Day 4 (Nov 8)

Day 4 (Nov 8)

We are unlearning.

As I go through the Primary Series ever so mindfully, I am unlearning
the bad habits and feeling "blessed with stiffness". I am unlearning
to label sensations as pain. I am unlearning the old stories.

I love gratefulness. I love humility. I need to love forgiveness.

"Yoga is the reintegration of your personality on every level"

We talked about this and more in our first anatomy class, in the midst
of discussing the autonomic system.

Now, to study anatomy.

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The ENS

Aside from the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic systems, we have the Enteric System which Neil offers as the "1st brain" (more widely known as the 2nd brain).

The seat of intuitive understanding.

I love being a student. :)

A Brain in the Gut
http://whyfiles.org/026fear/physio1.html

Two brains are better than one, especially if you're hungry
Ever had diarrhea when you felt frightened? Had a stomach cramp before an important exam? Seen a snake barf a beetle meal when surprised?

If you've answered 'yes' to any question in this little quiz, you've already noticed the handiwork of an obscure piece of neurological networking called the enteric (defined) nervous system.

(On the other hand, if you answered a string of "no's," were you entirely candid -- or awake?)

Scientists who study the network of nerves surrounding the esophagus, stomach and intestines compare it to a microcomputer, and call the better-known brain-in-the-head a "mainframe." But while microcomputers represent the future of silicon processing, this biological micro-in-the-belly is a relic of the distant past, of a time when the most important thing in life was eating.

(So that's why they talk about the good ol' days...)

Millions of years before the dinosaurs, when animals first were evolving, thinking about tomorrow was distinctly less important than finding good grub today (not much has changed on this score). These primitive animals had another concern -- trying not to wind up inside something with sharper teeth. Both factors explain why the first nerves to develop were in the digestive tract.

When animals began doing more than just eating (say choosing a good wine to complement dinner), they evolved that better-known brain in the skull. But instead of replacing the downstairs brain, the upstairs brain was hooked up to it. And it turns out that both brains originate from a structure called the neural crest, which appears and divides during fetal development to form both thinking machines.

The enteric nervous system, present in all vertebrates (defined), has these functions: to regulate the normal (digestive) activity of the digestive system and prepare it for whatever its future may hold: whether it be sampling lobster thermidor or dodging a headlong charge from the king of the tigers.

With a population of 100 million nerves, the enteric nervous system is as complex as the better studied spinal cord. And like the spinal cord, it transmits and processes messages. (Want to see our coverage of spinal cord repair? Things could be looking up for paralyzed people.)

And while this nervous system isn't protected by a skull, many of its structures and chemicals parallel those of the mainframe brain. It has sensory and motor neurons, information processing circuits, and the glial cells (defined). It uses the major neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, nitric oxide and norepinephrine. It even has benzodiazepines, chemicals of the family of psychoactive drugs that includes Valium and Xanax.

Please explain. Sorry. Can't. Nobody knows. But it's an indication of the complexity of the gut-brain, and of the number of questions remaining to be answered about it.

I wonder what my stomach thinks about that?

Day 3 (Nov 7)

Today was a free day. We did pranayama in the morning and Veronique
and I practiced Mysore style in the little shala hut facing the
beach. I'm on Day 3 of no meat as well and I am liking it. Thai food
is just delicious.

Antonija, Sabena and I took a trip to Cha Weng this afternoon. I got a
few souvenirs to take back home. I got tired from the walking and
slept for close to three hours after.

Tonight, I will catch up on my reading. I am looking forward to the
sessions tomorrow.

And at some point this week, I will use the Sutra Neti.

At Yoga Thailand...

Every morning since I got here, we say this chant before doing Pranayama.

Om Sahanavavatu sahanau-bhunaktu
Saha-viryam-kara vavahai
Tejaswinavadhitamastu
Ma Vidvishavahai
Om Shathi-Shanti-Shanthihi

May we together be protected
May we together be nourished
May we work together with great energy
May our study together be brilliant and effective
May we not hate or dispute with each other
May there be peace, peace, and perfect peace

Ganesh, the Remover of Obstacles

Appendectomy, obligations, work schedule, money. It is time when it is time.

Here I am at Centered Yoga.



Om Sri Gurubhyo Namaha
Harihi Om

Vakratunda Mahakaya
Kotisurya Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kurume Deva
Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada

Ganesh, who with twisted trunk and big bosy,
is like 10 Million Suns in brightness
I call to you everyday
Grant me success always in my works
Let there be no obstacles

Om Sri Maha-Ganapataye Namaha

Prostrations to Ganapati (Ganesh)
the mighty remover of obstacles
Om


(I took a photo of Ganesh in the shala)

Day 2 (Nov 6)

Day 2 (Nov 6)

I like my room mate, Veronique. Beautiful French lady. I want to
practice my kindergarten French on her but I'm too embarassed. I
always remind her to stop giving our neighbors a free show. She's
cool, sails when she's not doing yoga. And she doesn't mind the mess.
I think she may mind that I wake up so early though.

We're on our lunch break before Pranayama and already I am brimming
with bliss. I love this place because it feels and looks like home and
is exactly how I want my Shala to be. The weather is gorgeous, the
people friendly.

I am still recovering from the morning practice. Paul is a wonderful
teacher. I love his dry humor. He told not to die in my Utthita
Parshvakonasana. Hehe. I found it funny. It was! Maybe I am
starstruck. I am always starstruck. It's because I find awesome
people, well, awesome. And I appreciate being around them.

The morning practice was not easy. Surya namaskaras in slow motion. I
am reminded about how thankful I am to have been taught by wonderful
teachers back home. Someday soon....
No one could speak after the session. Maybe it's because our voices
were overshadowed by our screaming hamstrings.

Paul practiced after our session. I watched to learn. I can't believe
it. I am here. In this moment. In this time.
Just like I was in the happiest times of my life. Life is just
beautiful.

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Day 1 (Nov 5)

Day 1 (Nov 5)
I am waiting for the plane to Koh Samui, looking a bit non-descript. I
woke up early, took a shower and began looking for a body mist to
replace my confiscated Raspberry Vanilla. No luck. I skipped the free
breakfast and tried to catch up on Anatomy of Movement. The sun is
bright and I am pushing thoughts of work away, just making mental
notes that I need do later. The biggest one says Please Don't Forget
To Claim Your Baggage. I am wearing a yellow sticker to remind me (and
those around me). It's because it's so easy to want to forget baggage,
really.

The truth is, I am sticking to these mundane non-swami thoughts
because I feel my excitement brewing on high heat and I am breathing
it down to steady simmer. This is not the place for cartwheels. I am
in the boarding area. Still, I am doing cartwheels in my head because
I am about an hour away from Samui.
***
My first friend is a lovely Pakistani lady named Sabina.
***
I am the only Filipina here at the international baggage claim.
***
I am the only Filipina in the program and I'm with about 35 other
people with different nationalities.
***
Tomorrow, we begin at 7 am for our first ashtanga session. Practice.
Focus. Surrender.