"Not Lying?"

Today was the first day of practice and it was intense. Sharath is still teaching and the group is so small that there is no hiding. Amy was right behind me today and when she was working on her Bhujapidasana he asked her if she did Marichyasana D properly. She said yes sheepishly and he laughed and asked “not lying?” I felt pretty good today even with the jet lag. Sharath with no problem quickly put me in Suptakurmasana. I must be over thinking that pose. I slept pretty much through the night, but woke up for good at 3am. Which was ok given the fact that our practice time is 5:45am/5:30am “Shala Time.” This morning I took David’s exam from the teaching intensive. I think I did pretty well. It is very quiet here. I talked to Mike for a long time this morning. I can’t wait until he arrives. I am heading back to the Shala to pay the rest of the tuition and to see about Sanskrit class.

"Mysore Coming Madam"

Epic. The journey is epic. 24 hours of non-stop international travel. Amy and I have arrived safely and quietly here in Gokulum. Everything feels like home. The air, the sounds, even the driver who picked us up in Bangalore was like an old friend. Today I’ll run some needed errands and register at the Shala. I find myself already looking forward to Mike’s arrival. Satu told me at breakfast that the second trip here is harder in some ways. I am already feeling that. I am still sick, and without my husband. I do feel blessed to be here and confident that I will return once again to teaching and, really all of life with renewed joy and gratitude. I can’t wait to step my bare feet into the Shala and just simply begin again with practice. My head is swimming from David’s intense intensive and I hope that some information will solidify.

Here are some pictures. That's me and Amy in the car to Mysore. If you look closely you'll see her watch telling the wee early hour. My friends Rat and Junita greeted me at the door this morning. Where's Burrito? Burrito made it out of India and is living in L.A.

Yes

I am teaching one more class before I leave. Actually, it's the day that I am flying away. This Saturday at Wake Up Yoga at 10am. Hope to see you there!

Just Show Up

Today I heard a story about Mother Teresa on NPR. I was driving down the beautiful Kelly Dr. preparing to teach and some of her personal thoughts were read. I was really struck by these letters. All you need to serve is a willingness to do so. No need wasting your time readying yourself, just show up and be willing to surrender. School's in tomorrow. Watch Out!!!

It is totally crunch time and I feel really ill at ease. I am scheduled to leave for India on the 1st of September. Isn't that right around the corner? I need to get very clear on all the things I need to put into place before I fly away. Some of these things are very tangible and some seem very esoteric/emotional. I think I was kidding myself last trip. This feels like a gigantic leap of faith, on so many levels. I really am calling on the universe to support me and my calling. While in Pittsburgh I visited this cute space and practiced. Breathe Yoga, is a space in the hip part of town, and it was in many ways an ideal yoga space. It is up on the 2nd floor with many windows that are wide open. I had a nice time and after being in Wildwood and on the run/in the car it was much needed. I am sending out good vibrations and hoping to feel them return.

Mike's first show

From the Jersey shore Mike and I traveled to Pittsburgh for his first gallery show/reception. This has been a good week for him professionally he received a nice rejection letter for a staff job, shot his first assignment for Newsweek, and had a real art opening! Well Done!

By The Sea

Only Practice

In preparation for my trip I am trying to use my new camera, and figure out all this technical stuff. It's not my strongest suit. Mike won't be there to coach me through the whole thing each day so I need to practice now. My bother-in-law fixed my computer, so now I am ready to begin. Here is my first photo. Mike and I went to a beautiful wedding at the beach a week ago and I especially like this one, (Mike shot it).

Tony Soprano needs some Ashtanga Yoga

I just read the my friend's blog this morning. It inspired me to put some more elbow grease into my musings. While I am not retired, I am not working very much. Just preparing for the Ashtanga Intensive at the end of this month and the pilgrimage to India. I have been having the craziest dreams, I am attributing it to watching non-stop eps of the Soprano's. I am still undecided how it is shaking up my nervous system. I do notice that my language has taken a potty-mouth turn. Practice has been OK. Not quite feeling like myself this whole summer. I think here I become rooted in "the way things should go." In India you gotta let all that go...it goes, how it goes. I need those lessons again. Much Love.

Teacher Training Information Session Tonight!

So, this is the last TT information session that I'll be in attendance. I am hoping that I can contribute some information/experience/love of this program before I fly out to Mother India. Last trip I was so organized by this time. Now I feel like I got it all under control, but not really.

An India Check List:

Passport Check

Visa Check (I got a 10 year Visa on the advice of my yoga teacher)

Vaccinations Up To Date

Malaria Pills Need Prescription/Purchase

Cipro Check

Rupees Still has just enough to stop by Coffee Day on the ride from B'lore-Mysore

Addicted

I just discovered SUDOKU. I also would like to acknowledge that I didn't post on Guruji's birthday. Happy belated birthday! My prayers and practice are with you every day. JAI!!!!

6 weeks and counting

I have many thoughts on why it is difficult to practice alone. I think this was the hardest adjustment I had to make after returning from Mysore. Philadelphia at this moment does not have a strong Ashtanga community, each student (that I know of) is homeless in a way. I crave community. I love practicing in a crowded room feeling the pulsation of energy everywhere. I hope that when I return from India in October there will be a place to go and quietly practice.

Does anyone really read this

I got my very first computer last week. I love it! I am slowly preparing for India. My practice is still a bit wonky, oh well Svaha!

Wow

I can't believe I figured out how to put links on the blog page! It is not that hard, but I consider my computer skills to be less than remedial. I have put up links to some of my favorite people/places. I just recently added Philly Paws, an animal welfare society. Is it unfair to not like yogi's who haven't adopted their pets? I mean really dislike them. Anyway rescue/adopt, it's the only way to go!

My Favorite Snoot

Teacher Training Information Sessions

Well, I think I finally turned my practice around. I have been kind of in a funk since the beginning of spring. I am ready to move forward. Looking very much to returning to India, and it looks like my long lost practice buddy is coming along for the ride. Wake Up Yoga's Teacher Training Program is starting up literally two days after I come home from my cosmic journey. Upcoming information sessions are:



Friday July20th 7:30pm,
Friday August 3rd 7:30pm,
Wednesday, September 5: 7:30 pm
Friday, September 7: 7:30 pm
Sunday, September 9: 12 noon



See you there

Om shanti!

Oprah and Gayle

Wow, I can't believe that I am heading to India in two months! I found out that one of my yoga friends is now going to be my traveling companion, which I am sure makes my entire family feel better. I have been reading many yoga related blogs lately and sometimes people drone on and on about their physical practice. It make me wonder why do I shy away from that talk so much. I am fully down the rabbit hole at this point, nothing passes that I don't relate it with some kind of practice/study. I guess at this juncture my personal/emotional struggles are much more confusing and painful than any Karanda Vasana (which for now is impossible.)

I am been thinking about waht it means to be a friend. A good friend. As silly as it sounds, a best friend. To me it all comes down to Oprah and Gayle. I used to think that I was a Gayle and had my own Gayle, but now I think that was incorrect thinking.

India take two!

Well, it is official I am heading back to the mother ship. I am so excited. I am heading out by myself to Mysore and then Mike will meet me out there at the end of September so that we can travel for two weeks. Practice and then travel, it is such a nice combination. I think the plan is to fly out of Mumbai (Bombay), so then we can travel up the coast stopping in Goa as well. It feels so close, and there is much to prepare for.

Ashtanga Yoga Intensive

I am so excited to announced that my favorite yoga teacher is coming to Philadelphia to offer his awesome teaching intensive. David Keil is a masterful teacher truly dedicated to the practice of ashtanga yoga as taught by Guruji. He has made 8 separate trips to Mysore and is authorized to teach by Guruji himself. You can find out about this workshop and fill out an application on his website. http://www.yoganatomy.com

Hari Om

Leaning into the gap

I participated in a lovely extended mediation sit last week, and the teacher introduced this notion of "the gap", and how we must learn to lean into it. It was profound for me, like exactly the right technique at the exact right time. The gap is anything unexpected, or unpredictable. It can be pleasurable or painful or neutral. I have had many gaps arise in the last several months. Gaps in practice, friendship, and love. I will contiue to try to lean in and not be afraid of the pulsation or feeling of these wonderful teachers.