Om Namah Sivaya! Welcome to the yoga blog designed for the purpose of cultivating the mind, body and soul.
By John Dunbar 24 June 2008 07:15:00
Om Namah Sivaya!
As Anantara's resident Yoga Guru I thought I might also join share a few of my thoughts on the blog platform! I have to admit I am up against some tough competition, given that I am going head to head with Khun John's adventure stories about cute elephants at Anantara Golden Triangle. That said, I am up for the challenge, as I have faith in you, the reader, getting involved in this as well and making it more of a gentle discussion on yoga as opposed to me just pontificating on and on about something so dear to my heart.
So where to begin? Well, maybe a good start would be if I provided a little information about myself. Although Canadian by birth, I have done everything in my power to avoid the 10 months of winter that embraces that beautiful land. I have been very privileged to have incorporated the study of yoga with my love of travel. My yogic education began in a peaceful Ashram in the Bahamas. From there I traveled to various Ashrams and temples around the world, experiencing and absorbing a variety of yoga practices. I eventually ended up in Thailand, where I now reside in a small community near the Golden Triangle.
Over the years I developed my own yoga practice by incorporating many of the amazing things I have learned from so many special gurus. The practice draws mostly on Hatha yoga, as I tend to go more for the gentle and relaxing side of life. In my teaching, I strive to bring peace into the mind and body by reducing the overall stress and fatigue that is so prevalent in Western societies. Although the practice stretches all areas of the body, it focuses strongly on the back and hips. Westerners tend to suffer most in these areas, with chronic back pain and hip issues dominating many medical ailments today.
Over the last couple of months I have been working closely with the teams based at the various Anantara resorts to teach anyone who is interested to learn yoga and even begin a path of passing on their skills to others at the resort. Actually, my relationship with Anantara began last year at their Golden Triangle property. The success of the program there led me to their Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Maldives properties. Anantara's commitment to guest wellness is very apparent and the yoga program fits so well with this.
So where do we go from here? Well, I have some exciting things planned for the blog. For example, we will be exploring the various benefits of "nude yoga". Just kidding! However, I did actually read a piece about it online yesterday! Actually I was thinking more along the lines of sharing some of the interesting goings-on that befall my yoga program as I travel from Anantara to Anantara, teaching and exploring the spectacular resorts in their exotic locations. Of course there will always be the Asana of the Month - brought to you by "Yogini Cola", the Power and Ashtanga yogis favorite addiction.
So please share your ideas, comments and thoughts in the blog. I look forward to hearing from all of you!
Peace, love and light to all...
John
Melissa Says
23 July 2008 04:26:00
I had a very nice yoga session at Anantara in Hua Hin recently. It was the perfect pace to unwind, relax and not feel like I stuck out like a sore thumb on my own amongst couples and families. I made friends with my Yoga teacher - Fa Jung. I wasn't sure if the sessions followed a particular type of yoga or were just general movements but I felt really refreshed afterwards and would like to continue back here in London where I live. So.... any advice would be much appreciated. Life in England is so difference from somewhere like Thailand. I really enjoyed my short time there - my first trip to Asia actually. I envy you having arranged things so you can be there much of the year. It is a wonderful place. I have a hectic business here in London and find it hard to de-stress. I've been trying to retain some of the 'zen' like state I managed to slip into whilst there (courtesy of visits to temples, yoga sessions, lovely massage and general time to chill out and think of something other than my crazy work schedule) - hence the on-line search since my return for info on yoga which led me to your blog. Well, nice chatting and if you have chance drop me a line and if you see Fa Jung tell him I said hello. Take care, Melissa
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