The Beatles’ arrival in Rishikesh, India was a cultural mile marker in the popularization of Eastern philosophies and meditation in the West. Although these subjects had been introduced years before, and interest had been rising steadily in the 1950s and 1960s, the Beatles sojourn to India helped to substantiate the reception of yoga, meditation, and alternative medicine in the decades that followed.
This class will begin with a brief history of that moment, visiting the Beatles Ashram today, and the importance of Rishikesh to the history and ongoing practice of yoga.
The Beatles’ trip to India also marked their most prolific output musically; during their roughly two months stay at the Ashram they wrote over 40 songs, many of which comprise The White Album that followed, often noted by critics and scholars as their most influential work, proving a direct link between meditation and creativity.
The flow will of course be accompanied by a playlist of Beatles songs to set the mood for a practice consciously constructed to reflect the unique contributions of each member of the group – as well as the numerological significance of “55!” The practice will conclude with a short breathing exercise and meditation. All are welcome, some yoga experience recommended.
George Harrison established the Material world Foundation to encourage the exploration of alternate and diverse forms of artistic expression, life views and philosophies as well as a way to support established charities and people with special needs. A few but not all of the recipeints are: Médicins Sans Frontières, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Macmillan Nurses, National Deaf Children’s Society, and NSPCC.
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