Saturday, January 24, 2009

Lovin' life!








Mandrem beach



yoga practice in the shala



















men pulling in the net full of sardines >



So, its a beautiful sunday morning here in Goa, and I just finished my first coffee in 18 days....I am satisfied to say that I acutally haven't missed it at all....who knew?!>...We are starting week 3 of the course today and I have managed to survive so far without to many damages to report! Time here seems to be passing at a warp speed and before I know it this is part of my trip is going to be over =(... More so, its funny how during the first week, the idea of spending 2 hours a day meditating and 4-5 hours a day practicing asanas seemed ridiculously absurd and even unmanageable.... but I am slowly finding that now a 2 1/2 yoga class is just not long enough... Sounds crazy, but I keep on wanting more! Yoga has definitely taken on a completely different meaning here for me. It occupies a space that is way beyond the physical aspect and that space is so different then the primary reason that most people in the west are drawn to it.........to look good!.....

"Yoga is the practice of the mind. Its just using the body as a means to get to it"......

But its hasn't been all work and no play....Friday started off with an early morning boat ride to hopefully catch a glimpse of some dolphins.....and we were in luck. It was remarkable and in the stillness of moment, you realize that all the elements of mother nature were working together in a harmonious balance. A fresh breeze of the crisp morning, the calm, glassy, clear ocean, the sunrise over the beach bringing with it every brilliant shade of red possible and the numerous pods of dolphins dancing gracefully for us as we watched....magic!

Saturday was spent in Arambol doing some 'retail therapy' Indian style. Which really isn't therapy at all...perhaps I would relate it more to a mild form of torture! Between the constant harassment of being asked to look, the energy it takes to haggle every single price and the 35 degree sun beating down on you, its completely wearying...although i am sure none of you have any sympathy!..Luckily its all about balance, so we headed for a Tibetan massage to relax us and engage our parasympathetic nervous system!....if you every get a chance to have a Tibetan massage, I completely recommend it!..... my masseuse had the strongest hands I have ever experianced, but his touch was beyond gentle. They use the energy that is created by rubbing their hands together to warm up the muscles and work along the meridians of the body...its so different then any other type of massage. They were very much artists and it was actually very sensual ( am I allowed to say that?!! lol) and this for 600 rupees which is about $15....life is good! =)

That's about the extent of my adventures here....off to have some breakfast and beach time before a yoga class!...

Hope this finds everyone well!

Namaste

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