Just returned from the hindu temple in Seoul
It's called Sri Radha Shyamasundar Mandir
I have met Sri Gourahari before I left for Shanghai on 9 day journey. He gave me a brief overview of his background and belief. I could tell that he was someone of great knowledge and wisdom. As I have been searching for some guidance to help me focus and find a path in my life, I felt as though I have found an oasis in a desert.
I have been frustrated here due to the lack of spirituality that fits my belief system. I have taken yoga classes in Korea and there were definately several things missing. One of them was the spiritual part. Also, the physical asana was not very good because the sequence was set wrong. The teacher didn't follow ahimsa as she would make students to get into poses without any proper warm-up or preparation.
These days I am teaching my students yoga at school. My English camp students have learned the basics of good yoga posture (sitting nice and tall, extending your spine, tucking your chin in, roll the shoulders up and back opening your heart up, breathing through your nose, close your mouth, engage your belly, ujjai breath, etc..) as well as a pranayama called nadi shodhana. I had them practice Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) sequences and ended with a nice savasana. By the end of the class, the students energies were quite different than when we first started. They did not horseplay nor screamed. I forbade them from doing any act of violence.
I wonder if I was a good teacher but I know that each time I teach, I am becoming a better teacher.
I am very happy teaching yoga, and it pushes me to learn more about not only yoga but the story behind yoga.
One of many reasons for me visiting the hindu temple is to do that and to learn about Indian culture/philosophy. Also, I hope to learn some sanskrit and hindi to get me through my stay at Rishkesh, India next year.
I have met several interesting people today including Amitava, Jisu Yu, a Korean-Russian guy who is an artist/photographer...I'd really like to get to know him better..although our communication was pretty limited.
Overall my experience today was amazing, and I will be going back tomorrow to witness how the hindu worship service is done.
