Day 3 (Aug 23)

I'm liking the sound of Svaa-haaa after each Gayatri Mantra during the fire ceremony. Maybe I can come in extra early tomorrow so I can do my Pranayama...5:30? Let's see.

Practice was beautiful today. I finished rather early despite doing 3 Urdvha Dhanurasanas, preps and then 3 dropbacks. Ah, the beginnings of love. I also was able to bind again in Marichy D quite happily. I must bring that feeling home for when I do my practice. Paul helped me with my Supta Kurma and then decided to have a conversation with Mathias (beside me). I had to remind him that I was still in my shell after a while...I thought that was funny.

Anyway, I need to work on my Chakrasana. I keep rolling on my left side...I tried the up and down Halasana Jon taught me but I may need extra energy (or someone to lift) because I lifted my legs up, down and....rolled onto my left side. Practice, practice.

Now, for my magical story of the day. After Tricia (new friend from Taiwan) left for her Reiki, I was left by myself in the dining area. Michelle (another new friend from Taiwan) joined me. We got around to talking about her leap of faith out of the corporate and into teaching - despite the many objections from the executives and panic from her parents. She now works 18 hours a week earning as much as she used to doing HR consulting. Enter another Michelle (new friend from HK) who was in IT Consulting but now doing freelance IT projects AND part-time yoga teaching. It takes not 1 but 2 Michelles to get me thinking about what to do next. We swapped stories of mantras and tattoos and magical moments in YT and Paul. We talked about so much more and I think it's wonderful when the sign posts that God send actually talk with you. Here they are :)

***
We got introduced to the Sanskrit alphabet and got deeper into the philosophies.

The days are flying by and I just feel so very blessed to be here.

The world has enought to fulfill one' needs but not enugh to fulfill one's greed.
Yogis make their hearts larger.
For the "beginner" yogi, action. For the one who is "there," calmness.
Everyone is a residence of God.
If one is a yogi, God is in his heart.

There is a subjective world and an objective world.
We were trained not to believe in our own subjective experience. In objectivity, the greatest casualty is the mind.
Science has taught us to doubt everything and so we move from doubt to doubt.
In the process of this never ending process, there is no satisfaction.
Scienc created wonderful objects to suit our needs but ignored the subject (and so we create more problems).
In yoga, we need to bring the head and the heart in matching coherence.
Our citta vriti (mind conditioning) becomes more and more complex with experience - but confined in our own domain.
At the heart of citta vriti is our dependence on our ego (personality). When our personalty is fixed, we are not capable of learning (and we start complaining).
It is the citta vritis that make us old an inflexible.
We need to regain our HARMONY.
Stability. We have to be what we are. But everything changes constantly and so we need
Adaptability. So we can be stable in changing conditions. When these match, we have
Integration. In this, the undesirable aspects of stability (rigidity) are removed and we go through
Purification.

When this comes, growth is natural.

We need to know what is causing the disharmony in ourselves...

Day 2 (Aug 22)

We did a a fire ceremony at 6.15 in the morning. It's a heartfelt way to begin any day, to start with a ritual offering to the Divine. I feel we lost the magic in connecting with the many sacred aspects of our lives in our mad rush to do the things we think are so urgent and important.

After the fire ceremony, we had a fifteen minute meditation using Gam as a mantra. I liked that I felt present, watching my thoughts, watching the shapes and colors behind my eyelids, coming back to the mantra, feeling engulfed with light, real or imagined. When it was time to open the eyes, I felt very relaxed and Prof. Narasimha was right. It took about 10 minutes to "recover" from the state. We listened to Jayashree chanting... the power of music and sound.

Then it was time for practice - my first Ashtanga session since I got here.  I was able to bind in Marichy D by myself without so much trouble - whenever Paul or Govinda are around I feel like my body obeys more. Elonne also helped me with my dropbacks the way Jon does back home. I am starting to love my Urdvha Dhanurasana ever so slowly. Although by the time I got sent to the wall, I was too tired to plaster my heart against it. Maybe tomorrow.

I showered, did my laundry and enjoyed my meal of vegetarian thai food - fried rice with lemon grass, green mango salad, tofu and scrambled eggs. For dessert, granola with yogurt and honey and pandan juice. I'm back in my room, contemplating a quick nap.

This place feels like home, somehow. The view is beautiful from my room.

I met my room mate - Ivana. She, like Veronique, is not a fan of airconditioners. I guess it must be colder on the second floor. I'm done cleaning my mat. I'm back on my bed. I think I should give in to a cat nap now...

---

In the afternoon, we chanted the first 6 sutras and the first 5 slokas of Chapter 6 of the Gita.

It is necessary in life to go to different Gurus. The full universe is our guru.
The guru teahes us to focus our eyes inside...to find the source within us
All the Himalayan pleasures of this world is within, if the mind is not confined to desire
Even those who have nothing but is always aspiring can be attached
But when the fruits of aspiration is there, we take the opportunity. Not the attachment.
If you want to be a yogi, be active.

Patanjali uses different aspects of the mind. His teachings are relevant because we are in the age where we are so conflicted.
If we know ourselvs and the objects well, there is harmony and happiness.
We are dependent on so many things because we are not self confident but if we know ourselves, we will not be carried away by the situation or the reaction. 

In the evening, I chatted with A. and the little princess. And had a wonderful conversation with Ivana.

Day 1 (Aug 21)

I've finally settled down. Pranayama and a led restorative class in the morning. Moved to my unit (still chose the "first floor") and did my laundry.

In the afternoon, I took more photos of the changes in YT from nine months ago...

There's now a wall by the wellness center (used to be wood)...

A detox bar...

A Shala board with anatomy charts...

A new place for the mats and lockers...

More room by the pool...

and the lotus is still in the works, I guess...

We met the teachers this afternoon. It's a small class and a beloved subject. I am looking forward to the coming days.


* * *

From the website http://www.yoga-thailand.com/advanced-training-course.html

M.A. Jayashree
A devoted student and teacher of Sanskrit and the arts all her life, she quietly taught in Mysore as she reared her family. Gradually over the years a few students started to hear of her and studied with her regularly. Paul was one of these. Her brother Narasimha would join in and offer philosophical discourse. She has now been recognized as one of the leading Sanskrit scholars and teaches it simply and beautifully. She has put many of these traditional texts to recording so we all can benefit and get it as originally intended. A sweet joy to learn with.

Prof. Nagaraja Rao
A gifted and very natural teacher, he is an expert in the field of Sanskrit where his primary specialty was Panini's grammar. He was chief researcher at the Oriental Institute in Mysore, India, visiting professor to both Chicago University and Jerusalem University, Israel. He has visited Yoga Thailand many times and his humble yet clear and knowledgeable way of teaching has always inspired students.

Prof. Narasimha
Brother of Jayashree and a devotee of meditation, yoga and Sanskrit all his life. He was a very close aide to the late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and became a senior teacher of the Transcendental Method approach to meditation. He is also well versed in Sanskrit and the classical yogic texts. He lives as a Sannyasi and supports his sister in all the teaching events in both Mysore and around the world.

Jack Harrison
Jack Harrison is a yoga teacher, singer and folklorist. He has worked and studied in all three of these areas for the last 30 years and has recently begun to blend them together in his Spanda Yoga Music Workshops which include yoga, music and mythology. He has a Master's degree in Irish Folklore and is a lecturer in Irish Heritage at University College Galway, as well as the designer of exhibitions at the top Heritage Attractions in Ireland. Jack's musical talents come shining through on the classic album Wind Across the Sea, produced with and recorded live at Yoga Thailand. He has been coming here for years and always gives an amazing musical performance.

Today's DailyOM

I really love getting my dose of DailyOM in my mail. Today's reading speaks to me so loudly. Yoga is less about being a contortionist and more about walking the tight rope of life with faith, courage and steady thoughts of peace...

August 20, 2010

Without a Net
Living Life with Trust

Living life without a net can be just what we need to step outside of ourselves and make the choices we need most.

As we create the life of our dreams, we often reach a crossroads where the choices seem to involve the risk of facing the unknown versus the safety and comfort of all that we have come to trust. We may feel like a tightrope walker, carefully teetering along the narrow path to our goals, sometimes feeling that we are doing so without a net. Knowing we have some backup may help us work up the courage to take those first steps, until we are secure in knowing that we have the skills to work without one. But when we live our lives from a place of balance and trust in the universe, we may not see our source of support, but we can know that it is there.

If we refuse to act only if we can see the safety net, we may be allowing the net to become a trap as it creates a barrier between us and the freedom to pursue our goals. Change is inherent in life, so even what we have learned to trust can surprise us at any moment. Remove fear from the equation and then, without even wondering what is going on below, we can devote our full attention to the dream that awaits us.

We attract support into our lives when we are willing to make those first tentative steps, trusting that the universe will provide exactly what we need. In that process we can decide that whatever comes from our actions is only for our highest and best experience of growth. It may come in the form of a soft landing, an unexpected rescue or an eye-opening experience gleaned only from the process of falling. So rather than allowing our lives to be dictated by fear of the unknown, or trying to avoid falling, we can appreciate that sometimes we experience life fully when we are willing to trust and fall. And in doing so, we may just find that we have the wings to fly.

When we believe that there is a reason for everything, we are stepping out with the safety net of the universe, and we know we will make the best from whatever comes our way.

Day -1 (Aug 19)

Flight delayed. I have 2 more hours to wait here at Gate 11... I miss my family already. Still, I am on my way to keep pursuing my dream. Somewhat delayed as well, but then again, it may not have come at a better time. Oh but I miss my husband and children.

It's 1:17 a.m. (in Manila). And 12:17 a.m. here in Bangkok. I am again at Louis' Tavern (USD89 for 4 hours with breakfast). I had to look for this place. There are apparently 3 of these transit hotels here. Need to remember: one floor up then go straight when you see Memories of Thailand at your right.

So here we are. Now time for bed.

Day 0 (Aug 20)

Up at 4:30 a.m. (Manila Time) I could have gotten the 6-hour stay so I could sleep in longer. But this is the yogi's happy hour, isn't it?

I am steeped in vague familiarity and, strangely enough, total newness. Already, the journey has me riveted. I am already so far away from yesterday and seemingly nearer to nine months ago. I am stepping into my spiral dream.

Just like before yet...

Waiting at Gate B4


You are right, Mr. Heraclitus. We really never step into the same river twice.

Easy Time Resort

After saying hello to YT, I moved to Easy Time Resort (this is where I'm staying for the night). It's a great place for resting, and judging from my constant sneezing, I'll need this day just for that...

I went to YT for lunch and saw old friends from the teacher training course back in November. Simone and Frederick and the family, Owen. The YT staff who warmly greeted me. And Paul and Jutima. I stayed awhile then went back to my room for a nap - a long one because it was 7pm when I woke up.

Dinner was at the nice Pizzeria and Missy was my virtual date. The rain poured after my last bite of eggplant parmigiana and I headed back with an umbrella to my Internet-less room. Time to read.

Tomorrow, I will wake up at 6 and practice at 7. And then I'm moving in my room at YT for Day 1.

And so I've decided.

Although that may not be entirely accurate. Let me rephrase by saying - It has been decided. I am going back to YT! I believe I am moving towards my dream. Synchronicity is happening in a harmonious confluence of events, my cycle days have adjusted so I will be un-red by the tim I get there.  I was able to reserve my slot in the nick of time. Best of all, I have (just starting today) finally begun assisting in class.

When I return, I will begin teaching in two more special places. =)