Words of Wisdom

I have two yoga teachers. Mahi, the director, and his cousin Hari.

Hari teaches us Iyengar style Hatha Yoga each morning, as well as meditation, breathing, and other things. He has trained for a long time with a very strict teacher. He is celibate, he is quiet, he is careful, he is quite hilarious. He hates cats and mongoose, and is scared of bears in the corn fields.

Mahi is obsessed with women, yet also professes his celibacy numerous times a day. He means well, but has on occasion been known to punch people, and recently said he would like to kill the Dalai Lama. His favourite topic is himself, and he often tells us he is going to meditate in the cornfields when actually he spends most of his time in Bhagsu (touristy village 10 mins walk away) chatting up Israeli girls (though he 'hates Israelis'). He can, however, do many very difficult yoga postures.

They have taught us many things, some of which are relevant to a yoga teacher training course.

So that we never forget these priceless bits of information I have will chronicle their Words of Wisdom here from time to time.

Words of Wisdom from my Yoga teachers:

"Red apples are green apples that 'they' have injected with acid to make them red"

"Cats are dirtier than dogs"

"Cat hair gives you epilepsy"

"Cow's milk is good for everyone, all the time, regardless of any lactose intolerance or allergy."

"Tibetans are thieves and very violent"

"Love is a Risky Game"

"Indian women never tell anyone when they have their periods. They are not allowed to be in the kitchen when they do - they must work in the cow shed. you should not speak about your period" (though it is important to tell your yoga teacher when you have your period, because you shouldn't do any upside down postures at that time)

"All Western people waste water" (this coming from a man who tells us not to stop a leaking tap, and lives in a village where public taps just pour forth water constantly.)

"Eat as much ghee (clarified butter) as possible to be super healthy - it lubricates your body so that you are better at yoga".

To be continued, I'm sure...