We made an overnight trip to Indus Valley Ayurvedic Center, and it was a lovely way to bring our trip towards its end.  The retreat center is just outside of town at the base of Chamundi Hill and a world away from the traffic, lights and noise of the city.   Under the jungle canopy,  stone paths lead you around the grounds, while butterflys and birds flit around in the breeze.  There is a fabulous swimming pool where we cooled off in the heat of the afternoon.  We both received an oil massage and steam treatment called Abyahanga/Sweda, and in addition I had an "oil drip" treatment known as Shirodara.    We both felt very soothed, calm and relaxed, and later enjoyed a delicious sattvic dinner.  It was so quiet as we drifted off to sleep with the only sounds being the breeze wafting in through the window of our tiny room and some cricket and bird chatter.    We awoke refreshed and enjoyed a tasty breakfast, a walk around the grounds, and another dip in the pool before getting back on the scooter for the ride into town. 

Posted by Joan - Feb 27th, 2012

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A rare sighting of a Great White Pelican at the "tank" or Lake Kukkarrahalli in Mysore.  This was a first according to the the news paper here in town.  We had a very relaxing walk in the absolutely beautiful setting of Lake Kukkarralhalli.   Just one left/right turn and a short walk out of the craziness of town and this is what you see.

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Ok - we really did come for yoga practice.  Heres Joan with our scooter in front of our home away from home.

We are staying with an Indian family that runs the local computer training center.  Note the wires hanging from the balcony and running into the training center, I think thats our digital link to the outside world.  Its a short 5 minute walk to the yoga shala from here.

Since today is Friday we did the Primary Series this morning and have all of today, tonight, all of tomorrow and tomorrow night to rest.  After parctice today we went to our new favorite breakfast place called Durga Bhavan's and feasted on Idlys with sambar and coconut chutney, fresh Indain flat bread called Paratha, tea and coffee.  The bill was 60 rupees (thats one dollar and some change).  Its the Dots Diner of Mysore, very warm and satisfying.

We ran into an old friend, Gabi, who we originally met in Mysore during our first trip here in 1998.  Its nice to see a seasoned friend here among all the youthful enthusiasts.  Attendance is on the rise, estimates range from 300 to 500 people.  Most of the people are very young, very strong, and very flexible.  Just like in the US, Yoga is everywhere here, in all shapes and sizes.

Posted by Eric on Feb. 10, 2012

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We're into our second week of practice, and time is flying.   Yesterday was the Sunday conference and Sharath seemed at ease and light hearted.  He talked about Guruji and the boundless energy that he had for teaching and his eagerness to be there for the students.  He again emphasized that asana practice is the foundation for spiritual practice.  With regular, steady practice, yoga happens slowly from within you.   Just be yourself, take practice, slowly it will come.  

And today we heard Narasimhan's philosophy discourse which followed an hour of Yoga Sutra chanting with Jayashree.  These two are a phenomenal pair!   He touched on the subject of doubt and how to manage it, either by yourself if you are confident or with the help of a "guru" if you feel the need.  A guru can be a book, a friend, a teacher...anything or anyone that consistently offers advice that has good results for you, something or someone who captures your emotional faith and sustains you.

The ultimate Guru teaches you how to be joyful with less and less.

posted by Joan on Feb. 5th, 2012.

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Saturday and a day to sleep in and rest... well kind of.  We just returned from a day trip to a Bio-diverse Farm right along the Kavari River on the outskirts of Mysore.  Some friends are interested in possibly having a retreat here some time in the future.  The farm grows many trees, including coconut, nutmeg, pepper, jack fruit, bread fruit and gooseberry.  It is run by the Hare Krishna folks.   

After returning to the city, we had an afternoon thali (meal) at DasPrakash, one favorite spot to eat.

Posted by Joan and Eric on Feb. 4 2012

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We’ve done this before, but its such a vast, rich and wonderful experience to be doing it again.  This thought came to mind today as we set out before sunrise on a short walk through the neighborhood.  We've been here in Mysore on several occasions over the years, but we are always finding interesting little pockets and sights to see that we had missed previously.  Well its much like this practice of postures and breath that we do, sequences that are prescribed and vinyasas that are set... we've done this particular dance many times before, but when we're really paying attention, each practice can be so new, refreshing and vast.

Yesterday we registered for classes with Sharath for the coming month.  It will involve doing these sequences that we've done many times before, and we very much look forward to the experience of finding some new little side streets to explore.  This will begin tomorrow at 4:30 in the morning, and that’s Shala time, so be there no later than 4:15AM.

Until next time…

posted 1/28/2012 by eric

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