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July 15, 2016
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.
yogis and yoginis pushing themselves to their safety edge
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.
--- TheLoneRider
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
Ubud Yoga Center
Location: Jalan Nyuh Kuning Raya / Singakerta Raya, Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: 021 9012019 | 021 9012011
Email: hello@ubudyogacentre.com
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Bali, Indonesia
tourist attractions
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Pasar Seni Ubud (market) - main market in Ubud with everything touristy you can ask for
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Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) - 9th century Buddhist temple
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Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - there really is a monkey forest right in the heart of Ubud!
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Jalan Kajeng - animated street similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame
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Nyuh Kuning - wood carving village with a burgeoning chic cafe and resto scene along Jalan Nyuh Gading
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Ubud Royal Palace - home of the royal family
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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
- motorcycle rental
- D&D Rental - motorcycle and bicycle rental, tours, tourist information center
Pengosikan Street, Ubud
- the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is concentrated within the rectangular area covered by Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Hanuman and Jalan Monkey Forest. Best to book your hotel within this area
- best, cheapest, fastest and most comfortable (this is what I did for Ubud and in Singapore) - at the airport, talk to other white travelers waiting on the same gate if they are going to Ubud. Arrange for a taxi pool. With 3 guys, you split the taxi fare (usually IDR 200k + IDR 5k for airport entrance) three-ways. You end up paying just slightly more (IDR 68k) than roughing it through a series of bemos and vans.
- take a bemo (public bus) to Kuta (IDR 6k) then take a shuttle bus by Perama to Ubud (IDR 50k)
(US$1 = Indonesian Rupiah IDR 13,140 = Philippines Php 47.00 as of July 1, 2016)
- one small bottle beer with live band
- 1.5 liter drinking water
- one hour massage
- warung food in hawker style food cart
- coffee in trendy cafes
- bicycle rental
- laundry (although I've seen one at IDR 8k per kilo)
- shuttle to airport
- bunk bed in a dorm room, shared toilet
- internet cafe
- haircut
- cultural performances
- standard drop-in yoga class
Currency Converter
Jakarta, Java
- A First-timer in Jakarta June 23-25, 2016
Bandung, Java
- Visiting the White Crater (Kawa Putih) of Bandung Jun 28, 2016
Bogor, Java
- Exploring Bogor, Indonesia Jun 25-27, 2016
UBUD, BALI
- 21 Days of Abundance, Yoga and Friendship in Ubud June 30-July 21, 2016
- Hatha Yoga with Andrea Paige at The Yoga Barn July 21, 2016
- Roll and Release by Rusty Davis at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 20, 2016
- Kundalini Yoga with Ketut Bandiastra at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 20, 2016
- Kundalini Meditative Movement with Sandeh at White Lotus Meditation Center July 19, 2016
- Andrea Paige - Health Crusader and Yogini July 18, 2016
- Power Yoga with Ni Made Murni at The Yoga Barn July 18, 2016
- Vinyasa Yoga with Daniel Aaron at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 17, 2016
- Mass Cremation (Ngaben) in Ubud with Louisa July 16, 2016
- Mysore Ashtanga with Laruga at Ubud Yoga Center July 15, 2016
- Kalimasada at Yayasan Segara Giri July 14, 2016
- Hiking Campuhan Ridge July 14, 2016
- Vinyasa Flow with Nina at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 14, 2016
- Laughter Yoga with Kadek Suambara at Ambar Ashram July 12, 2016
- Dance til you Drop at Bollywood Night with Punnu Wasu July 11, 2016
- Mayan Calendar Readings by Vasumi July 10, 2016
- Yoga Pranala with Chiara at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 10, 2016
- Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) July 9, 2016
- Pranawayu Yoga with I Ketut Bandiastra, S. Ag at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 7, 2016
- Astrology Talk at The Yoga Barn July 6, 2016
- Yoga with Sasha Lang at the Ubud Yoga House July 6, 2016
- Ananda Mandala Meditation by Punnu Wasu at The Yoga Barn Jul 4/5, 2016
- The Wild Monkeys of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary July 7, 2016
Leona Dinopol (July 18, 2016) The 2nd half of the Mysore chant is also the 2nd half of the Patanjali mantra. The first half was completely new to me the first time I heard it in an Ashtanga yoga studio in Baguio. Must remember to study that before I join Laruga's classes in August hehe. Excited for her workshops. She's teaching like 5 workshops in just one weekend. Plus daily Mysore classes for 6 days. Alpha-yoga indeed
Ayn
Vinyasa Krama by Srivatsa Ramaswami (July 18, 2016) She'll be doing a workshop here soon.
Perkins Briones (July 18, 2016) Miss bali
July 15, 2016
»» next story: Mass Cremation (Ngaben) in Ubud with Louisa
»» next Yoga story: Vinyasa Yoga with Daniel Aaron at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio
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