by Mandeep Gaygoat
From WPT Gym there are a number of ways of getting to downtown Bangkok:
Taxi
Pro: door to door service
Con: Expensive
Walking
Pro: free
Con: time consuming and can be very tiring in the hot weather
Bus
Pro: cheap
Con: can take up to two hours depending on traffic
I decided to try the bus, especially as today I was visiting the Gurdwara. The bus stop is on the main road and shows which busses stop there.
Bus number 60 will take you from this bus stop to the Grand Palace and costs 23 Thai Baht each way, a bargain!
Once you see the bus coming you have to flag it down, otherwise it will drive past you.
On the bus you just find a seat, the ticket inspector will come to you and ask your final destination, they will then give you the price.
For email subscribers:
Bus number 60
Information on bus number 60:
60
|
2
|
Minburi – Pak Khlong Talard
|
- Regular bus()
- Air-conditioned bus
- Air-conditioned bus
|
04:00 – 22:30 |
|
Inbound
|
Siam Water Park, Raminthra Rd.,Safari World, Fashioniceland, Minburi Nawamin Rd., Klong chan , Nida Uni., Bang Kapi , lamsari Intersection, Ramkhamhaeng Rd., Klong Ton Intersection, Phetcha Buri Rd., Pratumwan, Yomarat, Larn Luang Rd., Phan Fa Bridge, Ratcha Damnoen Klang Rd., Democracy Monument, Rateha Damnoen Nai, Emerald Buddha Temple,(Wat Phra Kaew), National Museum, National Tehatre, Grand Palace, City Pillar Shrine, Rachini Rd., Pak Klong Talard. (Pratunam rachtewee Ramkhamhaeng Uni. Dumnerngarng Road Bang kapi Ramintra Road City court Asia Hotel Lam salee Yak Klongtun Suan Siam Sanam chai Emerald Buddha Temple and Grand palace Fashion Iceland Nida Safari World Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital Ministry of the Interior Ministry of Defence Sridurapha Rd. Phetchaburi Road Yak Urupong Mision Hospital Pratunam complex Metro Deptment Store Department of Land Ban Mo Makkasan Police Station Wang Thong Lang Police Station Huamak Police Station Bangkok Hospital Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital Wat Pho School Panya General Hospital Srisiam Hospital The Bongkok Paly House Wat Ratchabophit Wat Ratchapradit Saranrom Pork The Queen's Gallary Sanam Luang Territorial Defenee Department Demrongrajanuparb Library Wang Woradith/Woradith Palace King Prajadhipok Museum Thammasat University Silpakorn University Srinakharinwirot University Prasanmit Ramkhamhaeng University National Institute of Development Administation Ministry of Social Development and Human Securit Ministry of Th Interior Wat Theplila School Wat Bang Toei School Wat Ratchabophit School Wat Prachetupon School Wat Ratchanatda Worawihan School Wat Dit Hongsaram School |
Outbound
|
Pak Klong Talard, Rachini Rd., Charoen Rat Bridge, Sanam Chai Rd., Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha), Ratcha Damnoen Klang Rd., To Minburi |
Picture of bus number 60 (obviously instead of 511 it will say 60)
by Mandeep Gaygoat
Today I popped to the Gurdwara in Bangkok.
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha
565, Chakraphet Road,
Pra Nakhorn,
Bangkok
10200,
Thailand
T: +66 0 2221 1011
F + 66 0 2224 8095
E: [email protected]
Master Pimu had arranged for First Gear to take me. Whilst i attended the Gurdwara service, First Gear waited for me near the Gurdwara.
The Darbar Sahib:
View from the public car park
It was great to be back with a sangat, I am very home sick and this has helped me. The only problem is that last time we were here it was with Sangeet. I keep hoping I can look over and she will be sitting there.
After the programme and whilst eating lungar, I met a guy called Inderjit Singh, a third generation Thai Sikh. It was great to meet him and we have exchanged numbers. Hoping he can help/guide me around Bangkok.
Around 2pm I met First Gear the journey back to WPT took 1.5 hours! Just so crazy how much traffic exists here, even on a Sunday!
The afternoon and evening I was very depressed. I am very home sick and missing my wife Sangeet.
I am not sure i can last the three months…..
by Mandeep Gaygoat
Starting weight: 88.8kg
Target weight: 63kg
Weight recorded on September 7 2013: 87.9
The last three days the format has been the same, so instead of three posts looking identical I will do one.
Training starts around 6:30am and lasts for two hours. You go for a run, do your own warm ups and then you will get taught by Master Pimu or do some pad work with Bea.
Master Pimu is fantastic at teaching the technical aspect, the stance, punch, jab, kick etc…if you are here for some time, he does not rush and makes sure you practice every technique until it becomes a habit. Hence the training two times a day. When I was clinching (Clinch fighting (also referred to as clinch work) is the part of stand-up fighting where the combatants are grappling in a clinch, typically using clinch holds. Clinching the opponent can be used to eliminate the opponent's effective usage of some kicks, punches). When my foot hits the ground I was lowering my heal by 1 cm, Master Pimu got another person to hit me each time I did this! Reading that back it sounds like this is a harsh training camp, Master Pimu is a stickler for technique every move has to be precise. If the basics are spot on then you will have a strong foundation.
Master Pimu
Beginning Muay Thai at the age of seven years of age, Pimu was fortunate to be taught by a very distinguished fighter, Lerngsak Sorlupitak, a champion renown for his kicking and kneeing ability. He was also privileged to have trained, for a short time, with one of the greatest MuayThai boxers of all time, Adul Srisothorn the “diamond crown boxer”. This was cut short by Adul’s premature death in a car accident. Adul was a very famous boxer, six times champion famed for his all round boxing ability.With such an excellent pedigree, Pimu himself proved to be a very skilled boxer, having over a hundred fights. However, his ring career was cut short by a serious shoulder injury. After retiring Pimu began training fighters with great success; something he still excels in. He trained his first Champion Tawanok Sitpoonchai thirty years ago and has not stopped since.
The students here at the moment:
The Gym

The gym is about an hour from Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok International Airport,) also about an hour from downtown Bangkok (both times are depending on traffic.)
WPT gym has been designed for westerners as well as Thai champions. The gym employs a number of top coaches from different gyms. Training can accommodate anyone form complete beginners to top professional fighters. A number of top fighters from France, Italy, Japan, Korea, USA, UK and Ireland have trained at the gym with Pimu, Met, Komkrit, Duwao, Manask, Thailand, Sancherng and others. UK Champions who trained at the gym include: Dean James, Liam Robinson, Sheree Halliday, Ronnie Mann (MMA), Karla Hood, Damian Hood, Pete Crooke, Reece Crooke, Frankie Hudders, Johnny Roye and many others. Top coaches training at the gym include:Tony Myers (UK), Pele Nathan (UK), Marco De Cesaris (Italy), Diego Calzolari (Italy) and many others.The gym has strong links with Sinbi Muay Thai gym in Phuket and Pinsinchai camp,Training is available twice a day like all gyms in Thailand. It is possible to negotiate what training you wish to do and the level of training you wish to engage in. At the gym they are equally happy to accommodate those who wish to learn techniques and not train too hard and top fighters who are preparing for a fight. There is a friendly atmosphere at the gym and everyone is made welcome.
Accommodation
Perhaps I should have made my bed before I took this picture!!
The rooms are all ensuite, they are maintained and kept clean.
After the morning training session you eat, either you go out to a restaurant or Shum (Master Pimu's wife) will cook. All dietary requirements are catered for.
Nearby restaurant
Mixed vegetables
By the time you have eaten it is around 9am, one has the day to sight see or relax.
What is there to do near the gym?
Within about ten minutes walking distance there are a few shops, Tesco Lotus, Seven Eleven. Here you can buy all your basic supplies.
Five minutes in a taxi which should cost around 50 baht or walking which would take about 45 minutes there is Fashion Island a huge mall where you will definitely get everything imaginable.
Fashion Island is a shopping mall located on Ramintra Road, in Khan Na Yao district outskirt of Bangkok, Thailand. Some of the anchors are
Robinson Department Store
BigC
Major Cineplex
Home Pro
SportWorlds
Sports shop
Children's play area
Starbucks a great place to unwind and use the wifi (At the time of this post they charged for wifi)
The afternoon training session starts around 4pm (ish) depending on how hot it is. The training mirrors the morning session, again afterwards you will eat.
The evening is yours to either relax or pop to the cinema at Fashion Island.
I usually go to sleep by 9:30pm, as being a forty year old fatty I get tired very easily!
by Mandeep Gaygoat
In order for me to get my certificate to teach Kundalini Yoga, I needed to complete the white tantric. At summer solstice white tantric is held over three days, for the certificate, I only needed to complete one day.

About White Tantric Yoga® And Meditation
Our minds release 1000 thoughts per wink of an eye. Some of these thoughts get lost in the unconscious, and some get stuck in the subconscious and affect the conscious mind.These thoughts become feelings, emotions, desires, multi-realities or fantasies. Instead of mastering our mind, often our mind and thoughts direct or distract us, which can result in impulsive decisions, poor communication and self-imposed stress.White Tantric Yoga® enables you to break through these subconscious blocks, so you can have a more enjoyable life. In the shortest time, you can experience release from a lot of the burden you carry in your mind.When you see and act on each moment with clarity, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your life can change.Your mind, body, and soul can act together as one.This is the path to personal freedom and awareness, and will bring more success to every area of your life.
White Tantric Yoga® enables you to break through these subconscious blocks, so you can have a more enjoyable life. In the shortest time, you can experience release from a lot of the burden you carry in your mind.When you see and act on each moment with clarity, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your life can change.Your mind, body, and soul can act together as one.This is the path to personal freedom and awareness, and will bring more success to every area of your life.
When you see and act on each moment with clarity, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your life can change.Your mind, body, and soul can act together as one.This is the path to personal freedom and awareness, and will bring more success to every area of your life.

What to Expect
White Tantric Yoga® is done in pairs as a group meditation.You sit facing a partner and follow instructions for meditation given on video by the Mahan Tantric,Yogi Bhajan. A representative of the Mahan Tantric will be present to facilitate White Tantric Yoga®. Each workshop consists of between six and eight kriyas. A kriya is a meditation incorporating one or all of the following:
• a yoga posture (asana)
• a breathing technique (pranayam)
• a mental focus
• and/or a mantra
• a hand position (mudra)
Sometimes the kriyas are accompanied by music. These kriyas vary in length up to sixty-two minutes. There are breaks in between each kriya.The environment is peaceful, and the atmosphere is friendly, supportive, and uplifting. A vegetarian lunch is provided.
How it Works
Envision the energy of the universe as both parallel and perpendicu- lar in nature, like a cloth woven together. As a cloth becomes stronger whenitisstretchedonthediagonal,sotheWhiteTantricYoga® diagonal, or ‘Z’ energy is stronger.This energy, when directed by the Mahan Tantric, cuts through the blocks that are stuck in the subconscious mind.
Using the diagonal energy, the Mahan Tantric,Yogi Bhajan, connects his subtle body to the subtle bodies of the participants through the course facilitator.This works the same way as a worldwide telephone system that relies on satellites and electromagnetic energy in order to connect two parties.
WhiteTantricYoga® should not be confused with blackor red tantric.Those forms of yoga also transform energy, but in a different way and for different purposes. Black tantric directs the energy to manipulate other human beings and red tantric directs the energy solely for sexual purposes.
In the evening we said our very long goodbyes and headed to the Sheraton Hotel in Albuquerque, the next day we headed back home.
by Mandeep Gaygoat
Today we went to see Avtar Kaur, more affectionately known as Beji. We first met Beji in 2007 at the amazing Jaap sahib course. Beji is 80 years old but you could never tell, she keeps active. Even though we met Beji and Papaji a few months ago it is a great pleasure to always meet when we are in the Bay Area. As always Beji had made some food which we ate with the many fruits they had bought. Very tasty and filling. Papaji had made us some very tasty carrot celery and apple juice too. We spent about three hours there which just flew by because we were enjoying their company so much.
Buying some fruit before we head over to Beji's

Trying the massage chair, which was very relaxing


Saying our goodbyes

Afterwards we drove to
El Sobrante Gurdwara
3550 Hillcrest Road
El Sobrante, Ca 94803
t: +1 510 223-1102
El Sobrante Gurdwara

Darbar Sahib


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2J8O79tKBI&sns=em
El Sobrante Gurdwara
There was an Akhand Paath in a smaller Darbar sahib

Lungar hall


Chopping of vegetables was done on the balcony

View from the Gurdwara

the sangat here felt so familiar. As if we were back at our own local Gurdwara in the UK.
Manicured gardens


We are looking to meet up with my cousin Upkar phenji, Shakti Singh paji her husband and Upkar phenji live in the Bay Area. So whilst waiting for a time and place to meet we decided to head to Berkley and find a nice cafe. We looked like two geeks ipad and laptop out, Sangeet was working on course work, whilst I was playing games and trying to look smart!
Yali's Cafe
1920 Oxford St,
Berkeley
California
USA
T: +1 510-843-2233




Upkar phenji called to say come to their house and we can arrange where to meet. We got to theirs for around 7:30 pm, to our surprise phenji had cooked an amazing vegan meal. We have not met Shakti paji before. It was fantastic meeting them both and we look forward to many more meetings!

We headed back to Gurrinder paji's house to get a good nights rest, especially as it will be our last night in California.
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