Sangha

For the longest time, yoga was a solitary pursuit. It still is but over the last year or so, there has been a steady sense of community, fellowship or sangha. It has different shapes whether in joint learning with our teachers, reading or practising together, exchanging life experiences, yoganusasanam and so on. My first taste of that sense of a common thread of connection was via this blog where I made the acquaintance of some wonderful people I think of as a virtual sangha. Some of them don’t write anymore, others not as often. I’m guilty of the same. Life can get busy but when I start to think that I remember Suzy who diligently posts everyday!. Yet another face of that connection has been through WhatsApp messages and calls with fellow practitioners across the world. If it were not for a wired world, I wouldn’t have been introduced to these lovely people. Occasionally, such connections spill into the real world and they are just as warm. Yoga unites. Maitri is both a practice and its fruit.

This morning, I had the pleasure of spending some time with one such friend. We walked around in the botanical gardens, saw an old temple, had some street food and chai, all simple delights. Another one of yoga’s gifts. It was also a very welcome break in a hectic month. I wasn’t able to go on my walks and getting a pocket of leisure was much needed. Sharing a few pictures from this morning. Now, it’s back to the grind for another few days before the routine of the academic year sets in.

Kanchan vel at the botanical garden. It’s a gorgeous Liana that is in bloom this time of the year.

Gulmohur in bloom in the Pataleshwar compound

This bell was a pretty gift and fit perfectly with a yoga wall.

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