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CabbageTownRoyals
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
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 Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:42 pm Post subject: Real Yoga~ |
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Having lived in Korea for four years I'm really aware of the number of people that suffer differing levels of culture shock, depression and the 'weirdness' of Korea.
Of course there are many wonderful aspects of being here: learning a new culture and experiencing it first hand, meeting new people, earning good money, the travel and the 'buzz' of living in another country.
But it seems to me that often the loneliness and unfamiliarity can frequently get normally cheerful people down more than should be.
I've been there myself, and almost left Korean because of it. I did however find something that keeps me going. In fact, I never dreamed I would say this, but its given more meaning to my life...
The answer for me was Yoga. I'm not a teacher, nor involved in the business in any way, I'm just a student that has found something that I think could help other people who may feel like I did. I wish I'd found it earlier because I know it would have helped me. At the risk of sounding like a free advertisement, I thought I should just let others know that this it out there, taught in English and one-of-a-kind school (its located in Itaewan). The owner/instructor uses the 'old way' and wisdom of the early practitioners even translating old Sanscrit sutras. He focuses on the core meaning of Yoga and its NOT just about stretching and looking good. You can also learn about pranayama (energy control) and meditation.
Anyway, I could write much more, but instead take a look at the website and hopefully we'll meet there some time^^
www.rajayoga.co.kr
Last edited by CabbageTownRoyals on Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:32 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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kat2
Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Do you know if there is anyone teaching "real" yoga in Busan? Or could you ask your teacher? I've taken from several different teachers, but its all been crap. More like pilates/aerobics/yoga than real yoga. |
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CabbageTownRoyals
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree..there are so many things out there disguised as yoga. As for Busan, I'm not sure, but I'll ask my teacher and PM you... |
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xingyiman
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:01 am Post subject: |
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| Agreed, buy alsothe martial arts and many other physical activities will benefit you the same. Having a goal is important also. |
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cielotree
Joined: 23 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Hi! I've been to a couple of yoga classes in Seoul and was really disappointed because they were just stretching classes. I checked out the www.rajayoga.co.kr web site. I'm curious about pranayama and meditation. I've never done them in any of the "yoga"/stretching classes I've been to. Can you tell me more about that side of the yoga classes? What do you actually do and what kind of difference has it made in your life? |
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CabbageTownRoyals
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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| cielotree wrote: |
| Can you tell me more about that side of the yoga classes? What do you actually do and what kind of difference has it made in your life? |
Hi Cielotree^^ For me, the meditation side of yoga is really important. The instructor, Ron, runs a Hatha Yoga class which focuses on 'asana' (the stretches), but he always emphasises the importance of having a calm mind during these poses....
However, he also takes a teachers course in Raja Yoga which includes a lot of meditation - this is the class that I do. This meditation uses energy control to bring the mind and body into a peaceful condition.... This is the way Yoga has helped me most. In fact, it has the power to help you physically (lose weight, 'detox',) and mentally (calm the mind, get rid of stress etc). For me, its been a way to find peace in the madness! Its a kind of oasis in the rat-race of the big city^^ Something that I didn't realise is that there is an entire philosophy behind real yoga which has the potential to change someone's life, to find meaning...its very powerful.
I guess something else that most people don't know about yoga is that you don't already have to be flexible to do do it...in fact, yoga is most beneficial to those people that arent flexible! Come along, see for yourself!  |
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Omkara
Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:57 am Post subject: |
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I'd be interested in meeting with anyone interested in learning and practicing "real" yoga. I'm a Sivananda trained teacher. I learned my practice in the gurukula system--that is, I learned while living in an ashram. I work with pranayama, meditation, and other traditional techniques. I'd love nothing more than to meet with people interested in yoga.
I'll be in Busan in a week. |
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CabbageTownRoyals
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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HI Omkara, it's great to hear you are moving to Korea 
Where abouts was the ashram in which you studied/practiced?
It's a pity you'll be in Busan, the Raja Yoga we are learning here sounds like you... |
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Omkara
Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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Well, at least I'll know that there is a kindred spirit on the royal (raja) path! Perhaps we can work toward organizing the yogis at some point this summer? You know, gather a few people and have an asana practice on the beach or at a temple? Or, at least, we can keep each other informed of what would be of interest.
I learned in an ashram in Grass Valley, which was established by Vishnudevananda, the author of the Complete Illustrated Guide to Yoga. The ashram carries the nick-name "Yoga Farm." It's easy to find online. |
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Bad Batz Maru
Joined: 24 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:51 am Post subject: |
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Hi!
I also practice at Magic Pond in Itaewon. I love going there; it really is an oasis like CTR said.
When I first went, I went with friends and it felt really difficult and tiring. I was sooooo inflexible - I couldn't even touch my toes. My friends stopped coming, but there was something there that kept me coming back fore more. The instructor Ron is great. He knows exactly how to get students to push just enough, but not too much. His instructions for approaching asana are exactly the same for approaching life, he says. Every class we strive for harmony.
After about 2 years of taking hatha yoga, I moved on to taking the raja course. There were many "YES!  " moments during the lectures and discussions. When I leave Korea, I will definitely take the lessons that I learned through my yoga practice with me. I will keep them for the rest of my life.
Give it a try! |
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Bad Batz Maru
Joined: 24 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:08 am Post subject: |
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| cielotree wrote: |
| Hi! I've been to a couple of yoga classes in Seoul and was really disappointed because they were just stretching classes. I checked out the www.rajayoga.co.kr web site. I'm curious about pranayama and meditation. I've never done them in any of the "yoga"/stretching classes I've been to. Can you tell me more about that side of the yoga classes? What do you actually do and what kind of difference has it made in your life? |
I have been too some yoga classes in Thailand and in the US. Magic Pond's classes are totally different in that we learn insights to how things work in your body and in life. In the other classes, the instructors just told us to do a bunch of stuff, but if you ask questions, like "Why? Why do we do it this way?" they had no answers except that that's what the book says to do or that's what their instructor told them to do. Certainly, Ron doesn't have the answers to everything, but the most important thing is that he helps us to find our own answers.
Also, pranayama is totally different in other schools. Most places call pranayama "breathing exercises" and that's what I thought it was too. At Magic Pond, we go to the real, literal meaning of pranayama, which is energy direction. We do mental exercises to control our energy.
Meditation is diffiult! When I first started, I would actually get nervous that I wouldn't be able to keep going, that I'd get bored, or fall asleep (yes,  it's happened!) I try to keep motivated to keep doing it because I believe it has a great effect. It's difficult to explain the effect; you just have to try it for yourself. It makes things different in your life somehow. |
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CabbageTownRoyals
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:46 am Post subject: |
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| kat2 wrote: |
| Do you know if there is anyone teaching "real" yoga in Busan? Or could you ask your teacher? I've taken from several different teachers, but its all been crap. More like pilates/aerobics/yoga than real yoga. |
Well, I asked my teacher Ron,.....
He isn't affiliated with any other Yoga schools in Korea. Why? Hmmm, well the truth is, that he is the only teacher actually certified by the IYF (International Yoga Federation) in Asia. So....that says a lot about the state of yoga in Korea. But, the best thing to do would be to 'shop around' and see if you get lucky and come across anything that suits you.
We plan to get a mailing list together very soon to keep people in touch with whats going on here in Seoul. And Omkara suggested getting together sometimes and practicing asana/meditation together, it would be nice to go to some parks/temples etc!
I'll get back to you about that ^^ |
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CabbageTownRoyals
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:54 am Post subject: |
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Woops. OK, to be exact, he (Ron) is the only National representative of the IYF and World Yoga Council in Asia  
Hard to believe considering the number of yoga schools in this country...... |
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Wrench
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:20 am Post subject: |
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| I've seen some realy yoga back home and it looked quite hard. Here I observed a class and it looked like a half-arsed stretching course. What is even more pathetic is that I have greater range of mobility and flexibility then the Yoga instructor and I am a kickboxer. |
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Omkara
Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: |
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| Wrench wrote: |
| I've seen some realy yoga back home and it looked quite hard. Here I observed a class and it looked like a half-arsed stretching course. What is even more pathetic is that I have greater range of mobility and flexibility then the Yoga instructor and I am a kickboxer. |
"Real" yoga can be practiced by the most inflexible person. It's about the way the asana is held--with full awareness. So, someone with great flexibility may apear externally to be practicing a high level of yoga for holding an advanced asana, whereas it may be the case that the inflexible person holding a simpler asana is with the superior practice. From the outside, it's very difficult to tell who is practicing at a higher level. (Still, it is nice to have a great range of mobility! Often, there is a correlation--when that correlation is a consequence of practice.)
For example, I had a fender acoustic guitar, which really shined. When I bought my taylor, which does not shine, one of my language students said that my old guitar was better for the shine. The subtle sounds which the taylor produces are far better than my fender could ever produce. But the, some things only glitter and shine!
But you are right, when yoga is reduced to a series of stretches, it becomes gymnastics, not yoga. Yet, that is fine for most people, as it is good for them. If they grow curious, they'll discover the deeper practice.
And, yes, real yoga is difficult. It is hard to focus the mind and move into the meditative aspects of the practice. But, with regular practice, it becomes easier. But, by then, there is another level to focus on. There is always challenge in the practice.
Does anyone know of a place to practice in Busan? And, when is that class in Itawan? Maybe I could get up that way some time? |
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