Day 5 - Final Week Complete!

"Steadiness and ease are themselves opposites, and yet when in balance, each supports and allows the other to express itself fully". - Gregor Maehle

I woke this morning feeling very sore and tired and asking myself, "however will I get through this mornings 2-hour Primary Series?"  I got to my mat and sipped my hot ginger tea and prepared my mind for the work ahead telling myself, "Remember how you feel on your mat in Shavasana at the end of your practice each and every time . . . you will feel incredible, strong and satiated in that moment".  That's exactly how I felt!

I however had something even more exciting happen for me in today's practice.  I was able to get into Supta Kanasana AND point my toes (a balancing pose resting on your sit bones) AND I was able to roll out of Supta Kanasana Phase 1 right into Phase 2 (balancing on my sit bones).  That was such an exciting surprise.

My second surprise of the morning's practice was getting into full lotus pose and discovering that yes, yes I can lift myself into raised seated lotus - the adjustment I made was rolling my shoulders forward as opposed to trying to lift with my shoulders back, chest out . . . that doesn't work, you need to roll your shoulders forward.  Also, I don't know that I could ever do it just in a cross legged position . . . it's too difficult to lift your legs off the floor, but from lotus it just happens.  YAY!  Yes I know we should not get attached to the end result of our practice, but it's impossible not to celebrate an achievement.  I was very pleased!

We then had our final Pranayama class of the week with Upendra and did nasal breathing eexercises with breath holds.  I'm really improving with sitting with my breath and getting less distracted by noises around me . . . I hear them but I acknowledge them only rather than feel interrupted by them.  Maybe being a mother helps with that lol.  There are a lot of rules with a genuine, traditional pranayama practice, and Upendra is a very knowledgeable, intelligent man.  He has his PhD amongst many other forms of education - has taught here and in Korea.  He did his PhD on the effects of yoga on youth suffering from OCD and bipolar disorder.  He is such an interesting human being and a lovely spirit.

Upendra has an expression of bliss on his face at all times

This photo captures the true essence of this beautiful spirit . . . right along with the giggle that comes with this smile

We had our last anatomy class for the week and finished the class with Virabhadrasana A, B (Warrior 1 and 2).  This class is really going to be helpful with learning how to lead and align students in their postures.  It's certainly helping me with my own alignment, which was one of my goals of coming here.

We then had lunch and we were done for the day.  Some of the group went to a spice farm which was a 1.5 hour drive away and had dinner in that area.

Bex and Anand

Playing cricket on the street

Others of us decided to relax and give our bodies what they needed after this first, very intensive week, and swim in the ocean, relax in the sun and then we took TukTuks into Palolem to watch the sunset (I promise I will post pictures when I figure out how to get this blogger working properly).  We did a bit of shopping and then had dinner on the beach.  It was a lovely way to wind down the day.  I bought the most beautiful hand embroidered bedspread . . . I feel it's robbery to pay what I pay for things here . . .beautiful things.

Shanti girl

Alicia trying out the tube

Kurmasana Rose

Emma the headstand ninja goddess

Chillin in my hammock

Beach Road where we get our tuktuks

On the way to Palolem

Jill and Cheska

Jill, Elaine, Niki, Me and Cheska

Niki, Me, Cheska and Brooke

Tomorrow will be our first full day off.  I have booked an ayurvedic massage at the end of the beach. I'm very excited!  I NEED it desperately for my neck and back.

Love and light to each of you.

Namaste

J