Iyengar Yoga Course Retreat in Rishikesh, India

I have just gone for a residential Iyengar Yoga Course in Rishikesh, India.  This is a 10 Days course.  This residential iyengar yoga course is held at the enchanting bank of river Ganga, Arsha Vidya Pitham (Swami Dayananda Ashram) Rishikesh from October 30-November 7, 2011.

Rishikesh, revered by countless millions, has been a home to many spiritual seekers, teachers and ascetics for several thousand years. The ashram, on the banks of the famous Ganga River, is the home and school of our beloved H.H. Swami Dayananada Saraswati. This ashram has been invoked and blessed by many thousands of incredible minds and hearts from all over the world that have come to seek the traditional teaching of the Vedas.

I would like to share some photos of the Ashram, Ganga River and the village of Rishikesh with all of you.  Enjoy!

Temple inside the Ashram

Inside the Ashram

Inside the Ashram

Inside the Ashram

Canteen in the Ashram

Canteen in the Ashram

Yoga hall in the Ashram

Gate to the ganga river from Ashram

View of ganga river from the Ashram

Ganga river outside the Ashram

Ganga river outside the Ashram

Me posing at the Ganga river

View of the Ashram from the Ganga river

Rishikesh, India

Rishikesh, India

Rishikesh, India

Ganga river in Rishikesh, India

One of the bridge over Ganga river in Rishikesh, India

Ganga river in Rishikesh, India

Sunset by the Ganga river of Rishikesh, India

Winter in Hokkaido, Japan

Hokkaido is an island at Japan's northern extremity, surrounded by sea in all directions. It is an extensive land, accounting for 22% of Japan's total land area. Low humidity makes the summers pleasant, while in winter you can enjoy winter sports. The island is gaining popularity as a tourist destination throughout the four seasons.

In Hokkaido you can enjoy the magnificence of nature to your heart's content: Daisetsu-zan National Park, which forms the roof of Hokkaido; the secluded Shiretoko-hanto Peninsula; Kushiro Marsh, home to many precious living things such as Japanese cranes; Shikotsu-Toya National Park, which is full of volcanoes and lakes; and the ever-changing Shakotan-kaigan Coast. There are also numerous hot springs, like the Noboribetsu-onsen, Jozan-kei-onsen and Soun-kyo-onsen, where you can enjoy a leisurely bath to help you get over the fatigue of your journey.

To learn more about Hokkaido, please visit
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/hokkaido
http://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/hokkaido

I would like to share with you over here some of the beautiful photos of Hokkaido being taken in the month of December.  Enjoy!

Beautiful Santorini Greece

Santorini Greece in the Cyclades, Aegean, has one of the most spectacular landscapes in Greece and in the world. The traditional villages of the island, built on tall cliffs, offer a breathtaking view over the submerged volcano. They represent the beautiful Greek cliche you have always dreamed about! Among them you mustn't miss Oia, the place gifted with the most famous and stunning sunsets.
Santorini Greece is one of the most popular destinations of Greece and is known as the home of one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world.

Every year, thousands of tourists visit Santorini to discover the famous submerged caldera, the volcano’s crater, which is situated today in the middle of a 32 square miles basin of water. Around the basin, hanging on cliffs of 150m to 300m height, one can admire some of the most beautiful traditional villages of the Cyclades. The lively colours of the white Cycladic houses and blue painted windows contrast stunningly against the black volcanic rocks rising from sea. This scenery keeps inspiring artists and visitors…These villages are named Fira, Firostefani, Immerovigli and Oia.

The island name comes from ‘Santa Irini’ and it is officially called Thera.

Santorini is located in the south of the Cycladic islands, just between Ios and Anafi, 130 nautical miles from Piraeus and 70 nautical miles from Crete. The island covers an area of 96 km2, has a coastline of 69 kilometres and its length reaches 18 km. Santorini has a population of about 6500-7000 inhabitants during winter, a number that rises up to 11.000 during the summer.

During the ancient times, the shape of Santorini was circular and that was the reason it was also called Strongili, which means circular in Greek. The volcano’s eruption destroyed the centre of the island, causing it to sink and to create today’s caldera.

The first eruption of the Volcano took place around 1500 BC, and is said to be responsible for the destruction of the great Minoan civilisation of Crete. The last eruption took place in 1956 but the volcano remains active until today. Some believe that the destruction of Santorini could be related to that of the mythical Atlantis.
 
To learn more about Santorini Greece, you may like to visit this website: http://www.santorini-greece.biz/santorini.htm
 
Hereby, I would like to share with you some of my pictures of the beautiful Santorini Greece.  Enjoy!