"Are you from a rich country?"

Well, I didn’t get to register for class yesterday because Mike and I made a 45 minute nap into a 3 hour nap. We woke early this morning, got breakfast and started out for downtown Mysore. We went to the big vegetable market/bazaar and really had a lovely time. It is visually overwhelming for me, but I think for Mike it is more so. We met some really nice and helpful people in the market, and it is strange when approached by strangers I think that they must want something from us, but that was not the case. Most just wanted to know where we were from, our names, and how we finding India. It is nice. I am posting some pictures today. The first one is of Mike and I in our room, another of the view from our room, and of Burrito one of the resident street dogs. I will begin to practice tomorrow and I can guarantee it won’t be pretty, but I am sure it will be inspiring.

Pratyahara

Landed in Bangalore very early morning, moved through customs and found our driver all with surprising ease. It was the drive from Bangalore to Mysore that had us completely dumbstruck. India is an all out assault on the senses. The air has so many different smells, so more pleasant than others. The honking of car horns is constant, but it is what you see that is unbelievable…”what that like 5 cows just hanging out on the side of the road?” Pulling any awareness in at this point seems impossible. We have arrived safely at our room at the warm and welcoming Shakti Guesthouse. I hope to register at the shala this afternoon and get to practice tomorrow morning, I desperately need something familiar. Pictures coming soon! Peace, Peace, Peace.

Bags to Bangalore

Mike and I are in Heathrow, but our bags we will not see again until Bangalore. That was a real leap of faith. It is hard to keep the excitement up through all the waiting. Our plane to India boards very soon!

Going on an adventure

This picture was taken the day after our wedding this May. India seemed so far away then, but now out flight leaves in 8 hours and I am kind of freaking out. I hope to visit my favorite yoga class at Wake Up Yoga before I go, just to have fresh something so dear and familiar. See you in India!

Abhyasa

I found this quote from Martha Graham yesterday while flipping through O magazine. It really resonated with me, knowing that I am dedicating the entire month of November to practice. Just one day before Mike and I leave. I am excited, but also nervous.

"I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one's being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes in some area an athlete of God.
To practice means to perform, in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired."