Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Sadhana Bhumi, Nepal the other home of Yoga. By Gaby


It does not come naturally to associate Yoga and Nepal. The first thing that comes to your mind is Trekking, not Yoga. It is funny that just the opposite applies to India, you would not think Trek but Yoga. The fact is that there are wonderful mountains to trek in India and amazing yogis associated with Nepal. So why is this almost natural segregation?

When we refer to yoga, we are talking about a tradition of several thousands of year and Nepal or India as political boundaries are from the 18th century only, and obviously the Vedic Rishis and sages of the Upanishad who where so eager to transcend the limitation of the mind had other things to do than bother about political boundaries!
When we say yoga is India’s contribution to the world, this “India”, the historical India is the subcontinent and its geographical extent goes far beyond today’s Indian political boundaries. In fact it includes all the foothills of the Himalaya (much of today’s Nepal) up to the mountains of Afghanistan to the west and to what is today Bangladesh to the east and would even include Sri Lanka to the South.

Nepal, just like India, was shared and ruled by a number of local princes. The unification was done in 1768, under Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gorkha king, and Nepal was often referred to as the Gorkha Kingdom. Gorkha was a name referring to the 8th century Hindu warrior saint Goraknath, disciple of Matsyendranath who is said to have brought Hatha Yoga to the world, after having heard it from Shiva himself, when he was spending some time at the bottom of the Ocean with Parvati.

So here are a few reasons to correct this mis-perception:

Nepal today offers a unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist culture, the two main religious influences over Yoga practices. In the Newar culture of the Katmandu Valley, some temples are the place of Hindu festival on certain days and Buddhist pilgrimage on another, completing an interesting and unique fusion. Some of the last genuinely tantric practice alive are also present and represented by the Vajrayana Buddhism tradition since Nepal host a large Tibetan refugee community.


Katmandu valley alone has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites related to both Hinduism and Buddhism, some of these places are some of the most visited pilgrimages site in the sub-continent and here the tradition is very alive. Together with the hundred of temples, shrines, monastery, stupas, pilgrimage sites, it makes the Katmandu Valley the most amazing “full size” mandala, a unique tribute to the spiritual architecture of its Vedic and tantric past.


Baghwar, one of the powerful place of the Shivapuri National Park
The Himalaya: home of Yogis for thousand of years. Also called “Tapo Bhumi” the land of practice (tapas) and mostly home of the God-heads Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva (as described in the old Purana “Himavatkhandah” or “chapter on the Himalaya”) the Himalaya is home of many caves, hermitages and most importantly the “ageless body” of all these famous enlightened masters who have escaped to Nirvana and are waiting to inspire you.

The Mahasiddhas and the Nath tradition is at home in Nepal. Matsyendranath and his disciple Goraknath, founder of the Hatha Yoga tradition are also ever present in what was once called the “Gorkha Kingdom”. During spring one of the most amazing festival takes place in Nepal: the huge chariot of “Rato Matsyendranath” is man-pulled across the city of Patan, a festival not be missed!

Of course, last but not least, Nepal is also the birth place of Lord Buddha (Lumbini). There are many more reasons to come to Nepal of course but they 

When people ask us why we are conducting yoga training and retreats in Nepal, these are a few of the reasons we give, but there are many other, somehow insignificant but powerful. For example, my taxi driver phone ring is the Gayatri mantra, when I pay the electricity bill, it is shakti bill, when I go to the ATM it is LAxmi bank (the Goddess of wealth). Here you cant escape it, and evrytime you meet someone, greeting is Namaste "the Divine in me salutes the Divine in you".

Recently I was reading a post on a website: "Come to Goa, India, the motherland of Yoga", I could not stop laughing, in Goa you will find tourist, the true yogis have always delved in the Himalaya!

For more info about Yoga Training in Nepal check yogi-nomad.org
Kathmandu, Nepal
December 24, 2011 

For information about yoga and trekking: http://www.trekkinginnepal.com/
For more info about classes and retreats in Kathmandu http://www.yoganepal.com ; http://pranamaya-yoga.com

7 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Yes, It's fine. If anybody needs to join Yoga Training and Retreats in Bali than Begin your Training & Retreat Application Process at: www.dashama.com.
      Join Dashama in Bali, Europe, Miami Beach or Isle of Man, UK.

      Delete
  2. For more information on mythological Nepal:

    The Glory of Nepal
    A mythological guidebook to the Kathmandu Valley William P. Forbes
    ISBN 81-7769-027-2

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kanchenjunga tea House Trek is one of the most amazing trekking trail of Nepal .NEST (Nepal Explore Summit Treks) has leading new semi camping Tea House Trekking in Kanchenjunga Region as Kanchenjunga Tea House Trekking in Nepal .
    Trekking guide in Nepal
    Trekking guide in Nepal is the ambassador of Himalaya who know the culture localism of the Trekking trail of Nepal. Hire a Trekking guide in Nepal is not a Expensive but its best chance to Explore Himalaya in a safety way too .

    ReplyDelete
  4. Upper Mustang Trek is Nepal’s best and hidden Kingdome's valley . Trekking in Upper Mustang always offer the best of Tibetan Culture and old Monasteries .Although Trekkers are not allow to go in that reason without having a special restricted Trekking Permit , Because of its own glory the Trekking To Upper Mustang is very popular with the Tourist . NEST ( Nepal Explore Summit Treks ) is specialized for this region for your best organization .
    Everest Base Camp Trek
    Among all the available trekking in the world Everest Base Camp Trek is ranked in fourth place because of its own glory as the highest peak of the world and loyal Sherpa people. Since Everest Base Camp Trekking provide an opportunity to the travelers to say have been to the base of the world & highest mountain Everest Base Camp Trek is extremely popular among all the travelers who visit Nepal for trekking. The Mount Everest Base Camp Trek is perfectly lead by NEST ( Nepal Explore Summit Trek )

    ReplyDelete
  5. Everest flight which is also named as mountain flight. Early in the morning more than fifteen to twenty airplanes leave the runway of international airport on Nepal to attend Everest flight along with eighteen passengers. Mountain Flight can be considered as good alternative for those people who cannot make their Everest base camp trekking and other trekking in central and eastern region because one can have amazing aerial view of long panoramic mountain range during Everest flight.
    Car Rental In Nepal
    Car Rental service in Nepal can be a most easier with NEST Adventure Care Rental in Kathmandu Nepal .we are offering Cheapest Vehicle Rental in all over lad on Nepal wide range vehicle service and luxury transportation service to our customers for giving them the best of comforts with Tour Trekking , and adventure outdoor activates in Nepal.
    NAR PHU VALLEY TREK
    Nar Phu valley trek is conducted in two separate valleys respectively Nar and Phu of Manang District. The two separate valley Nar and Phu use Tibetan-Burman language named Narpa with the intent to avert Manang and Gyasumdo to understand them. This area is granted permission to trek from 2003 only before it was inhabited by its local Tibetan origin Nepali citizen only. Because of its severe seclusion Nepal government has not allow it to explore by single trekkers and a guide is obligatory. NEST ( Nepal Explore Summit Treks ) always in a head to operate your Trekking in Nar phu Valley

    ReplyDelete
  6. People searching for the most reliable and relaxing Yoga Training and Retreat for a healthier connection between the mind and the body can now get want they needed.

    ReplyDelete