YOGA IN PUEBLA, MEXICO

If a person chooses to live in the city of Puebla and wants to stay fit, I’d look up our friend and yoga teacher Juan Carlos Martínez Parra.  He’s the director of a yoga center called Sahasrara Yoga which is located across the street from Plaza Cristal, a well-known shopping center, in a nice area of this major metropolitan environment.

We’ve known Juan Carlos since 1997 when we met him at a meditation retreat in Mexico City.  Through the years we’ve come to recognize that he’s an extremely talented person.  Not only does he teach all levels of yoga, but he also instructs people in meditation, tai chi, and martial arts. Moreover, he’s a contributing writer for Yoghismo, one of the best yoga magazines here in Mexico, and he has a weekly internet radio program called Camino Sin Fronteras (Path Without Borders) (www.sabersinfin.com), where he interviews local people who are involved with various types of spiritual pursuits.

Anyone who comes to Juan Carlos’s classes will find him very personable, quite knowledgeable, and extremely capable.  If there is a need for translation, he always has students who are fluent in English.  For further information, please check his website www.yogapuebla.com.mx

RURAL CENTRAL MEXICO

When we leave our home for Apizaco, a small city in our area, we pass by the panorama you see above.  The large mountain at the rear of the photo is the Malintzi.  Its elevation is around 15,000 feet.  There is an excellent camping area with cabins a little over half way up, which is surrounded by forest.  Our property is about middle upper right on the photo.  

While there are a number of small towns around the Malintzi, there are also quite a number of citizens who love living in the country like we do.  The people here are quite friendly.  Their professions vary from construction workers and small farmers to doctors and engineers.

Now that we are into the rainy season (late May through early November), everything is beautifully green.  People are into growing their crops, going swimming at the nearby vacation area called the Trinidad, and just enjoying the wonderful climate.  What a wonderful time of year to be here!

DHAMMA VIHARA MEXICO

Although there are a number of places to go on meditation retreats in Central Mexico, one of our favorite locations is the monastery operated by Dhamma Vihara near Jilotepec, Veracruz.  Situated in the mountains about 30 minutes by taxi from the city of Jalapa, it’s easily one of the most beautiful places to seek solitude in this country.

The abbot of this monastery is the Venerable Bhikku Nandisena.  He’s not only fluent in Spanish and English but also has a high level of capability in Pali.  As a scholar and practitioner, he’s a truly kind-hearted and wise instructor and counselor, one my wife and I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in the discipline of meditation as a means to improve his or her life.

Here is an excellent view of the monastery where you can see the building that houses the kitchen and dining facilities.  On the right is a view of the porch in front of the meditation hall and the teacher’s quarters.  Practitioners who like walking meditation have ample opportunity to enjoy a space away from the noise of traffic, for there’s only the sound of birds and small animals being filtered through the forested environment.

Here we see a view of the dormitory located in back of the kitchen and dining facilities.  Each student is housed in a small but comfortable room.   Surrounded by nature, it is a wonderfully serene atmosphere in which to enjoy a pleasant night’s sleep.

Here is a side view of the meditation hall, teacher’s quarters, and meeting rooms.  There is sufficient space for around 30 or so practitioners and teachers. 

Please believe me when I say that walking meditation in the misty fog of the early mornings at this monastery is a unique experience, especially when you’re alone.  Even though I prefer sitting meditation, I’ll definitely defer that preference when such weather conditions prevail.

This is a photo of our first time at the monastery several years ago.  Pictured in the center, of course, is the Venerable Bhikku Nandisena.  Rebe and I are located on the lower left hand side.

The people in the Sangha who help manage the retreats are remarkably gracious and of great assistance.  They support us with assigned chores, assist with the cooking and serving, and offer helpful advice regarding practice.  Creating such a wonderful setting, they are largely responsible for why meditators return.  

Rebe and I have been here on retreat twice, and we’re going back again this fall.  We know that our time there will be productive and enjoyable.

The web address for Dhama Vihara Mexico is:  www.dhammavihara.org