First, I have to explain womp rats and Biggs blog comments. The title of my last post was “Almost There”. This was a reference to a line from the first Star Wars movie that my friend Katherine and my sister Naomi often quoted to each other. So the womp rat quote and the reference to “never getting out of here” are both Luke Skywalker lines. Consider this an inside joke!
Karen is much better now and has rejoined classes. We only have 3 classes left, plus Institute night tonight where Geeta will give a talk on Yoga philosophy. The pranayama classes have been soothing and energizing. Both Geeta's and Prashant's teachings have had insights to remember and practice.
Yesterday I went with my new friend Tina to finish up shopping. Tina is from Seattle, so I am sure I will see her around! We went to an incense and perfumed oil store that was literally a hole in the wall. The shop smelled wonderful, and we sniffed rose, jasmine, and sandalwood oils before Tina selected rose and jasmine to take home with her. The shop owner had a steady hand as he poured the oils from a large bottle into smaller one ounce bottles and then packaged each bottle with a gold top and red velvet bag. We also went to a jewelery shop and bought a set of anklets to share. The women here wear anklets only in pairs, and most stores will not sell you just one. We were waited on by two 12 year old boys, who seemed eager to find the perfect anklets for us.
We also visited a castle that Nana said was over 350 years old, and a grocery store to stock up on cookies and chocolate. Our flatmate Oscar has turned out to be a cookie fanatic, and we can hardly keep stocked up. Then it was time to say goodbye to Nana as we wouldn't be seeing him again but I did get a picture of him.
We allowed ourselves to start packing today, and this heightened our already buoyant mood. Karen put the Dixie Chicks on the iPod and we had a great afternoon.
I will post again when I arrive home this weekend.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Almost There!
Karen and I have watched all the Star Wars movies, plus the musical Hair. We feel we are "almost there" in terms of our long adventure!
Our first pranayama class with Geeta was both relaxing and energizing. The shift from the powerful backbend practice to the more subtle breath work has come just in time. I can tell that the students are tired as they near the end of the month and are welcoming the new focus. I myself was more than ready! The size of the group has shrunk, giving us more room in the yoga hall and a less hurried atmosphere in getting and putting away the props.
The needed energy (physical and mental) to keep up this schedule is remarkable, and I have stopped observing classes as I feel the need to rest. I completely recovered from last week's downtime, but now Karen has come down with a terrible cold and is sleeping much of the time.
I no longer am phased by crossing the road or the traffic, and if I ever come back I know I will be more comfortable exploring different areas.
I know how anxious I am to get home by my eagerness to start packing. But I have restrained myself, knowing that it is too early. We have only four more nights in Pune, and then head to Mumbai for our flight on Saturday. I know I am not the only one longing for home. One of my new found friends said that she felt the month was like a running a marathon - making deals with herself to get through just one more day.
I will write at least one more time!
Our first pranayama class with Geeta was both relaxing and energizing. The shift from the powerful backbend practice to the more subtle breath work has come just in time. I can tell that the students are tired as they near the end of the month and are welcoming the new focus. I myself was more than ready! The size of the group has shrunk, giving us more room in the yoga hall and a less hurried atmosphere in getting and putting away the props.
The needed energy (physical and mental) to keep up this schedule is remarkable, and I have stopped observing classes as I feel the need to rest. I completely recovered from last week's downtime, but now Karen has come down with a terrible cold and is sleeping much of the time.
I no longer am phased by crossing the road or the traffic, and if I ever come back I know I will be more comfortable exploring different areas.
I know how anxious I am to get home by my eagerness to start packing. But I have restrained myself, knowing that it is too early. We have only four more nights in Pune, and then head to Mumbai for our flight on Saturday. I know I am not the only one longing for home. One of my new found friends said that she felt the month was like a running a marathon - making deals with herself to get through just one more day.
I will write at least one more time!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday is a day of rest and blogging
A sense of ending has come over me in the last few days. We are busy making plans for our departure, exchanging email addresses with new friends and finishing our gift shopping. We have six more classes this coming week. The focus will change from backbends to pranayama (breath work).
Even though I couldn't participate fully in last week's backbending “extravaganza” I know that my poses have changed and opened. I was not feeling well for a couple of the classes and had to sit them out. But the classes I did take were fabulous and pushed me to my limits. And the corker (as our new English friend would say) was that today I got an amazing private lesson this morning from a teacher who shall go unnamed. She took advantage of all the work done this past week, and zeroed in on the areas of my body that are still stubborn, stuck and unwilling. She gave me some insight into what needs to happen so I have some work to do.
Karen had a major breakthrough- she accomplished “dropping back” from standing into a backbend. She was very excited to have achieved this milestone, something she hasn't done since she was 14!
We are enjoying teaching our Spanish flatmate English sayings. His favorites so far are "pedal to the metal" and "easy on the eyes". I have discovered that while English knowledge is required to take classes here, the level of proficiency varies. Some students can speak only haltingly but can understand quite well, while others are fluent. I suspect that there are also those who really don't understand much English at all - they must be following along as best as they can.
Pune is preparing for the Ganesh festival. Marigold garlands festoon store fronts and rickshaws. Strings of lights are being hung and animated elephant statues (Ganesh shrines) are appearing everywhere. Large scaffolding structures are being erected in the middle of busy intersections for more displays. The traffic is already chaotic – it will be interesting to see how much more congestion will be created by these towers. I am not sure of the date of the festival, but I am sure it will be soon. We hope to get some pictures to share.
After a week of no power load shedding, we are back on 3-5 hours a day of no power. Our building does have a generator to run a few things, but it is noisy. Just before the load shedding began the paper ran a story that there was enough power and that no more power outages were expected. This is just part of the India experience!
Even though I couldn't participate fully in last week's backbending “extravaganza” I know that my poses have changed and opened. I was not feeling well for a couple of the classes and had to sit them out. But the classes I did take were fabulous and pushed me to my limits. And the corker (as our new English friend would say) was that today I got an amazing private lesson this morning from a teacher who shall go unnamed. She took advantage of all the work done this past week, and zeroed in on the areas of my body that are still stubborn, stuck and unwilling. She gave me some insight into what needs to happen so I have some work to do.
Karen had a major breakthrough- she accomplished “dropping back” from standing into a backbend. She was very excited to have achieved this milestone, something she hasn't done since she was 14!
We are enjoying teaching our Spanish flatmate English sayings. His favorites so far are "pedal to the metal" and "easy on the eyes". I have discovered that while English knowledge is required to take classes here, the level of proficiency varies. Some students can speak only haltingly but can understand quite well, while others are fluent. I suspect that there are also those who really don't understand much English at all - they must be following along as best as they can.
Pune is preparing for the Ganesh festival. Marigold garlands festoon store fronts and rickshaws. Strings of lights are being hung and animated elephant statues (Ganesh shrines) are appearing everywhere. Large scaffolding structures are being erected in the middle of busy intersections for more displays. The traffic is already chaotic – it will be interesting to see how much more congestion will be created by these towers. I am not sure of the date of the festival, but I am sure it will be soon. We hope to get some pictures to share.
After a week of no power load shedding, we are back on 3-5 hours a day of no power. Our building does have a generator to run a few things, but it is noisy. Just before the load shedding began the paper ran a story that there was enough power and that no more power outages were expected. This is just part of the India experience!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Obsevering Classes
Today I watched the medical class. Each participant has been given an individualized yoga “prescription” to work with their medical issue. These classes are chaotic, not at all like a led class.
Some participants need three assistants to help them set up their yoga props correctly and then to apply leverage, weight or pressure in the right spots. Family members are often present learning how to set up the props for home practice. Both Geeta and Guruji are often present riding herd on the assistants, getting everything just right.
It was heartbreaking to see some of the conditions that are being endured. One woman had an lower back curve so severe it looked like she would break in half. There was an elderly man being helped by his wife who could barely walk and looked frail and unresponsive. There was a little girl whose legs looked permanently turned to the side and some others who were obviously victims of vehicle accidents. There were also many for whom I could not tell what the issue was. But each person was given personal attention and urged to work hard. I am grateful for my good health after seeing what there people are living with.
I have watched several beginning and intermediate classes as well. The beginning classes are one hour, the intermediate classes are 1.5 hours, and the “advanced” classes I attend are 2 hours. These classes are (for the most part) quick paced and demanding. Also, the teachers seem to be using minimal props in the classes. I picked up some good ideas from observing the classes and will watch a few more before I leave.
Bill - thanks for letting me know about Mary's new post. Karen and I are thinking about her everyday. Katherine, I am atonished at how I lost my backbending ability. I guess taking care of two kids in my 20's and actuarial exams will do that do a person. I am slowing making headway and hope to be able to do "drop backs" soon.
to all those who I don't know who have stumbled on my blog and find it useful - I had no idea that I would reach people in this way. How cool!
Some participants need three assistants to help them set up their yoga props correctly and then to apply leverage, weight or pressure in the right spots. Family members are often present learning how to set up the props for home practice. Both Geeta and Guruji are often present riding herd on the assistants, getting everything just right.
It was heartbreaking to see some of the conditions that are being endured. One woman had an lower back curve so severe it looked like she would break in half. There was an elderly man being helped by his wife who could barely walk and looked frail and unresponsive. There was a little girl whose legs looked permanently turned to the side and some others who were obviously victims of vehicle accidents. There were also many for whom I could not tell what the issue was. But each person was given personal attention and urged to work hard. I am grateful for my good health after seeing what there people are living with.
I have watched several beginning and intermediate classes as well. The beginning classes are one hour, the intermediate classes are 1.5 hours, and the “advanced” classes I attend are 2 hours. These classes are (for the most part) quick paced and demanding. Also, the teachers seem to be using minimal props in the classes. I picked up some good ideas from observing the classes and will watch a few more before I leave.
Bill - thanks for letting me know about Mary's new post. Karen and I are thinking about her everyday. Katherine, I am atonished at how I lost my backbending ability. I guess taking care of two kids in my 20's and actuarial exams will do that do a person. I am slowing making headway and hope to be able to do "drop backs" soon.
to all those who I don't know who have stumbled on my blog and find it useful - I had no idea that I would reach people in this way. How cool!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Backbends and more Backbends
During the third week of the month Geeta teaches backbending classes. Back bends are a personal challenge for me and I have been both looking forward to this work, but also a little apprehensive that it would be too much.
Our first backbending class was Saturday, and it seemed to be a struggle for many of us. But I made it through the class without feeling overwhelmed.
Last night's class Geeta's sequencing was brilliant and she knew just how hard to push us. I have never heard so much groaning and exclaiming in a class before. She gave us occasional rests to recover from our efforts. After we had done what seem like an endless count of Urdhva Dhanurasanas (upward bow pose) and we were resting, she asked us "Are you ready"? in sweet voice. The whole room burst out laughing. I think some of us were hoping we were done with this pose, but we gamely continued on to a variation with one leg pointed to the ceiling. After class I felt exhilarated and excited about the wonderful experience of classes with Geeta.
The weather has cleared up and it has stopped raining for a few days. Karen and I plan to do some more walking to the markets and just enjoy being outdoors.
Thanks for your comments, I look forward to logging in each day and hearing from different people.
Our first backbending class was Saturday, and it seemed to be a struggle for many of us. But I made it through the class without feeling overwhelmed.
Last night's class Geeta's sequencing was brilliant and she knew just how hard to push us. I have never heard so much groaning and exclaiming in a class before. She gave us occasional rests to recover from our efforts. After we had done what seem like an endless count of Urdhva Dhanurasanas (upward bow pose) and we were resting, she asked us "Are you ready"? in sweet voice. The whole room burst out laughing. I think some of us were hoping we were done with this pose, but we gamely continued on to a variation with one leg pointed to the ceiling. After class I felt exhilarated and excited about the wonderful experience of classes with Geeta.
The weather has cleared up and it has stopped raining for a few days. Karen and I plan to do some more walking to the markets and just enjoy being outdoors.
Thanks for your comments, I look forward to logging in each day and hearing from different people.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Three Trips
Karen and I had a fun weekend, exploring Pune.
We went to Vaishaly Friday night – a popular restaurant serving a wide variety of food. It was nice to be in a place that was well kept up and bustling with life. I had something called an uppatta with cheese, tomatoes, onions and butter. It was excellent and a nice change from the veggies and dal we have been existing on every day.
Today we went on a trip to a part of Pune I hadn't visited yet. Our first stop was the German Bakery. This is where people staying at Osho hang out. There were several people wearing the burgundy clothes required of the followers. The cafe had a strange vibe – there were many hippy types smoking away. Both Karen and I felt overly scrutinized there. The bread and cake I bought were delicious however!
Next Nana drove us around the Osho campus so that we could peek in. The campus looked really nice and beautifully landscaped. We saw a couple of boys leading camels down the street, offering rides to people. We asked Nana to drive us past Bund Garden thinking we could go in. But Nana advised us not to go in because of the crazy people. We asked him if they ever compel the crazy people to leave and he said “No, no, such parks are meant for the crazy people.”
We then drove over a new bridge and Nana showed us the incredible development that had sprung up because of the bridge. He said that before the bridge, there was nothing there.
Our final stop was at the Aga Khan Palace, where Mahatma Ghandi was interned for several years and where his ashes have been put to rest. The palace was beautiful, the grounds pleasant (no honking!) and the displays interesting. It was sad to note how poorly the displays were being maintained, some of the descriptions were barely readable.
Also, we picked up our tailored clothes. They turned out beyond our expectations! We both look great (if you don't mind a little bragging) in our new salwaar kameezes.
I feel a bit under the weather today, and hope that it is only temporary.
I have observed the beginning, intermediate and therapeutic classes. All extremely interesting and I will share more about them later.
We went to Vaishaly Friday night – a popular restaurant serving a wide variety of food. It was nice to be in a place that was well kept up and bustling with life. I had something called an uppatta with cheese, tomatoes, onions and butter. It was excellent and a nice change from the veggies and dal we have been existing on every day.
Today we went on a trip to a part of Pune I hadn't visited yet. Our first stop was the German Bakery. This is where people staying at Osho hang out. There were several people wearing the burgundy clothes required of the followers. The cafe had a strange vibe – there were many hippy types smoking away. Both Karen and I felt overly scrutinized there. The bread and cake I bought were delicious however!
Next Nana drove us around the Osho campus so that we could peek in. The campus looked really nice and beautifully landscaped. We saw a couple of boys leading camels down the street, offering rides to people. We asked Nana to drive us past Bund Garden thinking we could go in. But Nana advised us not to go in because of the crazy people. We asked him if they ever compel the crazy people to leave and he said “No, no, such parks are meant for the crazy people.”
We then drove over a new bridge and Nana showed us the incredible development that had sprung up because of the bridge. He said that before the bridge, there was nothing there.
Our final stop was at the Aga Khan Palace, where Mahatma Ghandi was interned for several years and where his ashes have been put to rest. The palace was beautiful, the grounds pleasant (no honking!) and the displays interesting. It was sad to note how poorly the displays were being maintained, some of the descriptions were barely readable.
Also, we picked up our tailored clothes. They turned out beyond our expectations! We both look great (if you don't mind a little bragging) in our new salwaar kameezes.
I feel a bit under the weather today, and hope that it is only temporary.
I have observed the beginning, intermediate and therapeutic classes. All extremely interesting and I will share more about them later.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Independence Day
Today, August 15th, is India's Independence Day, celebrating 61 years of independence. The Institute is closed, so Karen and I decided to have a day with no agenda. We are simply resting, practicing, and planning to watch "The Return of the Jedi" while eating cookies and gelato.
We are planning a trip to the German Bakery which is located near Osho. For you Portlanders' who don't know Osho is the retreat center founded by the Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh, of Antelope fame. We won't be going in, just taking a peek.
I am personally happy to be past the halfway point of our trip. It has been challenging to say the least!
We are planning a trip to the German Bakery which is located near Osho. For you Portlanders' who don't know Osho is the retreat center founded by the Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh, of Antelope fame. We won't be going in, just taking a peek.
I am personally happy to be past the halfway point of our trip. It has been challenging to say the least!
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