It's hard to not get really comfortable in Rishikesh. Yes, you are in India, there's dirt, thali stalls, markets, little stores with flies buzzing about where you buy chocolate and toilet paper. But it's also quite western and touristy and yoga obsessed. My first yoga class in India was filled with all Westerners in a brightly lit zenlike room and an instructor telling us which poses are good for weight loss. I thought for a second I was back in my Greenpoint hatha yoga class surrounded by stressed out Brooklynites looking for a much needed break from their long work day.
I've met many Indians who told me they never did yoga in their lives. In Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world nonetheless, and they would laugh hysterically when I would try to teach them half lotus or bridge pose. The best yoga experience I had in Rishikesh was on the rooftop of my guesthouse playing yoga instructor for my new Indian friends. Crazy ass role reversal.
It's hard to leave Rishikesh. After a few days here, you find yourself settling into a pretty solid schedule. I was here during the 5th annual yoga festival (in the yoga capital of the world! mind blowing!) so my schedule would vary slightly depending on what lectures were happening that day. Dinner plans, breakfast plans, plans to meet for 2pm hatha but maybe I'll be late because there is that 1pm Aryuvedic lecture. Afternoon chais would turn into dinner when you bumped into someone at the cafe. It's unbelievably nice to be surrounded by other people with an open schedule. Back in NY everyone always has someplace to be. Here, yoga and naps dictate the schedule. Not a bad way to start off the trip.
I've met many Indians who told me they never did yoga in their lives. In Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world nonetheless, and they would laugh hysterically when I would try to teach them half lotus or bridge pose. The best yoga experience I had in Rishikesh was on the rooftop of my guesthouse playing yoga instructor for my new Indian friends. Crazy ass role reversal.
It's hard to leave Rishikesh. After a few days here, you find yourself settling into a pretty solid schedule. I was here during the 5th annual yoga festival (in the yoga capital of the world! mind blowing!) so my schedule would vary slightly depending on what lectures were happening that day. Dinner plans, breakfast plans, plans to meet for 2pm hatha but maybe I'll be late because there is that 1pm Aryuvedic lecture. Afternoon chais would turn into dinner when you bumped into someone at the cafe. It's unbelievably nice to be surrounded by other people with an open schedule. Back in NY everyone always has someplace to be. Here, yoga and naps dictate the schedule. Not a bad way to start off the trip.
Yoga and naps, sounds like an ideal way to live. Do you just strike up conversations? How do you befriend people?
ReplyDeleteIt is unbelievably easy to meet people in India. it attracts a special Type of travelr perhaps. or Maybe the craziness brings people together. also Indian warmth gives a great backdrop.
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