NOTE: 1pm Saturday classes are no longer available. Only private classes are offered.
Days/Times: students determine this depending on their availability Location :Nawa Saraan Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand Email: yoga@thelonerider.com LINE Contact:
The Class
Yoga classes are offered 1-on-1 for a tailor fitted program or developed for a group class. Classes can be traditional yoga offerings or classes focused on optimum digestion, healthy eyes, power/strength, weightloss, breathing, therapy and/or meditation. Classes come with explanations on what we are doing and why we are doing them. It's important for any student to know the underlying principles of yoga. One session usually lasts 90 minutes and will always consist of the following:
yoga talk - theories and concepts in yoga
asanas - can be a combination of yoga postures, HIIT, point-of-failure holds, calisthenics, dynamic tension
pranayama - regulated breathing
kumbhaka - breath-hold
bandha - energy locks
mudra - energy seals
meditation - can be anapana, vipassana, trataka, chakra focus, emptiness, etc.
Fee: Baht 1000/session Note: RSVP, bring your mat, come 5 minutes earlier to settle down, we start on time Teacher availability: GREEN area are the available time slots (as of this writing)
The practice of yoga has begun since time immemorial in India. But it was an oral tradition that was passed on from teacher to student. The sage Patangali, in an attempt to simplify yoga, codified the practice in what is now called the Yoga Sutras. In the sutras, he segmented yoga into 8 parts called the 8 Limbs of Yoga. The 8 limbs are supposed to be practiced in overlapping linear sequence - from moral grounding to ascencion.
Single-Pointed Focus of the Mind Dhyana translates to 'meditation'. That's not exactly accurate. Meditation has many layers to it, from the surface-level meditation to the very deep samadhi. Dhyana is state of meditative absorption at the very deep level, only one rung lower than samadhi. At dhyana, the mind has a sustained single-pointed focus on the object of meditation - meditator and object are tethered. The rest of the universe may no longer exist for that matter.
Perspective The last 4 limbs of yoga (pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi) should be considered a bundled package because they are a continuous deepening flow of meditative absorption. To put things in perspective, given my own understanding and interpretation, here is how meditating on a candlelight morphs at various mind-stages of the 8 Limbs:
Meditating on a Candlelight
Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses
You close your sensory perception from the outside world and focus on the inner world. You may feel sensations, see colors or even hear sounds. And the candlelight is there - like a dog running around in a fenced garden
Dharana - concentration of the mind
Every thought, feeling and vision within the body is dissolved - only the candlelight remains and that's the only object of concentration. The mind wanders away but not too far away and not too long - like a dog on a short leash
Dhyana - single-pointed focus of the mind
The concentration on the candlelight becomes more focused and laser-sharp. The candlelight is the only thing that exists. The entire universe no longer exists except for that candlelight. The totality of the universe is that candlelight and only that candlelight. The mind keeps a firm and relentless grip on the candlelight - like a man and his shadow. The mind no longer wanders away.
Samadhi - enlightenment, convergence, no more separation
The candlelight and you and God and everything else become one and the same - an indivisible singularity. The fundamental truth of reality is finally revealed.
Thought Forms In Alexandra David-Neel's book, Magic and Mystery in Tibet, she talked about the intense and extremet training undertaken by initiates where they might meditate in complete darkness for extended lengths of time, with their minds trying to visualize a form. This visualization, at some point in time, begins to take a nebulous form. As the meditation goes deeper and longer, the form takes a definitive shape. At some point, the form takes a life of its own and co-exists with the meditator and can even interact with other people.
Ending Thoughts If the mind can be so powerful in its 'single-pointed focus', as to create 'thought forms' or entities that take shape, dimension and even have a life of its own, then what does that say? The road forks for me on this.
One direction tells me that everything outside of our consciousness has no objective existence - that they are all perceptions created by the mind. This is underscored by Buddhist teachings that the fundamental nature of our consciousness is emptiness. This is also echoed by yoga scriptures saying that sensory perceptions (indriyas) are not part of the true self - they are illusions.
The other direction tells me that the mind can be powerful enough to architecture, construct, or even defragment reality. We can essentially play God through the power of our minds.
So, which road am I taking? My life experience validates both views - they are simply too compelling to dismiss. But I don't think it matters which road I take. At some point, they will merge again. What is that point? When reality(whether that means God, consciousness, the entire universe, or an implosion of all the above into a non-separate singularity) takes on an objective existence - something that has no beginning, does not die, and whose existence continues whether there is an observer or none.
(Aug 4, 2022) As the 8th limb in the 8 Limbs of Yoga, it is the final stop. Samadhi translates to 'being together', which could mean bliss, self-realization or enlightenment. Other texts say you forget yourself completely and be one with the object of meditation. Other texts say Samadhi is when you realize that the fundamental nature of reality is emptiness - and you experientially (not just conceptually) go through that process...more »»
Chiang Mai INFORMATION
Chiang Mai Map
Chiang Mai, Thailand
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
hot season begins March and lasts until June
wet season begins July and lasts until September
best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Jazz Coop - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays at 11pm by the Chiang Mai Blues band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
My Secret Cafe - near Wat Phra Singh. Tuesdays at 7:30pm for the changing front-act and 9:00pm for the Panic Band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Chiang Mai Cost Index
B60 Chiang beer
B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage(highly recommended)
B50 noodle soup with meat
B50 coffee
B40 pad thai
B30/kilo wash-only laundry
B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
B100-150 dorm bed/night
B250 fan room/night
B30 internet cafe/hour
B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
B130-150 Movies weekdays
B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva(highly recommended)
Transportation
B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Loei to Chiang Mai by Bus
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!