Interview - Leena Gargalis & Ruth Ruscher
Can you tell us a bit about your workshops and classes? Ruth: For me, it consists of mainly evening classes once a week in Forres and Lossiemouth, and arranging yoga workshops with Leena. Leena: At the moment, due to personal circumstances, I am concentrating mainly on workshops. We ran a very rewarding and well received yoga day in late November 2004. Another is planned for May the 1st, in the Findhorn area. Would love to run more classes in the local Nairn/Inverness community in the months to come.
How did you both discover Yoga? Ruth: I was introduced to Sivananda yoga in Austria, where I'm from. Leena: I tried many styles and classes whilst growing up in Australia. It wasn't till I moved to London in 1995 that I met my teacher, Keith Hodiac Jones. He had trained with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres and hence began my journey deeper into all things "yoga"!
Can you describe your Yoga practice? Ruth: I teach a standard Sivananda Hatha class consisting of relaxation, breathing work, the sun salutation as warm up, asanas, and prayer. Leena: I always remain mindful of the 5 aspects of yoga in my practice: proper breathing, proper diet, proper relaxation, positive thinking/meditation and of course proper exercise (asanas).
What aspect of your practice do you find most challenging? Ruth/Leena: The aspect I find most challenging is getting up for meditation/morning practice which I believe to be the most effective. I also find it difficult sometimes to fit my practice into my daily routine on a regular basis.
Do you ever feel cut off in terms of workshops and Yoga events? What are the positive aspects in living where you do? Ruth: I don't really feel cut from Yoga events up here in the Highlands. It simply means that I have to make an effort to travel which is a wonderful excuse for a break. I love finding out about all the different retreats available around Scotland like at Lendrick Lodge. Leena: Although the availability of workshops and other Yoga events is quite limited in the Highlands, it is slowly changing as more teachers move to the area. Coming from Australia, I don't feel that Scotland is very big - so like Ruth I love the idea of travelling around this wonderful place and discovering what yoga events are on offer. This is why Yoga Bhoga has been such a blessing - it is a great way to find out what is happening on the yoga scene.
Describe your ideal yoga retreat/holiday? Ruth/Leena: We love the yoga retreats offered at any of the Sivananda ashrams. Ruth studied at the ashram in India and Leena at the one in California so we hold these two places as very special in our hearts. Leena would love to go back there and attend a 7 day meditation retreat this coming August - the daily schedule sounds incredible with more than 6 hours of meditation!and a little bit of time left over to swim in the lake! Ruth has been thinking about a Sadhana intensive in Rishikesh in India this year as well - so watch this space!
When you are not doing yoga - what do you enjoy? Ruth: Hillwalking - especially on the West Coast and generally travelling at any given opportunity. Leena: Exloring this amazing country and cooking a feast for loved ones.
Who do you admire? Ruth/Leena: Anyone who dares to stand up for what they believe in. Anyone who stays focused and positive even when things are challenging. Anyone who lives and radiates strength, love and compassion.
Can you share a favourite quote with us? "People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centred, forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish alterior motives,be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and some true enemies, succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank people may cheat you, be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building someone could destroy overnight , build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness they may be jealous, be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow, do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be good enough, give the world the best you've got anyway. You see in the final analysis is is between you and god - it was never between you and them anyway." ~ Mother Theresa
29 December 2004
Leena Gargalis and Ruth Ruscher are both yoga teachers, both trained by the Sivananda Vedanta centres, and are both based in the Scottish Highlands.