Stressed-out Russians turn to yoga
According to India's Economic Times, many Russians are turning to yoga, particularly Iyengar Yoga, to combat the stress of their increasingly fast-paced lifestyles. "Iyengar Yoga is propounded and promoted across Russia and former Soviet Union-ruled regions. It is a common sight to see thousands of Russians attend yoga workshops in St. Petersberg, Moscow and Yekatarinburg." Has anyone ever taken (or taught) a yoga class in Russia??
Comments
I actually took a yoga class in Ufa, Russia (think siberia) in 2002 while I was teaching English to children. It was a pretty hardcore class with chanting, repeating mantra, and holding restorative poses for minutes at a time. There would be little "breaks" to drink a nasty tea (I just didn't like it but others seemed to) that was supposed to be cleansing as we released toxins. Pretty interesting class and I never went back (kept to my own at home practice the rest of the time) but it was an experience I will never forget and I am just happy that people all over the world have found ways to find inner peace and calmness in this ever growing crazy world however that may be.
Stephanie in Chicago
http://ourjohnsonjourney.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Stephanie Johnson | May 20, 2008 04:09 PM
Blessings to all people in Russia doing Yoga.
Posted by: Eumenades | May 23, 2008 01:11 AM
I am Russian, speak Russian, have lived in the US for the past 6 years and am a yoga teacher (got my certification here). Russians have a long tradition of yoga practice, and Iyengar is not the most popular. In fact, you can find pretty much anything these days especially in the bigger cities. The approach to practice is very different from the on in the US though.
Posted by: Alya | May 23, 2008 08:20 PM
i've taken:) i was attending the Andrey Lappa's seminar with other 50 or 60 Russian and Ukrainian (as you've named "former Soviet Union-ruled regions") students. You are interested WHY we are practising yoga or HOW we do it? :)
Posted by: irina | May 25, 2008 07:09 AM