Mysore Ashtanga with Laruga Glaser at Ubud Yoga Center

GPS waypoint: 8°31'43.0"S 115°15'15.5"E

Location: Jalan Nyuh Kuning Raya / Singakerta Raya, Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia

Ubud Yoga Center
The newly opened Ubud Yoga Center is an ultra-modern building that would blend seamlessly in any cosmopolitan capital. But in Bali, where the Zeitgeist is in keeping with the unique and charming Balinese architecture, the center was met with controversy and flak. Owner and yoga teacher, Mony Suriany, who rehabilitated herself after a debilitating accident through yoga, explained that according to the architect, the Balinese culture and spirit is not contained in a building but a spirit that evolves in compliance to the changing times.

Laruga Glaser, The Teacher
Apparently, Laruga Glaser is a popular Ashtanga Yoga teacher who comes directly from the lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. She's Director of the Ashtanga Yoga Program at Yogayama in Stockholm, Sweden and enjoys a good following in the social media - Facebook, Instagram, etc. In fact, on the opening day of Ubud Yoga Center, in the first class at 7am, it was packed, apparently from Ashtangis who follow Laruga.

Mysore Class
I was informed that the class would be Ashtanga. No problem. I have my grounding in Ashtanga and have practised this many times in many studios with different teachers. However, I didn't know it was going to be Mysore-style - meaning it's not a led class. You independently do your own practice and the teacher goes around making alignment and adjustments accordingly. I know all the poses, but I haven't memorized the sequence! I simply went by memory, straddling from difficult poses, back to easy poses when I remember such a pose. It was all good just the same.

Samastitihi
Laruga started the class with one word - Samastitihi. There was no customary 'Hello' or 'How's your day?'. It was no-nonsense and straight-to-the-point. This was immediately followed by a Sanskrit chant which to my amazement, everyone knew by heart and was chanting like a national anthem. I had to stop after 'Om' as I didn't know what followed. After the chanting, everyone, as if on cue, began doing their practice in silence as Laruga went around aligning and adjusing. There was silence. To look around seemed like watching a silent movie as the yogis and yoginis went into their Chakrasanas and body-pretzel asanas.

Ashtanga Yoga
To put things in perspective, Ashtanga Yoga is the alpha-type yoga. It's the most athletic and most physically demanding. In a pool of yoga students doing Hatha yoga, it's easy to spot Ashtangis - they seem to push themselves more. And only those already steeped in the practice of Ashtanga do Mysore style. In short, these people on the mat now are perhaps the best of the best in Ashtanga yoga at least here in Ubud. I was in the presence of the hardcore Ashtangis who eat mental resolve and physical endurance for breakfast!

Ending Thoughts
I don't think I can devote all my yoga to Ashtanga the way Ashtangis do. I see Ashtanga as therapeutic yoga - afterall, the founder T. Krishnamacharya (the teacher of Pattabhi Jois), while a devout yogi, was better known during his time as an accomplished Ayurvedic healer. When I need to get back on the rail or restore my health (from eating unhealthy food, etc.), I take refuge in Ashtanga. Additionally, being in the company of Ashtangis brings out the warrior in me as I feel the fire element blazing...something I relish from time to time.

Laruga's class was my first epiphany how a teacher can possibly make (or break) a studio. I haven't seen this situation in any of the places I've practised - it was either time expediency, studio proximity or yoga type offering. It goes to show how powerful the social media are in disseminating information and even stamping its own culture.

On the yoga front, Ubud Yoga Center has ambitious programs designed to deliver professional competence - yoga (BIkram Yoga, Hot Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga), culture, art, community, food, wine, etc. It can only raise the level in Ubud's yoga scene.

The Eiffel Tower was initially rejected by the Parisians for being an 'eyesore' - it didn't comply with the Parisian ambience. So was the Louvre. But in time, these two structures became iconic landmarks for Paris and perhaps all of France. Parisians warmed-up and eventually took them under their fold. I'm hoping, with a little more time, Balinese and expats will get accustomed to the new kid on the block and see it as part of the evolving landscape.

Thank you Mony and Laruga for sharing.

ps - If you want me to participate and write about your yoga studio or your yoga practice, email me. For my complete yoga profile, you can visit this page: YOGA by Gigit

Bali, Indonesia

tourist attractions

Pasar Seni Ubud (market) - main market in Ubud with everything touristy you can ask for
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) - 9th century Buddhist temple
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - there really is a monkey forest right in the heart of Ubud!
Jalan Kajeng - animated street similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame
Nyuh Kuning - wood carving village with a burgeoning chic cafe and resto scene along Jalan Nyuh Gading
Ubud Royal Palace - home of the royal family
Campuhan Ridge Walk - spectacular ridge view and hike ending 1km to the artists' village, Bangkiang Sidem | 8°30'13.0"S 115°15'16.9"E

- hotel

Ubud Backpackers Room - newly constructed, all new and clean, lockers, good water pressure, compli tea and coffee, spacious and alfresco chillout center
Jalan Nyuh Kuning, Pengosekan, Ubud, MAS, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali - 8°31'36.5"S 115°15'41.3"E
Nando House - free WiFi, restaurant, terrace, free private parking, pet-friendly accommodation, private bathroom, room service
Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E

yoga

The Yoga Barn - full service yoga studio, holistic healing retreat center
PT. Yoga Barn, Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud - Bali, Indonesia - 80571
8°31'08.4"S 115°15'52.4"E
Ubud Yoga House - yoga for Every Body...all shapes, sizes, ages & levels
Jl. Raya Ubud No.23, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
8°30'07.0"S 115°15'30.5"E | 0821-4418-1058
Taman Hati Yoga - Pranawayu yoga and Kundalini yoga
Jalan Nyuh Gading No.7, Ubud, MAS, Kec. Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
8°31'32.7"S 115°15'24.6"E | +62 (0)361-974-058 | tamanhatiyoga.bali@gmail.com
Ubud Yoga Centre - Ashtanga Yoga
Jalan Nyuh Kuning Raya / Singakerta Raya, Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
8°31'43.0"S 115°15'15.5"E | +62 812-1020-389 | hello@ubudyogacentre.com
Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio - Healing, Yoga, Meditation with a breathtaking view
Jl. Raya Tjampuhan, Penestanan Kaja, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
8°30'10.8"S 115°15'07.8"E | +62-361-977-824 | contact@intuitiveflow.com
Ambar Ashram Laughter Yoga - Healing, Laughter Yoga, Meditation
Jl. Nyuh Bojog No.5, MAS, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
8°31'21.2"S 115°15'22.0"E
Radiantly Alive Yoga - Vinyasa Yoga, Tibetan Heart Yoga, Iyengar Inspired, Pilates, Fly High, Roll and Release, Ashtanga Mysore, Yoga Dance, Salsa, Arm Balance Foundations, Beginners Yoga
Jl Jembawan no.3, Padang Tegal Kaja Ubud, Bali, 80571
+62 (0)361 978 055 | 8°30'33.7"S 115°16'01.2"E
White Lotus Meditation Centre - Meditation classes | Meditation retreats
JL. Kajeng 23, Ubud, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
+62 899-0134-962 | 8°30'12.9"S 115°15'43.1"E
ONEWORLD retreats - yoga, meditation, spa and discoveries
Jl. Suweta, Banjar Sambahan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
+62 361 289752 | info@oneworldretreats.com

- restaurant

warung eateries - a cluster of roadside eateries, essential for those on a budget or those who want authentic Balinese everyday food at local prices
across the Pertamina Gas Station - 8°31'28.2"S 115°15'49.0"E
Nando's Warung - delicious Balinese food at local warung price in a garden setting
Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E