Happy night for me, I can begin doing some exercise after my shoulder surgery. It has been a year since I last practiced yoga, what better way to jump back in than in the middle of Lumpini park.

Lumpini park in the mornings and evenings is a beehive of activity, much of the activity being exercise related. Walking, running, high impact aerobics, dance classes, fan dancing, basketball and much more. And yoga. Yoga in Lumpini is fairly impromptu- small group of people, throw your yoga matt on the grass and then class just starts. An hour class costs US$1.50.

The class was fun for me- and many others. The many others were forced to smile at the white guy struggling to bend and stretch amongst 8 Thai ladies that were doing an amazing job. I hope (and know) that many were laughing at me while laughing with me- the yoga class took place on a small piece of grass directly in view of all those running and walking. I think the ladies in the class might have enjoyed my attempts more than any onlookers.

While I struggled without grace, I really enjoyed the class. I couldn’t hear what the teacher was saying over the music from the disco class taking place adjacent- a great excuse for me in not keeping up. And the teacher only speaks Thai, so what I could hear I didn’t understand and was free to just follow along without anticipation. All my “classmates” gave me a big “good job” after the class, so nice.

What I enjoyed most was being in the middle of the park on a nice cool night, seeing everyone out living life and the smiles I received for my efforts. After yoga we went to the food stalls on the corner of Lumpini Park at Ratchadamri road and Sarasin roads. They were packed with post exercisers, having a beer, some conversation and tucking into some high quality food.

A really fun night and reminder how fun and fascinating Bangkok is.