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The Burgeoning Yoga Scene December 2005 The gaping whole that is comprehensive yoga practice in this city essentially sits entirely on the shoulders of SaigonYoga. It is lucky that they are strong, well organized, and committed shoulders. The studio is located in alley 10 just off Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and is a place of candles, foliage, and soft lighting. Every inch of the building represents a more philosophical and spiritual approach to yoga practice. Currently the school employs three full-time teachers, each of whom is qualified to teach all forms of yoga but have, during the three years that the school has been open, developed a specialty all their own. Owned and operated by the Californian Suzanne Vian, the school places great emphasis on its teachers continuing to train and expand their understanding of what they each clearly consider to be a process of learning that is never finished. Classes are offered seven days a week and most of the instruction is adaptable enough so that even the least flexible beginner can benefit. At the moment, Saigon Yoga has one studio that comfortably fits 20 students. They do not believe in packing pupils in like sardines and are, therefore, quite strict on maintaining that as the maximum number. Due to the classes’ popularity, Suzanne has plans to open a second studio on the third floor of the building. With 10 years of practice under her belt, a conversation with Suzanne is a true privilege. She has the unique ability to communicate her own philosophies about the practice of yoga without ever losing her sense of humor or creating a wall of pretension between student and teacher. The David Carradine sense of “grab the pebble from my hand, young grasshopper” seemed to have no place in the building. An equal privilege was seeing Tessa Rohrig lead a Bikram yoga class that held an inspiring mix of Westerners, Vietnamese and male students. And though I was walking around the studio snapping people sweating and struggling to find their grace and balance, not a single student seemed uncomfortable. Saigon Yoga seems extremely eager to work with students in order to allow yoga to meet your needs. Classes cost US$10 for each 90-minute session and they also run a US$25 special which allows you two weeks of unlimited class time. Mats and yoga blocks are provided. All you are required to bring is a towel and yourself. |
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