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EVOLVE MAGAZINE ARTICLE #3 |
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Written by Gabriela Rocha
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Wednesday, 25 November 2009 22:52 |
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ECOTOURISM IN MEXICO Only for the conscious traveler
Ecotourism is also known as ecological tourism,
and is directed to the responsible traveler. Ecotourism shares and
teaches the traveler to protect and enjoy the different fragile and
pristine areas in the planet. Ecotourism helps educating the traveler;
providing funds for conservation; directly benefiting the economic
development and political empowerment of local communities; teaching
respect for nature, animals, different cultures and for human rights.
Ecotourism (like sustainable tourism) is focus in maintaining and regenerating the future of the next generations, by protecting and experiencing the wonderful environment we have today.
Wildlife Connection is the perfect example of a serious and responsible Ecotour operator. A Mexican organization dedicated to the study and conservation of dolphins and whales. Apart of their research activities and educational efforts, Wildlife Connection's specialized tours offer to the general public an opportunity to experience a close contact with nature and its wild animals.
In
Banderas Bay the conscious tourist would enjoy whale and dolphin
watching, as well as witnessing marine turtles laying eggs on its
beaches and exotic birds inhabiting the lush tropical forest in the
company of professional biologists.
These tours also represent a source of funds for their research and conservation programs. So by taking one of these amazing tours the tourist is contributing to the preservation and research of this beautiful habitat.
Wildlife Connection is lead by biologist Ma. Eugenia Rodríguez (Maru)
and wildlife photographer Eduardo Lugo, who have been doing whale
research since 1991 and eco tours and whale watching guides since 1995.
PUERTO VALLARTA WHALE WATCHING TOUR
Whale watching is one of the most impressive activities in nature you can participate in. Of all the whales, the humpbacks (Megaptera novaeangliae)
are the most spectacular ones thanks to their breaching, lobtailing,
flippering and their beautiful songs, which are part of their courtship
rituals. Wildlife Connection offers the tourist the opportunity to
enjoy an unforgettable encounter with these friendly giants who arrive
to Puerto Vallarta to mate and give birth, during the winter months,
year after year. Wildlife Connection guides are professional
biologists prepared to share their knowledge and ready to make the tour
an unforgettable experience.
The whale watching tour is available from December 8 through March 23.
This winter you can be part of A WHALE WATCHING SAFARI ADVENTURE. Photographing big mammals with EDUARDO LUGO
Suddha Prem and Mita Residential offer a Safari Adventure Package in Sayulita:
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4 nights / 5 days Accommodation in private Villa accommodating only 6 people.
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All organic meals
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Transportation (airport transfers and activities)
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Services (villa maids, cooks, and concierge)
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Whale Watching
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3-day
workshop with two daily classes: Morning -- 1 1/2 hours of theory and
round table and a Safari Photographic Adventure/field work on board the
"Searcher I or II "our fasts vessels (27 ft), and Afternoon revision of
the material.
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Surfing
Be Part of this Adventure and Adopt a Whale
We
invite you to participate in the study and conservation of the whales.
Wildlife Connection has the first real Adopt-A-Whale Program in Puerto
Vallarta, called RADAR.
WHALE RESEARCH PROJECT
Due to the fact that
whales spend most of their lives underwater, the first studies
conducted were performed on animals that were stranded or caught during
the whaling era. The whaling itself was a dark age in the history of
many species reducing their populations to almost extinction. Humpback
whales were no exception. Today, they are still on the endangered
species list, which means that any ongoing research is of a great
importance since a lot more information is needed to successfully
assist the conservation of the species. Wildlife Connection has been
studying the Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in
Banderas Bay since 1991. The first and very important step was to
recognize the whales individually, which has been carried out by taking
photos of the ventral part of the fluke, where unique patterns of
pigmentation are present. Using these patterns as a fingerprint we have
now catalogued more than 810 different whales. Our project continues,
as there is still much to learn and understand. Over these past few
years we have learned more about humpback behavior and the importance
of certain areas for their successful breeding and survival. Banderas
Bay, being a place where humpbacks gather every winter to mate and
breed, is a place of an enormous importance and its conservation has to
be recognized as an urgent priority. For more information please visit www.wildlifeconnection.org
Biologist: Ma. Eugenia Rodríguez.
Maru is graduated from Universidad de Guadalajara and started her research on cetacean since 1994.
Her work and thesis have contributed to a major understanding of
hunchback whales at Bahia de Banderas, this has promoted regulating
standards of whale observing activities in the country. She did her
master´s degree at Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación
Superior de Ensenada ( CISESE for its initials in Spanish). Her thesis
is about SPATIO-TEMPORAL ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BOTTLENOSE
DOLPHINS (Tursiops truncatus) UP NORTH OF BAHIA DE BANDERAS,
JALISCO-NAYARIT, MEXICO. Nowadays she is the leader of Wildlife
Connection and its research projects.
Photographer: Eduardo Lugo.
Eduardo Lugo
did his studies as a photographer in Mexico City at AGFA institute,
Kodak Mexicana and at the university center of cinematography studies
where he had Doña Lola Álvarez Bravo as a teacher. He began his career
as a photographer in 1982. For ten years he worked mostly for
advertising photography and audiovisual production. Beginning in 1987
he also worked on naturalistic photography and he has photographed a
remarkable number of species of the Mexican fauna ever since. Since
1989 he has specialized on the photograph and study of dolphins and
whales; his work has been published on elementary and junior high
school textbooks, in nature related books, several newspapers and the
most important magazines of Mexico such as: Mexico Desconocido,
Geomundo, Epoca, Amigo, Escala, Vuelo, Homes and Living, Lifestyle,
Quo, Vacaciones, Amura and National Geographic. He has participated in
more than 10 exhibitions, six out of them on his own and the rest with
other photographers.
Gabriela Rocha is the director of Suddha Prem.
Gabriela has been a
professional photographer with more than ten years of experience in
Public Relations. She is committed to promoting spirituality,
ecotourism, tourism, real state, sustainable development, art, food,
electronic and spiritual music.
Suddha Prem
is a full-service company that specializes in luxurious and
budget-conscious, eco-friendly travel, yoga and breath work retreats,
photo safaris, eco-tours, vacations and special events within North
America and Mexico.
A fusion of a Spiritual ecotour operator and a traveling Healing Center.
Evolve Magazine: http://www.evolvethe.com/gaia/green-living/809-ecotourism-in-mexico
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EVOLVE MAGAZINE ARTICLE #2 |
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Written by Gabriela Rocha
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Tuesday, 27 October 2009 21:05 |
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Yoga, the science of right living. 
Living
in modern society we are forced to deal with the fire (agni) that exist
at the heart of our cities. This fire (pitta dosha) is reflected on
every street, presenting us different paths that you may follow and
reflections of our own desires... Money, Real State, Love, Sex,
Fashion, Art… and of course Yoga.
This
fire pushes us inevitable into moments of relentless competition, even
between yourself and your closest friends. How many times have you
found yourself amongst of group of contemporaries, mostly yogis, when
the question arises... What style of Yoga do you practice?
Why does the style of Asana you practice matter at all?
The Studio? The Teacher? So many options.
Some
people practice Hatha and Ayurveda together, some others practice
Anusara or Kundalini, some Vinyasa, some Ashtanga…some practice a bunch
of different styles.
Yoga
has many branches as well: raja, hatha, jnana, karma, bhakti, mantra,
kundalini, laya… Every style and branch is different. Some people
embrace it all, some others choose just the style or branch that seems
right for them.
Let’s
do a quick recap to put things in perspective. The story of Yoga begins
in India during the Vedic Period (3000-1500 B.C) coinciding with the
start of the Brahmanical traditions. The
Yoga we know today was developed as part as the Tantric Civilization,
which existed in India, and other parts of the world more than ten
thousand years ago. Pre-Vedic Age Archeological excavations made in
Indus Valley have found many statues of deities like Lord Shiva and
Paravati performing different asanas and practicing meditation. Lord
Shiva (Supreme Consciousness) is said to be the founder of Yoga, and
Paravati (Supreme Knowledge) his disciple.
The meaning of the word Yoga is “union”, “unity” or “oneness” and is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj meaning
“to join”. The idea behind the term is to bring together the various
polarities within, in order to reach a real state of balance and
transcend our limited vision, unify our individual consciousness with
the universal one.
The
magic of Yoga is that while practicing, we approach the truth. That’s
why it’s so important to know or at least explore our own truth and
have the “right intention”. That’s the beginning. Practicing Yoga is
the path that follows. Accepting and discovering ourselves; in the end
our practice strives to achieve love and acceptance, of ourselves, the
world, embracing everything...
In
our busy lives, the price of simply living, of being part of modern
civilization is that each new experience marks our spirit, mind and
bodies. Sadly, we learn to cover up these deep feelings and in so doing
we sometimes end up denying our own potential. With Yoga we learn to
embrace those potentials and work with them. Mind and body balanced. Starting
with the physical body, Yoga quickly moves on to the mental and
emotional. How can we achieve a balanced physical and mental being? How
can we protect ourselves from the abuse and violence of the modern
world?
Through
the experience of a complete Yoga practice, whatever the style that is
right for you, the asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques),
meditation, chanting, an organic diet and a sustainable lifestyle are
the first steps for a balanced physical and mental awareness.
Yoga is, in my estimation, the best choice of a natural healing process that leads to a balanced lifestyle. Yoga will give you not only the structure, but also the discipline you need to achieve peace.
You
may be involved already in various, different styles and branches of
Yoga, going to a favorite studio or teacher... but the practice of Yoga
isn’t something that should stay at the studio. The practice is meant
to go with you, in the attitude
that you take with you wherever you go and regardless of the situation.
Yoga is the lifestyle. Yoga is the science of right living.
You know already what’s right.
Gabriela Rocha is the director of Suddha Prem. 
http://www.suddhaprem.com
Gabriela is a Veda Yoga Instructor
and has been a professional photographer with more than ten years of
experience in Public Relations. She is committed to promoting
spirituality, eco-tourism, tourism, real state, sustainable
development, art, food, electronic and spiritual music.
Suddha Prem
is a full-service company that specializes in luxurious and
budget-conscious, eco-friendly travel, yoga and breath work retreats,
photo safaris, eco-tours, vacations and special events within North
America and Mexico.
A
fusion of a Spiritual eco-tour operator and a traveling Healing Center.
Five destinations a year, toning the mind, body and soul.
http://suddhaprem.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=80
 MAS VIDAL ~ Dancing Shiva Yoga & Ayurveda Studio.  SIRI SHIVA SINGH ~ The Urban Yogi Movement
http://www.evolvethe.com/health/yoga/767-yoga-the-science-of-right-living
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EVOLVE MAGAZINE ARTICLE #1 |
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Written by Gabriela Rocha
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Wednesday, 30 September 2009 20:33 |
Traveling with Divine Love in Mexico 
The first time I
visited Bahia de Banderas in the Pacific Coast of Mexico, I was
thirteen years old and once I saw this exotic world and felt the
sensual breezes of Punta Mita and Sayulita, my heart never left. Legend
said that, if you are touched by the waters of “El Rio Cuale” you will
never leave the area. That happened to me, five years later I move
there, and only left for small periods of time to visit my home town
Cuernavaca and Tepoztlan. I lived in the bay for ten years. I grew up
there, I study, fell in love and I create a career for myself. A rich
land, full of opportunities, tradition and beautiful nature imprinted
in my memories.
In the 80's and 90's Punta Mita was still a
fisherman town, a clean beach covered with sea shells and coral and the
small restaurants along the beach offering fresh pescado sarandeado and
ceviche tostadas. The beaches were public, but the work was slow. No
one really knew about the area. Years later the area became private,
and was develop into a private gated community with dozens of
Haciendas, Condos, and the Four Seasons inside with a Jack Nicklaus'
golf course signature, giving work to the fisherman and the people from
the village. Punta Mita is actually Mexico’s premier destination,
located just 26 miles from Puerto Vallarta, a truly Mexican vacation
experience with a mix of exclusivity, the picturesque fishing village,
the beautiful beaches, lush jungles and a taste of rural Mexico.
While
living in Bahia de Banderas I had the opportunity of meeting Eduardo
Lugo. This is while I worked for the Conventions and Visitors Bureau of
Puerto Vallarta as the director of New Projects and Media. He is a
National Geographic Published Photographer and director of Wildlife
Connection, an Organization dedicated to the study, research and
conservation of dolphins and whales. He was offering this specialized
unique Eco-Tour organized to offer to the general public the
opportunity of experiencing a close contact with nature and its wild
animals. The Whale Watching tour is the best experience I ever have.
Riding a small boat on a safari searching respectfully for Humpback
Whales, and their spectacular courtship rituals with their breaching,
lobtailing, flippering and their beautiful songs. On my first Whale
Watching adventure I witnessed seven male whales fighting for the love
of a female, Eduardo Lugo told us that she was waiting for the winner
to be her partner. While the male whales or bulls were fighting she
would come closer to our boat. Then after jumping and flippering, they
disappeared for minutes only to appear later and showing their seven
heads nears us, searching for her.
 
I grew up hiking the
mystical mountains of Tepoztlan (located in the center of Mexico, near
the beautiful city of Cuernavaca "The City of Eternal Spring") and
learning about meditation, while sitting quietly in its pyramid at the
top of the mountain. The pyramid was built between 1150 and 1350 A.C.,
homage of the “Ometochitl – Tepoztecatl” God. A God associated with
vegetation fertility and the wind. A truly magical town full of
mysticism and tradition, a result of many centuries of mixing races and
cultures, surrounded by a great variety of climates, natural resources
and vegetation. After hiking down the mountain I would visit the
beautiful Dominican Convent built between 1555 and 1580 by the same
priests dedicated to the Virgin of birth, with the goal of converting
the indigenous people of this area. A well kept Convent with lights and
shadows all around, and windows to the Tepozteco Mountains. After that
a well deserved lunch of blue corn quesadillas and shopping at the
Market that is the heart of the town, always a delicious experience
offering a variety of local, national and even foreign products.  
Suddha
Prem is the fusion of a Spiritual Eco-Tour Operator and a Traveling
Healing Center; that was born after years of work and study; a mix of
intentions, dreams and abilities, discovering a great inner power
through a yogi lifestyle. Suddha Prem is dedicated to coordinate Yoga
Retreats and other Spiritual Techniques, Nature Workshops, Vacations
and Special Events in Mexico, with the mission and main intention of
being a link and share Mexico, teachers, friends and energy to the
world through divine love or unconditional love.
Suddha Prem offers
the opportunity of exploring three destinations per year in Mexico:
Punta Mita, Sayulita and Tepoztlan, acting like a traveling healing
center. Combining Private-Down to earth luxury accommodations, the best
yoga teachers in the world, photography safaris, surfing, breath work,
shamanic pilgrimage, dancing and live music. With your own Private Chef
cooking delicious organic vegetarian cuisine, healing sessions,
eco-tours, golf and spa treatments. Suddha Prem offers an adventure,
focus on connecting mind, body and soul blending with the magical
memories of these pueblos of cobblestone streets hosting dogs, chickens
and playing children, surrounded by jungles and forrests. Where exotic
dreams are made of.
www.suddhaprem.com  
This
Fall 2009, Suddha Prem takes you to a Mexico-chic experience in Punta
Mita, practicing Veda Yoga twice a day and learning more about Yoga
& Ayurveda with Mas Vidal the spiritual director of Dancing Shiva
Studio, and Tony Khalife's world live music; dancing, chanting and
meditating; great Surfing, dolphin watching with Wildlife Connection,
your own staff chef providing sumptuous gourmet cuisine, concierge and
sunset dining.
http://suddhaprem.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=79
 This
Winter 2009-2010, Suddha Prem takes you to the warm waters of Bahia de
Banderas that embraced Humpback Whales, and their spectacular courtship
rituals with their breaching, lobtailing, flippering and their
beautiful songs, an unforgettable encounter with these friendly giants
who arrive to Puerto Vallarta to mate and give birth, during the winter
months, year after year. Learn how to photograph them by a National
Geographic published Photographer while staying in Sayulita in a
contemporary, low-slung adobe Hacienda on a cliff surrounded by pools,
ocean views, and glimpses of wandering iguanas, your own staff chef
providing sumptuous gourmet cuisine, surfing, spa services, concierge
and sunset dining. A Whale Watching Safari Adventure with Eduardo Lugo
the director of Wildlife Connection Eco-Tours that has been
photographing these "Big Mammals" for XX years.
http://suddhaprem.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=86  
This
Equinox 2010, Suddha Prem takes you to a truly Mexican journey in
Tepoztlan staying in a private Hacienda, practicing a blend of Hatha
Yoga and Kundalini with Siri Shiva Singh the founder of Urban Yogi
Movement, hiking, visiting a pyramid, swimming, your own staff chef
providing vegetarian cuisine, horse back riding, meditating in the
gardens, and eating and shopping at the Market that is the heart of the
town, offering a variety of local, national and even foreign products.
Tepoztlan
is a picturesque town with a very especial energetic power, rich
culture, bio-diversity, aqueducts and spirituality, surrounded by
unique mountains. A truly magical place, where many have claimed to
have spotted ghosts, have experienced extraterrestrial activities and
miracles.
http://suddhaprem.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=113
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 Gabriela Rocha is the director of Suddha Prem.
Gabriela
has been a professional photographer with more than ten years of
experience in Public Relations. She is committed to promoting
spirituality, eco-tourism, tourism, real state, sustainable
development, art, food, electronic and spiritual music.
Go to the article: http://www.evolvethe.com/gaia/green-living/573-traveling-with-divine-love-in-mexico
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