Travel, history and Acroyoga… 3 of my favorite pastimes! And when I can get them in a bundle!! Oh.. I'm happy!
I'm excited to share a small bite of the history and cultures of the Americas before the arrival of Columbus in 1492, and spice it up with some fantastic Acroyoga on site. Teotihuacan is one of my favorite historical places, and it so happens to be in my beautiful country: Mexico! Approximately 30 miles from Mexico City where I was born and raised.
Halfway up the Moon Pyramid, playing with my cousin Pamela with a breathtaking view of the Sun Pyramid
This is Mermaid pose on my feet
And so… Once upon a time... around the year 150 BC, the city of Teotihuacan was formed. The pyramids took approximately 350 years to build, they weren’t complete until 250 AD.
(To give you an idea of time, during this period the Roman gladiator fights were a thing.)
Who built these marvelous structures? Nobody knows! Possible candidates are the Nahua, Otomi or Totonac ethnic groups. Scholars have also suggested that Teotihuacan was a multi-ethnic state; several small settlements may have joined around the lava tube cave, over which the Sun Pyramid was eventually built.
The Sun Pyramid behind me, comes in third as the largest in the world
The city reached its peak in AD 450, when it was the center of a powerful culture whose influence extended through much of the Mesoamerican region. It became an inclusive society where people from other regions of Mesoamerica could work mainly as qualified craftspeople (particularly garment makers and lapidary specialists), as well as builders, musicians, and military personnel. This society capitalized on the knowledge, technical expertise, and experience that foreigners brought to the city.
(I can think of a couple world leaders who could use some ancient Teotihuacan wisdom)
At that time, it had a population of 125,000 and was larger than any other pre-Columbian American city and at least the sixth largest city in the world during this period.
(friendly reminder that America is a Continent not a Country)
Apart from the pyramids, Teotihuacan is also anthropologically significant for its complex, multi-family residential compounds, the Avenue of the Dead and the small portion of its vibrant murals that have been exceptionally well-preserved. Additionally, Teotihuacan exported fine obsidian tools that garnered high prestige and widespread usage throughout Mesoamerica.
Architectural styles prominent at Teotihuacan are found widely dispersed at a number of distant Mesoamerican sites, which some researchers have interpreted as evidence for Teotihuacan's far-reaching interactions and political or militaristic dominance.
Here you can see the Avenue of the Dead (Avenida de los Muertos) extending into the horizon. And the Sun Pyramid on the left.
My friend Siawn and I took the opportunity to strike a candlestick pose on the edge of the pyramid, arousing a couple worried looks and one or two screams of warning
The decline of Teotihuacan was very sudden around 550 AD. Though it has been suggested that the city was invaded, it seems likely that there may have been a more internal war. The buildings that were burned seem to be those of the ruling class - government buildings. The city remained occupied - it doesn't appear that everyone left or was killed.
Shot from the top of the Sun Pyramid. Behind us is the Moon Pyramid. I am flying a shoulder stand on the strong arms of Siawn
The name Teotihuacan was given by the Nahuatl-speaking Aztecs around the 14th Century, almost 1000 years after the fall of the city. Teotihuacan became an important city to the Aztecs. They admitted they were in awe of it, and they incorporated it into their own religion and history by claiming that the current world had begun in this city. This was where the gods sacrificed themselves so that the world could be recreated, and so they named the two great temples after the sun and moon.
Siawn trusts me to hold his weight upside down, because that's what we cultivate in Acroyoga. Trust, communication, and high emphasis on boundaries and safety. I would never attempt this unless I was sure I am able to keep both of us safe.
In the Aztec empire, this was a city like many others, with its own population and trade. It was a sacred city to the Aztecs, but also maintained a level of independence as a political city.
There are many historical sites to see including, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, which is directly in the center of the city. It is monumental, complete with lavish offerings and ultra-fine decorations, with huge hand carved snake heads in the stone walls. In addition, more than 200 warrior’s remains were located, buried underneath, inside the Feathered Serpent pyramid. This sits on top of the temple.
The most efficient way to get all the energy from these sacred places, is to get upside down!! Or maybe not, but it's super fun, especially when your friends join in
If you have the opportunity to visit this magical site, don't pass it up!
I hope you enjoyed learning a little of the history behind this important monuments and got a sense of how much fun I had with my friends doing Acro where thousands of years ago a great civilization flourished.
'Til next time!
Val Halla