I packed my suitcase, grabbed a cup of coffee at the Green Hotel and caught a rickshaw to the Yoga studio. But this time, Allynn stayed behind to finalize packing and checking out of the Green hotel. So I was on my own- my first solo rickshaw ride. I handed the driver a piece of paper with the address and we were off. He was taking the back roads which I was thinking was a good thing, until I realized we were lost and I wasn’t sure how to tell him to go. I just hoped I’d recognize something soon. And I did. I saw the giant water tower by our new hotel. So then I directed him down the hill and I got out and found the building with my yoga class. It is the home of Saraswathi, the daughter of Shri Pattabhi Jois and she is the teacher. I saw two women sitting outside, sippin on a straw in a coconut. I asked one of them, Western looking, what the deal was. She said just go up the stairs, take your shoes off and go on in. There’s a changing room at the back, and find a spot to put your mat down. I thought ok- let’s do it! I opened the door and I saw a sea of people, in fact I was practically stepping on someone’s mat. I tip toed across, between the mats and found the dressing room. I took off my clothes: I was already wearing my yoga outfit underneath,and I tidied up my backpack in a corner of the dressing room (nervous about leaving my stuff out of sight) – took a tinkle and entered the yoga room. There was one spot in the whole room that was suddenly vacant, so I opened my mat there and began my practice. I couldn’t help notice to my left, 2 people over was a child doing Ashtanga! About 10, a handsome boy who looked like he belonged to me; he was incredible- tiny, wiry, focused and totally into it, all on his own! I didn’t see his parents- so- I did feel the ease of doing the practice with all this energy.
In the room. It was exhilarating to be with My Tribe of Ashtangis! There were 3 or 4 assistants walking around the room to help the yoga students and Saraswathi came over and we spoke briefly: she asked who my teachers have been. I said Jivamukti. And then I did my thing and she came over at the end of my practice with some nuances I’ve missed. And she said I need to slow my practice down . There were several things I do that are not in her book- so I hope to get it clarified at the led class on Sunday . Drenched with sweat I was one of the last to leave. I took off my yoga outfit, tucked it into a plastic bag, got dressed, and made my way out- snapping one photo on the way.
A gal I’d met the night before at the meditation class was there, at the bottom of the stairs, drinking coconut water and I scrambled, looking for my small change to buy one when she offered to buy one for me. Then I was invited to go along with her and
and her friend Jess, who coincidentally is a friend of my niece, Patty Hickman, who runs a great restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan and my niece is an Ashtangi too!
The divey place I’d seen by the road was good, they said, and I was happly following their lead with my yoga mat over my shoulder and a hearty appetite. I ordered what they did- Rice patties and dipping sauce- basically and delicious tea. ($1.00)
Then I hit the road and walked up the suburban streets with the attractive homes along the way, to find Allynn at our new hotel, within walking distance of the Yoga Institute.
We were moving there today. And as I walked I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful chalk drawings that appear magically, on people’s driveways. We were told they are called ‘Sitting with God’. And it seems that they are drawn freshly everyday.
I was So Happy to see Allynn checking into our hotel as I arrived. And we quickly unpacked and walked back down the hill to my massage treatment no 5! This one was the same but different. The same 2 little girls, but today I got the water treatment which was Amazing. I was laying on my belly, face down, and I felt a river of hot water running down one side of my body. From my neck ,down my back, over my arm and down my leg it flowed. Hot water. I realized what the lip around the table is for. It kept flowing over and over, down and down until she switched to the other arm and leg. Then she had me turn over onto my back and the hot water flowed down the front of me. This went on for a wonderfully long time. I heard lots of water pouring sounds and I was imagining big kettles of water being heated over a fire- I had now idea how this was all happening, until it was over, I sat up and I saw a gas stove with blue flames. The girl wanted me to sit , leaning forward, over straight legs out in front of me and pour water down my back. Well- that just happens to be my favorite yoga pose- Pachimotanasana. So I was delighted to comply! And it was absolutely Amazing, as she poured that wonderful hot water over my happy, melting body.
So much for my first day doing yoga in Mysore. As I looked around the room at the other yoga students, I was glad to see all shapes and sizes, all sweating and working hard. It felt really good to be there! I felt right at home. I am looking forward to the led class, where the poses are called out
( according to their exacting specifications) because today I was being called out by the teacher for not lifting my head up in a certain pose- fine tuning- I told her I have been doing a home practice- She is Extremely picky!
Well- Namaste! And Happy New Years Day
Annie
Happy New Year! Love your blog!