Every time I go somewhere, I find a new part of myself. Every new experience is a part of you waiting to be revealed. How you reveal it is up to you. Are you going to be open to it, or closed off? 

While I was a bit tentative my first week in India, I have been opening up more each day, or at least trying to. The course is definitely challenging, and revealing to me aspects of myself I did not realize were there. Emotionally, physically and spiritually. I will admit it has not all been a walk in the park, as challenges are not easy. Whether it is learning how to arrange my body in an asana (posture) which my body is resisting, or looking into the depths of my heart as to why something is bothering me and how I can react to make it the best experience for all involved… yoga is everywhere (for it is much more than just the postures).

 

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Tips:

A few more tips on things I have learned since being here:

Scarves are fabulous.

They are superbly popular around here and just about available at any of the shops. I had read ahead that they come in handy, so I packed a few of my own. However, that seems rather unnecessary now as I want to buy so many of the lovely ones here! They are great to wrap around your shoulders for reasons of covering them so as to respect the culture and to stay warm when it gets a bit nippy in the mornings & evening, but not too hot during the warmer midday times. Scarves can be used to cover your face, mouth, and nose for easier breathing in polluted areas (I know I have used this trick when walking along the road). And there are so many ways to wear them!

Check your shoes.

Many of the temples, stores, and halls do not allow shoes. Be respectful and check if there is a place for them, or better yet, just ask.

Monkeys.

As cute and interesting as they are, they can be really aggressive and carry rabies. I have heard of more than one incident since I have been here where they have attacked people. And twice they have come into the dining area and stole food off of plates! Be aware of your surroundings. Hide bananas if you have them (seriously though). If they do come for something, do not fight them about it and do not look them in the eyes. The less attention you give them, the better off.

Cows.

These guys are everywhere! For the most part, they are harmless and chill. Maybe they want your leftover banana peel and then mosey on their way. Yet they can also be a bit worrisome as they are big and strong creatures.Again, be aware of your surroundings. Once there was a group of us in an alley trying to head out and a cow with some nice sized horns was not having it. It would not let any of us pass without trying to ram us! I have also found that most of the gates are actually for keeping cows out, as one pushed his way in beside me the other night and would not leave. Whoops. You can push them out and away by guiding them from their sides but watch those horns, teeth, and hooves…

Wedding Rings.

I am getting married! Oh, just kidding. I actually just screwed up the ring finger for the current country I am in, yet again! Back when I was living in Germany I kept wondering why people thought I was married, only to find out that the right hand is the wedding band hand, not the left! And Deja Vu happened this week as someone asked if I was married… because my Claddagh ring is on my right ring finger. Now, this is pretty ironic since the actual symbology of the Irish Claddagh ring when it is on your right-hand ring finger with the heart pointing out means that you are single. So to avoid future mistake, here is a list of commonly visited areas with these “handy” differences:

Left-Hand Wedding Band: 

Canada

France

Italy

Mexico

South America

U.K.

U.S.A.

Right-Hand Wedding Band:

Bulgaria

Denmark

Germany

Greece

India

Norway 

Poland

Portugal

Russia

Spain

 

Learn to say NO.

There have been a few instances now when a group will be walking into town and a kid will jump out from an alley or behind a wall and run up to us, grabbing our hands and purses, asking for money. Obviously, this will pull on all the heart strings and you want to help! But know that they will not leave you alone and you are encouraging this behavior and they will be insistent. Often times they are actually being hired by people, dirtied up and sent out to beg, and if they return with money then they will have to continue doing it. Be stern with your answer. But if you do wish to help them then you can buy them food or show them some genuine attention!

Same goes for people in the street. If you do not want your picture taken constantly, you can say no. If someone starts following you and bugging you in an inappropriate way, do not hesitate to say No, and loudly, to make them back off.

Timing.

The timing here can be tricky. There have been a few appointments I have made where the person showed up anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour late. This seems to be pretty common from what I can tell. Also with food, the restaurant may say “ten minutes” and truly take almost an hour. Be aware of your time, but do not expect to stick to a strict limit here. Give yourself some leeway.

Backpacker tip:

While speaking with some backpacking friends, I became aware of a not too wonderful tip- thieves/muggers are taking advantage of the immobility that comes with large backpacks. They will grab your backpack and pull you into an alley/less crowded area. This is apparently becoming more common as it is an easy way for thieves to control you. STAY AWARE. P.S.- pepper spray is not illegal in India and can quickly deter such attacks. Keep it handy.

Common Phrases.

A few common phrases to be aware of:

• Hari Om.
  • “The remover.” Refers to the one who removes all suffering.
  • Used constantly!
• Namaste.
  • “I honor the light in you that is the same in me. We are one.”
  • Used as a common greeting, after prayers, mantras and as a form of thank you.
• Dhanyavaad.
  • “Thank you.”
  • It seems that Namaste and Hari Om are often used in the place of this, though.

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Story Time.

These past two weeks have held so many lessons and mini-adventures!

Every day we start class at 6:15 a.m., rising before the sun to start our practice. While I am constantly working on becoming a morning person, I will admit it has a magical feeling when you are in the middle of a practice and you can see the light in the sky changing around you, waking up the World. For the most part, I have deeply been enjoying my classes and instructors, as they are teaching me depths about the practice of yoga I have never fathomed. “Simple” poses like samasthiti (mountain), adho mukha veerasana (extended child’s pose) and parvatasana (down-dog) are no longer simple, but very active and somewhat challenging postures! (Get ready for some alignment adjustments, yoga classes!) Even the parts that are not exactly my favorite are teaching me deep lessons by making me aware of my ego and why certain things bother me, then how to change my perspective to make it a better experience.

I am finding new ways of meditation, not only through the classes but through writing as well. For instance, one day I got overwhelmed with negative feels and could not be bothered to be present in the moment. So to change this perspective, I started writing a list of everyone I was grateful for; family, friends, acquaintances, pets, etc! It was amazing how many names came to mind and it immediately started putting a smile on my face. How have I managed to meet so many amazing people who have impacted me in one way or another?! I highly suggest trying that exercise.

Between the new moon energy which we are experiencing, which is very reflective and transformational as it asks us to accept the dark with the light (thank you for that lovely insight, McGee!), I should not be shocked by the influx of emotions, but rather transform with them.

I have been lucky enough to meet some extraordinary souls in my class, and some of the girls and I have had a few adventures already! Like when we when to Laxman Jhula for our lunch break and ended up having to rush back in a taxi and then run the rest of the way to class because it took them nearly an hour to make the Momos instead of “ten minutes” as promised. (We made it on time though!) Or when we went to the Ganges River and visited a sacred cave, meditating on life and the beauty surrounding us. It is all so surreal. (More on that experience later).

Earlier in the week I had gone to an ayruvedic consultation as some of the people in the course had raved about how neat it was. I went in with an open mind, and came out intrigued. Before I even said my name or sat down, he started telling me things about myself. How I respond to situations, my constantly busy and planning mind, how I store my emotions, that I have a hard time opening up, trusting and expressing myself and it has been weighing on me even harder recently as I search for the right outlet. That I want to help heal and went into depth on my ideas and path. He even discussed my eyes and the perception behind them… along with so much more! It was almost thrilling how much he could tell about me just by looking at me. Then once he checked my pulse he was able to tell even more. After a long discussion, he ended up guiding me towards some pranayama practices, a natural herb remedy to help with calming the mind and a few aryuvedic massages. I have seen benefits from the first two, and mostly enjoyed the latter but I will say that style of massage was not for me, or at least not the place. I love massage (obviously, as I want to study it), but I need more communication with what the massuer is doing and why instead of suddenly feeling hot oil burn me and hearing them talk to each other or answer the phone… I understand that cultures are different but I found myself actually getting stressed in the massage and just have come to the realization that this partucilar place of practice was not what I wanted at the time.

I can hardly believe we are already halfway through the course! It seems like I just got here and yet so much has already happened. Stay tuned for a full post on the trip to the sacred Cave!

Also this week, I would like to try something new… I want to hear from you! How is the energy shift effecting you? What are your outlets for releasing negative energy? Let me here it in a message or in the comment area below!

Thank you all for your love & support as I continue this journey. <3

Love & Light