Checking-in at the Ashram

Checking out of the La Sapphire at 5:45 AM and waiting for my ride, I asked if coffee was available. I was brought a steaming cup  with both milk and sugar. It was so delicious that I requested another. The coffee arrived just as the driver did. He assured me it was no problem to wait in the taxi while I finished it. The people are so accommodating. I kissed my final cup of java goodbye for a month, savoring the last drop. There is obviously no caffeine offered at the Ashram, along with no wine, no meat, no soda, etc. 

View from the Front Seat

The taxi ride was more of the same terrifying ride as from the airport. But this time, it was for seven long, hair-raising hours. I had assumed wrongly that we would be driving through the countryside. There was town after town on the journey. People, cows, dogs, trucks and carts crowded the roads as the driver weaved in and out, barely missing them all. People in India would not be able to drive without a horn. It’s not an aggressive beep, more like a ‘get out of my way’ beep, in a friendly manner. No one appears pissed off or stressed. There was another yogi from Mexico in the backseat, but the driver had opened the front door for me so I was up front and center—not sure which seat was better. If you didn’t look at the road, vertigo was a definite. Driving in India is like the UK, on the left side of the road. Language was a problem with the driver so after the basic introductions with the other yogi, we fell into a quiet solitude willing ourselves to get to Rishikesh alive and in one piece. We stopped for a yummy breakfast of buttered naan, dal and yogurt at a local cafe about two hours into the journey. The price was less than a dollar.

Breakfast

The last few miles of our trip took us into beautiful Rajaji National Park, a tiger reserve—where Rishikesh is located. The road was narrow and extremely windy but the driver didn’t slow down one iota. Fortunately we met few cars on this road, and as we approached the continuous curves, the horn was always blaring to let the tigers, monkeys, elephants and ongoing cars know that we were approaching. I am convinced these drivers are skilled professionals. We never witnessed one accident along the way, not even a fender-bender. 

Lane to the Ashram

We made our way into the village and to the bright green Ashram, where we were welcomed. I was truly delighted to find we all have single rooms. They are sparsely  furnished, with a king-sized futon mattress, along with the basic necessities, minus—you guessed it again—TP. So happy I have wads left from SeaTac. Hot water is available from 6-9 AM, and 7-9 PM only. It is sustainable living here. The people are conscious of their resources and know how to preserve them. We are requested to turn off the electricity when we leave our room.

Street View

The sun was shining in the Himalayas when we arrived and the temperature felt perfect. Monkey, dogs and cows populate the streets in the village and the people live in beautiful harmony with the animals. Lunch was served and then there was time to unpack and settle into my room before opening ceremonies. We were given a yoga mat and a nettie pot to get started tomorrow morning. The  bell goes off at 6 AM signaling wake-up time. We meet in the dining hall at 6:30 for herbal tea, proceed to the courtyard to use the nettie, and on to our first asana and pranayama practice, followed by breakfast. Classes of philosophy and anatomy are next before breaking for lunch and library time. Returning to the Ashram for teaching methodology class and then yoga practice #2. A 30-minute meditation ends the day at 6:30 PM, in time to wash up and have dinner at 7. That’s our schedule for this week. 

I was totally spent—hit the wall kind of tired—passing out by 8 o’clock. I  have arrived safe and sound, ready to start a month of immersing my body, mind and spirit in my passion of yoga and eastern thought. This is where the practice of yoga began, and I am fortunate enough to be practicing here. I have once again followed my bliss and this is where the yoga journey has taken me. I still can’t believe I am actually in this magical place.

Namasté