Monday, January 10, 2011
Musings about India from a Western mind part 2
Everything happens for a reason, doesn't it? I have caught a small cold and have not been able to shake it, feeling raspy and a bit feverish. This afternoon Dr. Mouli felt my pulse and confirmed I have a mild respiratory infection and told me to take 2 days off from major exertion, cover my head! and eat lightly. It's amazing what the ayurvedic doctors can tell about you just by a brief check of the pulse. He and Uni are now brewing up an herbal concoction in the lab for me to take. It's nice to take a break and sit her in bed tapping away...okay by me.
A few days ago I had some hours of feeling completely overwhelmed and exhausted. I felt teary and weak after the morning practice session, which preceded my private class with Dr. Senthil. I told him I didn't know if I could do this thing and doubted my ability to finish the course at my advanced age of 56. He assured me 17 or 70 makes no difference and the intention and motivation to practice would be the tipping point. He also assured me that a meltdown was perfectly normal as imprinted patterns we carry in our bodies are being unlocked to create room for newness. Hip openers, especially, release a lot of emotion. He said," You have been very busy for a long time, haven't you? This is the first time you have time to practice intensely and see what comes up with no distractions." So true but of course I was embarrassed...he was very sweet and said it was all good and to just let whatever comes up happen.Well, he does have a Ph.D in philosophy. When I talked with some others here who are doing the ayurvedic or yoga training they all told me stories of their own wee meltdowns and we had a good laugh. Part of the process as I always say....easy to talk the talk but not alway walk the walk. The power we have in our bodies to unlock and process what lies within us is vast. Diving deeper into yoga therapy, learning more about mudras, chakras, pranayama, and meditation and other healing modalities will improve my teaching immensely. I'm ready to jump in armed with faith and the guidance of my teachers and others in this strange and magical place 6,000 feet high in southern India.
The photos with this post are of Dr. Senthil demonstrating variations of padmasana (lotus) for your viewing pleasure.He assured me that if I practice lotus consistently I will be able to do the posture by next year. We'll see..I'm currently a no lotus person. Padmasana is the first in a 36 posture series I just started learning...many of the asanas are familiar to me but let's just say they are advanced. Wicked advanced.
A few days ago I had some hours of feeling completely overwhelmed and exhausted. I felt teary and weak after the morning practice session, which preceded my private class with Dr. Senthil. I told him I didn't know if I could do this thing and doubted my ability to finish the course at my advanced age of 56. He assured me 17 or 70 makes no difference and the intention and motivation to practice would be the tipping point. He also assured me that a meltdown was perfectly normal as imprinted patterns we carry in our bodies are being unlocked to create room for newness. Hip openers, especially, release a lot of emotion. He said," You have been very busy for a long time, haven't you? This is the first time you have time to practice intensely and see what comes up with no distractions." So true but of course I was embarrassed...he was very sweet and said it was all good and to just let whatever comes up happen.Well, he does have a Ph.D in philosophy. When I talked with some others here who are doing the ayurvedic or yoga training they all told me stories of their own wee meltdowns and we had a good laugh. Part of the process as I always say....easy to talk the talk but not alway walk the walk. The power we have in our bodies to unlock and process what lies within us is vast. Diving deeper into yoga therapy, learning more about mudras, chakras, pranayama, and meditation and other healing modalities will improve my teaching immensely. I'm ready to jump in armed with faith and the guidance of my teachers and others in this strange and magical place 6,000 feet high in southern India.
The photos with this post are of Dr. Senthil demonstrating variations of padmasana (lotus) for your viewing pleasure.He assured me that if I practice lotus consistently I will be able to do the posture by next year. We'll see..I'm currently a no lotus person. Padmasana is the first in a 36 posture series I just started learning...many of the asanas are familiar to me but let's just say they are advanced. Wicked advanced.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Hot water bottles
OK, let's be honest. Have you ever put a hot water bottle under your quilt to warm up the bed, and then put it on your feet? I have never experienced this particular joy until last night. It gets chilly here at night up in the mountains, about 50 degrees or so. Early morning at 6:30 is brisk, but the temperature rises quickly when the sun comes up.So, we go from wearing sweaters and fleece to early yoga, to sunbathing and taking walks wearing sleeveless tops from 10 to 3.
Anyway, last night I saw someone trudging off to bed hugging a hot water bottle to her chest with a big grin on her face. I asked Uni if I too could have a hot water bottle (I'll call them HWB for short) as I had never tried one...pure bliss! I put the HWB under the blankets for a few minutes and slid into a deep sleep with the HWB near my feet.
I highly recommend this method, especially during the chilly New England winter that most of you are enduring.
You will not be sorry.
Anyway, last night I saw someone trudging off to bed hugging a hot water bottle to her chest with a big grin on her face. I asked Uni if I too could have a hot water bottle (I'll call them HWB for short) as I had never tried one...pure bliss! I put the HWB under the blankets for a few minutes and slid into a deep sleep with the HWB near my feet.
I highly recommend this method, especially during the chilly New England winter that most of you are enduring.
You will not be sorry.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Tired
I don't think I have been this tired physically since I was training to run a marathon WAY back in my younger years...I am loving the yoga though and hoping after this first week my body adjusts and I won't be quite so beat. Dr. Senthil's mantra is stagnation breeds disease, and I am sure there is no cell in this body that is currently stagnant!
One thing that is helping are the abyhanga ayurvedic massages I am getting in the morning. Heated medicated herbal oils are slathered on you by 2 ladies who massage the soreness away. The massage table is like a giant wooden platter with a lip to catch the excess oil...very slippery. Totally marinated! This helps to calm excess vata, hydrate the skin and heal stress.
One thing that is helping are the abyhanga ayurvedic massages I am getting in the morning. Heated medicated herbal oils are slathered on you by 2 ladies who massage the soreness away. The massage table is like a giant wooden platter with a lip to catch the excess oil...very slippery. Totally marinated! This helps to calm excess vata, hydrate the skin and heal stress.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Yoga!
Well my friends, I am the only yoga student here for this training. It's a good thing as I get a lot of one on one time with Dr. Senthil. This is my schedule:
6:30-7:30 morning yoga
7:30-8:30 Advanced yoga with Dr. Senthil
8:30 breakfast
10:00 Advanced yoga theory
12:30-1:00 core strengthening yoga (called weight loss yoga)
1:00 lunch
3:00-4:00 Intermediate yoga (ass busting class taught by Ganesh, Dr. Senthil's brother)
4:30-5:30 yoga therapy, where I work with other guests one on one
5:30-6:30 yoga and meditation
Saturdays I have a weekly test, and Sun. I teach a morning class and then have a free day. I am sore in places I never knew exsisted but it's all good. I am working hard on my challenging areas of the body...hips and shoulders. Dr. Senthil makes me sit on the mat cross legged for our talk sessions to open my hips, and has designed an exercise series for me to do every day in my spare time. Groaning to him does no good, he just smiles and says "next stop for you army". My muffin top is melting away! That is a very good thing.
I am also learning prayers to chant at the opening and closing of class. This is my favorite one so far:
Om, dyauh saantih, antariksam saantih
Prthivi saantih, aapha saantih
Osadhayah saanthi, Vanaspatayah saantih
Visvedevah saantih, brahma saantih
Sarvam saantih,saantir eva saantih
Om saantih, saantih, saantih
In heaven peace, peace in the space between us, on earth peace, on the waters peace, in plants peace, in trees peace, peace in all powers, in spirit peace, peace in everything, peace alone,Om, peace, peace, peace
6:30-7:30 morning yoga
7:30-8:30 Advanced yoga with Dr. Senthil
8:30 breakfast
10:00 Advanced yoga theory
12:30-1:00 core strengthening yoga (called weight loss yoga)
1:00 lunch
3:00-4:00 Intermediate yoga (ass busting class taught by Ganesh, Dr. Senthil's brother)
4:30-5:30 yoga therapy, where I work with other guests one on one
5:30-6:30 yoga and meditation
Saturdays I have a weekly test, and Sun. I teach a morning class and then have a free day. I am sore in places I never knew exsisted but it's all good. I am working hard on my challenging areas of the body...hips and shoulders. Dr. Senthil makes me sit on the mat cross legged for our talk sessions to open my hips, and has designed an exercise series for me to do every day in my spare time. Groaning to him does no good, he just smiles and says "next stop for you army". My muffin top is melting away! That is a very good thing.
I am also learning prayers to chant at the opening and closing of class. This is my favorite one so far:
Om, dyauh saantih, antariksam saantih
Prthivi saantih, aapha saantih
Osadhayah saanthi, Vanaspatayah saantih
Visvedevah saantih, brahma saantih
Sarvam saantih,saantir eva saantih
Om saantih, saantih, saantih
In heaven peace, peace in the space between us, on earth peace, on the waters peace, in plants peace, in trees peace, peace in all powers, in spirit peace, peace in everything, peace alone,Om, peace, peace, peace
Botanical gardens and Mudumalai park
After Sunday yoga class at 7:00 we have a free day, so a group of us ventured to Ooty. Ooty is called the "Queen of the Hill Towns" and is home to a steam powered toy train that winds its way up the mountain back to Coonoor Station. (On the way back, we had to wait a bit as a small group of bison blocked the track.) The Botanical Gardens were lovely. Many families were there enjoying the day...a small boy followed us and asked where we were from. He and his family (pictured below) were quite excited to chat. Everyone I have encountered so far has been friendly and curious, full of questions about where I come from, accompanied by a big handshake with a hearty happy new year.
After the trip to Ooty, our driver brought us to Mudumalai game preserve, where we hopped on a small bus to drive around and look for cheetahs, tigers, and bears. Unfortunately, all we saw were 2 peacocks and many black faced monkeys. This didn't prevent all on the bus from going nuts when they spotted the peacocks..maybe they're a rarity in these here parts.
After the trip to Ooty, our driver brought us to Mudumalai game preserve, where we hopped on a small bus to drive around and look for cheetahs, tigers, and bears. Unfortunately, all we saw were 2 peacocks and many black faced monkeys. This didn't prevent all on the bus from going nuts when they spotted the peacocks..maybe they're a rarity in these here parts.
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