– part of Sadhana Yoga Ltd –
We had a great meet up with Jann who runs a funky Airbnb in a treeline district of Shanghai. you can contact the proprietor – Jann – directly for bookings don’t need to go with Airbnb if you don’t want.
Photos and text by Ali
Unlike Singapore which can feel sterile, and Delhi which is utter chaos, Shanghai hums with peaceful harmony. Shanghainese people are polite and friendly. Parks are filled with trees and lotus ponds. Modern architecture complements local temples. Contemporary art galleries are brilliantly curated. Shanghai is a dreamlike paradise flowing with a fresh new attitude.
Lotuses at Jing’an Park, and Jing’an Temple – central Shanghai
Before the shops open, uninhibited citizens occupy urban spaces. They practice tai chi, chi gung, fan dancing, slow marching, badminton, and martial arts displays.
High and low culture acts like yin and yang, playfully pushing each other’s opposing buttons.
The old coexists alongside edgy innovation. New technology references hints of the past.
Electronic billboards provide backdrop for temple gables
Civic spaces respectfully cater to the elderly
The metro system is cheap and easy to navigate, with stops signposted in both Mandarin and English.
This efficient public transport system allowed us to explore many parts of the city. The rest of the time we traveled on foot, covering much distance in a single day.
My personal aim for this research trip was to find nourishment and inspiration from contemporary art and the new trends in Shanghai.
I also wanted to make new contacts for future yoga-based group excursions from NZ.
Shanghai exceeded my expectations. Some of the new art was mind-blowing, mixing traditional and iconic images with cutting-edge digital technology.
There was also plenty of interesting street art, installations, and boutique shopping spaces.
Numerous gardens complimented central business districts .
There was no shortage of tasty vegetarian food and great place to enjoy a quiet drink.
You could spend 6 months in Shanghai and a still not see everything the city has to offer. It is a city that I hope to return to as soon as I can.
Just in case anyone was interested in joining me on my next group excursion, we found a great inner city yoga space to run classes from. Put a visit to Shanghai on your bucket list ! You won’t be disappointed.
For more information email Ali at nzyogacentre@gmail.com
Hi, I’m away in Shanghai for a research trip between Wednesday 8th August and Friday 17th August. Because there is no Google or Facebook contact in mainland China i will not be able to be contactable . Yoga classes will resume on Monday 20th August. Hope to see you then!
Kind regards
Ali
Ali from the NZ Yoga Centre talks about Guru Purnima, the Guru Full Moon. This talk will be presented in person at the NZ Yoga Centre tonight, Saturday 28th July, 2018.
Guruji and I traveled all over India together. From Bharmour in the alpine north to Kanyakumari in the far south. He was such a special kind person and he always allowed me to be myself. Guruji passed into mahasamadhi in October 2016. I miss that deep connection but he has taken up residence in my heart so he is always with me.
Many of my yoga students met Guruji when they joined me on our yoga trips to India.
Guruji and I visited two Kumbha Melas together.
I will be making a special puja to him with my students on Saturday night – 28th July 2018.
Om guruji, om devoji, om alakaji, om paramatmaji, om namonarayan Guruji!
The images in this new study reference influences from my trip to Alicante, Spain in 2015. The shapes and colours are reminiscent of Miro, and stingrays are borrowed from local art deco architecture.
I sketched the original idea when I was visiting Spain in December 2015, renewing my visa for India.
Alicante is one of my favourite cities. I am looking forward to returning as soon as I can
A perfect day trip along the Desert Road gave us majestic views of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.
The hotpools at Wairakei Thermal Resort were so therapeutic and soothing. Hotpools are a great way increase hip and hamstring flexibility and bring valuable minerals into the skin.
Great daty out, great groups of women!
This fantasy self portrait of the Medicine Buddha illuminates out of the darkness. By viewing the central image, our psyche awakens with the use of lapis blue, turquoise, sadhu pink and gold. The crystal lapis bottle in the bottom left corner of the painting contains healing nectar, which is meant to alleviate pain, hunger, distress, poverty, and thirst. The Naga Guru at the top of the picture protects us from the damaging influences of ignorance and fear. The cobra rises up fiercely, protecting us from toxicity and harm. The Guru hold a bottle of bliss elixir, an antidote for all poisons. The rabbit at the bottom right corner symbolises long life, deep compassion and freedom to all beings.
The over-arching narrative of this picture is heal yourself, and heal the world.
I originally drew the image of this Buddha under the instruction of artist Ella Brewer 13 years ago. Bringing it to life with colour last week allowed me to find expression for my urge to help heal others and heal the sicknesses of the planet, in this case through art. Some of the motifs of the painting are further explained in the accompanying podcast.
I digitally added text to emphasize the fact that this image is under copyright, and also is for sale. If this image is sold money will go towards an air ticket to visit my guru-grandfather at Kumbha Mela, January 2019.
kind thanks — Ali
HAPPY GURU PURNIMA 2018 –
celebrated around the world July 27th 2018
We had an amazing first birthday at the NZ Yoga Centre, with fire, festivities, friends and food. Such a great energy from all who attended.
Our next event will be a ‘kai & sky’ event for Matariki mid June 2018.
You must be logged in to post a comment.