Balloons at a school down the road from the Ashram

Sunday after 6am chanting and netti nose cleaning, Annie was asked to lead part of the yoga class – giving the yoga students a chance to experience Ashtanga yoga – the style she’s been practicing every day for about 15 years. The others here respect Annie for her flexibility, strength, experience, knowledge… and so many other qualities that makes her Annie, but after the class they were inspired and in awe. In the week that we’ve been here she’s helped guide some of them to find alternate poses, given them a sample of her children’s yoga, led an evening get-to-know-you session, and led a relaxation yoga session. Annie could have her own ashram if she wanted… of course part of that ashram would include arts and crafts.

While playing with kids on the street after school, we met their teacher… Jennifer. She’s sweet and beautiful. We instantly bonded and agreed to do show for her school. When she arrived at the ashram to pick us up on her motorcycle I didn’t think Annie would do it… but the 3 of us got on and drove on the rocky dirt road to the school.

about 400 kids joined us on the playground and I performed Snow White and the Little people (dwarfs wouldn’t translate). When Jennifer introduced me she had them chant “Goowin’s Balloowins” over and over.

The experience was like a dream I’ve hoped for for years. Jennifer, the Principal, the kids, and all the teachers were so appreciative. Afterwards she walked us back to her mortorcycle but we decided we could walk back to the ashram. Jennifer stood by the motorcycle watching us walk down the road until we were out of sight.

When we returned to the Ashram, a number of the yoga students told us they were hearing loud laughter from a distance – the school isn’t far from the Ashram… they had heard the kids reacting to my show.