Today marks the second day that I dragged myself out of bed at 5:45 am to go to my newfound morning yoga class! Starting at 6am, just before the heat and bustle of the city climb to unbelievable levels, the class is located in a small garden just a few minutes away from my house. And it's free! The class is not exactly what I was expecting when my host sister (in-law) invited me to join her- she is on a health kick these days. The mornings are serene and for once the traffic didn't overpower all of my senses. Bleary-eyed we arrived to the little garden/temple area and walked a few laps around the grass (after all, 'walking on grass barefoot is very good for your eyesight, you know Sarah'). Green long panels cover the front of the lawn to give a little extra padding under our mats (sheets), and they are split into men's and women's sides. Women in full saris and salwaar suits trickled in and took their spots on the panels. I couldn't help but laugh to myself when a group of women power walked in all wearing salwaars and blaring white reebok sneakers- workout group! I just may have stumbled upon the Hampshire Fitness of Jodhpur.
After ten minutes of silent meditation, aka the most quite I've experienced since I've been here, one man and one woman stand in front and lead the class. Bangles jingled with each set of jumping jacks, arm circles, and forward bends . I couldn't help but wonder how doing high-knees in a sari might work out? 'Ek do, ek do, ek do (one two, one two, one two) es-stop!'.. sun-salutation bootcamp. A cross between yoga and aerobics, the class may be just what I need to counteract the pounds of oil, ghee (clarified butter), and most delicious sweets I've ever had. I attribute the fact that I was actually sweating at the end solely to the rising temperature of the morning.. really!
At the front of the garden there is a small temple in a gazebo type structure where a few men sit around incense and a fire to recite early morning prayers over a loudspeaker, 'Om shanti shanti shanti.' After the 'cardio' section is done, a man sits on a platform in front of us and leads another meditation and breathing session. Doing yogic breathing of different kinds, although making me feel light headed from time to time, is a fabulous way to start the day. As we meditated and did kapalbhati breathing (a series of short and compressed exhales), the smoke and prayer music from the temple filled the grassy lawn. Before I knew it, an hour and a half had past and it was time to walk home to get ready for work. Note to self: shake off a little of the meditative daze before trying to cross the cow, bus, and rickshaw crowded streets.
After ten minutes of silent meditation, aka the most quite I've experienced since I've been here, one man and one woman stand in front and lead the class. Bangles jingled with each set of jumping jacks, arm circles, and forward bends . I couldn't help but wonder how doing high-knees in a sari might work out? 'Ek do, ek do, ek do (one two, one two, one two) es-stop!'.. sun-salutation bootcamp. A cross between yoga and aerobics, the class may be just what I need to counteract the pounds of oil, ghee (clarified butter), and most delicious sweets I've ever had. I attribute the fact that I was actually sweating at the end solely to the rising temperature of the morning.. really!
At the front of the garden there is a small temple in a gazebo type structure where a few men sit around incense and a fire to recite early morning prayers over a loudspeaker, 'Om shanti shanti shanti.' After the 'cardio' section is done, a man sits on a platform in front of us and leads another meditation and breathing session. Doing yogic breathing of different kinds, although making me feel light headed from time to time, is a fabulous way to start the day. As we meditated and did kapalbhati breathing (a series of short and compressed exhales), the smoke and prayer music from the temple filled the grassy lawn. Before I knew it, an hour and a half had past and it was time to walk home to get ready for work. Note to self: shake off a little of the meditative daze before trying to cross the cow, bus, and rickshaw crowded streets.
WOW. I really love all of your descriptions, Sarah! I feel like they give us a small glimpse of how beautiful Jodhpur must be. It sounds so colorful and full of life!
ReplyDelete