July 2008

Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park is a wildlife sanctuary located 80 km from Mysore with several species of animals and birds. It was chosen as a tiger reserve by the WWF’s Project Tiger launched in 1973 to save the tiger. There are guided safaris so you can watch these animals in their natural habitat. The best time to catch a glimpse of wildlife is between May and October. There are also a few wildlife resorts in the area where you can stay such as Water Woods.
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Esteemed yogi Richard Freeman explains why you might want to stretch yourself

The Ottawa Citizen
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Richard Freeman, 58, is a much sought-out teacher of Ashtanga yoga. At his Yoga Workshop in Boulder, Colorado, he has trained many instructors from the Ottawa area. This weekend, he will teach a sold-out workshop at Santosha Yoga in Ottawa. In a wide-ranging conversation, he spoke to James Macgowan about Beaver Tails, Madonna and the commercial success of yoga. What follows is an abbreviated version of that interview:
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Ashtanga Vinyasa Intensive: Workshop with Manju Jois
http://www.yogaden.co.uk/
(10 students only)

A fantastic opportunity to work in a small group with the son of the founder of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Manju is great fun and an inspirational teacher, still teaching in the traditional way. Each class will consist of self practice where Manju will work closely with you giving 1:1 adjustments. He will also lead the group through pranayama and mantra chanting. 6 sessions 190 . Individual sessions 35 each. There are a choice of start times. FRI, MON, TUES, WED – 10am OR 11.30am OR 6.30pm and SAT, SUN 10am OR 11.30am. 10 students MAX. Each class will last at least 2hrs.

Chamundi Hill

On the outskirts of Mysore city is Chamundi Hill. You can get there by auto-rickshaw or city bus 201. Entrance is free, but be prepared for all the vendors anxious to sell you postcards and trinkets.

You can either ride most of the way or take the 1,000 steps to the top. Along the climb, there are vantage points to park and take in the view of Mysore City. Halfway up is a 5-meter high granite statue of Nandi, Shiva’s mount. At the apex is the beautiful Gopuram of Chamundi Temple. Also, nearby are the temple of Mahabaleswara and a statue of Mahishasura, the demon slaughtered by goddess Chamundi, a form of Kali.
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So now having waxed profusely on the incredible culinary delights of Mysore in my previous post, the question foremost in most students’ minds is “Is the food safe to eat or will I be crying feverishly while clinging to my blankie, formerly known as my cool $80 Mysore rug?”

Good question – glad you asked. I first arrived in Mysore armed for battle! My weapons of choice included grapefruit seed extract, a vegetable scrub brush and peeler. Whatever was left of my food after sanitizing it, exfoliating every crevice and peeling it down to an unrecognizable nub, I would ingest with a fistful of probiotics and enzymes. Ahhh, my plan was foolproof! Parasites didn’t have a chance.
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