) jumped up and led us inside. She threw a towel over my shoulders, we exchanged less than 10 words about what I wanted, and she started clipping away. Twenty minutes later, I had a fresh haircut and beard trim. If she had been drinking, she hid it well.

Once a quiet and somewhat remote town in Northern Thailand, Pai is now properly on the backpacker trail in SE Asia and can easily be accessed from Chiang Mai by a 4 hour minivan ride than includes 762 turns (they sell shirts in Pai say “I survived the 762 turns to Pai”). Once you make it through the harrowing journey, you are greeted by a delightful town full of vegan restaurants, reggae bars & backpacker bungalows. Pai tends to get a bad rap from old timers and long term travellers because of how rapidly it has changed over the last 10 years, but to us it was an oasis. The resort -- yes we stayed at a “resort” -- where we spent the week was 12 dollars a night for a private bungalow, which included a fabulous free yoga class each morning along with free breakfast.

We hiked one afternoon with our new friends from Auckland to a waterfall just outside of town. Per a few blogs online, we learned that a dog often serves as a tour guide on this particular hike. 15-minutes into the hike, a gorgeous pup strolls out of the woods and joins our ranks. For the next three hours Winston (as we named him) guided us through two dozen river crossings and patiently waited as we took photos at the waterfall. When we were ready to turn around and head home, Winston once again took the lead and showed us the way. Thanks for everything, Winston!

In Pai we went to the 12th Annual Pai Reggae Music Festival. Their were ads all over town highlighting the event, saying the festival was on Saturday and Sunday, started at mid-day and was located on the grounds of a specific hotel just outside of town. We popped the hotel name in Google Maps, saw it was a few mile walk from our place, and opted out of taking a taxi. After a 2.5 mile walk in the hills we made it to the festival!

Just kidding. Google Maps was wrong. We were nowhere near the reggae fest. We headed back into town, and ended up teaming up with other lost souls who were also searching for this mystical festival.

After another 2 miles, we finally made it! It was 4pm, and we soon learned that the festival didn’t start until 7pm. Our first question to ticket counter… “Why does your poster say mid-day?” Their response was, “Great question.”

We headed to the nearest restaurant to grab a beer, and found out that the entire restaurant was full of festival goers who also showed up too early and were now killing time playing cards, drinking beer and swapping travel tales.

We returned at 7pm with a whole crew of new friends, and boogied until midnight. Who doesn’t love Thai men singing in English with a Rasta accent? We sure did.

Camryn found a picture on Instagram a few weeks ago of a gorgeous sunrise in an obscure corner of Northeast Thailand that we hadn’t read about in any of our guide books. We asked a few people if they had heard of this magical place called Phu Chi Fa, and no one recognized the name. Immediately, we were intrigued. After two weeks in Chiang Mai and Pai, we were craving an off-the-beaten-track adventure. We got it, no doubt.

After a quick Google search, we read a few blog posts from travellers (dating back 4-5 years) saying that this town was their favorite in all of Thailand and not be missed. Details on getting there were hard to come by, as some said they took a bus there… others said the bus was no longer running and were forced to rent a motorcycle... some hired a private taxi. We chanced it on faith, and showed up at the bus station in Chiang Rai looking wide eyed for a sign saying Phu Chi Fa. And we found it :)

After a casual 3 hour bus ride, we were dropped off in front of a police station in a tiny village that only exists so people can visit the Phu Chi Fa mountain at sunrise. We read online that English is not spoken here, so we were all prepped and ready to use our hand signals and phone calculator to aid in bargaining. After a 15-minute walk down the only street, we found a gem of a guesthouse. We dropped our bags, ate a forgettable meal at a roadside restaurant by pointing at pictures of food on the wall, and went to bed early. Tomorrow’s adventure would come in only a few hours.

Our phone alarms greeted us at 3:30, 3:35, 3:40 and 3:45 am. We were out the door at 4am heading back to the police station to catch a songthaew (like a pickup truck with benches in the back) to take us halfway up the mountain. We were dropped within a 30 minute hike up to the top of Phu Chi Fa mountain, which we eagerly scampered up by headlamp with all of our warm clothes on.

We were one of the first to the top, however within the hour nearly 300 Thai tourists joined us. Not another westerner in sight, to our delight.

Trying to describe the sunrise would do its beauty a disservice, so I’ll just leave you with the pictures.

After a few hours enjoying the sunrise, we were back in front of the police station eating banana pancakes waiting for our bus to depart at 9am. Our next destination was Chiang Khong, a city on the border between Thailand and Laos. We arrived at our guesthouse in Chiang Khong and expected our $6USD a night room to be somewhat of a dump, and planned on heading into Laos the next morning. To our surprise, we were greeted by a gorgeous pool and fast wi-fi. Needless to say, we stayed two nights and spent a full day relaxing poolside. Treat yourself, right?

You’ll hear all about Laos in our next post by Cam. Thanks for reading!

Best, JJ

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yogatempleindia · 4 years ago

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Yoga in India: 7 Differences Between Eastern and Western Yoga

Yoga in India and in the West is very different, and as I came to explore it more it’s something I really wanted to share about on the blog. Before India, I took hot yoga in the US and loved it as a hard-core workout. I was pretty sure all I lost was water-weight, but I liked the feeling of sweating that much. In India, I was really surprised to find out what the “birthplace of Yoga” considered “real” yoga. A 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in India really changed by life.

Yoga Temple India is a peaceful, quiet (sometimes the teacher didn’t speak one word) place, where we meditated for 20–30 minutes before and after, and held positions much longer, so long in fact, that I thought my arms would fall off! I was taught one-on-one yoga many times and told by my emaciated-looking 50-year-old Indian teachers that I should eat once a day, never take a group class, and make yoga my life.

Clearly, the East has a different take on the “yoga lifestyle” than the West. We know yoga came from the East, but when you pinpoint it down, they say probably Rishikesh, India. There’s a reason the Beatles chose Rishikesh to come to relax and write music with their guru. Most of the students choose Yoga Teacher Training Rishikesh in their first chose when choosing a Yoga Course in India.

Yoga in India: Differences between the West and East

Before we get into it, I want to share a few other articles that you can open in new tabs and read. I have been living in India for nearly six years and wrote up lists of the top places to learn yoga in India for travellers based on location. I have prices and what’s included for all of them.

· Top 5 yoga retreats in India

· Best places to do yoga teacher training in India based on reviews and popularity

· Top 5 yoga retreats in Goa

· Top yoga teacher training in India straight from my reader’s opinions and experiences (this is such a great post with insight from people who have recently stayed at the locations)

What I learned from practicing yoga teacher training in India, which I wouldn’t have learned from the West.

It is 5 am, the crows are crowing, the cockerels are singing their morning wake up song and the dogs are barking. The sun hasn’t risen yet, but you can feel the heat in the air. Welcome to India, the origin and home of yoga, where else would I do my yoga teacher training. Not only is India the sacred land from a yoga point of view but Goa where I trained also offered me sunshine, a beach and the ability to train with local Indians who dedicate their life to yoga. This is not just a form of exercise in the East. Our day would start with two hours of morning practice with empty stomachs, ending as the sun started to rise; we would cover traditional Eastern yoga, philosophy and adapt our western lives to a totally eastern practice of yoga, worlds apart from the fitness style class in the west.

1. Our food affects our emotions

It was a culture shock to start with. Being encouraged to live a full yogi life didn’t just include engrossing ourselves into yoga practice it also included eating a vegan plain diet. The meals were designed from the Ayurvedic philosophy. The food was plain with limited spices because we learned that food has a big impact on our emotions, plain food doesn’t play with emotions and also caters for vegans, vegetarians and people with food intolerance. Being plant-based it was easier to digest and it made me feel guilty for all the times I over ate in the West and did not listen to my body when it was hungry; I would eat for the sake of it and because there is an abundance of food.

2. More than just an exercise

In the western world, we have just taken one part of a whole yoga lifestyle. It is mainly used as a form of exercise. However, yoga is a whole practice of life and living, how you treat others, the respect you have for your body and the world around you. Trying to be non-judgemental.

There are 6 branches of yoga with the practice in class just being one of these. Along with that Yoga is an integrative eight-step (limbs) system recorded in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and comprises ethical guidelines and observances (yamas and niyamas), postures (asanas), breath work (pranayama), ability to turn inward (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and the state of fulfilment, freedom, bliss and contentment (samadhi — the ultimate goal of yoga).

3. You need to still your mind

Yoga in India has a lot more meditation but it doesn’t mean it is a cult or a religion. I was very privileged to have had a Brahman teach me yoga philosophy. What the western world do wrong in some styles of yoga is missing the ability to be mindful and still your mind. Yoga can change your life, it helps us to sit still, be non-reactive to emotions such as sadness, possessiveness or anger and similar. The yoga practice has to occur off the mat just as much as whilst you are doing the physical poses.

4. Learn to remove the ego

Too often yoga in the west is portrayed with a thin girl in a very unusual position which would be impossible to achieve as a beginner, wearing the latest body-hugging lycra outfit. The images on social media and in magazines pictured in these desirable locations of beautiful beaches or rolling hills makes yoga seen unaffordable and not accessible to the average person. There is little interest in weight loss as our bodies are just a machine to get us through life. It is about working on what’s inside, which is why food becomes a focus.

Ultimately, what we aim to do in yoga is to develop ourselves from the inside, gaining body intelligence on the mat will start to move your practice off the mat and encourage you to have more awareness of what you are putting into the body. Yoga is designed to cleanse your body and mind of physical and emotional blockages, develop a stronger sense of connection of the two, promoting better awareness and mindfulness of the choices we make in life whether it is about the way we treat ourselves or others, or attitudes we express. Yoga is a union of your body and your mind, not about how you look in the mirror.

5. Being spiritual doesn’t make you religious

I learnt that being spiritual was just about trying to be happy. Yoga is just a road to happiness, some people see it as enlightenment but this it is just trying to allow you to lead your life as easily as possible, removing the stress and strains of day to day living so you can be as happy as possible.

Our practice would always start with an Om channelling the vibration from the sound and our intention for the day into the universe; this would follow breathing exercises to cleanse out body and meditation. We tuned into our body and we learned that yoga is a method to prime your body so it is comfortable when meditating. In the East, the ultimate aim of Yoga is to experience the Truth, by realizing the true nature of ourselves. It is not religious.

6. Lifelong learning

Many people think yoga is like a gym, or like going to a work-out, but that is not yoga

In Indian culture, you go to a teacher and learn from him. It is a lineage and it is lifelong learning. You are taught to have patience and take your time over years not weeks and months like you are taught in the West. It makes me sad that in 4 weeks you can become a fully-fledged yoga teacher. My yoga teacher spent 10 years dedicated to his own self-practice before he even thought about sharing these finding with others, there are limited teachers in the UK which can claim the same. You have to be a student and know that you will be a student your whole life. Yoga is never ending. It’s like the ocean and what we have learned is like a small drop. There’s a lot to learn and for our whole life, we keep learning.

7. There is no avoiding the silence

Many people have come to me and said, “I started practicing yoga and my life has been changed.” People can improve their whole lifestyle. You cannot separate the exercise from the traditional philosophy. I started out in the mindset of doing yoga to prevent injury in sport. Now yoga is my only exercise and I crave to still my mind in myself practice. I notice in my body and my mind if I haven’t practiced. Yoga is more than just an exercise for me. There is no avoiding it because the movements work with the breath they become a form of meditation.’ The continued practice of the exercises will, whether you intend it or not, eventually influence you toward wanting to understand more and wanting to develop yourself outside the practice on the mat.

Booking Yoga Retreats and Yoga Teacher Training in India is a good choice if you want to give a certification to your yoga practice and help others in their life.

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floridaindependentblog · 5 years ago

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Is your definition of vacation a time to get away, unwind, and simply relax?

Not everyone is looking for an action-packed vacation full of activities that can be posted on social media every few minutes. For many, the idea of just stepping away from the routine and busyness of everyday life is a thrill of its own.

So if a relaxing vacation is exactly what you need, then it’s going to help to know the most peaceful destinations on the planet.

We’ll take a look at five of these top destinations

1. Tulum, Mexico

While others flock to Puerto Vallarta or Cabos San Lucas, those who want to relax and unwind head to Tulum on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast.

One of its major attractions for those looking to get away is Playa Paraiso, or Paradise Beach. This secluded, palm-fringed beach of gorgeous white sand bordering calm and clear waters remains relatively quiet.

Start your day either just lounging in the rays on the beach, or perhaps swimming and snorkeling among the fish. As the afternoon rolls around, you can enjoy a cool drink and authentic Mexican cuisine at one of the bars or restaurants along the beach.

If exploration is more your idea of relaxation, there are Mayan ruins towering over the sea in Tulum. In fact, Tulum was once a walled city that was built by the Mayans.

There is an abundance of well preserved archaeological sites to explore. Among the best are El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Descending God.

You may also poke around the sacred caverns of LabnaHa Eco Park, or snorkel in the underwater caves at Cenote Dos Ojos.

2. Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

If you crave the quiet of the mountains when you’re looking to escape your everyday life, then consider the small hamlet of Lake Louise.

Located just off the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) in Banff National Park, Lake Louise has a small shopping center with a grocery store, bar, deli, bakery, sporting goods store, and visitor information center.

They also have a wide variety of restaurants and accommodation options.

Lake Louise is much smaller and quieter than the town of Banff. And this smaller intimate setting allows visitors to truly take in the mountain views and perfectly blue waters — whether from a hiking trail or simply out the window of your hotel room as you relax.

3. Ubud, Bali

Although the town of Ubud in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia, is known as a center for traditional crafts and dance, it is surrounded by rainforests and terraced rice paddies.

It’s also dotted with Hindu temples and shrines, and the site of ancient holy sites including the intricately carved Goa Gajah (“Elephant Cave”) and the rock-cut shrines of Gunung Kawi.

You may be familiar with Ubud if you read Eat, Pray, Love. It makes perfect sense that Elizabeth Gilbert would have chosen this peaceful locale with its many options for relaxation.

When you plan your trip, check out some of the amazing yoga retreats in this area. And as one of Asia’s top spa destinations, you can indulge in a Balinese massage for complete surrender.

Finally, if you want to enjoy a good laugh, head to the nearby nature reserve of Monkey Forest Park and laugh along with the long-tailed macaques.

4. Blue Lagoon, Iceland

If you’re more drawn to the cold than the heat, then head to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. This geothermal spa spot is by far the most popular tourist destinations that Iceland has to offer.

There’s really nothing else on the planet like this region renowned for its barren landscapes and cone-shaped volcanoes. Dark black lava fields with creeping grey moss serve as a contrast for the beautiful milky-blue water that makes up the lagoon.

Though it may sound chilly by description, the water remains at a temperature of 102 degrees all year. This makes it a wonderful place to bathe, soak, and replenish both your skin and your spirit.

You can soak in those warm waters even when the temperatures are freezing. And on clear nights during certain times of the year, you can even take in the incomparable beauty of the Northern Lights as you bathe.

The lagoon is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland and is only a 15-minute drive from the Keflavík International Airport, and a 30-minute drive from the capital city of Reykjavík.

This makes it the perfect place to stop when you first arrive in Iceland, and before you leave.

5. Mendoza, Argentina

Mendoza, Argentina, is best known for its Malbec wines.

Though even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, you’ll find peace and calm in this sunny cosmopolitan city.

As you wander its tree-lined streets, you’ll find a number of world-class spas where you can spend the afternoon. Then dine later in one of their terrific restaurants.

Mendoza is less than a two-hour plane ride from Buenos Aires. But it couldn’t be any different from the larger bustling city. The laid-back energy of Mendoza encourages visitors to slow down and take their time. Long wine-fuelled lunches are the norm.

And it’s not unusual to drop dinner plans and lay out a blanket for a picnic instead. Watching the sunset over the Andes makes the perfect backdrop.

Downtown Mendoza is picturesque and it’s very easy to find your way around the city. Many would argue though that the true Mendoza experience lies in visiting the vineyards found in the small surrounding towns and rural areas.

There is no public transportation available to these more rural locales though. There are tour companies that offer all-day wine tours.

But you may want to rent a car or bicycle to make a truly relaxing day of exploring the wineries and the countryside. Just be sure you have a designated driver!

Kick Back and Enjoy Your Relaxing Vacation

Whether you’re going to sit back and catch up on your reading, practice yoga every day, or just walk in the woods, you have many destination options for your relaxing vacation.

We hope that it’s everything you ever wanted!

And for more informational articles and inspiration about enjoying a yoga retreat in Bali, keep checking back with us!

The post 5 Most Relaxing Destinations Around the World appeared first on Florida Independent.

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accuhunt · 5 years ago

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Work From Home Tips From Someone Who’s Been Doing it for Nearly a Decade!

Back in 2011, when I quit my full-time job as a social media strategist in Singapore, I had no idea how to work from home. I struggled with my newfound freedom and lack of accountability. It was a challenge to be disciplined, meet deadlines and maintain a work-life balance in the face of myriad distractions.

And yet, as a newbie freelancer with little to fall back on, I knew I had to make it work. I’ve worn many hats since – travel writer, digital marketer, social entrepreneur, travel blogger, sustainable tourism consultant and author. As a digital nomad, I’ve worked on the go from a wide range of places: Guatemala, Georgia, Germany and Goa, among others.

Ever since the on-going crisis put us in a lockdown, I’ve seen plenty of work from home tips floating around. Get out of your PJs, draw up a regimented schedule, wear shoes (really?!), leave the TV on in the background (REALLY?!) and use fancy workflow tools.

I don’t know about you, but for me, the best part about working from home is being able to do it in my PJs No shoes, no bra, no complicated apps, no regimented schedules. Some discipline certainly helps. But so does the flexibility, and the creativity that stems from it.

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You could be looking for working from home advice to continue your full-time job, or simply to make this lockdown period more productive. A bit different from the work from home tips out there, here are mine to boost your productivity during these difficult times:

Tackle the biggest work from home challenge – social media

I guess it’s pretty obvious that in order to work from home (or anywhere else), you need to get your scrolling butt off Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, Whatsapp, Quora and whatever else you’re addicted to.

As someone who relies on social media for work, I could fool myself in my early work from home days that I was being productive. But over the years, I’ve mastered several tricks to ensure I don’t squander away all my time on social media:

Set time limits for apps: Discovering this iPhone feature has been a life-changer (Android has it too) and it’s perhaps my most essential working from home advice. When I’m not creating content on the go, I set it to one hour daily. I don’t always end up sticking to the limit, but once my cumulative hour is up, I constantly need to hit ‘ignore time limit’ to use any social networking app. This constant reminder keeps me productive.

Mute whatsapp group notifications so your phone isn’t constantly buzzing: Someone recently tweeted that teaching our parents how to use whatsapp is probably the biggest mistake of our generation! It’s seriously mindboggling how much time people tend to spend on whatsapp, reading and sharing mostly pointless forwards. As you work from home, especially during this lockdown time, make sure your whatsapp group notifications are muted (for a week, month or year), or the constant (and often fake) corona news won’t let you work at all!

Move your most-used social media apps away from the main screen: Doesn’t sound like much, but the simple act of moving my Instagram, Facebook and Twitter apps away from my main screen has decreased the time I spend on them. Every time I unlock my phone, my eyes instinctively look for Instagram, even if I intend to do something else. Not having the app in its place is a quick but effective reminder that I didn’t actually need it.

Use an app to block social media on your desktop / phone while you work: If none of the above tricks work for you, opt to use an app that simply doesn’t let you access social media for a certain amount of time. Offtime lets you block social apps and games. Freedom is a desktop tool to stop yourself from constantly refreshing your emails or whiling away time on distracting websites.

Monitor your screen time: You can read all the work from home tips out there, but monitoring what’s working is equally essential. Every few days, I check Screen Time on my phone to see the time I’ve spent on various apps and the result is usually shocking. Last week, thanks to the pandemic, my screen time averaged a whopping 4.5 hours a day. I’m determined to bring it down this week.

Also read: Life Lessons From 2 Years of Travelling

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A post shared by Shivya Nath (@shivya) on Oct 4, 2019 at 9:35pm PDT

Keep old-fashioned notes, a long list of tasks and a short list of priorities

I’ve tried a whole bunch of note-keeping, productivity-boosting and to-do list keeping apps often found among work from home tips. But I always revert back to good old-fashioned notes (on my phone or in a physical notebook). Constantly distracted by technology, I always feel like I can do with one less app. Plus the joy of physically crossing something off your to-do list never diminishes!

Whatever your preference, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you need / want to accomplish in a day or week. Some working from home advice that works for me is constantly jotting down all my pending tasks – even the ones that pop into my head just before sleeping. Every day or two, I realistically pick a few that are priority and dedicate my time to them.

Also read: Advice for the Young and Penniless Who Dream of Travel

Figure out a couple of music playlists that help you focus – and stick to them

You could be sharing your work from home space with a family that’s constantly buzzing around you. Or roommates with high decibel levels. Or with yourself, trying to keep the loneliness at bay. In every case, music helps.

I’ve found a fair few instrumental music playlists over the years that help me focus. Every time I listen to them, my mind automatically goes into work mode. Take some time to figure out what kind of music inspires you and lets you concentrate – and use it over and over again.

Some of my favorite ‘work from home’ playlists:

Piano music by Yiruma: So beautiful, sometimes I think I’d cry. But it puts me in a calm, melancholic mood which helps me write on good days.

Spanish guitar: Perfect for days I’m feeling low but need to work.

Marjan Farsad – Blue Flowers: Music that fills me with a strange nostalgia for Iran, but somehow puts my mind at ease.

Work out little rewards for yourself

When you work for yourself, or when your boss isn’t breathing down your neck, it can be hard to stay disciplined. I learnt early on in my work from home life that if I wanted to get some instant gratification for any work I managed to accomplish, I’d have to give it to myself. So I started setting little incentives for myself. I swear among all work from home tips, this one really works!

If I work without distractions for half an hour, or finish writing part of a story, or manage to cross off a time-consuming task on my to-do list, I reward myself. My rewards range from a snack, a quick call with a friend, a quick video on youtube or a few minutes of social media. I’ve even watched entire movies with 15 minute bites as rewards!

Also read: How to Indulge Your Wanderlust at Home During the Travel Lockdown

Sometimes the reward is just tuning out like this.

Flexibility, exercise and recreation time helps

I’m not a big fan of having a fixed routine. I find that it stifles creativity. Instead of a fixed work schedule, I find short bursts of high productivity far more effective than dragging work all day. Depending on the kind of work you do, maybe you feel differently. But atleast it’s worth experimenting with the flexibility that working from home affords.

I must confess that in my early work from home years, I let this flexibility consume me. Being self-employed, I felt there was always more I could squeeze into my time. But sacrificing that work-life balance can only burn us out.

These days, I try to workout in the morning (usually functional training or yoga), take out time to read and spend atleast an hour on something recreational. During the lockdown, that could mean practicing a language, watching a movie or bird watching. On days when I get lazy and don’t exercise physically or mentally, I can see a huge drop in my productivity.

Also read: How I Managed to Pay Off 26000$ of Student Loan: Candid Tips for Freelancers and Travel Bloggers

If you live with someone, figure out your “corner” or clarify you’re working

Yes, I’m totally thinking of the Michael Scott Paper Company from The Office (if you haven’t seen the show, go binge watch!). Anyway, the best working from home advice while you’re living with someone is to create some space where people know not to disturb you. Ideally, this would be somewhere no one can even find you.

But failing that, it could be as simple as letting your partner, family or roommates know that you’re going into that mental space where you’d rather not be disturbed. Cutting out even 50% of the distraction can do wonders for our productivity.

Also read: Inspiring Places to Live, Work and Explore as a Digital Nomad

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A post shared by Shivya Nath (@shivya) on Feb 10, 2020 at 9:24pm PST

Practice ‘news distancing’ (essential addition to work from home tips in 2020)

We’re already practicing social distancing. But I’m finding that for my own sanity, some amount of news distancing is important too! In the past few days, I’ve ignored my own work from home tips and found myself scrolling endlessly on news websites, while also consuming news from social media, whatsapp and offline conversations. It’s been mentally overwhelming, and terrible for my productivity.

I’m now determined to catch up on the news only once a day, and focus the rest of my time on staying productive and positive. I recommend you do the same.

Also read: Unexpected Ways Long Term Travel Has Changed Me

Don’t be hard on yourself

This global travel lockdown is unprecedented. No one in our generation, or the one before us, has seen anything like it. We’re all dealing with the information overload, panic and social isolation in our own ways. So when it comes to implementing working from home advice, don’t be hard on yourself.

Even when I chose this life all those years ago and felt determined to make it work, it took me a long time to figure out how to stay disciplined and create a work-life balance. Whether you’re choosing it or have no choice, take a step back and think of all the things we take for granted. An income, access to technology, health. Go with the flow and stay positive. You’ve got this.

Are you working from home these days? What are some work from home tips you’ve found helpful?

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katherineaustin · 5 years ago

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Hatha Yoga- A Guide to India's Most Ancient and Sacred Yoga Practice

When we think of yoga, more often than not, we imagine complex poses and associate weight loss with it. Some people think of yoga pants while others contemplate joining the bandwagon to appear cool. The truth is that the real essence and meaning of yoga has long been forgotten. Authentic yoga has been overshadowed by fancy terms and complex poses.

We can connect to the roots of yoga by understanding its origin and history. The origin of yoga came from Hatha Yoga- India’s ancient and sacred practice. Let’s explore more about this magnificent form of yoga in depth.

Meaning of Hatha

If we begin to break the word ‘Hatha’, ‘Ha’ means sun and ‘Tha’ means moon in Sanskrit. The aim of this yoga practice is to form a balance between our feminine and masculine energies. It also helps in purifying your energy and making you more disciplined. Hatha Yoga is known to be the origin from where other branches of yoga came into existence.

According to Sadhguru, Hatha yoga prepares an individual for true yoga which means experiencing everything as oneness in your consciousness. He further mentions that it is important for your body, mind, and breath to work as a single unit to incorporate all the aspects of who you are.

A typical Hatha Yoga class consists of Breath, asanas, mudras, bandha, mantras, relaxation, and visualization. In recent times, most people miss out on the real meaning of yoga and simply perceive it as an exercise. Yoga is about making your mind flexible and not just your body. With a strong practice you can reach deeper states in meditation and unblock your energy.

History of Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga has its origin way back in the era of the founding father, Patanjali who is the author of Yoga Sutras. Hatha yoga was practiced back in the day as yoga asanas are a preparation for deep meditation. Thus, it can be said that Hatha yoga has been there for a long time and one must understand the true practice and purpose of yoga. You can find more information about Hatha yoga from ‘The Hatha Yoga Pradipika’ which is an influential text discussing everything that you must know.

It talks about Yoga asanas, Shatkarma, Pranayama, Mudras, Chakras, Meditation, Kundalini, Nada Yoga, and much more. The book is divided into four chapters. The first chapter talks about how each yoga posture must be performed for making the yoga effective. The second chapter talks about Pranayama followed by Shatkarma and Kriyas. While the third chapter is about Mudras, fourth one talks about the final aim of Hatha yoga i.e. to reach Samadhi.

How is Hatha Yoga Different from Vinyasa Yoga?

The Vinyasa yoga can be described as the flow of yoga where the asanas blend seamlessly within each other. You hardly pause after a movement or pose. It is a fast paced practice and known as power yoga by many people.

Vinyasa also offers similar benefits as Hatha yoga such as flexibility and strength but is relatively fast-paced and considered modern form of yoga. It can feel dancy and flowy. However, you must not undermine Hatha Yoga as holding the poses using Pranayama breathing techniques can be challenging both mentally and physically.

Hatha yoga pays more attention to slowing down the breath in each movement helping you reach a higher state of meditation as you open up nadis and chakras. The main goal of Hatha is to awaken the Kundalini energy through asana and Pranayama.

Both styles have their own benefits and you can try them both to decide which form of yoga works better for you.

Hatha Yoga Poses for Beginners

Tadasana- Mountain pose

Vrikshasana- Tree Pose

Uttanasana- Standing Forward Bend

Adho Mukha Svanasana- Downward Facing Dog

Setu Bandhasana- Bridge Pose

Paschimottanasana- Seated Forward Bend

Benefits of Hatha Yoga

Promotes cardiac health

Helps in getting rid of anxiety and depression

Promotes emotional health and well-being

Helps in managing stress

Promotes flexibility of mind and body

Induces better sleep

Helps you achieve healthy lifestyle

Leads to healthy and glowing skin

Strengthens your core

Improves your balance and posture

Hatha Yoga Retreats

If all the interesting insight on Hatha yoga has got you excited to immerse yourself in it and witness its benefits, join some amazing yoga retreat. Here’s a few of them for your reference.

5 day immersive Hatha yoga retreat in Pokhra, Nepal

8 day ‘laugh with your inner child’ yoga retreat in Austria

10 day life transforming Hatha yoga retreat in South Africa

You can find more information about these retreats online and make bookings on their website by connecting via email or telephone. The retreats are a great way of experiencing any form of yoga without committing for a longer duration which is demanded by yoga teacher training courses. Learning yoga amidst beautiful and serene surroundings is a unique experience which relaxes and rejuvenates your mind and body.

Hatha Yoga Teacher’s Training

If you wish to ace the nuances of Hatha Yoga and aspire to spread the true essence of yoga to others, the Hatha yoga Teacher’s Training Course is an ideal choice for you. Irrespective of whether you are a beginner or advanced practitioner, the YTTC will offer everything you need. In fact, the training will improve and enhance your regular yoga practice. And after the training you will be entitled to make a career as yoga tutor in any part of the world.

You can join the following programs for your YTTC:

200-hour Hatha & Ashtanga Vinyasa flow teacher training- Goa, India

27 day 200-hour Hatha/ Vinyasa YTT - Rishikesh, India

30 day 200-hour Hatha yoga teacher training - Bali, Indonesia

The above mentioned facts and information might have changed your perception about yoga and how its ultimate goal is to attain peace and oneness.

This blog post is written by Chinmay Yoga in India-

Chinmay Yoga is a Yoga School in Dharamsala, India which works to spread yoga knowledge by providing free drop-in classes, conducting yoga teacher training in India (Yoga Alliance) for 799 USD with amazing homemade food, great accommodation with air conditioning and very knowledgeable yoga teachers from India. Chinmay Yoga also works for the nature and surroundings around it by planting trees and installing dustbins in the city. Learn more about them from www.chinmayyoga.com and on Instagram

#yoga course in india #yoga teacher training in india #300 hour yoga teacher training in india #200 Hours YTTC #yoga alliance certification

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