BodyMindLife Yoga Workshop with Samanta Duggal at Temperance

It all started with someone retweeting a tweet by Temperance on twitter. And then I had signed up for their BodyMindLife Yoga workshop by Samanta Duggal. I have never actively practiced a sport, & physical activity has reduced a lot since school. (I still often practice the sport that is commuting in Mumbai!) So just because I'm slim doesn't mean I'm fit, no sireee. Also I'm a very restless person, so I've always wanted to practice yoga. And you'd think India being the land of yoga & all that, it's very easy to do so, but that's not true; I've always been searching for the right place & the right teacher. Temperance is a new creative hub in the heart of Bandra, they have just started up but already have classes in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), Dance, Zumba, & Yoga.

The workshop was yesterday, it was Temperance's first. Temperance is a beautiful complex just behind Rizvi college of Hotel Management. The studio where the workshop was held was on the second floor, it was exactly how I'd ever imagined an ideal yoga workshop to be. French windows on two sides to let a lot of natural light in, mirrors on the other two walls. There was a lot of new foliage planted too, it was very beautiful.

On the workshop itself, it was great. I did struggle with a lot of the asanas, I couldn't touch my toes or anything. And after a bad experience in Kolkata a few years go, I'm scared of pushy teachers/coaches, but Samanta & the girl assisting (I forgot her name ☹) were helpful without being too pushy, they totally allowed me to sit one asana out when I didn't feel up for it.

{Samanta Duggal}

The workshop was followed by a healthy vegetarian lunch. I expected simple Indian food, but what we got was practically healthy gourmet. 

The brownie for dessert was my favorite, it was made with flax seed & sweetened with fruits like Banana & Raspberry, no sugar or maida (all purpose flour). It was more like a wet granola bar, or drier muesli than Brownie but delicious nonetheless. They have a deli there opening in maybe 10 days. They are going to be having a sufi whirling workshop next month, & I'm still deciding about whether to go or not, but if it sounds interesting to you, you definitely should go. And you can know about their latest happenings by liking them on facebook.

Love,


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Looking Up in Goa

From my trip to Goa in April. I thought these went rather well together. The rooster on the roof of that traditional Goan home may remind you of a weather vane, but it's not. It's made of mud just like the other roof tiles.

Other than a little bit of cropping, these photos are completely unedited. And I'm curious about why the sky looks completely white in the photos. Granted they were both taken on different days in the harsh afternoon sun, still. I was shooting on manual, so were my settings at fault? Photographers, I would appreciate your thoughts. But I do love how the white blends with the blog layout so seamlessly.

Love,

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Men in Black III [3D], 2012 {Movie Review}

I can't say I've loved the earlier Men In Black films, but with the odd pairing of Will Smith & Tommy Lee Jones, the good special effects, & the always impressive supporting cast & the sci-fi comedy, I have certainly enjoyed the first two films.

The weird thing for MIIIB is that it's released twelve whole years after it's predecessor, while retaining the two main stars. I did however really miss Rip Torn as Zed, it didn't completely feel like a Men In Black film without him. He's replaced by Emma Thompson, which vaguely reminds me of Judi Dench as M in the 007 films. Perhaps it's a desperate move to add a strong female presence to the film? While I normally like Emma Thompson, I don't think she fit the role too well. 

Nicole Scherzinger (of the Pussycat Dolls) has a bit part at the start of the film, & the length of her role (& depth of her character) might make Freida Pinto feel good about her own role in Slumdog Millionaire. Will Arnett has a small appearance too, quite like the funny/annoying characters he usually plays. As you may know from the previews, the plot does involve travelling back to the 60's some scenes are a bit of a visual feast. There's even a funny turn of events with Andy Warhol! Perhaps the most amazing is Josh Brolin, who plays the young Agent K of the sixties. He may be a forty something playing a 29 year old, but he's still pretty amazing. Not only are their facial features alike, but he captures the essence of Tommy Lee Jones as Agent K so well, & being young, he's actually a lot less cynical & grumpy & hence more likeable. What's most disappointing is the end, it's meant to by sappy but it actually has a ton of plot holes (that I can't reveal without giving spoilers).

The 3D is definitely nothing special at all, you can get the same effect watching this in 2D, & save some of your ticket money at that.

Overall not bad from what we've come to expect of MIB films, they definitely have no critical merit but fulfill the purpose of entertainment quite well.

Rating ★★★ ☆ ☆ (Three Stars)

Love,

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