Day 7 (Aug 27)

Seven days. I've been here for seven days. It seems fast and slow at the same time. We were taught to shift our attention from the lower back and third eye as we breathed through our meditation. It was very relaxing after I got over the few mental notes (and. now. shift. inhaaaale. and. now. shift. exhaaaale...) In Savasana, we rested with Om Mane Padme Hum in the background. It takes me a few minutes to get on my feet afterwards.

I'm still feeling the energy from my practice. Today, I worked on twisting. I like how Paul sings or hums songs as he walks around the room looking for that back, arm, leg to lift, pull, push or twist. I imagine these limbs calling him even as the limb owner is contemplating on whether to ask for help or rush to the next pose. He twisted me deeper in Janu C singing Don't You Forget About Me...

And yet, ironically, I forgot Setu Bandhasana. I was doing baby back bends for prep when Paul asked/reminded me. Oooops. Then he asked me if I've started 2nd series. Nope. And so he started me on the 2nd series today. I thought I heard the crowd cheering with confetti everywhere. Ah, citta vrtti moment. It must be from the thirst that kicked in during my Navasana - chug boat style. I like that move, says my funny teacher, it's like the funk, you know. See, that's why I work extra hard, save up and fly to Thailand. To hear Paul and his quips as I practice. I really do love having him as a teacher.

Anyway, Pasasana and Krouncasana, welcome to my practice! Please behave and try not to break anything... So I was on my feet seated, knees together, my right arm wrapping around and behind me. I bind. Paul says chin up... look at me...okay. Other side. The other side was a bit of a problem but I think I get it. So then I jump back do it again. It'll take some practice. I move into the next pose, seated with one leg bent back and the other raised. I think I like this pose. Paul moves my raised leg closer to my chest. Breathe.

Then I was off to my Salabhasana and Dhanurasana (purely for prep purposes). Then I was again doing my backbends. 3 on my own and 3 dropbacks. Paul says we'll clean up the poses over the next few days. I love that this class is small enough to give the much needed airtime with him.

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I slept over lunch. It was Prof. Rao's last day. He insisted that it's very easy to tell the Sanskrit letters apart, and read consonants with vowels and consonants with consonants (which was our lesson today). We nodded our heads, not sure what to say. I'm sure, though, that I've come a long way from where I was in Sanskrit in just those few hours he's spent to educate us. I also love the Gita more because he's shed so much light on it - at least, for Chapter 6.  So, thank you, Prof. Rao.

After the Gita, we had more chanting and Sutras. Prof. Narasimha made me finally understand Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam. If I still the citta vrtti, I can be with myself. Funny how what we call our personality can be the barrier from seeing our true person....

In the evening, we had more singing. Here's Jack with Amra.

This time last week, I had just gotten here. I have so much to think about and also so much to be thankful for. What was that last song - I've got good religion. It's true. My religion is love.