Yoga Club for Children

"Clench your teeth. 
Lock your tongue behind this wall of teeth. 
Deeply inhale through your mouth. 
Close your mouth and slowly exhale through your nose. 
How do you feel?"

"It feels like an air conditioner has been turned on inside my body" chirps the youngest in the group who is only seven.  
The rest of the children laugh and readily agree. 

I make a mental note to mention the 'air conditioner' the next time I teach Sitali Pranayama - the cooling breath.  

***

"Boojangasana?" asks a boy when I ask for the original Sanskrit name of the Cobra Pose. 
"Not Boo, it's Bhu" remind the others. 
"Oh, ok, Bhujangasana - Cobra Pose, got it" nods the boy. 
"Well, you can say the snake goes "BOO" if you forget the Sanskrit name" suggests an older girl.

I learn how to introduce Bhujangasana to other classes. 

***

Pavana - wind
Mukta - free/release
Asana - posture

The children copy from the blackboard into their notebooks:

Pavanamuktasana - The wind-releasing pose

They double up by pressing their knees into their bellies. 
A loud sound. Someone indiscreetly breaks wind.  

They all double up, laughing heartily. 
Then they try to guess who made the sound. 

I try to maintain a straight face and explain how breaking wind is quite normal. To distract them, I bring up Roald Dahl's BFG in the discussion and we all laugh at how everybody in the world goes "whizzpopping".

***

During Savasana, the youngest giggles. 
That sets all into fits of giggles. 
They are supposed to be lying still and paying attention to their breathing. 
I wait silently till the giggling fizzes out. 

A restless child opens his eyes and looks around to see if he has company in his disobedience. 
The others are in a calm state of mind with eyes closed. 
The restless one quietly goes back to a more restful state. 
I take a deep breath in and exhale slowly. 


The children's Yoga Club this month was an amusing exercise in learning how to teach.

Creative Camels on a Treasure Hunt

The Creative Camels have been meeting in the landscaped gardens of Ras al Hamra, Muscat, every fortnightly to discuss creative ways of doing things and to play games.

Last weekend they had an end-of-the-school-year garden party. 

The secret plan of the Treasure Hunt was meticulously hatched and the clues were logically built up. Our young artist in residence went to the beach to gather stones for the Treasure Hunt and then to the Art Store to get golden paint. Homework took a backseat and the stones became pieces of golden treasure with the first letters of the Camels' names painted on them. 

The first camel arrived half an hour earlier than expected. 
Oh uh, but the Treasure Chest was still sitting on the dining table!
The young artist distracted the first camel in the garden while the Treasure Chest was surreptitiously being hidden. 

One by one the camels arrived bearing mum-made snacks in non-disposable boxes and trays.  

The first game seemed super simple. 
Each of them had to use two fingers to collectively balance a stick  and bring it down. The volunteers gave straight-forward instructions. 
The stage was set. 
Nothing could go wrong. 
How long would it take to lower a straight stick?


Imagine the Camels' amazement when instead of going down, the stick steadily rose up!
The volunteers tried to make matters easier. 
"Think of a strategy to make it come down" they suggested. 
Aha, the Camels then tried to 'let go' of the stick from one end and another till it gradually descended. Smart move. 

The next game got them all as tangled up as the branches of the trees above. 
  
They stood in a circle and held hands with neighbours. At a slow count of ten, they knotted themselves up as much as they could. 
They remained in this twisted shape till clear instructions were given about who should do what to untangle the lot. 

A cleverly camouflaged butterfly in the hedge revealed the first clue of the Treasure Hunt.

Clue: The Creative Camels are looking for hidden treasure. They need an orange lamp to show them the way.
 

The orange lamp was guarded by birds.  

Clue: They see a white bus stop at a distance. 


They skipped to the white bus stop on the side road.

Clue:They take a ride on the bus but one of its tyre bursts, so they go looking for a hanging tyre.

The tyre hanging in the garden has been a favourite plaything for years.

Clue: Tired and weary, they look for a safe house on a tree to spend the night.

They attempt to clamber up the treehouse. 

Clue:  When they wake up, they are hungry. They find a balloon and think its a fruit. 

The bunch of red balloons holds the last clue. But they have to unscramble the letters ...


B O M O T A L U I E

The Camels scratched their heads. 
It didn't take them long to spell out 'AUTOMOBILE' and they rushed to the little red car parked nearby. 
They opened the door and lifted the Treasure Chest proudly as if it were an over-sized trophy. 

After the Camels found what lay in the treasure chest for each of them,  they had to answer a Quiz before they could reach the feast. 

(Photo courtesy: Taru)

 The Quiz made them remember their past meetings.

What did the spell do to Princess Nityashree?
Name three things that The Very Hungry Caterpillar ate.
Name this yogasana (with a demo).
Give a synonym for 'Thankfulness'.
What is this art pattern called?
Give one method of remembering people's names.
Who is the rich sister of 'Khichdi'?

Much credit must be given to those Camels whose hands shot up straight high to answer every question of the quiz.

(Photo courtesy: Taru)

After sharing a  couple of stories about how we should be grateful for the food we get, the Camels respectfully lined up at the table and helped themselves sensibly taking only as much as they could eat. 

Among other things, their backstage star mums had prepared date sweets, samosas, varieties of pop corn, cupcakes, cheese pizzas, chana salad, pizza sandwiches, and fruit jelly. A cool drink of fresh mint and lemon complimented the food. 

(Photo courtesy: Taru)

  
Balloons, buntings, 'monkeys', and hand-made cards brought gaiety to the party. The Camels had collectively made a happy memory. Somebody left a spoon behind, but it is not golden. There have been no takers so far.

Creative Camels featured in this story and photos: Aarav, Abhishek, Aditya, Anna, Daksh, Dhanya, Gargi, Ishaan, Joydeep, Lehini, Mrunmayi, Manav, Nagila, Ruchita, Sanaa, Shrushti, Surya, Vaibhav

Jebel Shams: A Salute to the Sun

 

The enormity of the landscape is astounding. 

It tells the million-year-old story of the geological upheavals that created the canyons, the tremendous pressure that shook the ocean floor and exposed the earth’s insides and laid them out in folds and layers of molten stone and sand. 

The echo of the rumble can still be felt in an inaudible visual gasp.

Perhaps it had happened in a multitude of millions of years...or perhaps in the scope of a single day. 

The sun has been a silent witness to the epical unfolding of this topographical drama.

This is the place where the sun’s rays plant the first kiss on the Omani soil every morning. 

A Surya Namaskar, a salute to this mighty sun...

/Om Mitraaya Namah /

One who is friendly to all

There were eleven of us, friends and friends of friends – Surya, Anna, Royce, Sanaa, Reena, Bindu, Raju, Deepmala, Balaji, Stephen and I.

The heat in the city of Muscat during the month of May can hit dizzying records. It was a warm and inviting sun which greeted us at 7.15 am when we started our journey towards the Hajar Mountain Range in Northern Oman which features the highest peak in the country, Jebel Shams – the Mountain of the Sun, and Wadi Ghul – the Grand Canyon of Arabia.

/Om Ravaye Namah /

One who shines

The radiance followed us as our 4WDs moved from city speeds of 100 km/h to highway speeds of 120 km/h. Bindu, Deepmala, and I took the steering wheels while Balaji, Raju, and Stephen coordinated with each other about navigation. 

We took a short halt at a wayside eatery and discussed the road strategy ahead. The next halt was uphill to take in the view. That was when we came across the first of the several mountain goats we saw on our trip. She eagerly feasted on orange rinds – the only treats we could give her.

/Om Suryaya Namah /

One who dispels darkness and generates activity

Full of positive spirit, and taking turns at the steering wheel, we approached the Jebel Shams Resort at 11.30 am. 

Raju had used his negotiation skills to get a good deal on the current rates at the resort. Perched near the canyon, the resort offers a cluster of chalets having all the basic amenities for a comfortable overnight stay, a swimming pool, and a wonderful view of the sunset. 

Each chalet has a barbecue pit in the back which held a special interest for Surya and Royce. At the picnic tables, Anna and Sanaa sipped on cool drinks.

/Om Bhaanave Namah /

One who illuminates 

Although bright, the temperature was moderate at the height of approximately 2,800 m. 

Mountain goats with long hair in shades of cream and brown cleverly climbed up in impossible places like the tops of skeletal trees.  Some of them took shelter from the strong light under whatever feeble  shade they could find.

/Om Khagaya Namah /

One who is all-pervading, one who moves through the sky

It was a calm day and bunches of pure white clouds floated idly in the sky. 

In the blazing mid-day sun, basked high-flying Egyptian Vultures. 

Meanwhile, three engineers in our group debated about the direction in which their droppings would fall. Stephen was quite sure it would be on his head. 

/Om Pooshne Namah /

One who gives nourishment and fulfilment

Balaji had thoughtfully packed homemade tamarind rice and lemon rice for lunch. Raju and Stephen had brought snacks and drinks. 

The resort staff provided a sumptuous Arabic dinner and a continental breakfast. It was incredible to eat such wholesome food in the inhospitable terrain where we had planned to stay overnight.

On our evening walk, we came across an Omani colleague of Balaji and Stephen who was driving back home with his family. He stopped to offer us fresh, sun-blushed apricots – a bounty of the rugged mountains. 

/Om Hiranya Garbhaya Namah /

One who has a golden- coloured brilliance

The setting sun brought a soft golden glow to the landscape. With a little coaxing, Sanaa was inspired to sing melodiously – 

“Tonight the super trouper

Lights are gonna find me

Shining like the sun

Smiling, having fun

Feeling like a number one.”  

/Om Mareechaye Namah /

One who gives light with infinite rays

The raw morning sun rays touched the mountain.

They shone on flaming pomegranate flowers and bushes of pink roses. Wide awake, goats bleated morning greetings in the distance.  The chill slowly gave way to warmth.

My early morning walk fetched a unique discovery – a dried up clump of low vegetation with translucent leaves so fragile that they would crumble if touched. The rays of the sun passed through the leaves as if they were made of clear glass. 

/Om Adityaaya Namah /

One who is the son of Aditi, the cosmic divine mother

Along the stone paths, Deepmala noticed fossils of small ancient sea creatures embedded in the black rocks streaked with white marble. 

It was impossible to lose track of the geological history of the landscape while walking around these mountains.

/Om Savitre Namah /

One who is responsible for life

Jebel Shams stands tall at more than 3000 m but what is more fascinating is the deep Wadi Ghul lying alongside it. The Wadi or dry riverbed is also called the Grand Canyon of Arabia because of the deep vertical fissure it exposes. 

Several species of cacti and sparse vegetation thrive here in isolated patches. A few houses of local shepherds and a pop-up stall selling handicrafts made from goat hair were the only signs of civilization in these parts. 

/Om Arkaaya Namah /

One who is worthy of praise and glory

 Reena, who has flown the nest to join college overseas, draped her arm around her mum's shoulders and chatted animatedly with her.

The starkness of nature here contrasts vividly with the security of being with people you love.

Thoughts of gratitude for divine blessings arise. 

/Om Bhaskaraya Namah /

One who gives wisdom and cosmic illumination

A spray of innumerable stars graced the moonless sky at night.

Witnessing such celestial majesty brings home the truth of our own insignificant lives. 

Bindu cleverly captured a shooting star on her phone camera.
 

For those of us who missed this heavenly sight, there is always a next time.

Inshallah!

Tatkar: Racing Music and Matching Footwork

To mark the International Dance Day on 29^th April, the Leelangika Kathak Group, led by their guru, Jhumpa Chakraborty, held a Tatkar Competition.

Jhumpa is a member of The International Council of Dance or CID which is the official umbrella organization for all forms of dance in all countries of the world. It is a non-governmental organization founded in 1973 within the UNESCO headquarters in Paris where it is based. 

The art of dance visually represents the tradition, culture, and music of the people. Dance competitions bring to the forefront the true form of this art. 

In the Kathak dance form, tatkar is a type of rhythmic footwork. During a competition the intensity of the tabla beat is increased gradually and the dancers’ feet have to keep up with the racing beat. 

 

At the Leelangika Tatkar Competition, the participating girls were put into five groups according to their ages and all the groups were differentiated by the colours of their dupattas – pink, blue, red, yellow, and green. 

The competition took place in a hall decked up with curtains of multicoloured dupattas by enthusiastic mothers. As the full April moon climbed up the sky, the competition saw the tatkar beat get more and more vigorous. The dancers seemed to have achieved a trance-like condition of body and mind as they matched music and movement. 

The evening ended with a prize-distribution ceremony and Ms. Chakraborty awarded the trophies and certificates. In Group 1 (6-8 years) Jahnabi bagged the first prize and Juana won the second position. In Group 2 (9-14 A years) Anna got the first prize while Rupsa and Kena bagged the second and third positions respectively. In Group 3 (9-14 years B) Aditi was declared as the best performer while Shaivi and Vyatiba came in second and third respectively. In Group 4 (15-18 years) Sneha stood first and Aditi was second. In Group 5 (20+ years) Anushaily was first and Zanam won the second position.

Jhumpa was most proud of the youngest girls in the group and encouraged all the participants who had given their best. 

This report was also published in Muscat Daily, 3 May, 2018.