Last Day in Mcleod…..
I did it – I’m the first Texan to graduate as a yoga teacher from Yogalife in India! And yes, I was a big cry baby at our graduation ceremony. There are 16 of us in total – from all over the world (we started with 18), so as you can imagine, we were a tight knit group. In fact, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m sad to leave….my new friends. One thing that I can say about this trip, is that although I found the environment quite challenging (for a spoiled Texan), I never felt alone….never. Everyone was so wonderful and supportive and although I did try to go home (parasite incident)….my main peeps (you know who you are) wouldn’t have let me! haha!
Things I will miss? The mountain view, the magnificent sunrise and sunset, the hawks and eagles flying outside our yoga room, my new friends and just maybe the lemon, ginger tea.
1 comment November 2, 2008
Week 3 TTC
Well, I woke up this morning with the inevitable — the dreaded travel cold…..Darn, and I was so proud of myself for not having THAT ailment. ha!
I think I’ll start this post with a couple of interesting tidbits for the week:
Leave it to the Texan, but I found Tibetan Tex-Mex! I tried a Tofu Fajita! So, it was interesting (cauliflower is not exactly an ingredient that I would recommend for a fajita), but it wasn’t bad!
Earlier this week, my friend and classmate, Wendy woke up to find a rat splashing in her toilet….we still can’t determine where it came from – either up through the sewer or from the room…hmm…anyway, the little guy made it out of the toilet and skittered off to his little family…or wherever.
I am getting tired of the dining establishments – you just never appreciate the cleanliness of the states until you’ve been to India. It’s common to have roaches running across your dining table, hair in the food (although, this has only happened to me once)…and god forbid, don’t look in the kitchen! I am going to be a vegetarian when I return home, for sure! Also, it’s annoying that they serve one thing at a time…that is, as it’s ready. For instance, last night I didn’t get my food for over an hour, when my friends got theirs within 15 minutes and were quite finished by the time I got started. (This is an extreme, but we never, ever eat together….I think one time since I’ve been here.)
There are so many environmental issues here, that I could go on for ages.
This morning, as I was having my morning tea looking out from my room, I saw a common sight (for here)….a random monkey swooped out of a tree and grabbed a treat from one of the market tables….that was just hilarious! You never know when they will just swoop right down and grab something! ha
As far as the course – it’s been amazing. It is quite the challenge, although, I find all the other elements of just being in India more of an issue for me! We generally start our day at 5:45 am with an hour of meditation, pranayama and mantra chanting…this week, we started chanting mantras 108 times, which really did an number on my vocal cords – I think it’s just too early….and well, I’m not going to mention all the things going through my mind, but some of the time its…”what the hell am I doing?” haha…
After the morning meditation session, we have 1.5 hours of yoga and since we’ve been teaching since day one (oh yes! We really do teach on the first day of class), we are all taking turns this week and next teaching everyone a session.
Then we break for breakfast and return for lecture, then lunch, posture clinics and another asana practice (1.5 hours)….we’re on the go from 5:45 am to 7 pm….then it’s study time!
We spend the day sitting on cushions (on the floor)….so it will be quite nice to have my nice desk chair when I get home…..But, I have to say, despite my various small injuries (toe, knee, etc.) I feel like I’m in excellent shape…..practicing yoga 3 hours a day +, 6 days a week for 4 weeks does the body good!
4 comments October 26, 2008
Dalai Lama
Today was an amazing experience! The Dalai Lama came home today from having surgery in New Delhi and I was able to be apart of the homecoming!! For preparation, early this morning, the streets were swept (as I explained before, with straw brooms), garbage was picked up, flags were hung, shops and schools were closed and everyone from beggars, elementary school kids, merchants, tourists and monks were out by the hundreds silently waiting for the procession. Everyone waited for hours and when he finally drove through, you could hear a pin drop! SILENCE! I have NEVER, EVER experienced anything as quiet in India since my arrival…not a cow mooing, dog barking or car horn blaring!
I was about 2-3 feet from him when he drove by and I am truly touched by the sincerity, love and compassion in his face! That smile! There was nothing to compare seeing him in person, even if for a couple of seconds! Peace absolutely radiates from his face! It really is amazing! What a wonderful experience.
In honor of this, I have to make a special note about the honesty and generousity that I’ve seen among the merchants/shopkeepers here. No one steals…merchants leave their stocked stands on the street in the care of others and they all help each other out. I’ve had two incidences, in which I’ve lost items that were returned to me fully intact! Last week, I left my hangbag with EVERYTHING in it (we have to carry our passport, all my cash and valuables, as it isn’t safe to leave in the hotel) at the internet cafe – all returned safe and sound! Then today, I left my jacket in one of our favorite breakfast cafes with money in the pocket and the shop keeper next door returned it to me in the afternoon……. Always good, anywhere you go around the world!
5 comments October 20, 2008
Midpoint TTC
Two weeks in McLeodganj, three weeks in India….what can I say, every day is an adventure. This has been another interesting week, at least every other day I’m ready to leave this dirty little town to get back to my kitties and sweetie…but, it’s been a great learning experience. The views of the mountains are stunning, I have to say.
Last Sunday (day off), a small group of us walked up to Bhagsu to see an interesting Siva temple and waterfall. This area is the newlywed capital of India, newlywed Indian couples were everywhere. We also passed a public swimming pool! Of course, there were no women in the pool and if there were, they would be wearing all of their clothes (seriously). The waterfall was amazing, everyone (mostly monks) was out washing their clothes in the streams and having a swim. On the steep road up, we passed a mountain man, goats, monkeys and many tourists. Coming back, we took an auto-rickshaw…now that was a fun and BUMPY ride!!!
New food for the week? Samosa (fried potato empanda with spices), Bhagsu cake (chocolate, caramel wafer-like cake), dosa (rice crepe) and monk tea (I think it’s tea with milk and cinnamon). Still not eating any fruits and veggies – after being sick last week…and the “W” incident, just not going there. I’m really, really sick of bread though.
Class has been quite interesting…I am learning more yoga philosophy than I ever thought existed (and we’re just touching a little on everything). This week we learned how to use the neti pot…now that was something else I never thought I’d do, but it wasn’t bad. For the neti lesson, we were taken to a mountain top with a wonderful view of the valley, and sun rising (we’re in the western Himalayas)….we started off with our Sun Salutation practice then the whole neti procedure. It was really a nice day – we then hiked down….However, I haven’t yet been able to duplicate the neti practice on my own…haha!
Other exeperiences in class – a whole yoga practice of “humming” yoga – now that was HARD and so funny….especially when we were doing cat and tiger…{“meow”}. Also learning all about Bundras, Mudras, Koshas….still a little confused on these, and I better start studying….
The program is challenging just due to the volume of work in such a short time, but I’m really enjoying it.
Tomorrow is my first teaching practical and our mid-term exam is Thursday…then I think we teach again the last week and have our final. We will be here for the Festival of Lights (the last week), which is India’s version of Christmas, so we’re having a party…I’m suggesting “Secret Santa”…haha!
From here on out, I will probably be posting most of my details from home, just because I need Sunday to study and sight see…..I pretty much know this town inside and out, now! haha…But, so tired of the noise, aggression and pollution…..(It’s so interesting to see monkeys among everything else every once and awhile.)
Other tidbits:
If you’re coming to India, keep your fingernails short, you eat a lot with your hands and napkins and TP are limited.
I have many new bug friends in my room – Mr. Centipede has joined in on the fun.
1 comment October 19, 2008
Yogi in Training
Ok…so it’s tough! New (uncomfortable) environment and strenuous course load/practice. I have bruises, aches, pains but overall I feel pretty well! (Jammed my toe on those crazy streets, but with a little massage, it’s getting better!)
We start at 5:45 am for class and are finished around 7 pm (getting breaks for food/tea). The TTC (Teacher Training Class) is a separate adventure on its own and sometimes I feel completely unprepared and unknowledgeable…BUT, I am very much prepared for our actual yoga practices..(Thank you, BYTW)…I have progressed so much in my advanced postures in just one week! (My Bikram yoga instructors will be so proud!)
When we arrived on Sunday, we were welcomed with a special blessing and ceremony that was quite beautiful…and we’ve been on the go since then. We have quite a multi-national group and everyone is VERY supportive, kind and friendly. We’re all in this together, and it’s nice to have such a great support network.
I’d like to get into greater detail about what we’re studying and experiencing every day, but it is too much to explain and we are bound by confidence while we are here. I do have to mention my difficulty in my meditation sessions though…My goodness, is it hard! The first day, was great and since then, all I can focus on are my legs! AUGH, my legs! HURT! (we meditate for 45 min)….This will take some time, and it’s all a VERY new experience for me, but I am learning very new things! And that’s why I’m here! To learn the basics of yoga!
3 comments October 12, 2008
Week One in McCleodganj
Wow – one week! As you know from my last post – everyday I have had a different emotion or experience…some days I was “crying my eyes out” and the next I was marveling at what a great adventure I was on….so what is wrong with me?! ha! I guess you never realize how comfortable and spoiled you are until you come to a REAL 3rd world country (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico are not like this, at least not EVERYWHERE…ha). I also know that since we are practicing so much yoga, I’m releasing many toxins; and coupled with the “Delhi Belly” that seems a given in India – it can be quite tough!
I arrived in Dharamashala on Sunday from Delhi and thought I’d share a little about traveling through the airport, as I found it interesting.
The airport is secured by the military (Federal Gov), and it is highly guarded (maybe due to the recent bombing attacks). At the entrance from the main road there are guards with machine guns stationed behind sand bag barricades. I mean seriously, is this really necessary? I never felt THAT threatened…There are quite a few extra security measures, but inside personsl were quite helpful. Although the airport is run down and dirty (I will never complain about South America again…), it wasn’t bad. I’m not sure if I mentioned before how segregated this country is…ALL men/women activities are separated (can’t do things together); so of course, there are two security lines. One for females and one for males…of course, I just automatically go to the short line and it’s the wrong one….(oh, the horror..haha)…so I have to gather everything and start again…so a FEMALE can frisk me in a little burlap covered area and check my belongings. Anyway, I thought this was hilarious, so I had to mention it…it’s like this at all the museums, monuments, etc….2 lines; men and women…
Somehow, I expected Dharmashala to be different than Delhi/Agra…and it is, but it’s not. The drive up the mountain (Himalayans) was such the adventure – it’s not as crowded here – but the road is tiny and you’ve got cars, buses, hikers, monks, cows, dogs, monkeys, etc… all sharing the winding road. And yes, there is a huge cliff of the side with really no barrier….luckily, I was still in shock so I was fine with it all! haha (I met my Canadian friend, Theresea at the airport, so it was nice to have a companion on that ride!) I do have to admit, the scenery is very beautiful – once you look past the garbage collected in the ditches/etc., it’s quite nice.
Arrival at the hotel was another little culture shock for me….not quite the 5-star hotel in Delhi or any hotel I’ve been in rather…well the one in Alaska came close and I cried when I saw that one…haha. The first thing I noticed was the sign that said “Hot Water from 6-10 am/pm only”…so “OH BOY”…After being here awhile, I realize this is worth every penny of that $52 USD a night (that’s expensive for here and yes, it’s worth that….)…there are missing window panes…bugs, bugs, roaches…BUT, not that awful.. It could be way worse and the weather is nice (no a/c, but not needed), and I’ve slept like a baby every night, so I’m overlooking the roach I saw on my bed the first night….ha! It’s tolerable! 
The great thing about this hotel is that it is literally built on the side of a mountain and from our class room (our TTC is in the building as well), we can see the tops of the trees around us….there is a magnificient hawk that flys around daily and perches right outside the classroom. Quite amazing to watch. And the views of the sun setting and rising can’t be beat! We get a great view of both as we are starting class before sunrise and end after sunset. I don’t think I’ve ever really enjoyed watching the sun so much! Also, on a clear day you can see far down into the valley below and it is really a wonderful sight.
This has certainly been a struggle for me, the sheer difference in the surrondings and culture is unlike anything I’ve ever seen or experienced. It’s hard to avoid fruits and veggies (lots of bacteria here and you should only eat things you can peel – but that didn’t stop me from getting sick…so I don’t know)…the roads (you wouldn’t call them roads at home) are so crazy – jam packed full of everything you can imagine…so much litter and wow, I smell “pot” all the time – I think some people here use it daily! ha! There is really no space left unused – it’s surreal sometimes….
But, I’m getting used to it. Every day I want to come home but at the same time, I’m so glad that I get to experience something so different! It is truly a learning experience!
ps….please forgive my spelling mistakes here on out – these computers are way too slow to spell check!
pss. I do have a new favorite drink that I LOVE from here – it’s Sweet/Salty Lime Soda – YUM!
3 comments October 12, 2008
Quick Update
Howdy all!
Thanks for all the messages and “cyber hugs”…;) It has been one challenging week – filled with tears, exhaustion, resistance and now maybe some acceptance…..I am in the midst of my yoga TTC (Teach Training Conference) and have little time and little internet..ha! But, I will continue to update you with everthing on Sunday (my day off). I am so far out of my comfort zone, I couldn’t have imagined it! BUT, I think I’m getting used to it on some level….well, 3+ weeks to go, so I better!
Take Care!
1 comment October 10, 2008
My India to culture shock….
My India…..thus far has been a sheltered and pampered view of the country. My hotel is a small bubble of an oasis in the midst of organized chaos….
Every morning, I wake up around 5am, have my green tea, work out, have breakfast; which is mostly fruit, but I tried a traditional breakfast of masala dosa. (It is a rice pancake filled with spicy potatoes, dipped in a hot lentil sauce). Every day, I see the many flocks of parakeets flying around from my hotel window. This city has more trees than you can imagine! I do believe that it has the most of any city in the world! It’s amazing – to be so crowded and dirty and have such greenery. It is a sight to see…not to mention the monkeys that I mentioned before. (Note that food safety is not an issue at my hotel, it’s not the norm for the country, so here you can forgo the usual precautions of not eating anything unless you peel it, using a straw, etc..etc..)
My journal to Agra exposed me to the “real India” yesterday….and in the word’s of Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz, “Toto, we aren’t in Kansas anymore.” There is no way that I can accurately paint the picture of how life is lived here for so many people - it felt surreal as I was taking everything in – it was like being thrust into a National Geography Movie; but I will tell you, nothing that you see on TV or in pictures will compare to seeing it all first hand. It was literally the pages of “A Fine Balance” by Rohinton Mistry come to life (Bookworms, in my view not a lot has changed from the account in that book.)
First of all, imagine a 4 lane road, then picture about 10-12 lanes of traffic at all times – but a jumble of: packed buses (arms out the window), Tata cars (tiny things sometimes packed with 10 people – the driver having a child or two in his lap), auto rickshaws, bike rickshaws, random Brahma bulls or cows, large trucks, herds of goats, people, little deformed kids, large flat carts drawn by mules, motorcycles with 4-5 people on them, camels pulling very large loads, possibly rabid dogs, pigs, monkeys darting here and there (they’re fast!), women walking with large loads on their head – could be a large bag of something, a bushel, or a bucket, … the list goes on. I can’t possibly describe it to the detail it deserves! (Steph – you know what I mean!)
Then to that chaos (it’s organized, as I mentioned before – moving, shoving, weaving, darting in and out….) add the sounds (the trucks/cars all have printed on the back “honk please”) constant noise, calls to prayer from loud speakers and the smell. On the side of the road, this was the National Highway that runs the length of the country to Pakistan, (my guide accurately stated that this country lives it’s life on the streets), there are people dwelling, working, etc., among mounds and piles of garbage. Could be rotted food, plastic bottles, excrement…you’ll see lean-too structures, huts, tents, buildings, some shopping malls, almost everything amidst the filth. I saw people sleeping, eating, having a shave, urinating, excreting, just sitting on a mat, shoving for a bit of water in one pipe, bathing under a water truck (water is scare outside monsoon season, not to mention polluted), markets of food (you can’t imagine the flies), street sweepers (most construction/road work is done by hand – the sweepers have rudimentary brooms), road construction by hand (saw 3 men paving the road with a little brush and pepples…like a paint brush). There are guards with rifles at toll stops, government “highway” patrol with barricades that you have to weave through – and they direct traffic (yes, there are some traffic lights), And if you stop….
Stopping the car is uncomfortable…there was one stop that everyone must take, in order to pay a tourist tax. The advice was to not make eye contact, don’t take photos and ignore….so when about 10-20 kids with monkeys, various goods, the snake charmer with his cobra (YES – THAT IS REAL), come and start banging on the doors, trying to open them, shaking the car, monkeys climbing on the car – it takes everything you’ve got to maintain your composure. The desperation is so very real and very heart breaking, not to mention scary. Scary, when you’re in the car ALONE!
Honestly, I don’t think there is one thing that I DIDN’T see on that drive – (from a leper, to a water buffalo to women walking among the filth in beautiful sarees). Then when you reach the destination in Agra – the grand Taj Mahal, tomb built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite (2nd wife, I think) who died giving birth to their 14th child, you are completely and utterly speechless. Amidst the poverty, is this majestic and magnificent work of art! The Taj Mahal is one of the grandest structures of beauty that I have seen (I’ve seen a few of the wonders of the world)….but the beauty of this is again indescribable.
The security was very high there, a little heightened, I think, with the recent bombings across the country, so I was limited in what I could bring in with me. When you reach the Taj, you must remove your shoes or wear “booties” to tour the building. It is really so very amazing – so amazing that my photos don’t even look real. (The trick is to hire one of the many photographers, with privilege, to take your photos, as they can move the crowds). It was very crowded when I went, at the heat of the day, (so very hot) and not one foreigner in sight, but myself. (See Bikram yoga story below.) This monument is such a great pride for this country of poverty, it is maintained immaculately!
As you can tell, this was an amazing adventure for me (or for anyone!) – it was quite a long day of total immersion – 5 hour drive one way (and the traffic was as I described the entire route) on a Sat. People here don’t have a Saturday holiday…poverty doesn’t have a day off. Sunday is a religious holiday, however.
Today I will travel to a completely different portion of India (“Little Lhasa”) and will experience the Tibetan side of the country while I begin my yoga training. So, the adventure continues and what an adventure it is……
God Bless!
Bikram Story at the Taj:
I do not know if this is true – but I didn’t mention I practiced Bikram Yoga until after I was told the story by my guide at the Taj Mahal. As most of you know, I just HAD to get a yoga posture in front of the Taj Mahal – little did I know that this is/can be considered a criminal offense leading to arrest and removal from the monument. (It was just a little standing-head-to-knee!) When I was taking photos, I just quickly said – “wait, take these” and I noticed my guide had this look on his face and he said, “quick, quick!”….then after he tells me the story.
Apparently, Bikram was at the Taj Mahal a couple of years ago (it’s recent) and had a group of about 20-30 people with him on the monument. They proceded to strip down into their hot yoga gear (that’s not what my guide called it – he said underpants) and practice hot yoga (my guide called it a “demonstration”.) (Note that this culture is VERY offended by the showing of skin – it was in the 100′s today, and I wore a long sleeve tunic and jeans, which is what everyone wore). They drew such a large crowd that it caused a small riot – almost, the Indian people were highly offended and found it all very, very disrespectful….so Bikram was arrested and spent the greater part of the day in jail.
This is all according to my guide, I am not sure if it’s really true, but now because of that, you can be arrested for doing a yoga pose, carrying a flag – anything that is considered disrespectful to India. So, there you have it – I have my “standing-head-to-knee” posture photo with a story (I’ll have to scan it, when I get home in November)…but that one will get framed. LOL!
5 comments October 5, 2008
Tags: Agra, Bikram Yoga, Taj Mahal
Museum Day
Today was basically a museum touring and shopping day. We first stopped by the National Museum, packed with exhibits ranging over 5000 years;then the Crafts Museum, which displayed rural arts and crafts from villages of India. In both museums, there were many depictions of Lord Krishna, Shiva and Shakti. (Many others, but I remember these Hindu deities).
Lord Krishna (I’ll see his birthplace tomorrow in Mathura) was predominate in Southern India around the 7th-9th centuries. He is mostly depicted in artwork as “blue”….he was considered a god-child, prankster, lover, hero, and supreme being. (Pretty much everything).
Shiva (the destroyer) is said to be the founder of yoga. He represents supreme consciousness whereas Shakti is his counterpart and represents energy (cosmic force in all beings). Basically, the belief is you can’t have one without the other….
My guide was so knowledgeable, so, of course, the day was “information overload”! I did end the day with the purchase of a sarees (not the one I wanted, but I got a cheaper version)….they are works of art!
Tomorrow I travel to Agra for the highlight of my visit to the Delhi region…….
Until then, Namaste!
Oh yes – I got to see the wild monkeys roaming the city today! How bizarre – a pack of monkeys just roaming around….
2 comments October 3, 2008
Tags: Krishna, Shiva
