Day 09– 12: Delhi – Chandigarh: YOGA YOUR LIFE
Today, after breakfast drive to Chandigarh (260 km 4 1/2 hours), one of the early planned cities in the post-independence India, and internationally known for its architecture and urban design. The master plan of the city was prepared by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. Later proceed on visit of Chandigarh, which includes Rock Garden (It is a unique garden that consists of various art objects. But the best part about the rock garden is that each of its artwork has been made by using industrial & urban waste), Open hand monument in Chandigarh is one of the most significant monuments of the city & capitol complex (capitol complex houses the seat of Government. Initially, it served as the seat only for the Govt of Punjab, but now it has the headquarters of both, the Govt of Punjab and Haryana), evening return back to your hotel for overnight stay at Lalit, Chandigarh
Traveling Lady Moon entered Hotel Lalit, Chandigarh with curiosity and high expectations. First, I was really inquiring about a city that everybody was talking about, and the hotel LALIT, of course. I must say they were right in terms that this is a city unlike any other city in India: modernized city structure and way of life. I was wondering how it is possible to create a hotel that looks so sleek, ultra-modern, with décor featuring spacious rooms, gourmet world dining experience, and a spa that rocks and leaves your skin silky soft in India?
SPACIOUSNESS of their minds was reflected in hotel space as well. I remember hotel’s staff, Manali Pankaj Jain and Harkaran Singh, by being so open-minded in trying something new in the ancient land of India, which I had not- experienced yet until LALIT, CHANDIGARH came to me.
The hotel is located in IT Park, so a bright new generation of Indian professionals is there, and it is mixed with a daring spirit of Mr. Lalit, a founder of this hotel chain. Funny or not, at the end, you might feel like you are in a little Las Vegas, dancing in a Kitty Sue night club enjoying champagne. Kitty Sue article http://wp.me/p3PYg0-KQ
YOGA: There’s No Place Like “Ohm”.
My true soul highlights came from a private yoga class with Krishna Semwal, Spa Manger/ Yoga Teacher. After a nightclub strolling accompanied by one of the hotel managers, I was happy I made it and came on time for my 08:00 AM class. My intention was to enjoy it without mentioning my yoga passion and holistic way of life. I came with my naked face — no makeup, wearing my yoga outfit and heart filled with expectations to tune to yoga living art, something that I was still missing here in India.
Yin and Yang energy followed us into a studio. I challenged his teaching style by saying “I hate Sun Salutation; I can’t do it, due to my knees. what now?” I was waiting if he would be able to tailor a class for his client’s needs, or if he would ignore my saying. To my surprise, he listened to me “no problem, there are many other ways in yoga!” I gave him my silent credit by my smile, still in incognito of being hatha yoga teacher. He was very good in encouragement, and paid attention to my body alignments in consideration of my age. You never know what can happen if divine brings two yoga teachers in one studio; a miracle can happen.
At the end of yoga session, I felt something. Something I haven’t felt here in India yet. What I felt like was unity of consciousness between me and a yoga partner on the yoga mat, Krishna. Yoga connected us. This happened on the stage paved from yoga mats reached through asanas into an infinite power of Divine.
“YOGA INTIMACY is not about physical contact. It is like connecting with somebody so deeply that it feels like you can touch their souls in your hands.”
I believe that it was our shared values and belief in Yin and Yang theory. At this moment, the West was presented in a woman (Yin) and the East showed in a man (Yang). It gave me a taste of our waving cosmology might look like in a colorful tapestry of our souls. Somebody crafted this moment for me here in Chandigarh, and new possibilities of a future work, as a brilliant divine artist scratched it on my third eye and this image was passing my vision giving me a glance of limitless possibilities. In my meditational stage, I replied, “Might be but not now, I must focus on my present mission”. Once I opened my eyes from final savasana, I smiled, and asked “can we do some pics together?” and at that moment a travel writer was back in me again being true to her present calling. http://wp.me/P4SxVw-bC
At the end of the session, I asked for a privilege to do a final class closing. I did my chanting in a western style, and our energy was sealed in our hearts. As the day progressed, Traveling Lady Moon left the hotel with soul togetherness from the yoga studio that carried her towards mountains – Himalayas.
Excerpted from EBook in writing: Facing Your Destiny, INDIA 2016 by Traveling Lady Moon
YOGA and TRAVEL 