Transcend Yoga & Healing

Transcend Yoga

 

the path of the heart: unconditional love, endless surrender, infinite bliss, absolute devotion, simple peace, open flow, energy rising,  divine harmony!

Shoes, Love, & Storms: A Majestic Practice in Non-Attachment

During my recent journey across asia I encountered the following:

• Shoes: 10 pairs of shoes came in & out of my life at their leisure. 1 pair was left behind in my old home city, 3 pairs ripped the skin on my feet & had to be given away, 2 pairs were chewed by a dog, 1 pair was taken by the ocean, 1 pair was borrowed & forgotten before ever being used, 1 pair was borrowed & put to good use & given back, 1 pair was taken off of the feet of my guru & given to me. I learned that I will walk the earth far & wide, my shoes will change as my soul grows, & I can not hang on, but merely must keep walking with intention & trust in the power of my feet to take me. 

• Love: I experienced the full spectrum of Love: frienship, connection, family, history, sponteneity, kindness, intrigue, compassion, passion, fear, confusion, surrender, pain, questions, forgiveness, playfullness, creation, expansion, transformation, overstimulation, & gratitude!

  Storms: Storms followed me from place to place, moment to moment, feeling to feeling, lesson to lesson! 1 first storm, countless lightning show storms, rain-dance practice sessions, a month straight of water storms ~ swimming with the plankton under the moon, various powerful & transformative emotional storms, & monsoon storms. The storms always brought with them energy, electricity, change, renewal, cleansing, fresh air, wild waves, luscious clouds, shifting, flowing, awakening, flashes of lightning art, & the smashing together of those elements that needed to be transformed & purified!

• Non-Attachment: These 3 things wove in & out of my journey like a colorful braid of lessons guiding me towards profound lessons!

In these next few posts I will attempt to share my experiences with:

Shoes, Love, & Storms: A Majestic Practice in Non-Attachment

Shoes

 

Love

 

Storms

 

Non-Attachment

 

Tracing the crossing of a prayers path with my own, & the beautiful gifts spread along the way!

Obeisances to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

& The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra 

nama om vishnu-padaya

krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale

shrimate bhaktivedanta-

svamin iti namine

namas te sarasvate deve

gaura-vani-pracharine

nirvishesha-shunyavadi-

pashcatya-desha-tarine

 

hare krishna hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare

 

hare rama hare rama

rama rama hare hare

Traditional Translation

        I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

 

        Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

 

"Oh Lord Krishna, Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service." (This is a simple call to the Lord and His energies. It should be chanted exactly like a small child crying for it's mother. The transcendental sound vibration of this mantra is the essence of all the Vedas and non-different from Lord Krishna personally. In the temples, this mantra is sung during some portion of almost all kirtanas.)

 

 

To me this prayer has come to have a very special & unique personal meaning. To share with you what this prayer does for my heart, first I must share the story of how it came to cross my path & the journey we have taken together.

 

It starts as many good stories do with LOVE. I can't speak for the young man, who had just left the monastery where he was a monk for 7 years prior to setting eyes on me. I can only speak for my own heart: It was love at first sight. I remember that first day at yoga class in India  so clearly. I know that the practice of yoga is one of self exploration. Ultimately that self exploration leads to a realization of the greater self we are all part of. I could use the excuse that I was merely discovering me ~ in another form & finding love & fascination for this greater me. But, the truth is, I couldn't keep myself on my own mat, in my own practice. I was so curious, & charmed, & aware of this beautiful human doing yoga on the other side of the room. His name was Gaura.

 

Within a week we were discussing the rest of our lives like we had it all in our hands right then in that moment. I guess to be able to have the beautiful journey we had, we needed to put it all on the line, to be fully present in it, to give ourselves completely, & to learn the huge lessons we needed to share. He is the one who gave me the beautiful gift of introduction to this sacred prayer that has long since changed my life.

 

At first it was a mumble on his lips each time we ate. I would sit silently & try to pray also, but often my eyes would drift open to see the look of longing & devotion that crinkled his face, as he would pray over his food. Sometimes I would forget to pray all together, (I had never tried to pray for every single meal ~ I would just do it sometimes, if I felt inspired in the moment). I would look up & see his quick mumble & realize that I was chewing my 3rd bite, & feel a little bad. I would quickly swallow & shut my eyes with a squeeze & think of something really wonderful to make up for my mistake! It went on like this for a long time, as we danced through our own lives & the life we were sharing.

 

As our hearts & the life we were sharing intertwined on deeper levels, we found a rhythm to dance to. We had kirtan before every meal we would cook. We would bang on drums, & sing, & offer our food to krishna. We began to share our prayers. I told Gaura of my own prayers & he began to teach me his. Sometimes he would forget & begin mumbling quickly, & I would chastise him & tell him to wait for me, & share with me, & teach me! He would speak it & I would repeat it back. It went on like this for a while, as we talked about our children & what we would teach them about life & spirituality.

 

I remember the first time I heard some one else sing this beautiful chant. She sounded like an angel. She was a beautiful soul & a beautiful woman who was also following the path of bhakti - devotion, like us. We all gathered to lead a community kirtan. She began to sing this chant - informing the circle that this was her way to offer obeisances to her to her guru. She was a strong woman who was paving her own way through spirituality. She chose the path of bhakti, & she became involved in the Hare Krishna Movement. She spoke as though she didn't belong to one group, but simply felt most drawn to practice the path of bhakti. There were things she didn't agree with in the Hare Krishna Movement so she simply didn't follow those elements, she had her own path & choices. Yet, she felt comfort in praying side by side with other devoted souls of all types. I felt such a deep connection to this same approach towards life & spirituality. I was so inspired by meeting her & that voice & the power of this song. It moved me on a deeper level. I felt so happy that I was learning it.

 

8 months after our beautiful journey began, life pulled me off to the other side of the world. Everything changed. It was always meant to. Even though we were sure every moment together that it was destined forever. When we were thousands of miles apart, the threads began to pull apart too.  Forever turned into now, now changed everything, &  now ended for Gaura & I. It was an ugly way for it all to end. I love my rose colored glasses. When I am wearing them everything is just so wonderful, it never needs to go sour ~ or hurt ~ or be bad! But these past few years I have learned to take my glasses off & see & appreciate the world in all its genuine color, even with those sticky shades of gray that make the heart swell up all bruised. We stumbled apart, bruised hearts & delicious painful memories, & we each took the prayer with us along our way. That prayer became the children we once dreamed we would have someday. And I went on, my new found piece of devotion, my prayer, clinging to my heart for security.

 

All the things we said we wanted & didn't want swirled around in me like popcorn bouncing from one corner of my warm rounded soul to another. One such things was clarity, to be clean & not use any substances as crutch's. Part of me wanted to be like everyone else & just fill my glass with wine & be a couch potato for few weeks till the wound scabbed over. But, I just couldn't. I didn't want to go through this uncomfortable, heck excruciating, process, without my eyes open & clear to see  & feel & learn from it all! And,all the while that little prayer begged for attention. I looked it up on the internet because the 2nd verse always got a little fuzzy half way through. During this time of withdrawal from Gaura, I made a witches brew of medicine from: fierce sobriety, praying, yoga, meditation, teaching, reading spiritual books, therapy, bubble baths, & seeing a reiki healer! All the ways one should care for a life challenge & a heart break, I did! Amazingly, positive pro-action towards learning life's lessons & healing, really did transform me.

 

Every meal I sang that chant. In the beginning I tried to also sing this jewish prayer for blessing food. But, for whatever reason the jewish prayer didn't stick, & the bhakti one did. I still value & appreciate my jewish heritige but my daily practice of spirituality is bhakti - devotion, & the ashtanga - 8 limbs of yoga. Bhakti has me saying this beautiful prayer any time I eat anything. I promise soon I will tell you what the prayer means to me, my own interpretation colored by my own hearts palate!  Soon, soon, but first back to the journey that the prayer & I took together.

 

In June I took off across America on tour. Thus began the journey of the inspirational gypsy's. If you are reading this post then you have found this blog, & know all about us & the mission we have. For those of you who randomly found this blog post without any prior knowledge of me & the inspirational gypsy's, a quick synopsis:

 

We are Dana Cohen & Gabriella Coniglio… 

two women embarking on a journey with the singular goal of sharing our gifts and spreading inspiration to as many souls as possible!  As a side project we are devoting ourselves to the art of living the good life, all the while growing & expanding our own selves.

Click at the top of the page, on the home page to read more about who we are & our mission.

 

The journey we took in the summer of 2008 was amazing! We saw so many beautiful places, met so many beautiful people, & got every chance we could ever dream of to inspire others with our gifts! All throughout our journey the space in my life that the prayer lived within, grew & grew & grew. I remember in the beginning of the trip discussing the prayer in the car with Gabriella. She was hesitant to introduce the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra at the chanting circles & kirtans we planned to host. She was telling me how that particular chant had certain connotations with it that might turn-off some people. Because of the reputation the Hare Krishna's have from the 60's, she was afraid people might not be open to that particular chant, & admitted that she herself had a certain resistance to it when I would sing it. We had a long talk about what our intentions were, & I shared with her my deep appreciation for this particular prayer. There was no final decision at the end of the conversation. We both kind of trailed off, with the unspoken understanding that it would all unfold in the moments that it arose. We would sing this chant if it felt right, & not if it didn't.

 

At some point half way through the trip, after hearing me chant this prayer innumerable times, Gabriella admitted that it would sing through her head the whole time I would sing out loud each meal. She decided to open herself to joining me in my chanting before meals, & very quickly learned all of the words. Soon we began to harmonize the chant, & it started to sound even more beautiful!

 

One day in Sanfrancisco, CA I sang the prayer quietly before chomping down on a bagel at a local cafe. The place was small, so even though my voice was quiet, I guess people were able to hear me. One jolly, older man eating his bagel shined me this huge, sparkling, white smile, & thanked me for being unafraid to pray out loud in times like these. He was so happy that I had blessed my food, & asked if I blessed his too! I told him that I most certainly did, & we had one of those moments of beautiful connection that goes beyond the ordinary two strangers eating bagels side by side at a cafe!

 

One beautiful & inspiring place we discovered along our journey was a small sustainable organic farming community in northern California. We lived on this farm learning about cultivating  & living off of the earth with love & respect of the natural world of plants & animals. We helped to build this community & we took part in an experiment in cooperative living. It was an amazing time!  The very first time I sang my chant in the kitchen before eating a meal with the community, everyone began to hold hands & joined in at the end for the Hare Krishna part. I sang with eyes closed, & a HUGE smile taking over my face. I felt like crying & giggling. One of those amazing friends sang in an opera voice & bellowed from the depth of his belly! Another one, a gorgeous goddess with the most amazing voice, harmonized with Gabriella & I! From that day forward Gabriella almost always waited for me to chant with her before eating, & anyone close by would join along.

 

During our two & a half month stay on the farm many people came & went. This place was a hub for beautiful souls to pass through, enchant the place with their gifts, & then flow along in their journey elsewhere. So many things were beginning on this farm, so much building was happening, to get the place ready to be a functioning organic farm, wellness community, & healing center. Sometimes there were as few as 10 of us, & at one point we had 40 people all there at once. At some point during my stay, people asked me to write out the words of this prayer & tell them what it meant. I posted it in the community yurt where we ate most of our meals. I also thought long & hard about what the prayer meant to me, & shared that beautiful meaning with the community. Soon, soon I will share that meaning with you, just a little more of this story to tell first.

 

One day I walked out of the kitchen with my food, & was surprised by all 40 people singing my chant, with loving smiles on their faces! They were so proud to show me that most of them had memorized the whole thing. This had become our ritual, not my ritual, & the power of one voice & one prayer became clear to me. I realized then that with pure intention, one can change the world. Not the intention to change the world, just the intention to be one's self & the courage to sing one's own prayers out loud (even quietly), but also the strength to share one's self. This inspires people, this teaches people. What a lesson for a teacher to learn: to simply live with intention for personal greatness & evolution, & to just be authentic, & to fearlessly share without any expectation!

 

The prayer has made a permanent home within my heart. Our journey is still growing & continuing. Just the other day I giggled with my mom as I sang the prayer & she sang her usual part: joining in with the Hare Krishna part, plus her own little addition of Amen to the same tune at the end!

 

I sing this prayer as a way to be present & to be devotional more often in my life, & in each day. I figure: I eat at least 3 times a day, so at least 3 times a day I will be singing my intentions & pausing to be present. I believe that food is our fuel for energy & life. What a beautiful thing to honor the source that fuels me to live. What a beautiful thing to honor the source that creates all life including the food that fuels me to live. What a beautiful thing to sing, & share blessings with others. 

My own translation of this prayer as I use it before eating is:

 

I am thankful to the teachers who have taught this path of bhakti to those who have taught me along this path. I realize that I am the servant ~ of the servant ~ of the servant of those who serve Krishna ~ the all attractive perfection of all life. As such my path is one of service to the greatest good for all. I realize that I am merely a drop in the sea, & my individual body & life is merely a container for this drop of sea that I am. All around me is the sea, inside of me is the sea, inside of the sea are many containers, we are all the sea. WIth full love, respect, surrender, & devotion I ask that Krishna ~ life give me a worthy path & purpose to best serve this greatest good & perfection of all life. I humbly open myself to manifest endless surrender, eternal love, absolute devotion, everlasting joy, infinite bliss, & abundivine manifestiny!

 

I honor all prayers, for I believe sacred words touch the sacred in us, & wrap like wings around our hearts! Thank you if you made it this far in this long story of how my most cherished prayer has touched so many lives before me, and so many side by side along my journey, & still has many to touch yet! 

Hare Krishna, Hare Bol!

 

 

 

Two Weeks Till Blast Off - Thailand Here We Come

So, we are gearing up to head to Asia together. We have both been to Asia but never together! Gabriella & I are meeting up in Chiangmai, Thailand in early March.

My To Do List for Chaingmai:

• Take a Thai Massage Course to refresh & learn more tricks

• Go to the dentist & get my teeth cleaned & fixed

• Meet up with all the friends I made while living there for six months last year, & reconnect!

• Possibly meet up with Gaura, the love I traveled Asia with last year, give a hug, make peace with our drifting apart, & close a chapter.

• Go to my Thai Massage School: Thai Massage of Chaingmai, & get affiliated, & get training materials & supplies for my upcoming workshop at Thrive Yoga Studio in Rockville in June.

• Go to the factory that makes Thai Massage mats & make a connection & order mats for the upcoming workshop.

• Go to the market & make connections for products to be sold at studio's in America.

• Do yoga, acro, & play!

I should be in Chaingmai for a couple of weeks. Long enough to get it all done, not long enough to get sucked in to the amazing world of Chaingmai. Not that getting sucked into that world is bad, it's quite wonderful. It's just that I have the most awesome life ever, which require's that I am free & open to share my gifts & be inspired in various places all over the world. As an inspirational gypsy, I am not feeling ready to commit myself to one place or purpose yet. I have lots to do all over Asia before returning to America. (Secretly inside I am fully surrendered to the flow. I am open to the path that rolls out before me. I make no demands on life & the journey it gifts me, even if that journey is to plant myself in one place for one purpose. That being said, I am quite liking my freedom at this time!!!)

After Chaingmai we hope to head south to the beach. We both learned a couple of new songs on the guitar. We practiced them a lot during the past two weeks together in Boston. We have begun to hit some beautiful harmonies & both had visions of singing at wild bonfires on beaches in Thailand. Yet another dream that must be fulfilled!

Down at the beach I plan to prepare for the upcoming Thai Massage Level 1 Training I am hosting at Thrive on June 25-28, 2009. I will be practicing the Thai Massage sequences, & planning all the important little details so that the workshop flows smoothly!

I also plan on writing the training manuals for the upcoming Yoga for Kids Teacher Training I am planning on hosting at Thrive on September 11-13, 2009. This will be the first time I offer a Teacher Training for my self-created Yoga for Kids program. The program is called Yoga for Life: Growing Happy Healthy Kids, & I have been offering it for over 4 years now! It has been wildly successful at yoga studios, spas, after school programs, festivals, events, & various other venues. I have the amazing program, games, & songs all in my head. I plan to sit on the beach & get it all out into a functional training manual/book! It will be a lot of writing, but I love to write, & I am excited to have the chance to share my program. This has been a long time dream of mine.

Of course I plan on singing, & swimming, & laughing, & making friends, & doing yoga, & making jewelry, & playing while at the beach as well! It shall be so nice to be working & playing with the backdrop of the gorgeous tropical Thailand beaches to inspire me! I am also considering the wonderful possibility of doing a 10 day Vipassana Silent Meditation course while in Thailand.

We plan on being at the beach for a few weeks, maybe more. I am pondering the idea of returning to India to study more yoga, & reiki, & dive into the path of Bhakti: devotional path full of service, chanting, & meditation. It may not be a realistic time schedule to explore Thailand for 6 weeks & India for 6 weeks. I have not decided for sure yet. But, I love the element of surprise & spontaneity! So, I'll have to see how it all unfolds!

That's the tentative plan for this upcoming Inspirational Gypsy's Tour, Winter 2009. We have already begun research & are planning out our Summer 2009 tour! This is shaping up to be an exciting time in life, as I realize right now: I am living my dreams!

Shared Inspirational Moments of 2008!

A Note About Into The Clouds, The Untold Rest Of The Story!

After Gaura & I left the Ayurvedic Natural Center we travelled together for another six months, during which I never wrote another post. Looking back I realize that I had so much opportunity to write about the dream come true life we were living together. But I couldn't bring myself to, not once. Maybe I was afraid that by putting it all in writing somehow would wake me up from the dream & the adventure would be over. Ironically when I finally did write it down & declare it into the wide world, shortly after that is when it all slipped away like a faint dream.

And now, how can I go back & try to share all the many beautiful, & sad moments when all I can feel is that it all was perfectly aligned with the highest good. We went so deep in our journey of love, it had to end messy to inspire us to flow in our own lives direction. It was just too sweet & good to stay that perfect. And, it didn't, stay that perfect. It twisted, got caught up in a storm, & exploded. But all that was shared before it all broke down was the most precious gift that still teaches me to this day!

During those remaining 6 months of my great adventure with Gaura we accomplished many beautiful things! We started a new life together in Thailand. I took a 300hr Thai Massage Training/Teacher Training Course. Gaura got his first job ever at a coffee shop, and soon after at a yoga studio! We team taught workshops at a yoga studio. We travelled Laos. We got a fancy apartment in Chiangmai & lived together. We connected with a group of Acro-Yogi's & learned intriguing new things. We explored the life of deep commitment & love & relationship, with all of the beauty & the challenge's of partnership & intimacy. We set up our own business of healing offering 4 hands Reiki, Healing Jewelry, Tarot, All Natural Facials, & Private Yoga Instruction. We travelled to the Islands & found peace & joy in the simple life. We drove motorbikes for the first time in our lives. We giggled so much I think we must have added a few years onto our lives. We faught as passionately as we did everything we did together. We nurtured one another through sickness of body & heart. We talked about everything & anything. We rented movies & munched crunchy thai snacks on many a late night. We rode around the city on one bike, Gaura would pedal, & I would sit on the little seat & giggle & smiles as the wind blew my face. We cooked yummy, fresh, healthy, vegan dishes & had a kirtan before almost every meal we ate in our little room. We sang & chanted anywhere & everywhere we went. We showed every side of ourselves, all the light & the dark!

        

Gaura & I ended our parallel journey in March of '08 when I ended my journey in Asia. I returned home to Washington, DC, USA, to help my mother through back surgery. We tried to hang on to our connection, to the dream future we planned, to the moment that was our moment, but it slipped away as our path's pulled us in opposite directions. 

 

        

I left for the Inspirational Gypsy Summer Tour with the intention to heal, to give the gift of healing, to open, to inspire, to start over, to have a bold fresh new adventure, to teach, to learn, to find acceptance/surrender/forgiveness, to integrate the new me & the old me & to keep on living my dreams. I found all that & more!

 

The Summer 2008 Tour Flyer

Click on the following link to see our e-flyer that we blasted out to hundreds of yoga studios, spas, festivals, events, & friends/family to stir up some excitement & bookings for our summer 2008 tour.

Download InspirationTour

Back at the Ayurvedic Natural Health Center!

What can I tell you about 48 hours on a train ride. There are little things that are humorous and worth discussing. The little packets of jasmine paper soap that I used to try my best to stay clean in a place thats just festering. The funny meals we scrounged up of chappati's, flat bread, and peanut butter and bannana's. The songs we played on guitar and sang to the eager crowds of Indian's curious about the strange westerners giggling so much. Doing reiki for each other and strangers on the hard beds that were erected at night in the small compartments we filled by day. Giving a yoga lesson to some middle aged Indian mom's, feeling a strange connection between mom's around the world, and the fact that none of them actually take time for themselve's. Coloring pictures and playing tic tac toe with kids. Giggling for hours on end with Loz. Laying in Gaura's lap while he chanted, and looking up at his sweet face, and drifting off to a dreamy state of love and boredome. Reading Loz's tarot cards on the top bunk. Having amazing truthfullness flow through me to her. Having a young, desperate, teenage Idian boy beg me to help him and read his cards. Eating chips and trying my best to make the truth soft for this lost, infatuated teenager. Hours upon hours with nothing to do but try to occupy ourselves. It was strange, tedious, LONG, and surprisingly fun.

We arrived back at the Ayurvedic Natural Health Center in need of all that they were to soon offer us. We needed showers, beds, massages, and healthy food. I was eager to return to clear the debt they had owed me since my last visit there two years prior. We had worked out a deal via email. I was to stay 8 days and 8 nights to make up for the $450 they still owed me, from when I pre-paid to attend an ayurvedic training and then changed my plan. I had only recieved half of the money back from them. We faught via email for months over the fact that I never recieved the money, and they kept swearing they sent it. In the end we agreed that I would come stay for 8 days and nights when I returned to India. Then when Gaua and I got together and knew we would be travelling together; I asked them if we could change it to 4 days and nights for two people. They agreed.

Unfortunately, they changed the deal on me once we arrived. A woman with a fancy sarree, perfect makeup, and a business voice and smile ushered me into some fancy new building full of new products, and a new computer. She sat me down and drew up our plan to stay for 3 days and 3 nights. When I reminded her that we had discussed 4 days and 4 nights, she asked me to show her the email where she had confirmed such a thing. The following is an excerpt from the email that I showed her:

ME: Dear Dr. Sunita,

Thank you for the offer, I will certainly pass it along to any friends who
are visiting during that time. I am leaving for my travels in the east in
early July and should make it to the anhc by the end of October. My
records show that you owe me $444, from our mixup in the summer of
2005. I calculated that the cost for me to stay for 8 days, with the
monsoon discount would be $443.30 dollars. I look forward to my upcoming
visit, and all the wonderful services at the anhc! I will bring the
documentation I have as proof, and am so happy to finnally clear up the
mix up, and recieve my complementary services for 8 days. As soon as I
have an exact date I will email you so that you may confirm the
reservation for me!
Namaste,
Dana Cohen

ANHC OFFICE MANAGER: dear Dana Cohen,
we acknowledge the contents of the email.
looking forward to receive you.
regards,
dr Sunita

Now I don't know about the rest of the world, but in America when someone says, I will be coming for 8 days as my reimbursement. And the other person repsonds with, I acnowledge what you have said and look forward to recieving you. Usually that is a legally binding confirmation. I even still have the email to prove it. 

But this woman, skirted around that by stating that she had acknowledged my statement but didn't actually confirm that they would do that for me.

Now again, in America, when someone wants to adknowledge what you say but not agree to it, they usually say something like: "We ackowledge what you are asking for but we can not offer you that. However, we can offer you this...."

This woman had done no such thing. She promised me 8 days, and then changed it at the last minute. I believe this is horrible customer service, especially after months of confusion over such a large sum of money that they kept swearing they sent, and never seemed to arrive to me.

As a business owner, when I have even a small mixup with a client I go out of my way to make them feel good. I not only honor what they rightfully deserve, but I offer extra services as a way to show that I appreciate their business, and hope they will continue to pass along my name.

Back to my story: After screwing me out of 2 days or $110, the woman turned on the computer and brought up my blog and asked me to erase the previous post where I mentioned that they hadn't honored me all of my money. It was so frustrating to be sitting in the brand new building with all the brand new products, seeing how much the place had grown and was sucessful, meanwhile this woman was taking advantage of me by not honoring her debt to me. With all the fancy new stuff, it seems they should be able to afford to repay what they owe, a measly one day stay for two people. I looked her in the eye and let her know that I could not remove my blog posting at this time, because my money had not been fully honored yet. I assured her that I would not be removing any posts, as they stand proof of the experiences I have had in the world. I let her know that, even her honoring part of that debt now doesn't change my previous experiences and make them not real, as though they never happened. I promised to write a new blog post telling all about this new experience I would have here.

She glared me down, and the put on her plastic, business smile and ushered me and my friends to our rooms to get settled in.

We settled into our clean & simple rooms and headed off for hours of treatment. We spent 3 days getting oiled up, pounded with dough, detoxified, steamed, massaged, tapped, nurtured, and fed healthy food. The staff, other than the woman who received us was pleasant and devoted. There were little things I can remember that were subtly off like the scratchy nail of my one therapist that always hurt a little when she massaged, or the cooks forgetting daily that we didn't eat onions and garlic and having to make something special at the last minute, or the loud noises of the construction workers that disturbed my healing silence and thier stares when I stumbled to the bathroom in a towel in the middle of my treatments. All this was just little quirks, the time there was really mostly peaceful and healing. This was the last of my healing from my terrible kidney infection. I was pronounced healthy upon leaving the center. Gaura was like a kid. He wanted to feel and experience everything. In his discussions with the head therapist doctor he was zealous and asked for all the wildest treatments. He told them he wanted the strongest enema to really cleanse his colon. He even asked them to give him leaches to clean his blood. His wild treatements always turned out to have some hilarious and wierd twist to them. For example: when he got the super strong enema he wanted to have the treatment go as far in and through his body as possible so he layed on our bed in shoulderstand with a full tooshie of enema. Somehow during that process he leaked a little, and I came home to a very yucky, funny messy bed. I had them change the sheets right away. Also, after his leaches experiment he had these two jesus wounds on his calves that wouldn't stop bleeding through the bandages. When we were checking out on the last day the doctors prescribed us all our own Ayurvedic medicines that we were encouraged to buy and continue to take. It wasn't a surprise that Gaura, being the enthusiast for treatment as he was, was prescribed over 20 bottles of healing tonics. I tried to stay calm and composed as he crinkled his nose as I bargained with the doctor trying to figure out which of these many tonics were necessary for him. In the moment, Gaura was so wrapped up the the whole experience he wanted them all and he eyeballed me like a child being deprived toys at the toy store. I knew once he came down from this high and the moment he was wrapped up in he wouldn't care about any of the tonics, and wouldn't want to even take the ones we bought. But, as a compromise to make him feel my love for him, without getting too out of control with this silly purchase, I bought a few of the tonics and made him promise to take every last drop. Eventually, we would throw out most of the unused, never touched tonics, at the airport on our way to fly to Thailand. Our last evening there was intense. Some how Gaura and I got into this heavy conversation. It went round and round as we tried to figure out this confusing swirl of space that had been between us since we had arrived in Rishikesh, and was just coming to a close here at the ANHC. I was coming to understand that I still had a huge amount of processing going on from my bad relationship with Assaf. I knew I was afraid to trust, and somewhere inside I had questions about Gaura. As much as I deeply felt our most soulful connection, I couldn't surrender completely to him no matter how hard I tried. There was always a resistance. We came to the understanding that I came on this journey to explore parts of myself, to expand, as well as to heal. Those parts of me and that part of my journey would keep me inside my own self no matter how close or together we would be. He would have to learn to just back off and accept that I wasn't always present for him, as I needed lots of time to be present for myself. I came to understand that he was simply younger, with less life experience. He would be uncapable of being as mature or responsible as I would want him to be in certain moments. Once we figured this out there was relief! It was like we could see our struggle before us, and there for knew exactly what to work on to smooth out the wrinkles in our great, but normal & flawed relationship! We made Loz wait forever while we were lost in our own land of communication and partnership. It wasn't easy but it was so beautiful. All that talking about it all made us closer, and we hugged and knew it would get better and we would get even closer now. We all ate our last healthy meal and hopped in the car to whisk away to the other side of Goa, the fun & wild side of town. As we pulled out that woman asked me one more time about removing my old post and I assured her that I would post an updated version of the story eventually. Here it is, and to date I never was fully reimbursed for the debt owed to my by the Ayurvedic Natural Health Center. I am thankful for the three days of lovely treatment that Gaura and I did receive, as that time was very helpful and relaxing! I have finally given up on ever receiving the rest of my reimbursement.

My 21 Day Cleanse!

Ok, so I just haven't been that great at writing on this blog, this trip. My original plan was to do as I had done previously, and record every wild bit of adventure. I thought this could be the sequel to my previous journey which turned into a book called, "From the Bottom of the Earth, To the top of the Earth".  I thought I could call this one, "Into the Clouds"

But, I didn't plan on all these crazy twists and turns in my journey, the one's that keep me busy and occupied and away from computers. First off I never find myself alone, or lonely and in need of company. I have a boyfriend. Last trip I would just go to the computer and write emails and write stories and reach out in those ways. Second, this trip has really been full of twists and turns.

So, I hope that in due time I will find a way to write all these stories, and finish this second book!

As for where I left off in the story, here goes...

Rishikesh started off great. I reconnected with my beloved Himalayan guru Swami Umesh (I just call him Swamiji, Mr. Yoga Teacher...tee hee!). I decided to train Transcendental Meditation with him.  I also arranged a great deal with his brother Naresh, who is a Reiki Master. He agreed to attune Gaura for level 1/2 Reiki, and let me join in to go deeper in my knowledge of it for one fair and low price! I love my Reiki master Morley, and his wife Geeta who is my Reiki healer. They are like my spiritual parents. They healed me, and attuned me, and passed along some amazing ancient knowledge to me. But I had left Mysore, a couple of days after my attunement and had missed out on the nurturing support of my teachers during the weeks that followed. After being attuned, usually a Reiki healer enters into a 21 day cleansing process that shakes up and removes old junk from the body/mind/heart! I still had a week and a half to go until I finished my cleanse. Since being attuned I had cleansed my body through a week long awful flu, and a 3 day horrible stomach bug. So many mental and heart issues had also arisen during my cleansing time. I found that some of the negative things I had carried with me from difficult past situations were:

-distrust in relationships

-fear of my kindness being taken advantage of

-fear of opening my heart fully

I can directly relate these fears to my previous two relationships which did not flow as I had hoped they would. I was finding it hard to be the open hearted, generous, fearless, passionate person I had been before these relationships cultivated some insecurities. I admit it! I am human, and full of flaws, and fears, and I get effected by life sometimes. I even found it frustrating that these situations had effected me in such negative ways. I can tell you that there were many beautiful ways that these relationships changed me as well. They helped me grow up. They taught me about love. They taught me that I can commit myself truly and whole heartedly to another person. I learned that I am capable of giving huge amounts of kindness. I learned to take huge chances, and to cultivate faith and devotion even in really hard times.

But as humans I think our ego's are fragile. The ego clings to the negative gifts that difficult situations leave behind, and cries, "poor me, look at how awful that was, now I have to protect myself so it doesn't happen again, because that was terrible". It  doesn't want to work through difficulty, it's so sensitive.

I hated admitting to myself that even though I walked away from these relationships with some beautiful growth as a person, I also lost some of my youthful purity and took on some negative, protective qualities.

So here I was in Rishikesh, India ready to take on the deepest, darkest, and worst of my own residual drama! I decided to work with Naresh as both a gift to Gaura, so that later we could do Reiki together, as well as to have more support during my own spiritual process. I wanted to get rid of that darn "poor me, ego protection", and replace it with a healed and healthy body/mind/heart, which I hoped to share with sweet, beautiful Gaura!

The Transcendental Meditation course was a 4 day intensive process. Every day I awoke around 6am, and would prepare myself for the day, and get to my teachers house around 7am. We would meditate, discuss, and plan out my homework. On the first day I went through a beautiful ceremony where I was given a secret/sacred mantra that was chosen specially for me. Each morning, and every evening before bed I would use this mantra as a tool in my 20-30 minute meditation. Each day the meditation got easier, and more understanding about the process of TM was revealed to me. On the fourth and final day, I was instructed to meditate 4 times during the day, and to remain silent for 4 hours. I was not allowed to read or watch tv, or distract myself in any way. During that time I found a beautiful peace inside myself!

During those 4 days I spent the afternoons delving deeper into Reiki with Naresh and Gaura. For 4 days I spent my time filled with peace, healing, and beautiful souls! I found this very helpful while my body and mind and heart were going through this intensive cleansing process. During this time Gaura and I made great friends with this amazing Aussie woman named Loz. We met her on the street one day because she just grabbed me while walking by and said, "Do you do Reiki, I need Reiki really bad!" This was a great synchronisity. I had just arrived in Rishikesh, and had recently been attuned. We became great friends and I talked her into doing Reiki level 1.

On day 5 we all decided to celebrate by taking a hike up to this amazing waterfall. So Naresh, Gaura, Loz, and I all hiked out through the most beautiful mountain tree's to this sparkling waterfall and spent the afternoon in our own little paradise. We swam in the cool clean water, we dunked under the strong stream of the fall, we baked in the sun by the waters edge. We all shared Reiki, as we were all Reiki healers. We talked for hours. I read Naresh's tarot cards. It was a day of true friendship, sunshine, kindness, and beauty! It was a great way to say good bye to Rishikesh.

Gaura, Loz, and I planned to leave the next morning for Gangatree. Gangatree is near the place where the holy river Ganga springs forth from. From there you must only hike 18 km to Gomuk the beginning of the revered, holy river. Our plan was to do this hike and perform some sacred spiritual ceremonies at this place of purity. That evening full of rosy cheeks, and happy hearts we stayed up late giggling and packing to leave my home in the Himalayas.

Some time in the middle of that night an awful pain began in body. This pain would grow and evolve into something awful that would change the course of my future in many ways!

It began with the feeling that I was peeing chard's of glass. A fear arose in me, as I had experienced a few UTI's in my life and this felt similar. Earlier in my trip, a doctor had diagnosed me with a UTI, urinary track infection, but my symptoms at that time had been milder. I had gone through a heavy dose of antibiotics following an ayurvedic prescription that didn't do the job. It had seemed that the antibiotics had worked for a time, but this infection had returned out of nowhere, worse than before. I sat for hours hunched over holding my lower belly, and peeing tiny, painful trickles of sharp glass every 5 minutes. I didn't sleep a wink that night. I laid next to Gaura enjoying his sweet peaceful face, and breathing in his warm comforting smell, and snuggling close to his body hoping to erase my pain with the comfort of my love.

By 4am in the morning I was a mess. I was terrified to leave the guest house even though we had already checked out. Gaura and Loz ran circles around me preparing everything, telling me everything would be fine. Loz loaded me up with fresh antibiotics, pain killers, and made me pop a strong sleeping pill as our jeep pulled out of my spiritual home in the Himalayas. I had a fear that leaving this safe haven while in my condition was a terribly bad idea, but then I began to giggle as my eyelids got heavy and my body became warm and floaty.

I fell of asleep right away, and don't remember much. I remember having to go make an awfully painful pee at a really yucky bathroom half way there. I remember Gaura feeding me water and holding on tight to me, so I wouldn't fall off the seat as I slept. At some point we changed jeeps. At some point Loz slipped me another sleeping pill to make sure I could make it through the whole 14 hour ride without crying or peeing my pants.

I awoke as we arrived at one of the most beautiful places on earth, in the dark of course. We quickly found a place to sleep, and speculated that the loud rushing sound must be the Ganga, very close by.

The next day I discovered the natural beauty of this spiritual haven. Many multi-earth colored mountains jutted towards the blue, blue, blue sky that was so blue I am sure this place is why that color of blue is called sky blue! Green, luscious foliage of every shape and size sprouted all around the fertile earth. And the rushing of the Ganga turned out to be a spectacular waterfall overflowing right behind our guest house. The air was crisp and cold, quite a change from sunny warm Rishikesh. The breeze smelled like earth, and crisp fall, and water, and nature, and purity, and divinity! I was meant to come here! Even if I was beginning to fall terribly sick, I felt so sure that I was meant to be right here in this moment! Loz had brought along this Israeli guy that she befriended our last day in Rishikesh. They quickly connected and left Gaura and I to go off on their own adventure to some hot springs a few hours away.  Due to my illness, and our plan to trek to Gomuk as soon as I was healed, we stayed behind and settled in.

Day 2 I went to see the local doctor because the pain was getting worse, and the antibiotics weren't working. He took me off them, and put me on new one's that he swore were specifically for UTI's. He promised I would be ok soon. He also loaded me up on very strong pain killers and had me check in twice a day. The pain killers worked but the antibiotics didn't seem to. The pain would be unbearable as soon as the pain killers wore off. I kept telling the doctor, and he kept telling me to be patient. Meanwhile, we couldn't hike because I was too sick, I was peeing a zillion painful times a day, and a cramp in my belly and back began to make walking a chore. We couldn't leave because I couldn't be trapped in a vehicle without peeing a zillion times for 14 hours straight. So we spent our time having amazing long talks about the deepest parts our our souls, we admitted our guilt, our fears, and our dreams to one another. We fought over stupid stuff because we were trapped in this tiny room together. It was amazing, even though I seemed to get more and more sick. We would take afternoon walks and plant ourselves on smooth, naturally water carved stone on the edge of the waterfall. We would argue about spiritual philosophy only to find out we believed the same thing, we just called it by different names. Our love deepened! I began to trust Gaura as I found out how much I could actually lean on him in my difficult moment. One day Gaura was convinced I needed really healthy soup, and somehow talked the nicest restaurant in town to let him cook for me. 6 Indian men offered there assistance to Gaura with huge smiles gawking at the western man cooking for his sick lady. We had gypsy stew full of flavor and health for dinner, and American apple surprise for desert, which was baked apples in home made caramel. We shared a little with our hosts and ate like a king and queen that night.

During that time as my condition got worse all my negative feelings and fears also continued. Even though everything was beautiful and wonderful with Gaura and I, it seemed things were awful with me and my body and my mind. I understood that this was the thick of the storm of my cleansing process. But I felt like I was fighting for my soul. I had to be sick, I had to face my negative wounds, and I had to face it all now so that I could truly move on to greater things in life. I had already been offered one of those greater things in life, Gaura, and all I had to do was actually deal and heal to prepare myself for his beautiful soul and all the kindness and love he was offering me in so many ways.

I now understand that we can't move on in life until we close doors, deal with drama, and heal pain. We can't just say that sucked, I am just gonna run away, and think of happier things, and be with better people, and leave all our anger, sadness, and blame behind and expect that it's gone. It doesn't actually go until we actually deal with it, face it, let it flow through us. Sometimes we have to cry, and think, and feel, and face difficult situations. They are hard, they do hurt, but they also teach. God does have a lesson plan for us all, and we don't get to decide what chapters to skip, because we fail the test of life if we try to cheat in this way. We need to be present, and mindful, for it all. We need to embrace and love every bit of it, because it's life, and it's precious and short!

After 8 difficult and  beautiful days in Gangatree, we needed to go and get to a more qualified doctor. We hitched a ride out of town in one of those trusty jeeps, and I prepared myself for the 14 hours by avoiding water, and loading up on pain killers once again.

When we did arrive in Rishikesh we were forced to check into a shit-hole of guest house, because I couldn't walk across the bridge to get to Lakshman Jhula, my favorite and quaint little part of town that I had always called home. We awoke to people singing in Hindi and moving bricks loudly working outside our window. The window opened up to a hallway full of darkness and bricks, and not to the outside. The bathroom had a hole for a toilet, and no sink for washing your hands, just a shower. Not a great situation for a gal who pee's as much as I did.

Gaura knew he needed to get me outta there quickly, and to a doctor shortly after that. What a beautiful heart he has. He found a local guy to drive him in out to Rishikesh with half of our stuff. He arranged a room in our favorite guest house, and told them not to bother me at all when I got there. He arranged for this local boy to drive carefully, so as not to make too many bumps, while transporting me to our guest house. He then packed the rest of our heavy stuff and met me at our room, after walking the far distance, because the local boy had to get back to work. When he arrived I was laying under a sunny window napping.

I went to the doctor as soon as possible. As soon as she saw me she admitted fear that my kidney was having trouble. I was sent in for many tests, and was diagnosed with a UTI, and Kidney infection. She said that I had drank bad water, I had probably never healed from my original UTI, I hadn't drank enough fresh water to flush my system, I had swam in dirty water, (the waterfall and the ganga), and due to the 10 days of taking the wrong antibiotics this infection had grown worse, crawling up my right kidney. She did a test that would take 3 days but would tell us exactly what antibiotics would help my body fight off this horrible infection. She made me have a sonogram to be sure that I didn't have kidney stones. I cried the whole ride to the hospital, and Gaura continued to hug me tell me it was all going to be ok.

Thank god I didn't have kidney stones. I spent 3 more days on antibiotics that made no change in my condition. I could barely walk up the 3 flights of stairs to our room, so I didn't go out much, except to eat. A couple of times Gaura carried me up the 3 flights of stairs joyfully. He begged me every time to let him carry me up, but it actually hurt worse to be carried because it put pressure on my sore kidney. He sat there looking at me with those concerned eyes, often. He was devoted to me. And, me who hates to depend on others, who revels in her individuality and competence in taking care of herself and the world, needed help. I needed inspiration, patience, juice, gentle hugs, space, naps, someone to complain to, someone to do laundry and clean, and Gaura was devoted to doing and being anything I needed! He really proved his heart to me during this time, and not because I asked him to or expected him to, not because he felt he had to, just because he loved me so pure and true in his heart that all he could do is love me and care for me as much as I would allow him to. And all I could do was let him, because I just couln't do much at all, I was too sick. This was one of the hardest things for me, and yet proved to be one of the greatest!

After 3 days the results came back from my test, and they looked grim. Out of 15 antibiotics, only 2 seemed responsive. One of the medicine's would make me throw up my food all day, NOT GOOD! The other one had to be injected into my butt twice a day. Not very enticing options. I voted for the injections, figuring I needed nutrients from my food, hating the thought of vomiting, and preparing myself for a sore ass!!!

What can I tell you about the next 7 days. I got 14 injections which hurt like hell. Gaura and the doctor would ask me questions and sing with me to distract me. One time Loz came and did a wild and silly dance and sang me, "I will survive!", which warmed my heart and made me giggle! I watched lots of cable TV. I stayed up late, slept late, took naps, and went through intense mood swings brought on by the sickness that wore down my cheery heart, as well as pure boredom. Loz and I gabbed a lot, and it was great to have a silly girl to distract me. Every afternoon Gaura brought me a huge bottle of fresh squeezed juice. He doted upon me shamelessly! Loz and Gaura were my heavenly healers making me giggle, bringing me treats, and snuggling in bed with me to watch loads of cable tv movies! I struggled to heal and to stay positive and to work through my mental drama, that had arisen right around the time my sickness had come on. What a cleansing process this was! I cleansed my heart, and my soul, and my body, truly and to the core!

I struggled to open my heart and trust Gaura, even though he was clearly proving himself worthy of such gifts! I knew this fact, and I became grumpy at my stubborn wounded heart. I fought to allow myself to just love, and to give myself to this person who was doing and being what I spent countless hours, days, years wishing the wrong people would do and be. Why is that, how can a person want to give her heart and devotion to those unworthy of such gifts, and yet have such a hard time sharing such beauty with the one who truly deserves them? Somewhere inside I knew Gaura was worthy. Somewhere inside I knew I deserved this beautiful moment with him. Somewhere inside I knew I needed to deal with all this old stuff. I knew that if I could then doors of sunshine, health, joy, spirituality, and love would open for Gaura and I.

I fought the sickness of my body and brain with full force simultaneously, and as I healed the bruises in my soul and heart, fresh bruises appeared on my bottom. It was a trade off. I had given my physical health as payment for the chance to clean up my spiritual health and start fresh and new.  I was given the stamp of good health, and the approval to leave on day 7 of my injections, and day19 of my sickness, and day 1 of my healthy new physical/emotional/spiritual self! Rishikesh had helped me transform, once again, in a major way. It proved itself as one of my spiritual homes!

Gaura, Loz, and I hopped on a 48 hour train ride down to the beautiful beaches of Goa. We were headed to the Ayurvedic Natural Health Center. We were promised 4 days each of intensive ayurvedic healing and nurturing. We all needed, deserved, and looked forward to our healing journey to the south of India!

The Transformation That Is My Life!

I have long since left Mysore and am journeying up into the Himalayas. I have returned to Rishikesh, my most sacred of towns. It is the place where I spent the most time during my last trip to India, it is a place where I found my devotion to yoga solidified, the place where I found a deeply respected guru and friend, and a place where I found love which helped my heart to heal from past wounds. I revere this place. The bumpy bus ride up the hills had me giggling, smiling, giddy with excitement. There is so much that has happened between my last post and now. I want to tell it all. I was almost tempted to begin catching you up on all that before I posted this entry, because I did not want a thing to be missed. My plan is to spend at least an hour a day here writing my adventures up until now because they are deep and worthy and life changing. But a lady must be in the current moment. So, for today here I am. I will tell you how it is now. (Later I shall tell you the juicy stories that got me here!)

I have a boyfriend. His name is Gaura Prema Das. He is young, and spiritual, and kind, and full of life and potential. Our joining forces was a journey full of confusion, twists and turns. We couldn't have planned on finding one another, but we were forced to face the fact that life smushed us together with purpose and intent. We have lots to share and learn from one another, as well as together. I have no clue where this relationship shall go, but I do know I am meant to explore it and see.

We have traveled together from Mysore, and have many plans of traveling the world together during the next chunk of blessed time.

After leaving Mysore we headed for Mathura/Vrindavan, one of the most sacred places in India. Vedic philosophy is ancient Indian spiritual documents that tell stories that relate to the ideas of god, the nature of life, and the ways in which a person should aspire to be. In these texts the main god who is the essence of all things, is named Krishna. Krishna is often called the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The following information was taken from the official Mathura/Vrindavan website:

It is understood that Mathura City is the transcendental abode of Lord Krishna. It is not an ordinary material city, for it is eternally connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vrindavan is within the jurisdiction of Mathura and still continues to exist. Because Mathura and Vrindavan are intimately connected with Krishna eternally, it is said that Lord Krishna never leaves Vrindavan. At present the place known as Vrindavana in the district of Mathura, continues its position as a transcendental place and certainly anyone who goes there becomes transcendentally purified.

"We must understand the transcendental importance of Mathura, Vrindavana and Navadvipa dhamas. Anyone who executes devotional service in these places certainly goes back home, back to Godhead after giving up his body.

"Whenever the Supreme Personality appears, He appears in Mathura because of His intimate connection with this place. Therefore, although Mathura and Vrindavana are situated on this planet earth, they are transcendental abodes of the Lord." (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1.28 Purport).

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna engages in pastimes there eternally. For this reason Vrindavana is better than all other holy places. Sixty billion sacred places reside in Mathura and Vrindavana. (Mathura Mahatma)

One goes to holy places in hopes of having a spiritual experience. But I have learned in life that spiritual experiences can be invited like an honored guest, but one has no true control over whether or not they actually show up. We can only make the proper preparations to ourselves, set the environment, and then wait patiently for something to happen. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes spiritual things happen randomly, when we least expect it. But, if one is lucky, than they receive something deep and moving in place that holds spiritual power. I was lucky in this way during my short trip to Vrindavan. I shall tell more when I tell the story of Vrindavan.

I now have a Yoga certification which is recognized by the Yoga Alliance in Ashtanga Yoga. My teacher training program was so intense and amazing. When planning my trip Mysore had to make a big decision. Most people go to Mysore to study yoga with Pattabhi Jois, otherwise known as guruji. He is the man who made Ashtanga yoga famous around the world. He is in his 90's and has been teaching for many, many years now to Indians. The westerners only began to explore him, and Ashtanga yoga within the last 15 years or so. Before that he was a simple, humble teacher of yoga. He is now a very famous and wealthy man. I honor him for the wonderful thing he has done for all of us yogi's outside of India, for the gift of this precise science that is Ashtanga. Part of me wanted to come to study with guruji, because of the fact that I could go back to America and say that I studied with the man that brought us this yoga. But, I had my reservations. I had heard stories that he liked to touch westerners bottoms, and other stories that he was fiercely strict, rumors that he wasn't even teaching anymore. Also, to get a certification with guruji was impossible for me at this point, the process takes years. And, the cost to study with guruji is about double to three times as costly as other places of study. But still part of me longed to be there in the place of study with the famous man who's name my peers and colleague's revered.

A couple of years ago I discovered a little yoga shala in Mysore called the Mysore Mandala. I found it through a respected colleague teaching yoga in Canada. She usually holds retreats at this shala and raves about the teacher, the organic farm and garden, the healthy cafe, and the people. This shala  was well known enough to have a nice community of followers, but it still remains small enough to be intimate with classes of about 15 students or so. Compared to the hundreds of students that attend guruji's classes daily, it seemed that personal attention was more likely in this smaller shala. I continued communication with my colleague from Canada for over two years, receiving information about her retreats, and updates on the Mysore mandala. Right from the beginning I felt a curiosity that continued to grow over these couple of years. They offered an intensive teacher training program which was Yoga Alliance approved. I have been through 2 teacher training courses, but still sought something Yoga Alliance approved. I just felt a pull to visit the Mysore Mandala, it seemed to meet my needs better than the dreamy idea of studying with guruji.

I feel so confident and joyful that I made the best decision for myself. Once I arrived in Mysore I found out that guruji isn't even teaching anymore. The main shala is being run by guruji's daughter and grandson. Friends of mine who studied with them  had mixed things to say. There is no doubt that guruji left a wonderful legacy for the world at large. But, I have heard the following complaints about the current main shala:

Because there are soooooo many students practicing in each class there is barely enough room to practice, you are so close to other students that often you bump arms. Sometimes, people even practice in the dressing rooms because there is no more space in the yoga room. Due to so many students, you don't receive very much personal attention in the form of adjustments and advice. If your lucky you will receive one or two adjustments, if that during a class. Guruji passed on his legacy to his grandson Sharat, giving him charge over the main shala and all of his students that he no longer teaches. Some people feel that even though Sharat inherited all of these students in this revered shala, he has yet to earn or own his own greatness as a worthy successor. Like a young king in charge of a kingdom that formerly had a world changing, brilliant king; he needs to grow into his shoes, he is not guruji, he is Sharat full of potential but not yet the teacher his grandfather was. Some people mentioned recieving adjustments that they weren't comfortable with.

All of this information is simply speculation, or gossip because I didn't experience it for myself. I am only quoting what I have heard from people around the town. Many others....hundreds, thousands around the world flock to the main shala still, and revere it as "The Place" for Ashtanga yoga. I admit still a small curiosity to see for myself one day.

But for now I am so glad that I chose the Mysore mandala. The teachers I found there were shining beacons of humanity. I received more than my share of personal attention in every single class that I attended there.I was able to ask unlimited questions. Throughout the six weeks I practiced there, I recieved adjustments in every single pose of the primary series many, many times, which helped me to learn to do all of the poses more precisely. In my life I choose teachers that I can know, that wish and have the time to know me. I believe that knowledge is best passed between those who truly know and understand one another. I love to have teachers that I can personally ask questions, honor in person, hug in person, and offer my services and kind deeds in return honoring my teacher in person. All of my teachers at the Mysore mandala were very close to me during the time I studied there. I once had brunch at my yoga teachers home. Often after a very intensive practice my teacher would walk on my back, or massage muscles that were aching, helping me relax into meditation. (He did this for all students male and female, and had a wonderfully thorough knowledge of massage and the body!) A group of us actually ganged up on our teacher one day and decided to give him massage in return! It was such a lovely sight to be walking on my teachers back as he layed on the floor of the shala office while 4 other students massaged different parts of his body. This may not seem "professional" to an outsider. But to that I say professional smofessional, WHO CARES. It was real, we were all kind humans! He was our smiley, humble, & brilliant guide on the path of spirtiual practice. We were his devoted children, thankful and full of love. When I left, I felt as though I left behind a family that I could return to at anytime. I left with an invitation to stay at my yoga teachers home when I return. This is the kind of place for me!

Unfortunately I have a sore lower back that is currently healing, from such an INTENSE six week yogic journey. My teacher gave the kind of adjustments that took you to the end of the earth and assured you that the world is not flat, it is round. I truly experienced this as he twisted me so deeply, so many times, that I was able to almost make a full circle looking in the direction I began the twist. This felt great, but the intensity of the program broke me a little, due to my own lack of caution, and my over exertion and excitement. This also happened to other students who shared my enthusiasm for the edge of progress. I learned so much, I went to the edge each of myself, and I didn't have the tact to stop there. I was so giddy and drunk on yogic knowledge that I flew past the edge in search of deeper connection to the essence of yoga. Unfortunately, one must respect the edge, slowly pushing past it with years of daily devotion. Those of us that soared past drunk on our progress found that we had a huge yoga hang over after wards, in the form of small injuries, sore bodies, and our prescription was just to rest. Unfortunately, by the end of my program I was one of these such individuals, as was Sarah and Guara. We all got so excited by our progress that we lost the power of tact to observe our limits. Oh well, I have got a lifetime to keep on trying to get it right.

I am also now certified to do Ayurvedic Therapeutic Massage. I practice on Gaura frequently, and I hope to make some money while traveling Thailand, offering Ayurvedic Therapeutic Massage.

I also have my level 1/2 Reiki Attunement. I recieved this attunement, as well as healing and an acupressure analysis from my loving healers and spiritual, indian family Morely and Geeta. They are a couple of people who are so wonderful, and have so much greatness to offer the world. I shall share their story later.

Reiki (霊気 or レイキ) is a form of spiritual practice, used as a complementary therapy, proposed for the treatment of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual diseases. Mikao Usui developed Reiki in early 20th century Japan, where he said he received the ability of healing without energy depletion after three weeks of fasting and meditating on Mount Kurama. Practitioners use a technique of laying their hands on certain parts of the body, which they say will channel "healing energy". Practitioners state that energy flows through their palms to bring about healing and that the method can be used for self-treatment as well as treatment of others.

Level 1/2 certifies a person the heal. When I return to Mysore, on my way back to America, at the end of my trip: I plan to receive my level 3/4 attunement. Level 3/4 certifies a person to heal, attune, and train others to be Reiki practitioners. I shall use the time between now and my next attunement to practice Reiki, and heal, and keep cleansed my own Reiki channels.

So much has happened since I left America. I still haven't had a sip of alcohol, and  am clean and pure. I am doing my best to stick to my satvic diet of no caffeine, garlic, onions, or intoxicants of any sort. It is hard to completely avoid garlic and onions while eating out at restaurants every day. Some people just don't get the whole special diet thing, and they cook things how they cook them and thats that. And, I admit my guilty pleasure is a chai here and there, with a coffee every rare occasion. But, it feels great to be working at this.

I have been on such an emotional/spiritual/mental, whole person process! I have had to face myself completely, I have been working through and healing years of old wounds and have been cultivating years of intended good spiritual practices. All that I have wanted to let go of inside and about myself I am working through. All that I have longed to be and set in place in my life, I have been working on!

What a wonderful moment in time. Sorry for the obnoxious length of this post. I guess I have so much to say! I am so alive, and I wish I could hug the world and give all the amazing energy that I have bubbling inside me!

For now though, all I can say is Namaste! The light in me bows to the light in you!

Growing Into My Yogic Self!

I have officially memorized the full primary series! Woo Hoo! Now I just flow through without thought and get into a very focused meditative state during my practice. I can feel myself transforming. I have so much to say, I don't know where to begin!

My schedule has gotten even more crazy! I spent the last two weeks learning from 6am to 7pm, pretty much...with a small break here or there. Through out the day I practice 1 1/2 hours of Astanga Asana, I practice 1 1/2 hours of teaching and alignment during a real yoga class, I practice 1 hour of asana as preparation for meditation, and then 20-30 minutes of pranayama as preparation for meditation, and then 20-30 minutes of meditation, then a second practice of 30 minutes of pranayama later in the day.

The alignments that Sheshadri gives are powerful! I am so happy to be learning them! I have to use my whole body, and am twisting yogi bodies into some of the craziest positions, using all my strength to mold my human sculptures! It is hard work, but fun, and I love to see the look on peoples faces when little old me takes them to their limit in some advanced shape! Sheshadri is a exceptional teacher, and truly knows how to push limits as well as soothe weakness and injury. He stands on people's thigh's when they are in wheel pose, and then he walks on people's backs to relax them during their svasana. He has noticed that I am very interested in the massage and back walking techniques. So, he has taken to teaching me these things and giving me ample opportunities to practice at the end of peoples asana practice.  I love it!

The meditation course is so intensive and wonderful. My meditation teacher, Dr. Nagaraj,  has taught me how to apply a meditative state to my yoga asana practice and has helped me to synchronize my breath with my movements. The meditation techniques are strict and specific but a great tool to really meditate and not just relax! The formula for meditation is that we must always practice asana (which is not meant to be done alone, but really is only preparation for meditation), and then pranayama, and then meditation. This formula is never to be tampered with. Asana prepares the body, and pranayama prepares the mind and the energy. These are necessary to truly meditate, and not just relax and float in a peaceful state. My teacher/guru Nagaraj, calls this type Spiritual Mediation, and sets it apart from most western approaches which simply allow the person to be thoughtless, or relaxed. Thoughtless and relaxed are great states to be in, they feel good, but they do not bring one closer to deep levels of spirituality which are true yogic intentions for meditation. I am finding the process to be brilliant, I really love it. Now when I practice my 1 1/2 hours of asana separately, I am finding that I am using the entire time to be in this focused spiritual state.  I feels as though I used to be very lost in my body, feeling the strength of one pose, enjoying the flexibility of another, dreading the pain of yet another pose. But now I find that my body is getting very strong and flexible. I have also brought out old injuries which I feel I am working through for good. Because of all this, I am always strong, and flexible, and slightly in pain. All poses, I am all things. I find that with this new approach, no matter how strong or painful or flexible my body feels, my mind is in a state of constant focus, peace, directed spiritual observation. I am sure my explanations here are not doing justice to the new experience and level I am reaching during my yoga practice. Somethings aren't easily expressed. And yet,  I am so excited about these changes, and this new approach, and level I have reached that I wish to express and share it!!

I feel as though I am now riding in a boat that is taking me higher and higher up a river that climbs the mountain of spirituality, however backwards that sounds...it's how I feel. I feel as though naturally during this dedicated process my body is evolving, but that is secondary to the internal growth that is transforming me! Yeah Yoga! Yoga meaning the whole path, the  yamas, the niyamas, the meditation, the pranayama, the satvic diet, the asana, the community, the process, the cleansing, the evolving...the whole shebang!!!

On a side note, I am now playing in a band. Our band was born accidentally. Many yogi's began congregating on our only weekend night off, Fridays. We have no classes at all on Saturday. So we have a big potluck dinner and do Kirtan, chanting, as a means for celebration on our one night off. Each time we come together to celebrate our music synchronizes and sounds really amazing. One of the band members, Dennis who is from Italy, says that if we jammed like this at an establishment in Rome we would have a great following and make great money. Not that we do it for those reasons at all! We all just play together! I play didgerie doo, and sing, and tinker with guitar sometimes, and dance around with my fire poi in the background sometimes as well. Sarah plays mridanga, an indian drum, and sings. Gaura plays mridanga, and kartals bells, and sings. Dennis plays tabla, another type of indian drum, and sings. David plays guitar, and sings. Anastacia plays the mridanga, and this Siberian instrument which I only know the russian name for: the vargan. Ella plays the kartals bells, and sings. We have other people who join their voices with us, or tinker on a glass with a fork to make cool sounds, or borrow a drum to jam along for some moments. But that is our core group. We are pretty great! I have never been part of a group that sounded so  professional together. We don't plan anything, we just jam. Sometimes we sing songs that are timeless and country less...music that people all over the world know and can sing along to, and then we mix in some yogic chants with them. But mostly we do kirtan chanting and make up our own jams. I love to see peoples smiles and their eyes as they listen and watch us. I am so glad that we bring them joy, cuz it feels so great to play! Unfortunately in a couple of weeks we are going have break up the band as our paths diverge and we all frolic on in our own direction. Gaura and I plan to keep up our daily jam sessions when we head up north to explore spiritual and yogic places together. Dennis will be traveling with us for a bit as well, so we shall all keep on jamming for the joy of it.

I miss all my loved ones! And I love this moment in life. I have never felt more like a true, healthy, version of myself than I do right now! And I am only at the beginning of the process I have begun! Wow, how exciting! Can't wait to grow some more