HudsonValleyGoodStuff

"Kumare" screening at Woodstock Film Festival & Actor/Director Vikram Gandhi answers nosy question

Vikram Gandhi director of Kumare from Vanessa Ahern on Vimeo.

 

 

I absolutely loved the documentary "Kumare: The True Story of a False Prophet" which screened at Bearsville Theater during the 12th Annual Woodstock Film Festival. Vikram Gandhi the director and star of the film wears a red toga-esque garb, grows a long beard, grabs a trident, and a picnic basket, and tours Arizona with two lovely yogi accomplices to help him become Sri Kumare. If you have ever been to a yoga class or dabbled in meditation, or think deeply about spirituality, you should see Kumare. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I found the ending very satisfying! 

My favorite part of the Woodstock Film Festival is the Q & A afterwards. Not all the movies are attended by the filmmakers though so I was excited to hear that the director would be there to answer questions. I was very curious about what kind of mad man would do this. It certainly takes guts, and a dash of insanity too. 

I noticed a bit of on-screen chemistry with a few of his female disciples. I wondered if the master/disciple relationship would turn romantic, on-screen or behind the scenes. Apparently, I'm not the only viewer who thought about this.  See the Q & A clip for the scoop! 

Visit the Kumare Movie to learn more.

  

Tibetan Center in Kingston: Malas, statues, singing bowls & thrift shop!

The Tibetan Center took over the huge hot pink building that used to be home to Chocolate Cheers on Route 28. (I miss Chocolate Cheers!) I have been curious about the Thrift Store component to the new Tibetan Center, but unfortunately the thrift store is only open on weekends during the month of May. I will have to check that out on the weekend. It should be open every day starting in June, but I would check with them first to be sure. It is a beautiful space. The boutique sells malas, statues, singing bowls, and hand-made clothing. Most of the items are made in India or Nepal by Tibetans. Garchen Rinpoche will be speaking here on May 17th at 7:00pm on "Karma: Cause and Effect" (Donation $10). For more info visit the Tibetan Center's website.

My annual blessing with Amma Sri Karunamayi in Woodstock recap: Simply Gloriful!

I marked my May 9th on the calendar as "Amma Day" and forgot to mention this on my blog. It was a beautiful day to sit near the Bearsville Theater and meditate in Amma's presence.  I dressed up in my white clothes, and settled on the prayer request I would write on the index card, which is given to Amma.

When I got to Bearsville Theater Amma was giving a lecture on how the alignments of the planets can wreck havoc on human kind.  I didn't stay for the complete explanation, but she talked at length about Jupiter. Amma kept on saying that things could be "very gloriful" when Jupiter is in the right alignment. I love that word: gloriful!  This was my 3rd time receiving a blessing from Amma so I know the drill. I got my index card, stayed a few minutes, and left with the intention to return when the crowds thinned out.

Around 5:30pm, I returned and only had to wait about 15 minutes for my turn. I left with a handful of Hershey's Kisses, Amma cards, and an "Amma" glow.  Tomorrow, May 10th Amma will be hosting a meditation retreat. Registration is required though. I don't know if there is room left, but if you are interested in learning more go to Karunamayi.org website.

Peaceful Power Walk on a Gloomy Day: Ashokan Reservoir--Ashokan, NY

I love the Ashokan Reservoir! In the summer it's a perfect place to ride a bike, power walk, or push a stroller, especially if you like flat easy  terrain.  When the weather is gloomy and drizzly as it was last Sunday, it's nice too because it is never muddy and the view is gorgeous no matter what the weather is like.  It's not good though if you have a terrible fear of heights!  I just have a mild phobia so it's not so bad.  Getting there is half the fun!  For more info go to:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashokan_Reservoir#Permitted_Activities. I can't find an official website, but this will give you a little history and information.

New Yoga Studio alert: Euphoria Yoga in Woodstock, NY

I turned on the news this morning right at 8:47 am when Mayor Bloomberg was asking for a moment of silence to remember the victims of 9/11 the moment the first plane hit.  The past 2 years I have spent most of this day watching the memorials on television and remembering the fallen. (I was living in the city with my new husband and 8 months pregnant.  I had a 2-week temp assignment with Aon Financial on the 101st floor of the WTC that had ended in late August 2001.  So many people have these "close call" stories of that day).  I always think about the employees of Aon on this day.  I didn't work there long enough to make any friendships or really get to know people at all, but it saddens me think that many of them perished.  (The essay I wrote about temping there is still at MrBellersNeighborhood.com, http://www.mrbellersneighborhood.com/story.php?storyid=634. Today I wanted to do something active, and didn't feel like spending the morning alone. I thought it would be the right day to try out the new yoga studio in Woodstock called Euphoria Yoga.  I know Corinne Gervai, the founder, and Laura Weiss already as I practiced with them at Bliss Yoga in Woodstock. (Woodstock is becoming the yoga capital of the Catskills!).  I was so glad I went to yoga because the other 7 yogis also had similar motivations that I did today. Laura Weiss announced that this class was going to be different and special to commerate the day. I always learn so much in her class. I almost wish I could take a tape recorder with me because it is hard to retain information and affirmations when I'm trying my hardest to maintain the poses, or in today's case flowing through 64 namascars. It was an intense class that went overtime, but I really feel so much better now.  If you want to check out the new studio, visit their website, http://www.euphoriayoga.org.

Laura read a poem today in class by poet Judyth Hill, written in the wake of the attacks called "Wage Peace"--I had never heard it. WAGE PEACE Wage peace with your breath. Breathe in firemen and rubble, Breathe out whole buildings and flocks of redwing blackbirds. Breathe in terrorists and breathe out sleeping children and freshly mown fields. Breathe in confusion and breathe out maple trees. Breathe in the fallen and breathe out lifelong friendships intact. Wage peace with your listening: hearing sirens, pray loud. Remember  your tools: flower seeds, clothes pins, clean rivers. Make soup. Play music, learn the word for thank you in three languages. Learn to knit, and make a hat. Think of chaos as dancing raspberries, imagine grief as the outbreath of beauty or the gesture of fish. Swim for the other side. Wage peace. Never has the world seemd so fresh and precious. Have a cup of tea and rejoice. Act as if armistice has already arrived Don’t wait another minute. -   Judyth Hill

Shakti Yoga in Woodstock: Pigeon Pose in the Country

I'm feeling very relaxed and mellow as I write this post today. I finally made it over to Shakti Yoga studios to attend Corrinne's class. (I used to go to her class semi-regularly when she taught at Bliss Yoga).  Shakti Yoga studio has a bit more of a rural country vibe than Bliss Yoga Center does.  The windows in the bright studio were open and I could see the trees and here the birds tweeting while I worked through the poses. Corrinne likes to focus on strengthening the abdomen quite a bit, which I appreciate because my abs always need that due to my Summer ice cream project. Shakti Yoga also offers a Poolside Yoga class on Tuesday mornings at 9am, and on Saturdays at 10:30 am., weather permitting. I definitely want to check this out sometime as I've always wanted to take an outdoor yoga class. Drop-in class is $15. http://www.shaktiyogawoodstock.com

Amma "Divine Mother" Sri Karunamayi blessings in Woodstock

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Peace Walk with Amma Sri Karuanamayi on the beautiful grounds of the Bearsville Theater

To celebrate not being called in for Jury Duty yesterday I went to Bearsville Theater in Woodstock because I knew that Amma was offering individual blessings there from 9am-1pm.  I arrived there around 10 am and received an index card with the letter "H" scribbled on it and brochures with instructions/protocol for receiving her blessing.  An usher escorted me to the balcony. Amma hadn't arrived yet, but the theater was filling up quickly. It was a cozy spiritual Indian atmosphere--flower garlands, incense, a bright red over-sized throne for Amma, photos of Indian gods, a large TV screen showing clips of Amma and her work in India.  Soon a young man came to the podium and announced that Amma would be here shortly to "nuke" the place with her energy. He also spoke a little bit about what to expect during the blessing. We were told that everyone with a card would probably have to wait 1-2 hours, but we would receive a blessing. Group "A" would be the first group and they wouldn't have to wait as long.  At 10:20 am we were notified that Amma was on the grounds and that she requested that everyone go for a Peace Walk with her in the garden so we dutifully hobbled outside, barefoot on the pebbles until we reached the soft grass. Everyone followed her, and many tried to vie for a closer look at her. It was a quite a Woodstock scene. 

Once everyone returned to the hall, Amma gave a short lecture on chakras and the benefits of being selfless. She thanked us for joining her on her Peace Walk. Soon she got down to the business of individual blessings, with the volunteer ushers making sure everything went smoothly. Some people brought personal items to be blessed by her. (Ushers place these trinkets on trays so that the items only go to Amma).  I felt very relaxed in this atmosphere, but I was starting to realize that there was no way my letter would come up before I had to leave at 1pn to get on with my day.  A volunteer told me that Amma would be taking a break at 1pm. "For how long?" asked a fellow H group member. "That's up to Amma!" quipped the volunteer.

Well, I figured an individual blessing was not in the cards for me this year, and left to meet my husband. Around 3pm, family in tow, I joked that if we returned to Bearsville Theater with our daughters, we'd move to the front of the line. My husband isn't a yogi/ meditation kind of guy, but he is always up for a new adventure. He called my bluff and we all headed back to Amma.  When we arrived there the crowds had really thinned out. She was taking another break, but we only had to wait about 15 minutes for her to return, and seeing my restless (but happy) children, the volunteer said that we could go right after a set of babies went.  We were up! With my 5 year old in my arms, I clumsly gave Amma my blessing card with my right hand as instructed.  I moved my little one up to the platform so she could bless her. Amma put her hand on her head while my daughter played with her bangles. Amma blessed my forehead with "ashes" and did the same to my husband. My 7 year old was more compliant and received the dot as well. No words were exchanged. ("Silence is the language of God") She just smiled knowingly at us when we left.  The girls got Hershey kisses and Amma cards. Afterwards we went to the garden to relax and drove home. For the rest of the afternoon my cynical husband kept on saying, "Wow, I feel so relaxed!"  He rarely feels relaxed!  I have to say that the whole family was feeling quite groovy for the rest of the day. I even slept for 9 hours, which rarely happens. To see if your city will be part of Amma's 2009 World Tour, go here http://www.karunamayi.org/tour/Tour-Schedule.html  (Note: photography isn't allowed during the blessings. The photo of Amma blessing the woman is from her website. I posted it to add a visual here). Have you ever received an individual blessing from Amma? Were your experiences similar to mine?

By the way, Amma will be back in Woodstock for July 4th weekend in 2010.

Kundalini Yoga in Woodstock

Today I decided to check out a new class at Bliss Yoga called Kundalini Flow.  I didn't have any anxiety about trying Kundalini yoga until I arrived in class and overheard different yogis talking about what was in store for newbies. "I remember my first Kundalini class. I thought 'this is weird," one woman said.  It was definitely different than the Vinyasa flow class I usually take.  No sun salutations or my beloved wheel pose. There is a lot of shaking, breathing exercises, odd repetitive movements that sound easy when the instructor explained them, but very challenging to perform them for 4 minutes straight. The class ran a little longer than 90 minutes. It was a very intense practice, and a class I would definitely take again. I like the idea of detoxing without having to do anything crazy like live off raw vegetables for weeks on end.  The class includes a "kriya" or purification exercise, and today's special was a "detox kriya" which the instructor said was especially beneficial during the changes of the season.  It's hard to measure how many toxins left my body, but I did feel pretty damn good for the next 2 days. I would definitely try it again. Check  http://www.blissyogacenter.com for class schedules.

Amma Sri Karunamay "The Divine Mother" is coming to Woodstock!

The bulletin board outside Bliss Yoga is always chock full of yoga events.  Amma, "the Divine Mother" is stopping by Woodstock on her tour of North America. She will be here from June 1-3.  A lecture and blessing time will be open to the public. She will also host a full-day Meditation Retreat on Wed., June 3rd. (You must pre-register for this. $85. Discounts for seniors and students).  For more info, go to http://www.karunamayi.org/tour/2009Woodstock.html