Namaskar July 2010
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As the summer heat starts to rise (in Hong Kong at least), it seems fitting we introduce<br />
tapas as our dristi. Sometimes translated as heat, this niyama had been unclear to me till now.<br />
Thanks to four guys, much more knowledgeable than I, who explain tapas in four very<br />
different ways. I hope after reading the perspectives by Clayton, Paul, Ron and Yogesvara<br />
you will also a clearer understanding of what tapas is, and its role in your practice.<br />
namaskar<br />
In this issue, there’s a nice balance of articles for new practitioners: Jeanne’s article on yamas<br />
at work, Tia’s introduction to yoga’s most spiritual mountain Arunchala, Inna’s report on<br />
the Tokyo yoga scene, Sharon’s lessons learned at the kitchen sink and Gricia’s personal<br />
story of inspiration, as well as articles for those with more experience. The interview with<br />
meditation teacher Carlos Pomeda by Leah and Benjamin’s suggestions for how to<br />
introduce philosophy into your yoga classes, should inspire teachers and those deeper into<br />
their practice.<br />
For serious inspiration and possibly a few tears, read Sanjukta’s article on yoga for special<br />
needs kids and Isabelle’s story on how yoga is healing children, particularly one girl, in<br />
Cambodia. I suggest you have a box of tissues handy when you get to this latter one.<br />
Stories like Isabelle’s remind me the world is much bigger and sometimes darker than my<br />
beautiful little bubble. And while there are tons of stories of people who endure hardship,<br />
the fact these practice yoga as I do, connects me to them more strongly.<br />
<strong>Namaskar</strong> helps connect and inspire yoga practitioners from different backgrounds around<br />
the world. In support of this, can I ask those of you who may be traveling overseas this<br />
summer to take a couple copies of this magazine. Please share them with the yoga studios<br />
you visit and tell them they can receive the magazine for free if they like it. They just have to<br />
email me to be added to our distribution list.<br />
Thanks to everyone for their generous contribution to <strong>Namaskar</strong>. Particularly to Nigel<br />
Gregory who photographs most of our covers, and to Paul Dallaghan and Yoga Thailand<br />
for providing the venue and practitioner-models for the cover of this issue.<br />
I wish you a happy and healthy summer.<br />
FRANCES GAIRNS<br />
Editor & Publisher<br />
SOMETHING TO SHARE?<br />
If you have something to share with the yoga community in Asia and elsewhere (we<br />
distribute around the World), please email fgairns@netvigator.com<br />
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