Waking up to the sounds of a new place reminded me of the feelings I had the first morning in Delhi- the same feelings of foreboding came over me. Why this dread? Anxiety? Fear? Ok, I was very nervous about actually stepping into the door of the PJ Ashtanga Shala. I have dreamed about this for so long and now the moment is finally here and do I still want this dream? There are wonderful places I can go here in India; Do I even want to do this if they say I can? How am I going to feel staying in Mysore for a whole month?
I had the hotel breakfast which was great and I was too exhausted by the whole ordeal of getting here the day before that I could not bring myself to do my whole yoga practice. I did a few sun salutes and took a nap.I thought I would go check out the coffee shop in the hotel. Maybe I could revive myself with a latte. Allynn battled with the Internet and I decided to try the walnut cake. Not bad. We were both feeling cranky and rotten. Then we consulted with the guy at the travel desk about the yoga scene and he said we should get a cab for a half day (5hrs) for $20 and we could go to a few places. Moving forward! Making progress! I collected my notes- I wanted to check out plan B first- Yoga Mandala. This took a long search- driving around but I enjoyed the scene- our first day in Mysore! It is much more pleasant than Delhi- less hectic and calmer and more easygoing. There are large beautiful trees everywhere and at times it reminds me of a Florida town without the hanging moss.
Finding plan B was a big disappointment. To me, the place was a dump. Yoga Mandala was crossed off my list and we were on our way to the Ashtanga Shala with renewed enthusiasm. Several twists and turns and we were there. Nervously I pried myself out of the car and into the door. A woman appeared and I mumbled part of the speech I had prepared and she pointed across the room and said go in the door over there. All of the sudden I realized I was inside the sacred Shala.
There was the giant photo of Pattabhi Jois on the wall with a garland of flowers hanging over him like a necklace. I had been told I could not take photos inside this room and I wanted to in the worst way! There were a few people working on their head stands in one corner of the room. Allynn and I strolled towards the door we were assigned to and I collected my breath. I peered in and I could hear voices so I thought I’d wait my turn. My moment arrived and I walked in and stood facing a handsome Indian lady named Uha . I rattled off my speech, about applying and handed her my card with photos of me in yoga poses then I paused and Allynn chimed in, asking if they had any openings- and she said do you want to come in Jan and I said yes and she said ok. She said come back on Dec 31 at 4:00 and sign up then. We said ok and left. I was reeling from all of it; feeling dizzy and confused. Her office was a wash in chaos and piles of papers and I was just taken back that there was so little order to the place. It felt like I was finally meeting the wizard of Oz and there was no one there! The was no ledger book- no record or recall about my application on the face of this lovely woman. And then it leaves me feeling very foolish to have pinned my hopes on something so groundless- maybe it is because of the death of Pattabhi Jois this past year that the place is in disarray. Allynn asked if they have suggestions for housing and the gal said no. We returned to our car and driver- his name is Ganga, and we asked to be driven to the marketplace. And here I had a very exciting time- the scene was splendidly colorful and wild in every way-I felt like now I was truly falling down Alice’s rabbit hole and I might never get out!
It was a vegetable marketplace with a kaleidoscopic amount of color, shape and texture the likes of which I have never ever seen before. Plus it was quite the opposite of the dusty drab feeling of the Yoga Shala. The market place was frighteningly alive and my only major fear was getting lost and forgetting where we came in. But Allynn was glued to my side and I loved taking pictures and I thought- if I go to the Yoga Shala for a month , I could come here every day! I had found my world ! But-Could I figure the whole yoga thing out? Where to stay? Where to eat? How to get around? Well- Time will tell- we will look into this tomorrow- if we can find an Indian Home Stay within walking distance of the Shala maybe it will work. We returned to our beautiful Green Hotel for dinner on the green- and saw the Christmas lights were on- outlining the building and we had a fish and coconut milk rice dinner and celebrated our endeavors here. We made it to Mysore! Got my foot in the door and got my wish for Christmas! We miss you all more than you will ever know. Have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy your family and friends!
Love and Namaste,
Annie and Allynn
Good luck, Annie!! You’ll find out soon enough if the place was worth your expectations and dreams. I hope it will work the way you wanted!
You are always in my thoughts! Thanks for posting.
Love,
A.