Wanderlust Spirit

And so it continued . . .

Graduation Bliss

Finishing the final week at Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, and realizing it had been four whole weeks. When I first arrived the days and weeks stretched out before me endlessly, a long time to be away from my family and the life I know. I had jumped feet-first into the luring fire of passion to pursue a path of yoga, self-discovery and eastern teachings. I was swallowed up and swept away to another time, another place, another culture. Now the Universe is ready to spit me back out on the other side—back into my comfortable womb of existence—to practice what I have learned; to apply the asanas and pranayamas to everyday life. Exhausted—I have never worked this hard for this long, physically or mentally—yet I am unharmed, sated and full of new ways of thinking, new ways of being, and still more questions. I have changed, but realize life is constantly changing minute by minute. I have grown during the process of this journey, and have evolved further by embracing the fear that lead me to an unforgettable adventure of the body, mind and spirit. 

My Bed for a Time

Time is always a mystery, the days and weeks meld together and now there is only a 22-hour flight to get back where I came from, a place where all of this will feel like a dream. I have adjusted to life at the Ashram, it only takes 21-days to change a habit and by the time I get home it will be closer to 30. My life as I know will appear the same, but I am different inside. Eating meat is questionable, but again after 21-days home I can’t say for sure how I will feel. I could never eat meat here in India, the animals are too close. I buy produce and feed the cows daily. I take cow-bags from restaurants and sometimes share with the dogs. The monkeys grab food from anyone they can, and run like hell. They are so mischievous and funny, and the people accept their behavior as it is. There have been some hilarious tales about various experiences with them that I will share later in a blog post called monkey business. 

Waiting for Me

I am thrilled at the thought of once again seeing, touching, hearing and smelling my own dogs. The sound of the mooing cows will soon be replaced with the unforgettable DoDog howl. Stepping back into the routine I left behind will be easy, and after a few days this experience will seem like a dream. That’s how it goes with travel. Being present in the environment that I know so well will slowly move this experience into the archives of amazing, unreal memories. But, I will never forget. The mind has been activated both mentally and physically here, and a full body awareness has been realized. Cultivating the eight limbs of yoga as a way to exist peacefully. Gazing into the flame of a candle without blinking for 10-15 minutes each day. Taking time to be still in a hectic world; turning inward to find peace, clarity and nothingness is the way to enlightenment, and requires a daily practice of being present, forever. I will not accept, I will not reject, I will simply observe, and hold on to (thank you again, Roshen). I know that everything is already perfect and whatever happens to me is for my own good. To find the positive in all things, and know the Universe always takes care of me in the way that is best for my own personal growth. Giving gratitude for those I love, my place in the Universe and the many blessings present in my life.

Magical Clouds

India has taught me things beyond yoga. She has shown me a peaceful way of existence and how to cohabitate with all creatures around me. She has taught me an understanding of all life and just how much animals, plants and humans depend upon each other for survival. She has taught me to respect and covet that connection. I am grateful for this amazing journey and am humbled by the beauty surrounding me daily, no matter where I wake up. 

All of this IS Yoga.

Happy to be Going Home

Sad to be Leaving This Magical Place

Bittersweet. . . 

A Room With A View

Goodbye to Rishikesh room #106 with a view and private bath. I will miss this space and all the wonderful people that shared this experience with me, as well as the ones that provided it. Thanks to the asana gurus: Jeez (“Your legs and arms are going this way, where are YOU going?”), Abby (“Everyone okay? I’m okay, too”), Guru lecturers: Arpit, Deepa (“I love you”) and Roshen (Please do not accept what I say, please do not reject it. . .”). Thanks to all the kitchen staff that fed us exceptional vegetarian food each day, and the front desk guys that always fixed whatever was wrong. Miss all of you already, you rock and I will be back!

Namasté

“Yoga is not to be performed, Yoga is to be lived. . .”

—Ahmber Nichole