Part One

I'm here, in Mysore, India. Sat on the floor of a small apartment, the fan above and behind, brushing the hairs on the back of my neck.

It's the half way point of our time here. Almost one month has passed. What am I learning? What am I going to take with me from this trip? ...apart from some beautiful, vibrant, petal-printed clothes... adore adore adore.

Let me start by saying that I've been meaning to write. Meaning to write DAILY. Well, let's talk realistically here and say at least weekly...or whenever I felt like I had something to say. But for the first few weeks we didn't have wifi and although, I did write something in a notebook, I missed the internet and tap tap tapping as the words came. See, I'm one for the moment these days. Posting a two week old post seems inappropriate and 'wrong' now... I have to catch the words otherwise they slip through the net. S'all about the moment.

So. Yoga. India. This experience. It's all wonderful. Not-sooooo-wonderful when you have a bad tummy, but apart from minor whinges, it's all gravy and I love it here. In yoga, most of all, I am relishing surrendering to my teacher...and to my heart...and to India in general! Sharath (my yoga teacher now) has seemed to home in on my drop-backs, but I know it's not just those that I have to work with. I'm inspired every conference. I'm inspired every day by the sight that is the shala. So many devoted ashtangis. It is wonderful. Not that that hasn't made me question my choices any less. The question that has been in my head most of all is WHY do we do this practice? I hear lots of people talking about asana but rarely, very rarely, have I spoken with people about feeling closer to a supreme power/consciousness, aka God.

One day, I felt so spiritually alive... we'd been to see Life Of Pi at the cinema in the morning, we hadn't planned to go but by chance we stopped by to see what was showing and Life of Pi was on (YAY!) and after it had stopped showing there too(!) so it happened that we were just on time for the screening. Perfect. Tears filled by eyes as we watched. It reminded me of moments in my life when I had given up hope and prayed to God for help. It reminded me of my religious childhood and the rituals that are no longer played out and the rituals that have replaced them, yoga. My heart was warmed. Then it was warmed further during sutras class later that day. Our teacher spoke so openly, so honestly and so personally about God. I smiled and felt secure. I can see why religion is so attractive! I'm not prescribing to a religion though. This is ashtanga yoga...not a religion.

More later...

Speaking to the world again.

For some time now I've not written a word about what's going on with my life and with my yoga practice. Funnily enough, that coincided with being in a relationship and starting to practice Eka Pada. Go figure! I guess, the being in a relationship part is obvious. I have someone to share my thoughts with, a real person who listens to me... and he even occasionally nods his head ;) The Eka Pada link I think is more emotional/psychological. It's a very strong pose for me and one which continues to challenge me. For me (and from my experience) it's about saying "NO", not giving too much away and being more protective of my own needs and thoughts. I've had to work hard to get to where I am in my practice now without relying on flexibility alone. That's the beauty of this practice, that it challenges you were you might be weak. Be it flexibility or strength or any number of things!

I'm totally happy to report that I do feel stronger though. Every day, little by little. I feel ready to start writing again too. Partly because I want to document the Big Adventure my boyfriend and I am about to embark on and partly because my mind is teeming with things to say (creative energy, YAY!) ... AND partly because good friends of mine have recently resurrected their blogs and they've inspired and motivated me by their gorgeous writing. You know who you are :)

So here it is. The next 'book' of Ashtangi analysis and self enquiry! But hopefully, not that heavy!

The title was randomly chosen by a word generator. I like it.