While in India, I spent three months living in Mysore, the southern state of Karnataka, a city about 146 km southwest of Bangalore, Karnataka’s capital.
The popular – and very vigorous – form of yoga called Ashtanga, or Ashtanga Vinyasa, is what draws many foreigners to Mysore.
Yoga Schools in Mysore
www.sthalam8.com or www.yogamysore.com
Volunteering in Mysore
While in Mysore, in addition to studying yoga and meditation, I volunteered at a wonderful grass roots organization called Odanadi Seva Trust which works “for the rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration and empowerment of trafficked women and children”.
DRESSING FOR INDIA
The best thing to do when packing for India is to pack very little and buy Indian-style clothes (like the beautiful tunic and pant combination called a salwar kameez) while you’re there. Layers are the recommended as the climate can vary greatly from region to region – cool in the mountains and hot everywhere else. Pack light and loose fabrics that are durable and wash easily. The style should be modest as India is a very conservative culture – so no plunging necklines, bare shoulders, or micro-minis.
YES to: linen, shawls and wraps (for your shoulders and head), t-shirts and tunics, long skirts
NO to: shorts, halter or tank tops (unless your at the beach), tight-fitting clothes
October 11, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I’ve heard Mysore is lovely. I’m yet to visit. How did you apply as a volunteer?
October 11, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Hi Shivya,
Thanks for your email! I’m pretty new to the blogging world & I’m just starting to figure things out & find my voice. It’s pretty exciting!
Mysore is a wonderful place to live because it’s just large enough to feel like you’re still a part of civilization, but small enough that you’re not constantly trying to dodge cars, cows & people. Not to mention that the structure of the old colonial Raj-era city has been well-maintained so it really is a beautiful city.
The volunteer opportunity at Odanadi came about by chance. I practiced yoga with a woman who was volunteering there at the time. She invited me to assist her. She led a yoga program for the young residents at the girls’ home. Eventually she asked me if I wanted to take over the classes when she left India. She herself had taken it over from the woman who had developed the program & so on. Talk about good fortune! I was given the chance to improve my teaching skills, sharpen my yoga sanskrit chops, & best of all, spend time with these incredible children & young women! If you’re interested in volunteering for Odanadi specifically, you can contact them through their website. The amazing people who run the organization are really busy but very kind. If you have an idea for a program, they are open to it. It’s best if you plan on being in Mysore for an extended period of time rather than just a few days but there have been people who had volunteered for just a couple of weeks.
This, of course, is just my experience. A friend of mine volunteered in Dharamsala at a paper making factory. Another friend of mine volunteered at an orphanage.
Maybe I’ll get their details & post all of this on my blog!
Are there any must-see places in India that you recommend?
October 12, 2008 at 4:25 am
Hey, thanks for the info
It’ll be great if you put up their details on your blog!
Yeah, there are tons of places I’d recommend. Last december, I did the southern most parts of india. there’s a nice little hill station down south called Munnar, near Cochin. It’s green and blue and beautiful. Then further down, there’s Kanya Kumari, which is the southern tip of India. It’s amazing. You can see the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea converging, and actually see 3 distinct shades of blue in the ocean, representing the 3 oceans.
If you’re traveling north by now, you HAVE to visit Manali and Rohtang Pass. Rohtang Pass is the passage from India to Tibet. if you trek far enough, there comes a point where you are completely surrounded by snow. It’s breath-taking!