Monkey Business

Well...Let's just say I have been slacking a bit with my blog...missing several days of entries...but that doesn't mean I haven't been doing much. I been out exploring more...experiencing Mysore...adventuring out of Gokolum...seeing the sights. Not to worry though, I am still a yoga bum. I am very proud of that. I just wasn't doing a good job of it the last several days...now I am wiped out. That good tired you get from feeling like you experienced something new!
Also, since being here I have had a bit of digestive issues. I won't go into detail...but food hasn't been sticking to me all that much. I've lost a few lbs...but I still feel healthy. I have just tried to back off on some of the spicy foods...even though I love it. However, things have leveled off...stomach is feeling so much better today.
Along with yoga practice...I enrolled in a Sanskrit reading, writing, and chanting class at AYRI. We meet 3x's a week, and that has been enjoyable. Might as well learn as much as I can while I am here. I met a bloke (I had to say that) from Australia who knows someone who teaches copoeria too...I will be checking into that while I am here as well.
So, I thought the fact that I am far from the States that my shopping addiction would subside while in India. WRONG. I love it. I have been going a little overboard and its only been over a week since I have been here. I really need to pace myself...and my money! I am sure the novelty of it will wear off at one point. However, I promised today that I am done for at least a month. I mean I have bought clothes (Fabindia...I highly recommend), jewelry, pashminas.....books...I gotta stop. Seriously.
Me and my friend from Thailand did some dead serious sight seeing in and around Mysore...which I will go into detail in my next entry...its getting late and I need to be up at 4:00am for yoga class. Peace.

The Journey

"We don't know all the reasons that propel us on a spiritual journey,
but somehow our life compels us to go.
Something in us knows that we are not just here to toil at our work.
There is a mysterious pull to remember." -Jack Kornfield

This morning was the first day of Mysore style practice since the shala reopened. There are about roughly 60 registered students here and a total of a 100 are to be expected from what I hear. So, practice times are staggered. I was scheduled for 5:45am...but I made sure I arrived 15 minutes early...because AYRI time is always 15 minutes ahead...again this is something that I picked up from someone else. I just do my best to follow along, because I am clueless! No doubt. The main room was packed and filled with steam...from all the tapas being burned! I sat and waited in the sitting area to wait for a space to open up. It didn't take long even though there were several others ahead of me. All you do is wait until you hear Sharath or Sarawati shout "one more!!"...while a student quickly moves on into the main room to fill the spot. Its really amusing! I love it. It doesn't take much.
Practice was great. The room was already so warm when I arrived that I felt little resistance in my body. The ujjai breath that filled the room helped to make it feel like the room its self was breathing. It made so easy just to get into that space...and flow. I have no complaints. Again, I am just glad to be here...right now.
Living in Mysore or Gokolum really, which is an of shoot of the city, takes some getting used to. Obviously, life here is very different from what I am used to. However, I am really loving it. I love the climate. It seems to do me well. Tropical climates do me well. I love it. There is a quaintness here that is so special and something that isn't often experienced in the states. Also, I love that I get to walk to many places. Back in Columbus it is hard to survive without a car. Which is too bad. We always have metal and steel that separates us from day to life vs. mixing things up and interacting with one another more often. Peace.

Taking it In...

So far I am enjoying Mysore quite nicely! I feel like I am finally settling...taking everything in one moment at a time. I do need to pace myself however, since I will be here for 3 months. No need to rush and try to do everything at once. Sleep is still a little off...but it gets better and better with each passing day. I have already met some very interesting people from all over the world...which is to be expected. However, the Americans I have met don't seem to be too found of our country...but, I haven't met everyone. The other yoga student who rents from where I am staying is from England. I am so easily amused by him, especially when he says brilliant, bloke, or rubbish! Doesn't take much to get me tickled over it. He was kind enough to walk me to AYRI to get registered and everything my first full day here.
Last Friday I met a trio of girls who are from Thailand while I was having dinner at Anu's, which is a fabulous place to eat here in Gokolum catering to yoga students. I am not sure how it happened but they talked me into going to a dance club. First off, I had no idea there was any type of night life here...that was a bit of a surprise. So, the next thing I know I am on the back of one of those dreadful motorscooters that I swore I would never get on. I white-knuckled it the whole way there, hanging on for dear life. It wasn't that I didn't trust the driver....I just don't trust the other drivers on the road. Driving doesn't make sense here. Again, there just isn't much adherence to traffic regulations. However, I am told that not many accidents happen. Interesting. So, this dance place was a scream. It had all the decor anyone would see in a club in the states...and they played decent music...I had no idea! Kind a funny. Some drank cocktails...but, I didn't...I was still trying to pull myself out of dehydration from travel and getting used to the heat. But it was a good time...I met some very nice people there.
Saturday, I did a bit of shopping with my house mate...wandering around the area. It was a good relaxing day...no worries.
Practice this morning...lead primary again. Sharath opened the gates a bit later than normal. Of course there was already a decent group of students patiently waiting when I arrived. Like I said before...a motivated bunch! Not uncommon for Ashtangis! I was warned before hand that some can get pretty territorial about their spot in the shala. So I just went straight to the back...(don't want to make waves) where I am in the room is the very least of my worries in life and practice. I'm just glad to be here. Practice felt so much better vs. Friday because I felt like I inhabited my body this time. I didn't realize students would be stopped in a lead class...while they just sit and wait for finishing postures. Interesting approach. I had no idea this was done in a lead class...only in Mysore class. Interesting. However, I squeezed by without being stopped...we'll see how it goes when Mysore starts tomorrow.
So far everything has been great! Its the life ya know...get up do yoga, then drink out of a coconut! Thats all I have to worry about everyday for the next 3 months. Love it!

I'm Finally Here

I made it to India! I made it to Mysore. I still can't believe I am here. After having wanted to come here for a long time...I have only been here for roughly a night and two days and it seems that much time has passed. Let me just back up for a moment. On Wednesday evening 5:15pm I touched down in Bangalore International Airport. Let's just say that for a city of this size there was only one working baggage claim...so it took a while to get the luggage. Then a trolley quickly...I don't know how it happened takes my bags and walks me out the airport. Some how he swindles me out of 500 rupees. Just a tip...Never tell anyone its your first time here! No matter, you live and learn. When I reserved a taxi...I was instructed to look for my name one a sign board just outside. I walked out and I swear there were over 100 sign boards starring at me and that's a conservative estimate!! If I wouldn't have been totally out of my mind I might have freaked out...but I swear I was so tired that a bomb could of gone off 10 feet in front of me and I wouldn't have flinched. Luckily, I found my driver and we were off...but not quite...because the traffic in Banagalore is INSANE! Some how there is a method to the madness. But, oh my! I have never seen anything like it! There seems to be absolutely no attention paid to any type of traffic laws or regulations that one sees in the States...And the honking is constant...people play their horns like instruments here. Its a sight to see...and of course, with in all the mix of cars, autorickshaws, and motorcycles...every once in a while you can see a cow chillin' in all the traffic (cows are sacred here) ...I saw a camel too!! Amazing! It took about 3 hours to get to Mysore...however I swear half of that time was just getting out of the Bangalore craziness. The whole drive I was in and out of consciousnesses...after while all the honking didn't faze me.
I stayed one night at the Green Hotel...I don't think a shower ever felt so good! The staff offered me dinner...but literally I was so delierious that I refused...I couldn't wait to crash. The next day I was able to check into Shakti House, where I will be staying for the remainder of my 3 month stay. I couldn't be happier with it. My room is large and spacious, I have my own bathroom...its a very nice place. Later, I was able to register at AYRI...the shala is awesome...not exactly what I expected. I had this full circle moment...like...I'm here...finally...I made it! I took my first class the following morning...Lead Primary (Friday)...and the shala was already packed even though I left early. I should have known...being with a group of ashtangis. Always a very enthusiastic bunch! So, I was way in the back...but I couldn't care less...I was here! Hooray!! Practice and all is coming...right?! Peace.