In between, we managed to go to Casino Park (again because Paneer Manchuria is just delicious!) and Museum of India (for shawls).
Moon Day. Rest Day.
View at the top (from the stairs)...
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Day 8: 1st Mysore Moon Day
In between, we managed to go to Casino Park (again because Paneer Manchuria is just delicious!) and Museum of India (for shawls).
Day 7: Before the Moon Day
We were waiting at the foyer as with all days. When he came to our area to check on who would come in next, he asked someone behind me what her assigned time was. 10.30.
Too early. Come back at 10.30.
I inhaled quietly. That was my time, too. He looked me straight in the eye. You. What time? I mouthed 10.30
You come 10.15.
And that is the way it is. It may change tomorrow. I do not know. The teacher has his reasons without having to explain. In a world where almost everyone runs around wanting to know more, learn fast, rise above, there are those who were given the difficult task to tame, to teach, to lead. In this world filled with opinions easily broadcasted to hundreds of "friends" and "followers," those who dare teach need so much more compassion/ conviction/courage (and charisma, maybe?) Which is why I have such deep trust and respect for teachers.
While we may humbly ask questions, we are also setting some aside, entrusting ourselves. We come as students, not as customers. Of course, the first step is to be chosen (on both sides with intelligence). The teacher and student find each other. Such is love.
During practice, he came to me after three Urdvha Danurasana on the floor. He stood right in front of me as I did another three drop backs and came up. He then brought me deeper. I was grateful for his attention at that moment and for his presence throughout (from 4am to 12pm, and a 1 am practice).
In the afternoon, T, S and I went to Anu's, anticipating the full moon with fully lined eyes. We had dinner at Casino Park and were ready for the full moon party that never happened for us. We went home to sleep instead. And that was absolutely fine.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Day 6: Sunday
Sunday Led starts at 6 a.m. The ladies went ahead and I did not know how to get to the shala from my new home. Thank God for Ed who decided to go to the shala later than his usual time. I walked with him. He's been coming here every year for the past three years and is thinking of getting a place near the shala...
By the time I got to the shala, the steps were already full. Sharath's voice could be heard from outside. He was halfway through his 4am class.
Outside, we wrapped our covers tighter around our shoulders and in silence. When the door finally opened, everyone stood. We closed all the spaces between us and inched ourselves into the shala, to free ourselves for a split second, claim our space and then reclaim the spaces in our breath and bodies. To be free for a while in hopes of "for ever."
Breakfast at Santosha. The young lady there spoke softly and sweetly, she wore a turban and her face shone. She reminded me of a young Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. It must be her energy (and it could very well be just me) but my brown bread toast with banana and nutella was so nurturing I could have sworn it felt sattvic.
He began. There was young boy who would not talk...
His words and humor glowed with him. He is now Guru and I felt love.
After the conference, we had lunch and did a bit of grocery shopping. Today I also discovered India's marzipan and sweet almond oil. Oh sweet love. India is seeping into my veins beautifully.
My day ended with laundry, rest, and photos uploaded.
* * *
Santosha. Contentment. May we all practice this Niyama and be blessed.
By the time I got to the shala, the steps were already full. Sharath's voice could be heard from outside. He was halfway through his 4am class.
Outside, we wrapped our covers tighter around our shoulders and in silence. When the door finally opened, everyone stood. We closed all the spaces between us and inched ourselves into the shala, to free ourselves for a split second, claim our space and then reclaim the spaces in our breath and bodies. To be free for a while in hopes of "for ever."
Breakfast at Santosha. The young lady there spoke softly and sweetly, she wore a turban and her face shone. She reminded me of a young Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. It must be her energy (and it could very well be just me) but my brown bread toast with banana and nutella was so nurturing I could have sworn it felt sattvic.
He began. There was young boy who would not talk...
His words and humor glowed with him. He is now Guru and I felt love.
After the conference, we had lunch and did a bit of grocery shopping. Today I also discovered India's marzipan and sweet almond oil. Oh sweet love. India is seeping into my veins beautifully.
My day ended with laundry, rest, and photos uploaded.
* * *
Santosha. Contentment. May we all practice this Niyama and be blessed.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Day 5: From Palace to Oasis
As this is the much awaited day off, I relished my breakfast buffet of toast, stuffed dosa, scrambled eggs with cheese and mushroom, the garden view and my delicious honeyed coffee. I had a wonderful conversation with my little love (my son) as I ate.
Still feeling a bit under the weather, I headed back to the room to rest and then I got a call from Tesa. I'm moving to Urban Oasis. Half the price, closer to the shala. I checked out quickly, packed and thanked my room guardians for my stay. I love that place! I know i will return. My heart broke a little as I walked away from my room towards the front desk. It was a wonderful haven and I would have stayed throughout the month but practicality (i.e., my bank account) says I should head to the oasis. It was a blessing to stay there for a while.
I am now grateful to have a new home with Gela and Soraya.
The room is nice, clean. There is a balcony overlooking someone's backyard (with a little pond). Hmmm, I am being followed by ponds, this time. I hear the cars and rickshaws on the street. I hear the conversations in the other rooms. I settle in quickly.
Lunch is in a Chinese restaurant and we went to see the new pool... We're feeling a bit under the weather and I slept in the afternoon. Tomorrow is another led practice and I need my lightness and strength.
No dinner. Just lots of water. Starve a fever, starve a fever...
My heart remains full.
* * *
Day 4: First Friday
First Friday led practice at 730 but I was at the shala by 630.
Somehow, It was comforting to know I wasn't the only one left in the car at the side street in the middle of nowhere early morning. I'm not the only who booked a hotel rather "far" from the shala, and I wasn't the only one who, upon landing on the bed on that first day in India, asked herself - What in the world am I doing here?
We're alright now. And what we're doing is waiting and hoping to get a good spot with loving people who practice ahimsa.
There was a batch ahead of us finishing and a crowd waiting without a queue. On your marks, get set...
I got the spot behind the door. Sharath opened with the chant. I practiced there until Trikonasana and then he moved me right outside the door at the foyer. Just like in the shala at Yoga Manila Ortigas, I had 7 mats in front of me. Only I wasn't the one teaching.
I continued practicing. Sharath made me face the other way during the seated poses. His familiar voice rang across the room, I glanced at him as he sat on his chair with his newspaper on stage. I felt him roam around the room.
His little boy entered the foyer and called him to open the door. His daughter said, "Bye, Papa" before going to school. I remembered Paul telling me family is THE practice. I agree and it was wonderful to see yoga perfectly enmeshed with everyday life.
Throughout practice, Sharath was in a light mood, joking and saying "Why you in a hurry?" "Hungry?"
It was a good practice, although for me, more difficult. The intensity was different.
While waiting for the chanting class at 11.30, I had breakfast at Vivian's Cafe with Angie.
Then we headed back to the shala for chanting. In the middle of it, Sharath walked by, clapped and said "Very good! I like it!"
The class got happily surprised and disoriented. The room beamed for that shining second then continued.
Home cooked lunch at Nagarathna's in Lakshmipuran was fantastic. We had a delicious fill of at least seven types of Indian dishes. We then headed to the market to get some pure essential oils. I was heady with the sights of the local market, the persistence of the vendors selling wooden baby elephant puzzles, silver anklets, flutes and mini coconut drums, and of course, the sweet smells of sandalwood, jasmine, vanilla... I got the Mysore Herbal oil.
Dinner was banana smoothies at Anu's with Gela, Soraya and Tesa. Then I headed back to my palace, washed the day's wear, took a shower and lay in bed. Though exhausted, I could not sleep easily (and someone was dragging heavy furniture from upstairs again).
But sleep found me somehow.
Somehow, It was comforting to know I wasn't the only one left in the car at the side street in the middle of nowhere early morning. I'm not the only who booked a hotel rather "far" from the shala, and I wasn't the only one who, upon landing on the bed on that first day in India, asked herself - What in the world am I doing here?
We're alright now. And what we're doing is waiting and hoping to get a good spot with loving people who practice ahimsa.
There was a batch ahead of us finishing and a crowd waiting without a queue. On your marks, get set...
I got the spot behind the door. Sharath opened with the chant. I practiced there until Trikonasana and then he moved me right outside the door at the foyer. Just like in the shala at Yoga Manila Ortigas, I had 7 mats in front of me. Only I wasn't the one teaching.
I continued practicing. Sharath made me face the other way during the seated poses. His familiar voice rang across the room, I glanced at him as he sat on his chair with his newspaper on stage. I felt him roam around the room.
His little boy entered the foyer and called him to open the door. His daughter said, "Bye, Papa" before going to school. I remembered Paul telling me family is THE practice. I agree and it was wonderful to see yoga perfectly enmeshed with everyday life.
Throughout practice, Sharath was in a light mood, joking and saying "Why you in a hurry?" "Hungry?"
It was a good practice, although for me, more difficult. The intensity was different.
While waiting for the chanting class at 11.30, I had breakfast at Vivian's Cafe with Angie.
Then we headed back to the shala for chanting. In the middle of it, Sharath walked by, clapped and said "Very good! I like it!"
The class got happily surprised and disoriented. The room beamed for that shining second then continued.
Home cooked lunch at Nagarathna's in Lakshmipuran was fantastic. We had a delicious fill of at least seven types of Indian dishes. We then headed to the market to get some pure essential oils. I was heady with the sights of the local market, the persistence of the vendors selling wooden baby elephant puzzles, silver anklets, flutes and mini coconut drums, and of course, the sweet smells of sandalwood, jasmine, vanilla... I got the Mysore Herbal oil.
Dinner was banana smoothies at Anu's with Gela, Soraya and Tesa. Then I headed back to my palace, washed the day's wear, took a shower and lay in bed. Though exhausted, I could not sleep easily (and someone was dragging heavy furniture from upstairs again).
But sleep found me somehow.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Day 3: Being Among Friends
One of my best blessings for this trip is having my beautiful yoginis from Manila. It was a gift when we all simply said, "Yes, I'm going." No elaborate plans, no fuss. We almost did not get our visas in time. We made separate arrangements. Yet here we are now. Sharing something so beautiful. Manila shalas represented. We are, afterall, really one family no matter what.
I went to the foyer and saw Tesa and Soraya, and gave them a tight hug each before we were called. Gela was already inside. ("One more, one more.) We were the last three called.
I was placed right in front of Sharath's office. It was a very small space and I was perpendicular to about four other yogis. My fingertips in Surya Namaskar ekam would almost touch the ceiling. No matter. Part of the yoga journey really is to find that inner space in any place. That was the space given to me. Until Parsvotanasana, anyway.
I heard Sharath say "You. Come here" and in the midst of the other hundred dedicated "You's" in the shala, in spite of my attention to my drishti, I knew the "you" was me. I paused to check. He was looking straight at me. I picked up my mat and towel and managed to quickly walk towards him and my new blessed space. In hindsight, I realize I was in a mini-adrenaline rush because my mat weighs 7lbs. and I found my way fast enough without disturbing any of the 20 or so people I needed to cross....
And it was a blessed space. Right beside Tesa and Gela. The lightness remained with me.
On this second day of practice, I felt the comfort and depth of openness inside. I truly enjoyed my backbends and today I did my dropbacks in peace (no internal meeting with multiple selves deliberating if we should it, how many , why we should etc etc).
There was a very beautiful shift that started on the day I was to leave for India...
This is the path that we cannot pummel through, although the ego always wants to say otherwise. Yoga is a slow unfolding and it is true - it takes years of persistence, patience, and compassionate intelligence to really feel - and keep feeling - the asana. "Getting it" is one thing but really feeling the textures and flavors of the body and mind and heart deep inside is where the the practice leads. It is a relationship and as in any relationship, knowing is just the beginning. Nurturing each pose, each breath, each thought on the mat and, moreso, bringing this attention and compassion off the mat requires a relentless, loving, lifelong practice.
And then trusting in the magic, in the process.
Maybe this is what Guruji meant. Do your practice and all is coming.
After our coconuts, we met up with Aina for lunch and I was introduced to Raju (our superman here). I also met Angie, Soraya's friend.
In the afternoon, after our alone time and space, we joined the Kirtan at the Chakra House and had a dosa dinner at the Green Leaf.
Full day of Beauty. Day 3.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Day 2: First Day of School
Today marks my first time ever to practice at the shala. February 1. I woke up early for my Pranayama and chanting, shower, then light breakfast. I still had time to prepare and calm down all the excitement brewing inside me.
The rickshaw ride from here to the shala takes 5 minutes. I waited at the lobby with my school bag - mat, towel, change of clothes, ID... In my head, Sappho's words were on repeat - I will let my body flow like water over the gentle cushions. First day of school.
Here, Sharath says. I roll out my mat on the second row, third from the left wall, go to the changing room, stuff my stuff in locker 30 and head back to my beloved mat. I practice.
Today, I practiced full primary, no frills. No prep poses. The lightness remained. I was joyful. I got a very different adjustment in Supta Kurmasana - the hands, same but the feet were just placed quite easily behind my (relaxed) neck and I was told to lift, no extra rocking. So I lifted. And then, I did it again. Sharath was walking around and somehow I knew he was seeing me. Well, he was seeing all but there is something about great teachers. They sense and connect with an attention so abundant and giving to everyone.
As I think of great teachers, I am thankful to Paul for sending me an anchor, rays of light and a gentle breeze as I set sail here. He knew what to say. Of course.
I felt complete surrender in my practice (so much so that I was truly joyful all throughout the asana, most especially and most surprisingly, in backbends). I loved every moment, every asana, every breath and all the perceived imperfections and new spaces.
Ah, in this place for an hour and a half or so, there is no time for drama. Just obedience. And yes, Magic.
After practice, I went back to my place first. Some of my beloved Manila yoginis are here and I was to meet them but I fell asleep. I will catch them tomorrow.
Tonight, I will curl up with Vikram Seth's Two Lives and sleep (again).
Grateful.
The rickshaw ride from here to the shala takes 5 minutes. I waited at the lobby with my school bag - mat, towel, change of clothes, ID... In my head, Sappho's words were on repeat - I will let my body flow like water over the gentle cushions. First day of school.
Here, Sharath says. I roll out my mat on the second row, third from the left wall, go to the changing room, stuff my stuff in locker 30 and head back to my beloved mat. I practice.
Today, I practiced full primary, no frills. No prep poses. The lightness remained. I was joyful. I got a very different adjustment in Supta Kurmasana - the hands, same but the feet were just placed quite easily behind my (relaxed) neck and I was told to lift, no extra rocking. So I lifted. And then, I did it again. Sharath was walking around and somehow I knew he was seeing me. Well, he was seeing all but there is something about great teachers. They sense and connect with an attention so abundant and giving to everyone.
As I think of great teachers, I am thankful to Paul for sending me an anchor, rays of light and a gentle breeze as I set sail here. He knew what to say. Of course.
I felt complete surrender in my practice (so much so that I was truly joyful all throughout the asana, most especially and most surprisingly, in backbends). I loved every moment, every asana, every breath and all the perceived imperfections and new spaces.
Ah, in this place for an hour and a half or so, there is no time for drama. Just obedience. And yes, Magic.
After practice, I went back to my place first. Some of my beloved Manila yoginis are here and I was to meet them but I fell asleep. I will catch them tomorrow.
Tonight, I will curl up with Vikram Seth's Two Lives and sleep (again).
Grateful.