We got to London on schedule (6h30 July 10), but then spent a bit of time in a holding pattern before we could actually land. And... as usual the most tedious part was waiting to clear customs and security. Sigh.
Bit the bullet and bought a return ticket on the Heathrow Express for GBP 27. Met up with my friend Nadia and had a bit of a chat. Dashed back to Heathrow in good time for my flight... and promptly waited. We sat on the plane for a good hour before taking off... apparently there had been some sort of delay earlier, and there was a queue of planes waiting to
take off. I counted 7 planes taking off before us, and saw another 5 behind us. Yup... Heathrow is one busy airport.
Air Canada's planes are older than SAA's ones and there were no personal screens this time. Once again though, I managed to get in some sleep (to make up for the week of 19 hour days spent franctically packing).
Anyway, landed at Pearson International about half an hour late. There had been a hectic storm, delaying many flights.
Luggage took a long while to come out, as they had to switch off the conveyor machines due to the lightning. How rude... you need a $2 coin to get a trolley. Argh. You can of course use a credit card, but for what is essentially R12?! Me with my two 30kg+ bags definitely needed one... and thanks to the kindness of a Canadian gent I met at the conveyor, I managed to "borrow" a "toonie" and get one. Whew.
Monday, 10 July 2006
Sunday, 9 July 2006
The Trip Here ... Joburg to London
After what seems like forever, I am finally leaving for Toronto!
My departure gate was damn far from the main departure hall... in fact I'm pretty sure I walked all the way through to the back of the domestic section of Joburg International. The plane took off almost an hour late. We had some "missing" passengers and one who was denied boarding. The airlines are getting so strict in enforcing visa checks - a Malawian gentleman who did not have a visa to transit the UK to Germany was prevented from flying. So due to security policies, we had to wait until they could locate the passengers' luggage and take them off the plane.
The plane was a Boeing 747-400 and my seat was upstairs... somewhere I've never been on a plane before. *Really* great for me, as I had a window seat in the last row and therefore a nice ledge to put my stuff and of course, stretch out my legs fully!! Yes, it's great to be not so tall ;) The only issue was that my personal TV screen wasn't working, but I was so tired that I just ate dinner and passed out till breakfast the next morning.
My departure gate was damn far from the main departure hall... in fact I'm pretty sure I walked all the way through to the back of the domestic section of Joburg International. The plane took off almost an hour late. We had some "missing" passengers and one who was denied boarding. The airlines are getting so strict in enforcing visa checks - a Malawian gentleman who did not have a visa to transit the UK to Germany was prevented from flying. So due to security policies, we had to wait until they could locate the passengers' luggage and take them off the plane.
The plane was a Boeing 747-400 and my seat was upstairs... somewhere I've never been on a plane before. *Really* great for me, as I had a window seat in the last row and therefore a nice ledge to put my stuff and of course, stretch out my legs fully!! Yes, it's great to be not so tall ;) The only issue was that my personal TV screen wasn't working, but I was so tired that I just ate dinner and passed out till breakfast the next morning.
Wednesday, 1 February 2006
Yoga
I have been practising yoga since July 2002. My first experience with yoga was with Bikram Yoga, moving on to general Hatha Yoga in the Sivananda style, and now Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
Practising Yoga
A good website for 'newbies' to yoga is yogajournal.com
Specifically, read their article on the various styles of yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is the system of hatha yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. This system includes a number of series, each series consisting of a set sequence of poses or asanas. Ashtanga Yoga uses a powerful and dynamic practice in which poses are linked to one another through the synchronization of movement and breath.
The primary difference between Ashtanga Yoga and other forms of hatha yoga is the use of vinyasa, the principle of flowing movement synchronized with the breath. In addition to creating strength, flexibility and a purifying sweat, using vinyasa as the foundation of the practice, draws the mind inward, towards the Self, which creates a meditation-in-motion, a state of well-being, mental clarity and an open heart.
Another difference is that Ashtanga Yoga follows prescribed sequences of asanas (postures). Each asana grows out of the one before it and is preparation for the next. Adhering to the sequence also prevents the practitioner from focusing only on his or her individual strengths while avoiding his or her weaknesses.
The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.
More about Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute http://www.ayri.org/
- Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' website on everything Ashtanga, including biography and info on studying yoga in Mysore, India
- Information on the method of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga in Germany http://ashtangayoga.info
- great pictures of the various asanas (postures) in the various series
David Swenson's website http://www.ashtanga.net
Documentary about K. Pattabhi Jois - Guru
Photos:
My practice:
- July 2005 on Sandton City rooftop
Guruji's Tour to London UK, March 2006
- with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
- with Sharath
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