Figuring Out Life

We live in the age of science. Air travel, computers, cell phones—science and technology impacts our lives. Knowledge from medical science has aided our wellness. Science has removed some of the mystery from many illnesses and natural disasters. More people now accept that poor health is a result of germs, viruses and parasites. Natural disasters [...]

Impressions of Mumbai

The flyover from Mumbai airport was teeming with life and romance on this St. Valentine’s Day in the land that embraces all forms of spiritual expression, from the sacredness of the mother cow, to the celebration of Saint Valentine—in any form. Here in Mumbai along the swanky Marine Drive along Chowpatty beach and beyond to [...]

Traveling vs. Vacationing with Yoga

A blog from one of our fellow travelers and RY trained instructors, Sara: There is a difference between vacationing and traveling. Between going to one place and staying there for three weeks and going to a new place every couple of days for three weeks. Learning to stay healthy and happy in the latter situation [...]

Ashok

Ashok speaks Hindi, Rajasthani (he understands some of this dialect which is just a spoken language), English and French. He guided us through a whirlwind tour of the Pink City. The new part is only 50-60 years old and the old part is 295 years old, Nearby Amber is 1,000 years old, originally called Amer. [...]

Sameer

After Bublu’s car became disabled outside of Delhi and Ram had urgent matters at home: his wife had been suffering from Typhoid and needed additional medical and home care, Mahesh Johan became our driver number three. Mahesh was a gentler driver: less aggressive than most Delhi drivers. He may have been the first driver who [...]

Ram

Ram. He was our substitute for Bablu. Once you have a reliable man like Bablu, it’s an adjustment to embrace a new driver. When we first met Ram he was sleeping in his car on a cold, rainy Delhi winter morning. We had returned from Agra just after midnight and told our fellow travelers that [...]

Sardar Pugri House

Jasprit ‘s relationship developed with Jaspreet, owner of Sardar Pugri House in Amritsar, while he was searching for quality pugree (turban) cloth for the doras that we use in our yoga classes. Jasprit incorporated fabric to go beyond traditional yoga poses, thus enhancing strength and flexibility. Unlike rubber bands or thick belts used in other [...]

Langar Hall

Samapti marks the repose of the Guru Granth Sahib when it is covered again for the night. After experiencing Amrit Vela, we walked to the lungar hall, the free community kitchen, where we each took a stainless steel bowl  from the rack piled high with bowls freshly washed from the community sinks, entered the hall, [...]

Evening at Harmandar Sahib

After enjoying the play of soldiers at the border we returned to Amritsar to visit the Harmandar Sahib, The Golden Temple. Just after dusk, entering the complex, feet bare and washed, heads covered, we climbed the engraved marble stairs to behold the beauty of the Golden Temple, surrounded by a rectangular pool. Nighttime was the [...]

Amrit Vela

Awoke at 3:15 am to prepare to greet the Guru at the Harmandar Sahib. Har has two meanings: the Creator, and Everyone. This place of the creator is a place for all. Early morning as the stars express their last few sparkles and the silvery moon hangs in the pre-dawn sky, those seeking peace, reassurance, [...]