Archive for March, 2009

 

Mumbai Mirror interviews EndlessBender!

March 30, 2009 at 5:36 am in Media, On The Street | Please subscribe!

Thanks to Riddhi Wallia, Proprietor of PR boutique, Mirabilis Inc (and fellow yogi) who plugged my worldwide challenge, the Mumbai Mirror picked up my EndlessBender story and ran it in their Sunday 29th March edition.

Nilanjana Nag, correspondent for the Mumbai Mirror, interviewed me for the article. Nicely done Nilanjana!. You can download the article “The Other City Of Joy” here. Mumbai Mirror 29 March 2009

Please note the corrections:
Aqueel Bali should read Akhil Bali.
“a man in his fifties” Rajesh Jain, is actually in his forties. You can read about Rajesh in my previous post.

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26 Magical Asanas

March 29, 2009 at 9:21 pm in Yoga Practice | Please subscribe!

After a particular hard class one day, I walked out of the studio and looked into the eyes of Rajesh Jain, sitting in a pool of sweat, also recovering from the torture chamber. I was drawn to him so I sat down, introduced myself and was touched to hear his story. It gives me inspiration and energy when I’m doing it extremely tough in class..

Hi, my name is Rajesh Jain and this is my story…

“Just 8 sessions of Bikram Yoga and I am on my way to reclaim my life. This would not have been possible but for Matt’s year long journey around the world doing a session each day as the day dawns.

On 2nd March I came all decked up to find out what promises did Bikram Hot Yoga hold and was nearly into a breakdown towards the second half of the session. As Benn (our teacher) said Namaste after the 90 minutes, I knew this was my chance to get out and never be back into this modern nazi hot chamber again!

On my way out I happen to glance at a poster proclaiming Matt’s arrival to the Bombay center in India and his year long challenge in 12 different countries for a month in each. I thought it takes all kinds to make the world and this man must have valid reason for going through the torture each day. Good luck to him and off I was to home after a quick shower.

My father saw my sweat filled clothes and asked what I had done. I gave him a detailed run down of the 90 minute drill Benn made us go through. I also told him that I will never return to Bikram Hot Yoga again ever in my life! On the dinner table I also mentioned to him about Matt, who was crazy enough to be doing what he is, but to my horror my father got really impressed about Matt and told me if he could do a 30 day challenge for 12 months, why did I not try a 3 day challenge to begin with?

I also pondered whether I was good enough. I thought 2 more sessions and I have won the challenge. So I brought myself back, pushed back, more back and held on to the 26 magical asanas for 2 more days.

Ever since I am in love. Toxins gone, weight finally on its way to what it should be. I feel great to be doing each of the 90 minute grilling sessions. Due to my business travel I have done 10 sessions in the last 23 days and promise to be back, more back and push myself back into the hot chamber again and again.

Thanks Matt and thanks Dad!”

Rajesh Jain, Mumbai India.

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Manori Island Getaway

March 25, 2009 at 5:17 am in Everyday, On The Street | Please subscribe!

After a few weeks of the hustle and bustle of Mumbai life, Akhil promised us a little getaway with his extended family to Manori Island.

To get there we zig zagged on rickshaw through the quaint Versova Fishing Village, caught a ferry to Madh Island then set off on a mostly airborne bus ride to the end of the road. We then walked to the end of a whitish sandy beach, climbed aboard another ferry and motored quietly toward Manori Island. From the wharf a 4wd took us to our very basic and hidden away resort.

After lunch we wandered down onto the wide open beach before realizing none of us had brought beach towels! I guess we didn’t expect to swim, however we found a large grass mat hanging over the palm fence, set up camp and before long the girls were fast asleep.

Thankfully Manori beach is a lot cleaner than Juhu so a few of us braved a swim, followed by a little kite flying before lazing around and watching the sun set over the ocean.

More Manori Island getaway pics here!

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Over the hump!

March 19, 2009 at 9:54 pm in Yoga Practice | Please subscribe!

Since arriving in Mumbai my classes have been down or sideways with the occasional up day. It’s been the most challenging challenge so far but I’m still managing some breakthroughs!

A few days ago in class,  (Bikram Yoga teacher/manager at Mumbai) urged me to reach down and grab my heals in Ustrasana (Camel Pose), something I’d tried several times before, reaching backward only to grasp thin air where I was sure my heal would be.

Rowena is an amazing teacher, so with complete trust I reached behind me and there I was… bending it like Bikram! Well maybe not quite, but I was in the most powerful backward bend in Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class after 2 weeks of being unable to do any back bends without feeling dizzy and nauseated!

Then last night I made it into Padangustasana (Toe Stand) on the left side! I’ll be checking in with the other Yogis doing the challenge and let you know their stories soon.

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Beachside at Juhu, Mumbai

March 16, 2009 at 10:01 pm in On The Street | Please subscribe!

My first venture onto the beach in Mumbai drew conflicting emotions, alien from any I expected and typically feel – I love the beach and if I don’t visit regularly I go a little stir crazy until I throw myself into the clear blue to be cleansed and invigorated once again.

It was shortly after sunset when I’d met Anne for a Masala Chai at Mocha cafe, Juhu beach. After the Chai I was drawn towards the faint sound of small waves caressing the sand; it had been more than a few weeks now and I was frothing quietly.

Here the hassle is not from competing surfers amongst the waves, it’s before your toes (or still covered feet) touch the sand, beginning with little tapping hands against your leg followed by the more savvy, ignoring your repeated “naheen” hoping to break your false indifference.

As we walked I felt a tingling up my spine, the chai gnawing holes in my stomach and a loss of something that wasn’t mine but for all the world to enjoy.. our oceans and the way they should be respected, nurtured and enjoyed. Knowing I couldn’t run barefoot and swim for fear of getting sick was upsetting but in a few weeks I would again be moving on while the majority of Mumbai, trapped by class and poverty, left behind, unable to enjoy the simplest but most powerful of pleasures the oceans can bring.

Rest assured the clean up has begun with the beaches apparently more environmentally friendly than several years ago. Several campaigns are launched but the task is massive and who knows how long it will take. A quick google search will show students leading the charge with localized beach cleanups trying to keep the awareness high.

Several days later I returned with Andrea to witness the beach by daylight, relieved to find couples walking hand in hand, youngsters braving a swim and smiles on faces – telltale signs of the potential everyone can see. At the end of the beach I paused, looking out to sea and realized that even standing amongst the garbage I could appreciate the beauty and draw peace from an empty horizon.

FYI, the plush green lawn was less than 100 metres from this beachside slum.

For more pics, check out my Flickr.

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Happy Holi – Festival of Colour

March 12, 2009 at 5:40 am in On The Street | Please subscribe!

I was up so early this morning I had to wake the rickshaw driver, sound asleep on the back seat. He wasn’t exactly pleased but with no other Rickshaw in sight, I flashed a smile, wished him happy Holi and we were off, bumping along through the peaceful pre-dawn haze, empty roads before us, sleeping bodies beside us, dotted along the sidewalk in makeshift lodgings.

Not my usual time to seize the day but today was Holi Day and the 7am Bikram class was the only one scheduled.

The colourful festival of Holi is essentially a celebration of good over evil although some of the antics I saw would have you debating; a full spectrum of powdered colour dye, water balloons and buckets of mud finding their way across your face, clothes, skin and hair! Just when you thought nothing else could stick to you, yet another round and bringing the most cheer: raw eggs cracked on your head! All in good fun and highly amusing with the evidence of the day remaining on your skin for days and clothes forever!

Read more about Holi Day and the Legends of Holi.

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Mumbai Yogis – Truly inspiring!

March 11, 2009 at 5:44 pm in Yoga Practice | Please subscribe!

I mentioned in my Lost in Mumbai post, that 30 Yogis have joined me in the 30 Day Challenge at Bikram Yoga Mumbai. Well I was wrong, a whopping 53 have put their names down!

Rowena, Ben and Maddy (Mumbai Bikram teachers) told me my journey inspired a lot of them to sign up and I’ve had the pleasure of talking to some of them after class, and sharing their experience.

To all the Yogis in Mumbai, Thank you. During the first 4 days I was here I wanted to walk out of every class and the only thing that kept me in the room was seeing all of you in the mirror, practicing with me, struggling as much as I was, knowing you were doing the challenge with me. So you are also my inspiration this month and will be for the rest of my journey!

A big thank you to:
Rowena, Maddy, Benn, Alka, Naresh, Rupa, Sanjay, Beena, Priyanka, Reena, Bharwa, Siddhartha, Sanda, Zeba, Sharmishtha, Ritu, Gunjan, Neekita, Mona, Rupa, Parigad, Ash, Melissa, Prashani, Shayara, Danesh, Sonndhya, Sunita, Meenal, Rita, Guatum, Krhity, Rajeev, Ali, Khushvoo, Kiran, Shelpa, Charan, Zoa, Veakena, Maria, Sneha, Janugen, Jignesh, Vishal, Rajal, Neetu, Soni, Prachi, Sherley, Muskean, Siddharth

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Through the Gateway

March 9, 2009 at 5:15 pm in On The Street | Please subscribe!


After a midday Friday class I tucked into 3 scrambled eggs and a side of baked beans (sorry but it was only my 3rd western style meal since Australia) then Ben & Maddy (Bikram teachers at Mumbai), Andrea (Bikram teacher visiting from Vancouver) and I jumped in dueling ricskhaws and galloped towards the train station, recharged for an afternoon exploring South Mumbai.

South Mumbai has a different feel, featuring as many old buildings from it’s colonial past as the north has sprouting shopping malls. It appears more open and developed, a little cleaner maybe but just as hectic as everyone goes about their work – just surviving or making a million.

Whether it was a change of scenery, the great company or spying the Arabian Sea through the Gateway of India, I felt relaxed and quiet at home. As the simmering afternoon traded places with a gentle windy eve we found ourselves strolling along the bay in the quiet company of so many Mumbai locals drawn here by the promise of an empty skyline and soothing peace of the ocean.

Check out more pics at Flickr.

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lost in Mumbai, India

March 6, 2009 at 6:31 am in On The Street, Yoga Practice | Please subscribe!

I watched “Slum Dog Millionaire” a few weeks before leaving Australia hoping it would give me an insight into what was waiting for me in India and Mumbai in particular. I walked out of the cinema quivering a little inside and sporting a nervous grin, “yeah I’ll be OK, it’s just a movie right?”

Well here I am, 3rd day in and getting lost at least once every day and I’ve hardly been out of my own neighborhood! It started with the prepaid taxi from the airport; I’d been told it would take 30-40 mins but some 2 hrs later, after midnight and 8 stops to ask for directions, I rock up at my new home; wide eyed, still sporting that nervous grin into the welcoming arms of my new host, Akhil Bali, a fellow Couch Surfer and film industry freelancer.

It’s been a crazy first few days and late nights. I’ve barely sat down and when I have it’s been on the back of Akhil’s motorbike, weaving through dusty lanes, popping out onto rickshaw crammed roads, stopping only to sip small glasses of chai tea and discuss the days business. Then grab a quick bite before arriving with 3 mins to spare before yoga class! 

 

I’m struggling big time in class; for some reason I’m finding the heat almost unbearable. I’ve felt like walking or crawling out of every class and the only thing keeping me going is the smiling bunch of yogis beside me. Everyone is so friendly but what I find truly inspiring is knowing that 30 other yogis have signed up to join me for the 30 day challenge at Bikram Yoga Mumbai / True Fitness!

For now though I have to get some shut eye. I haven’t been to sleep before 2 am since I arrived, not due to insomnia, just out and about in this city that doesn’t sleep. So stay tuned, I’ll try and have you experiencing as much as I can through my lens this month. 

 

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