Yoga in Ecuador

I Had To Laugh

2007-11-01T21:37:00.001-07:00

While today I stumbled across an unexpected photo commentary entitled Yoga de la India vs. Yoga del Ecuador that I simply have to share on this blog. The first photo, representing yoga in India, shows dear Mr. Iyengar in Setubandha Sarvangasana "with chair." The second photo you can see at the original web page here.

ENJOY!

Currently we have stopped classes at Casa Hood

2007-10-29T09:49:00.001-07:00

My apologies to those who might pass through Baños looking for Yoga training. For the time being there are no public classes at Casa Hood. Many thanks to all the great students who have accompanied my wife and I during countless wonderful sessions. We may begin giving classes at some date in the future. We are also considering offering other related activities in the future. Thanks to all.

Worthy of Mention

2007-10-15T20:58:00.001-07:00

If you happen to arrive in Baños and want to lay out your yoga mat right away, don't be surprised if the space is occupied with any of a number of art activities for local youth and children. Fundación Arte del Mundo shares the same space as the Casa Hood Yoga Center and organizes arts education classes, workshops and cultural events for the local community. For those yogis interested in finding out a bit about the foundation (inspired volunteers are always welcome), please write us at: alegria_mejia@fastmail.fm and while you're at it check out these photos of happy kids doing creative things right here in Baños.

(Click to enlarge)

Yoga and Alternative Classes in Cuenca

2007-10-04T15:45:00.001-07:00

Anyone who is heading south to the beautiful colonial town of Cuenca might want to check Centro Integral Sattva Spa which boasts a wide variety of classes. They include yoga, capoeira, Tai-Chi, Chi-Kung, Meditation, Dance and more. Although I haven't been there, the selection sounds interesting and the location is central enough.

Address: Calle Ines Salcedo 1-52 and Federico Proaño
(behind the Clinica Santa Ines and the Universidad Estatal de Cuenca).
Phone: 2883131 / 099277966 email: centrosattva@hotmail.com
They also have some info on the web at http://www.vivatravelguides.com

If anybody does make it to the spa and would like to send me comments or a brief review for possible inclusion in this blog, please feel free.

SwáSthya Yôga - a Latin American Phenomenon

2007-10-03T11:59:00.001-07:00

Who would have believed that a supermarket would be a source for yogic revelations, but such was the case with my discovery of SwáSthya Yôga via a hefty book called Yoga Avanzada: SwáSthya Yôga Shastra which I purchased in one of the national Megamaxi supermarkets in Ecuador (where, oddly enough, many new age and alternative books are available), and which, unlike almost all of the other mass market Yoga "digests" available there, seems to have been written by a surprisingly knowledgeable and apparently seasoned Yogi from Brazil by the name of Maestro DeRose.

Googling SwáSthya Yôga finds very little information in English except for a few websites promoting a newer, more complete yoga experience, a number of youtube videos of the organization's impressive choreographies, a few personal blog commentaries mostly by students, and a few forum discussions.The fact that Mr. DeRose is virtually unknown in the English speaking may change once a book is published in English. But for the moment it's difficult for English speakers to find out who this teacher is, and what is he teaching?

In the opening of the book a letter is printed from the President of the Indian Federation of Yoga who calls the book,

"...a monumental contribution to Yoga in this century and an inestimable gift for the century to come. Without of doubt
[DeRose has] produced a masterpiece of Yogic teaching."

And with support from the Indian Embassy, I felt I had to take a close look at the publication. Following is a short review for those who are unable to read it in Spanish or Portuguese.

The heft (671 pages) and depth of this tome place it closer to the likes of Light on Yoga than almost any other book I have stumbled upon. And that similarity is further suggested by the lengthy gallery of asanas in the middle of the book in a section entitled "Vestiges of Primitive Choreographies" containing photos of over 2400 unique poses. In fact, the book is quite encyclopedic, and presents a very broad and detailed compendium of yogic practices which, if taught successfully, sounds very attractive. He is not only a writer and teacher. He seems to be quite an organizer, having written the Brazilian government sanctioned Regulations for Yoga Professionals, and founded the first University of Yoga in Brazil as well as the Brazilian Federation of Yoga with numerous centers that have spread across Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

And What is SwáSthya Yôga? According to the book DeRose first systemized the method in 1960 (also known by the older name of Dakshinacharatantrika Nirishwarasamkhya Yoga). His own definition at the beginning of the book is a good starting point for understanding the system:

"SwáSthya Yôga is the name of the systemization of ancient, preclassic Yoga, the most complete system in the world.

The principal characteristics of Swasthya Yoga are:

1. It's a very complete form of practice defined by eight modalities of techniques.
2. There are general rules for the execution [or development of] asanas.
3. It has rediscovered the archaic concept of linked sequences without repetition. (choreographies)
4. It is orientated toward unique individuals who were born for SwáSthya Yôga."

The rest of the book goes on to explain these corollaries, and other aspects of yogic science. For starters, the eight limbs of SwáSthya Yôga refer to: mudra, puja, mantra, pranayama, kriya, asana, yoganidra and samyama. The general rules for execution refer to a set of rules for developing and sequencing asanas which, according to DeRose, simplify learning and save the teacher from reading through voluminous descriptions of poses. "[These ancient rules] were neither known nor utilized [in modern times] until...they were identified by us and synthesized as the general rules." The linked sequences refer to the obligatory presentation of improvised choreographies of asanas on the part of students who develop them according to the general rules. Interestingly, most of these choreographies are set to rock music. Click here to see an example from youtube.com.

The 4th characteristic in the list seems to refer to DeRose's insistence that only young people (18-38) with developed criterion will be drawn to SwáSthya Yoga's methods. His insistence on an age limit does seem a bit unusual for a method that declares it's goal to be samadhi. That and a certain emphasis on exclusivity and superiority that could sound like preaching to some, is the only negative aspect of the book. Like many spiritual groups, SwáSthya Yôga insists on a strong guru/student relationship that leads to the revelation of more advanced techniques. And the charismatic DeRose and a group of highly trained teachers are spreading out from the south American continent with the offer to promulgate a technique that unites pranayama, asana, mudhra, raja yoga, bhakti yoga, jnani yoga, and tantric yoga in what he insists throughout the book is the most complete form of Yoga today.

Whether that's true remains to be seen. Much would depend on how it is taught and the results delivered. Be that as i may, the book has a lot of valuable information including several sections written especially for teachers that present useful techniques which are well thought out and well articulated. There is also an interesting history of the development of Hatha Yoga going back to 3000 years B.C. Many of the chapters include references to related study materials (books, CDs and videos) by DeRose and others, that expand on themes mentioned in the book. In fact, a number of these books and some audio materials are available free on the web in Spanish and Portuguese (see below).

My final word: much of the information in the book is new and refreshing to me coming from an Ashtanga background. I would be interested in meeting a SwáSthya Yôga teacher in Ecuador just to get chance to investigate it a little closer — that is — of course, if they'll accept me...I'm a tad over the age limit of 38. Nevertheless, one of SwáSthya's most well known slogans, and the original Portuguese title of this book, Practice Yoga before you need it will most likely find it's way into my studio -- with credit to DeRose of course!

FOR MORE INFORMATION check out the official Uni-Yoga site in Spanish here

Free downloads of books and mp3 materials in Spanish and Portuguese here

A forum discussion with both positive and negative opinions from students and former students can be found here

Three Schools of Auto Realization in Ecuador

2007-10-01T13:22:00.001-07:00

I'm back from a long break out of the country and it's time to put fingers to keyboard and try to catch with some information that's been rolling in. First up is a little notice of an organization in Ecuador that teaches meditation and Yoga in the tradition of Paramahansa Yogananda but with a uniquely Ecuadorian twist.

According to their web page, the founder, now passed away, was Dr. César A. Dávila G, born in the small rural community of Patate, near Baños, who received his doctorate in theology in 1934. However it wasn't until 1952 that he came in contact with Pandith Beckpati Sinha, a direct disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, with whom he had the opportunity of accompanying for fifteen days during the latter's visit to Ecuador. Those fifteen days changed his life. From that point on he incorporated meditation and yoga asanas into his Christian practice. Later, he recounts, a copy of the book Autobiography of a Yogi came into his possession and he got in contact with one of the major representative of the self realization fellowship in Mexico at the time and began to study Yogananda's teachings with total devotion. Eventually, he founded various Schools of Auto-Realization both within and outside of Ecuador and dedicated his life publishing his teachings, and sharing his realizations as guru and spiritual father to thousands of students over his lifetime.

Although "Padre" Dávila has passed away, the centers still exist and there are many active members in Ecuador and even worldwide. I personally had a chance to meet Padre Dávila just after I arrived in Baños. I had heard there was a meditation center in the town of Ulba just down the road and attended one day of a retreat at their center. My recollections are of a very elevated atmosphere, a quiet approach blending of Christianity with Yoga and meditation and vegetarianism, and Padre Dávila was clearly a very powerful spiritual presence.

The ASOCIACIÓN ESCUELA DE AUTORREALIZACIÓN offers courses in yoga, concentration and meditation in any of their three centers in Ecuador. You may contact them at: www.aea-yoga.org or at the addresses below

Centro de Quito
6ta Transv. E16-61 y De los Olivos
San Isidro del Inca
Tel: 2403-115
Email: centroquito@interactive.net.ec
INICIO: 6 de Octubre del 2007
HORA: 8:30

Centro de Guayaquil
Via Samborondón Km 3 ½
Tel: 2831-839
Email: aea@easynet.net.ec
Centro de Cuenca
Muñoz Vernaza 531 y Benigno Malo
Tel: 2891-445
Email: autoreal@az.pro.ec

Centro de Cuenca
Muñoz Vernaza 531 y Benigno Malo
Tel: 2891-445
Email: autoreal@az.pro.ec

Technorati Tags: Yoga , meditation , Christianity , Gandhi , Paramahansa Yogananda , Quito , Guayaquil , Cuenca

SAE in Quito offers Iyengar Classes

2007-06-13T19:07:00.001-07:00

I was just informed that there is a yoga class every Monday night at the South American Explorers Club in Quito (Jorge Washington y Leonidad Plaza) taught by SAE member, Dana. Apparently she teaches in the Iyengar style which is known for great attention to detail, precise alignment, and often uses props. Classes are $3 for members, $4 for non-members and beginners and intermediates are invited. You are asked to bring your yoga mat or a towel. More information here.

Yoga with the Krishnas

2007-06-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

Although I haven't practiced hatha yoga at any of the Vrinda or International Society for Krishna Consciousness centers, and therefore cannot yet comment on their offerings yet, I believe that most of them offer hatha yoga training as well as other spiritual guidance and some people may be interested in contacting them.

A complete list of Vrinda centers in Ecuador and much of South America for that matter, can be found here.

I have visited one of their centers near Baños called Vrindavan Jardines Ecológicos and it seems like a perfect place for rest, relaxation and perhaps a retreat. The center, located approximate 40 minutes from Baños near a town called Rio Verde is quite beautiful and is set in the jungle 1-2 kilometers from the highway. While I was there they offered yoga classes in the morning which I believe cost $5 per session. They had a covered area in which to practice and mats were available. They also had rustic cabins for rent at $8 a night and a vegetarian restaurant for guests.

Quito's Free Yoga in the Park

2007-06-06T20:48:00.000-07:00

I ran across an interesting article dated Feb. 22nd, 2007 in the online version of one of Ecuador's major newspapers (HOY online) which reports that Bayardo Villarreal, a 65-year old architect in Quito, is leading free yoga sessions in the Parque Carolina in Quito every Saturday and Sunday. See link

According to the article Mr. Villarreal has been practicing yoga for 35 years after having studied with masters in India and Mexico. A quote from Maestro DeRose in the article might suggest that he has studied with teachers certified by the Universidade de Yôga founded by Maestro DeRose from Brazil. Since I am curious if any DeRose representatives are currently teaching in Ecuador I will make a point of visiting one of these classes on my next trip to Quito

The classes begin at 9:00 am in an open space near the parking lot adjacent to the Eloy Alfaro Avenue.

"Anyone can come if they wish,. Everything here is free and the best reward is a warm thank you," says Bayardo. "All those who come are over 50 years of age and are looking for tranquility and professional or familial harmony; there is no religion here."

In that case, I guess I'll be the youngest participant at a sprightly 48-years old!

Launching the Blog

2007-06-04T08:49:00.001-07:00

After having lived in Ecuador since August of 1992, and having taught Yoga during approximately nine of those years in a small town near the entrance to the jungles of Ecuador, I've come to realize that I have only a superficial knowledge of the hatha yoga community throughout the country, not to mention the much larger Ecuadorian "Yogic" community comprised of centers and teachers dedicated to diverse avenues of spiritual pursuit.

A quick search on Google yielded almost zero active links, most likely due to the fledgling state of internet awareness here. However, I am currently aware of a number of teachers in different parts of the country and have decided that it would be in my interest, and in the interest of seekers in this country, to try and consolidate the resources that are available.

So that is my goal. My emphasis will be on permanent, resident teachers and schools rather than events geared to bringing down foreigners for a weekend or a week to practice yoga during a retreat in "South America". With that in mind, most of my links will probably lead to classes taught in Spanish, although I expect a number of foreign-born teachers (such as myself) may be included who could offer classes in other languages.

I hope this effort will prove useful to some readers. And I hope readers will help contribute links to this modest blog. It's a small thank you for the years of gratification and enormous benefits that the practice of hatha yoga has given to me and my family. Namaste.