As it takes me a few days to write I think you should all assume I'm having a wonderful time. My first few says were in Varkala, a nice plain sort of beach coast with the beautiful Indian Ocean waving in to shore. Some of you may know I used to live on a small island called Mauritius where most days were spent swimming in this sea. So the moment I took my steps back into the Indian Ocean a sense of overwhelming gratitude came over me. Fighting the warm waves to get deeper for a swim I was totally engrossed in the moment, that moment in time nothing else mattered, just me making my way into the wonderful water. As I pleasantly lied back floating I thought of the people I would like there with me, what they would say, what they would be doing. Then again silence, I float, I look to the clear blue sky and feel the waves splashing onto me.
That's literally my free time in Varkala, apart from trying to learn this bartering thing so I can apparently feel the satisfaction of grabbing something for near to 50% cheaper than quoted. I still haven't effectively learnt the skills. I can't help but blame these people for trying to sell at the price they do, I can't help but think of their perception of us foreigners, pretending we don't have the money to spare yet many wouldn't think twice at the cocktail they order two-three times a night. I think of their homes, their family and how many hours spent working in a day just to lead a somewhat simple life. Will they ever afford to travel to Canada, do they even want to? But this is the cycle of life, do these people really know what happiness means, I predict more often than not, they are happier than the people of the West seeking the same. While in Varkala our guide reminded us often of the tourism in Varkala, and this is noted by the woman walking around in short skirts and strappy tops, something I kept well away from my suitcase as I predicted this would nevertheless be acceptable at any point in my time in India, and I was more than happy to respect that, but packed two workout tops for my retreat at the end of my trip.
Around there were posters for yoga, lots of yoga, early morning at sunrise and late afternoon for sunset. There seems to be so many to choose from that deciding where to go is hard. I walk past a place saying the morning has Mysore style Ashtanga yoga, yes, I go in. Unfortunately I find that the teacher is away but I'm more than welcome to attend the Hatha class instead. Not convinced I leave wondering if I should just go to the one next to my hotel with the pictures of the very impressive yoga poses by the male teacher. (In fact all posters for yoga were of male practitioners). Over dinner my guide informs me that the yoga is advertised to tourists and not to expect much from the classes, but he would enquire into somewhere I would get a good experience, knowing I enjoy a rather vigorous practice he asks around. That said I was more than happy to delve into new realms which will be happening on my retreat in few weeks anyway. Done, he speaks with people in the hotel and they have found me something in a sivananda yoga shala. I quickly do my research into the practice before I get my yoga clothes ready before I sleep ready for a quick exit in the morning. As we approached the building it was in a quiet little spot set back from the road and amongst the trees. I arrive to find a group of men in traditional dress meditating and walk in to find some Westerners quietly sitting around reading and then all of a sudden I get nervous! Is this a place where they all strictly follow the yogic way of life, and in I walk with my racer back top with shoulders bare as they all all modestly covering shoulders and legs! I realize people are on a teacher training and they have been here for a while, and then I worry the pace will be too fast, or the pose variations will be too different from Ashtanga! A great insight and reminder of the way my new students feel when walking into a class! I then get adjusted, I worry is it because I'm wrong, or just she wants to make sure I get the support I need for my first class! Again another healthy reminder for a yoga teacher! The pace is great, starts with breathing, followed by savasana, sun salutations then savasana, inversions then Savasana..... I like this practice! Rest rest rest :-)
One thing I had to get used to was practicing outside. The class was on a rooftop terrace and the sound of the trees rustling and birds tweeting continued to remind me I was in India, especially the bugs. Oh lots of bugs, and there is only one level full rest I could allow myself to go into hearing the sound of Mosquitos buzzing by my ear, certain things are ok, but there are certain creatures I'd prefer not to land on me. Overall the practice was great, although my body tired and worn from travelling, but gentle and smooth enough to ease into it and I'd be more than happy to do this again.
After we moved on to the Kerala backwaters where we had a home stay staying with a local family and eating the local cuisine. The backwaters are beautiful and calm and our host offered to treat it as home. That said without a boat there isn't a whole lot to do, so with several hours to spare I relax in the hammock under the coconut tree, then decide to get my yoga mat out. While here I have been trying to do my self practice early so it doesn't feed into the days activities and because it's cooler ( because practicing in temps of +40 isn't exactly the healthiest). From the hammock I noticed the perfect spot, right next to the river under the Mango tree. I start gently stretching and moving my body before starting my Mysore practice. My body still needs things to be slow, and I was waiting for the little old lady hosting to stop watching me. However as she leaves her husband comes out and watches my Sun salutations then tells me I'm doing them wrong. He then asks to show me the right way, by which point I realize he is showing me the Sivanda way! We talk a little and I find it very cool that two people more the 5 generations apart can talk about their passion and make a connection over learning from one another. Although I did have to laugh when he told me two things, that it's very important not to talk, (but he did start talking to me while I began my practice), and also very important to close the eyes. Which opened up discussion as in my practice we have a drishti, a gazing point, but looking back to Sivananda the day before we closed our eyes a lot, even in headstand, which was so strange for me, so I give my reasonings for the Ashtanga drishti. Eventually he went and I continued my practice while the quiet boats passed by! The following morning I was up bright and early, went back to the same spot and this day had good practice, I worked harder, although had to stop several times to blow off/ brush off some rather big bugs! Patience has been a virtue getting used to these bugs, and ahimsa is in play!
Yoga so far has been a good balance to my holiday as I can take it at my leisure and not worry about getting to work or how the day unfolds, so I fully reap the benefits of my savasana, no matter if I'm on a balcony under the mango trees, in a garden under the coconut tree or on a dirt track under the jack fruit tree.
My time in India after the first week has involved enjoying lots of food, tea, hot weather, shopping, swimming, walking, making friends, hiking in the jungle, spotting wildlife, and bathing elephants, and yes I tried for my yoga pose on the back :-)
That's literally my free time in Varkala, apart from trying to learn this bartering thing so I can apparently feel the satisfaction of grabbing something for near to 50% cheaper than quoted. I still haven't effectively learnt the skills. I can't help but blame these people for trying to sell at the price they do, I can't help but think of their perception of us foreigners, pretending we don't have the money to spare yet many wouldn't think twice at the cocktail they order two-three times a night. I think of their homes, their family and how many hours spent working in a day just to lead a somewhat simple life. Will they ever afford to travel to Canada, do they even want to? But this is the cycle of life, do these people really know what happiness means, I predict more often than not, they are happier than the people of the West seeking the same. While in Varkala our guide reminded us often of the tourism in Varkala, and this is noted by the woman walking around in short skirts and strappy tops, something I kept well away from my suitcase as I predicted this would nevertheless be acceptable at any point in my time in India, and I was more than happy to respect that, but packed two workout tops for my retreat at the end of my trip.
Around there were posters for yoga, lots of yoga, early morning at sunrise and late afternoon for sunset. There seems to be so many to choose from that deciding where to go is hard. I walk past a place saying the morning has Mysore style Ashtanga yoga, yes, I go in. Unfortunately I find that the teacher is away but I'm more than welcome to attend the Hatha class instead. Not convinced I leave wondering if I should just go to the one next to my hotel with the pictures of the very impressive yoga poses by the male teacher. (In fact all posters for yoga were of male practitioners). Over dinner my guide informs me that the yoga is advertised to tourists and not to expect much from the classes, but he would enquire into somewhere I would get a good experience, knowing I enjoy a rather vigorous practice he asks around. That said I was more than happy to delve into new realms which will be happening on my retreat in few weeks anyway. Done, he speaks with people in the hotel and they have found me something in a sivananda yoga shala. I quickly do my research into the practice before I get my yoga clothes ready before I sleep ready for a quick exit in the morning. As we approached the building it was in a quiet little spot set back from the road and amongst the trees. I arrive to find a group of men in traditional dress meditating and walk in to find some Westerners quietly sitting around reading and then all of a sudden I get nervous! Is this a place where they all strictly follow the yogic way of life, and in I walk with my racer back top with shoulders bare as they all all modestly covering shoulders and legs! I realize people are on a teacher training and they have been here for a while, and then I worry the pace will be too fast, or the pose variations will be too different from Ashtanga! A great insight and reminder of the way my new students feel when walking into a class! I then get adjusted, I worry is it because I'm wrong, or just she wants to make sure I get the support I need for my first class! Again another healthy reminder for a yoga teacher! The pace is great, starts with breathing, followed by savasana, sun salutations then savasana, inversions then Savasana..... I like this practice! Rest rest rest :-)
One thing I had to get used to was practicing outside. The class was on a rooftop terrace and the sound of the trees rustling and birds tweeting continued to remind me I was in India, especially the bugs. Oh lots of bugs, and there is only one level full rest I could allow myself to go into hearing the sound of Mosquitos buzzing by my ear, certain things are ok, but there are certain creatures I'd prefer not to land on me. Overall the practice was great, although my body tired and worn from travelling, but gentle and smooth enough to ease into it and I'd be more than happy to do this again.
After we moved on to the Kerala backwaters where we had a home stay staying with a local family and eating the local cuisine. The backwaters are beautiful and calm and our host offered to treat it as home. That said without a boat there isn't a whole lot to do, so with several hours to spare I relax in the hammock under the coconut tree, then decide to get my yoga mat out. While here I have been trying to do my self practice early so it doesn't feed into the days activities and because it's cooler ( because practicing in temps of +40 isn't exactly the healthiest). From the hammock I noticed the perfect spot, right next to the river under the Mango tree. I start gently stretching and moving my body before starting my Mysore practice. My body still needs things to be slow, and I was waiting for the little old lady hosting to stop watching me. However as she leaves her husband comes out and watches my Sun salutations then tells me I'm doing them wrong. He then asks to show me the right way, by which point I realize he is showing me the Sivanda way! We talk a little and I find it very cool that two people more the 5 generations apart can talk about their passion and make a connection over learning from one another. Although I did have to laugh when he told me two things, that it's very important not to talk, (but he did start talking to me while I began my practice), and also very important to close the eyes. Which opened up discussion as in my practice we have a drishti, a gazing point, but looking back to Sivananda the day before we closed our eyes a lot, even in headstand, which was so strange for me, so I give my reasonings for the Ashtanga drishti. Eventually he went and I continued my practice while the quiet boats passed by! The following morning I was up bright and early, went back to the same spot and this day had good practice, I worked harder, although had to stop several times to blow off/ brush off some rather big bugs! Patience has been a virtue getting used to these bugs, and ahimsa is in play!
Yoga so far has been a good balance to my holiday as I can take it at my leisure and not worry about getting to work or how the day unfolds, so I fully reap the benefits of my savasana, no matter if I'm on a balcony under the mango trees, in a garden under the coconut tree or on a dirt track under the jack fruit tree.
My time in India after the first week has involved enjoying lots of food, tea, hot weather, shopping, swimming, walking, making friends, hiking in the jungle, spotting wildlife, and bathing elephants, and yes I tried for my yoga pose on the back :-)
Thanks for sharing and keeping it real!
ReplyDeleteHave fun on your retreat :)