Barcelona

One month ago I spent four days in Barcelona, a beautiful, youthful, turbulent city on the Spanish east coast. For everybody this city has something to offer: culture, old town, modern town, beach life, party life, sightseeing ... And above of all this uncomparable, mediterranean summer feeling which I love, love, love. This city really has a lot of faces and is worth a visit in any case.

Of course I brought my Yoga mat and on Friday morning I paid a visit to Ashtanga Yoga Barcelona which is lead by authorized teacher Hojung Audenaerde. Her shala provides only Mysore classes, you can start in the morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. I got up at 7 a.m. and after getting ready tried to find my way to the shala, which was not that easy in this huge foreign city. But as I already had managed to get close to the shala I saw a man walking down the street who was obviously carrying a Yoga bag. I simply followed him and he lead me to my destination. As I arrived there were already a few practicioners and after having settled the formalities I also started. I think it was the first time that I practiced in a real Mysore-style shala and I was nearly overwhelmed by the great atmosphere. I guess there were always between ten and twenty people in the room but there would have been still more space. My practice was great, not physically but in all other dimensions. I found it simply great to practice in a room full of committed, like-minded Ashtangis, it definitly pushed my energy up. Hojung and her assistant walked through the lines and gave adjustments, verbal and physical. Hojung had a very calm and grave charisma, she definitly had the control over the room. She helped me in Uttitha Hasta Padangusthasana, her assistant helped me in Mari A so that I was almost able to bring my chin to the shin. And the highlight was Mari D: Hojung helped me so that I could bind on both sides, on the right side this was the first time ever! After Buja Pidasana which was only a poor attempt I did back bends and finishing positions. Great practice in Barcelona and once more I pitied myself for not having a Mysore shala near my home.

But next weekend we are having an Ashtanga workshop with Andreas Loh here in Erlangen. He is great and I'm looking forward to it.