| Articles about Gokulam, Mysore |
| Review of Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Gokulam By Paul Dallaghan Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute Gokulum, Mysore Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois Sharath Rangaswamy by Paul Dallaghan Whether you realise it or not, either directly or indirectly, the reason for pulling you towards Mysore is the work done by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his guru Sri. Krishnamacharya over the past 75 years. Mysore is known as the home of ashtanga vinyasa yoga. It is here that Jois has dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of this approach to yoga. This approach is also responsible for the current global yoga popularity, though watered down in many off- shoot forms. One thing is for sure, Sri Jois has stayed true and committed to its teaching in a very clear and thorough manner over the past 65+ years. A visit to Mysore and the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute will reveal this fact. Studying with Pattabhi Jois, or Guruji, and his grandson Sharath, gives one the real flavour of how the practice is. January 2003 saw the AYRI open its doors at a new location after 50 or so years at the "old shala". This new shala is a magnificent structure with a large and bright practice space. Focus, calm and joy permeates through Guruji's and Sharath's teaching. These qualities are the product of yoga and can easily be felt. We are aware that yoga is not merely about the physical. It becomes clear in this approach and their teaching. Patience, focus and dedication lead one to growth and advancement. The ambience created in this space tends to nurture these qualities. If not, the result is one's own personal anguish and disappointment. Guruji will just simply say "yes, you come, you do". The maxim "practice, practice, practice and all is coming" is to be realized here. Although Guruji is in his late 80s his strength and vitality is great to see and experience. The practicals: the shala is open to all levels, from the absolute beginner to the seasoned, returning practitioner. Practice begins at 6am with space for about 30-35 students at a time. If one is arriving new there will probably be a wait time. As the first group finishes up the next fills the spots. If you like to watch others practicing you may sit there for an hour, otherwise wait time could be 5 to 15 minutes. A look into the room will find a very vibrant and active Guruji and Sharath teaching and adjusting. The approach to teaching here is the "Mysore" style or self practice. Every student learns the sequence of postures, combining the linking movement known as vinyasa. If you are new to the practice, do not know the sequence or have difficulty in poses, you will receive ample attention as is required. Those more familiar and adept with the series will be let practice on. Adjustments are given when needed and not for the sake of trying to satisfy every student's desires. Through yoga one becomes non-dependent. Teaching is ultimately subtle. Hands on when needed. Sharath will carefully monitor your practice and let you know when you're ready for new poses or to begin a new series. Commitment and time in practice are required. The key to the best experience there is to come each day and just practice, no expectations. After all, this is yoga and it's our own inner experience. One thing is for sure, both Guruji and Sharath care about yoga, the practice and the student. They are not there to try to push people on or satisfy individual wants. The integrity of the practice is highlighted. And this is why we go to such experienced teachers. In addition to practicing and studying under the ashtanga masters themselves, Guruji and Sharath have also made Sanskrit chanting available to students in the afternoon and Sanskrit language in the morning. This takes place in the shala for registered students at 300 Rps or $6 for the month. The aim of all the teaching is to help a student progress down the path of yoga, removing the obstacles and impurities that are in the way. Given the time and honest and pure approach from the student this progress can happen. It is counterproductive to run around to others in Mysore who offer teachings. Typically this comes from a distracted mind or the overactive ego to try and push open the back or get on to a new series. It results ultimately in too much stress on the system, damage to the nerves and ultimately confusing and clouding to the mind by receiving too many teachings and approaches. It is for this reason that the policy at the shala is that if you study there you commit to your teachers and their guidelines. Stay focused and allow the process to happen. If you decide to go to other teachers you'll be asked not to study at the shala anymore as it is counterproductive to them investing their time in teaching you. The monthly fee is US$350 with an additional $200 registration fee the first month you come. So basically that means you pay $550 for the first month and $350 for every month after that. To get the most out of your time there a three month stay at least is recommended, longer if you can is great, and if you only have one month then you are also most welcome. You can register from 4:30-5:30pm, Monday to Friday. Bring a passport photo. If you know for sure you are coming then it is recommended to write in advance and let them know. To get to the shala just give any rickshaw driver the following address. This is also where you will write. Enjoy the experience. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Sharath Rangaswamy Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute 235 8th Cross, 3rd Stage Gokulam, Mysore 570002 Karnataka State India -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life in Gokulam By Paul Dallaghan The new wave of yoga living in Mysore is growing up in Gokulam. Gokulam is a suburb of Mysore, away from most of the noise, traffic and pollution of the city, and considered to be one of the prime residential spots. Characteristic signs of India are ever present there but it is a much more comfortable and homely area to live in. Perhaps the best element for the yoga student staying in this neighborhood is the freedom and ease to walk to yoga, walk to lunch, walk to a friend's place, walk to evening chanting or walk to the corner store or Internet for your basic requirements. Gokulam has become the new focus for students as of January 2003 due to the fact that Sri. Pattabhi Jois has relocated his yoga shala to a new and impressive space in this neighborhood. All the facilities from the last twenty years or so are still available in the old areas but Gokulam is receiving students and facilities in growing numbers. As mentioned, much neighbourhood walking, even strolling, can be done yet, on your own scooter, or braving the rickshaw man, a 10-minute ride gets you in to the "city." So all in all the neighborhood is much "calmer," as Guruji would say, but also quite accessible to whatever you want to do in Mysore. Living here is just getting established, but already after a few months, the majority of students are finding places, some through word-of-mouth and others through real estate agents. Therefore, enquiring with other students at the shala and the odd other "helper" of students should lead you to something quite quickly. As the student turnover in Gokulam grows, so will the number of places and the knowledge of them. The best source is always the student grapevine to find out who has a share available or if someone is leaving and their apartment will be available. Expect to pay a little more than in old Lakshmipuram. Rents can be from 3000 - 9000 rps but the quality of place is higher and newer. Grocery Shopping Apart from the standard corner store and fruit and veg shop there are two supermarkets. Loyal World is on Temple Road. If heading out of Gokulam on the main road, instead of going straight to the city or train station, you go right for Loyal World. This road is also dotted with many fruit and veg stalls. To the end of it and left you will find a brand new Nilgiris which is probably the best shopping spot in Mysore. It is the same road as the Southern Star, just in case the previous directions lost you! Internet There are a few small Internet "cafés" in Gokulam. All are connected by cable but the speed and connection does vary. So if you need a few hours of fast service just hop on your scooter, drive to Nilgiris, turn right just before it driving through what appears to be countryside with the lake reservoir on your left. At the end a quick left and right and about a half mile down the road you find the Hub, or dishnet. It still is the fastest service in Mysore as they have their own cable and are part of a national company. Food This is such an important aspect of students' lives. Not just because of its effect on your practice, but because it can mean the difference between staying healthy or getting sick. Eat clean and well, help in keeping the immune system strong, and your days should be peaceful and healthy. It's never a one hundred percent, as India has a great power on the first time arrivee of cleaning them out, which ultimately is recommended, but research does reveal that those who get sick have eaten badly, drank tap water or even brushed their teeth with it. There are only a few restaurants in all of Mysore, and perhaps all of India, that we would recommend. Indian restaurant food, chiefly the north Indian cooked meals, are loaded with oil and a thickening powder, which ultimately doesn't treat your stomach and intestine nicely. South Indian thalis, idlies, dosas, rice bhaths are pretty free of them. Even better is home cooked food, either by yourself or some of the industrious Indian ladies in Gokulam who do so with love. Here are a few: Home Cooked - First, mention has to be given to the great "Aunty." Although she is not in Gokulam, she has been serving clean, healthy and nutritious breakfasts, lunches and dinners to students for the past five years or more. If going toward the city or living in Lakshmipuram or its vicinity she is worth it. Her little house is opposite the Kaveri Lodge Hotel with a small sign saying "Aunty house." Some students bring her to their house to do a special meal. Currently she's coming to Gokulam to one the student's houses on Mondays. Well worth and really the best! - Janaki, aka Bay's Landlady. After a request from some of the students Janaki has started offering some of the most tasty and nutritious food you'll find on this planet. Her thought was never to do it as a business or to make money but just to feed us with love. It's seen in her face. This aspect of intention is most important which tells us the purity of the food. It's too difficult to explain how to find so just ask some of the students. Now known as Janaki's Yogic Foods, she cooks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is wise to let her know in advance. Call 500058. If you have a group that wants to eat on another day you can also call her to book it. - Tina, the cooking and teaching mistress. She has also relocated to Gokulam. Her house is just off the KRS Road near the Hare Krishna temple. She's made a nice little garden café in the back. She serves breakfasts to all the students but is chiefly known for her cooking lessons. Typically a few students (5 or so) get together and are taught through a cooking session of their choice. The end result is that you get to enjoy the fruit of your, or rather Tina's, labour. - The Three Sisters did relocate to Gokulam but are now back in their old place near the Kaveri Lodge. They have thalis, all clean, nutritious and home cooked, as well as their renowned juice bar. Their juices are made the same as any juice bar in the West, which means just the fruit and/or vegetable. (Avoid the Indian juice stops as they add sugar and their water which will give you a majorly fast "cleansing" period.) - Also out of Gokulam is Sandhya. A student of Guruji in the early 70s as a young lady now she has rooms and mouth watering lunches for students. She's back in the old neighbourhood though, near Lakshmipuram, just up from Mahesh Prasad. Lunches can be arranged there. Her number is 332648. Restaurants in Gokulam - Gokul chats or more commonly known as Woodlands because it's beside the Woodlands Guesthouse, is just off of the KRS Road when turning into Gokulam. Great big idlies (and if you don't know what an idly is, just try one, with sambar, and they're perfectly safe!!) We didn't like their thali though. - There's a brand new Nalpak on the main Gokulam road. Very clean, lots of space and choice. Perfect for breakfast or lunch. - Green Leaf is a brand new, clean restaurant frequented by Gokulam living Western students of yoga. It is off of Temple Road, perpendicular to it, at the second roundabout, meaning the one just after Loyal World supermarket. They offer everything. - Hotel Rashi is in the heart of the Gokulam "market," but we're not planning on recommending it yet. So stick with the others or especially the home cooking ladies. Water As mentioned, do not drink or brush your teeth with water from the taps. When showering, or more likely taking a bucket bath, just keep your lips closed. This is not to make you paranoid, as it is pretty safe here, but it's better to be wise and safe. So take the precaution. Dishes and utensils can be washed in tap water; just make sure whatever you use is dry. Simple as that. You can buy bottled water from most stores but most convenient is to have a big 25 liter vessel delivered. The best and quickest in Gokulam we have found is Marina. Call them on 500564. Best to call in the morning so you get the lady with good English. Tell them you are new. A deposit is required for the can, 250 rps, and then it's 50 rps for each load of water. Well worth it!! Coconuts Fortunately for all at the yoga shala, Beck, the coconut-man of Lakshmipuram, is outside every morning with a fresh batch of juicy and sweet coconuts. These are one of the best things about practicing in Mysore. They are excellent for rehydration post practice and the "white meat" of it, known as gungy, is also great for you. Anyway, on-the-spot outside service is there! Accommodation If you're not staying with friends or haven't found an apartment, then the best spot in Gokulam for students is Woodlands Guesthouse, just off of the KRS Road. Simply tell your rickshaw or taxi driver to take you there. You will then be in walking distance to the shala and most other Gokulam conveniences. Tell them you are a yoga student sent by Mr. Joseph and you're in for a special discount. Scooters - Motorbike Rental We don't know of anyone doing so directly in Gokulam but it doesn't really matter because the purpose of getting one is to be mobile. Typically it gets delivered to you. A few people arrange this service but the main one is Niru. Call him on 429141. Bhajans What are they? A great thing for all budding and spiritually inclined yoga students. Devotional chanting, call and response most often, accompanied by various musical instruments from India. . . . The Ramakrishna Ashram at the top of the Gokulam Main Road, at the junction of KRS Road, has a very high spiritual program each evening at 7pm. They also have the best bookshop in Mysore (for all books on yoga and spirituality). That is open from 9-12 and 4-7pm. The Hare Krishna temple, near Tina's, off of the KRS Road. Not the image we have in the West but just a nice temple with a daily program of chanting and Bhagavad Gita discussions. Sai Baba bhajans—done in the homes of devotees on different nights. The only one we can figure out is the house right next door to the shala. Every Thursday night from 6pm to 7:20. You can arrive late but why!?! These are real, alive and vocal bhajans with feeling by the men and women brought up with them. Ammachi's—out of Gokulam all the way on the Bogadi Road but well worth it on a Sunday night. Beginning sometime after 6pm, wrapping up around 8pm. It is held at Ammachi's AICT for which you will see signs when driving out there. Enjoy!!! © 2003 Paul Dallaghan __________________________________________________ This Article was taken from www.ashtanga.com |
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