At the Toronto Yoga Show
Sitar players and yoga gurus showed up in force at the Toronto Yoga Show. First off, I am not that keen on yoga shows and conferences and cannot afford the big-ticket class fees. But I did pay a Saturday visit to the Toronto Yoga Show floor and was drawn to speak with a number of people who seemed sincere and knowledgeable (in spite of the overtly commercial atmosphere). I chatted with some people from Sivananda Yoga. I have been to several of their worldwide yoga ashrams and centres — such as the beautiful Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp north of Montreal, in the Laurentian Mountains. Kevin “The Wolf” Alexander, Wearer of Many Hats, from the Northern Edge Algonquin retreat centre was also there. I have wanted to go to this very special retreat on the edge of Algonquin Park for more years than I care to remember. Somehow, after chatting with Kevin, I think this summer will finally be the one. Among other special events, they often host yoga retreats.
The highlight, for me, was unexpectedly coming across sitar teacher Lata Swarn modestly sitting on the floor and playing in a booth selling yoga clothes. I kneeled down and listened, falling into a trance induced by the classical Indian music. Not only can she play like a charm, but she’s a lovely person too — and I discovered that she lives in the same west-end Toronto building as my brother. Another highlight was meeting yoga “legend” Dharma Mittra.
Sitar teacher Lata Swarn at Yoga Conference Toronto
My second favourite moment was coming across Ram Vakkalanka chatting with yoga “legend” Dharma Mittra. In this photo, below, Dharma is holding one of Ram’s CDs — Ram is also a talented sitar player, as well as Sanskrit teacher and yoga philosophy teacher. I notice that Ram is leading a workshop on Inner healing through sacred sounds at Sivananda in Quebec this summer.
Yoga teacher Dharma Mittra and sita player Ram Vakkalanka
I did not take part in the free, open classes … but did enjoy taking advantage of some good photo opps.
Plow pose in the Garden at the Yoga Conference Toronto
At the Toronto Yoga Show
Mariellen Ward is a freelance travel writer whose personal style is informed by a background in journalism, a dedication to yoga and a passion for sharing the beauty of India’s culture and wisdom with the world. She has traveled for about a year altogether in India and publishes an India travel blog, Breathedreamgo.com. Mariellen also writes for magazines and newspapers.
