What can one say from India? Not much has changed since last week. It's still hot. I'm exhausted. Pretty sure I'm not smelling like a fresh rose. Bug count is increasing. And I have yet to master the art of Indian laundry!
However, we had a lovely Puja last night to the Divine Mother. A puja is a ceremony performed with a priest, lots of chanting, offerings, and such. The priests and others have been fasting for 8 days preparing for this auspicious day. After opening prayers and the priest doing some ritual, we chant a mantra to the Divine Mother for about 30 minutes while we took pinches of kumkum, placed on a banana leaf in front of each of us, and "flicked" it at the lamp (oil lamp with 2 flames) in front of us offering up our prayers for specific things in our life or for the world as a whole. It was quite beautiful. We then did several bhajans (songs/chants) and then where blessed with 3 types of powders to the forehead and received prasad (a nice sweet treat).
Other than that TTC continued this week with Anatomy, Bhagavad Gita, and more Karma Yoga. We also started teaching (ourselves) this week. I very much enjoy it and look forward to actually teaching some yoga classes upon my return! One more week and our exam is next Sat with a feast and graduation following. Hard to believe!
Kids Camp starts the following week and I may stay on at the ashram for 1 month doing a work/study program (so basically 4 hrs of Karma yoga/day at a reduced room rate) plus I will get some opportunity to assist in the yoga classes to get experience before I come back. They say Kids Camp is amazing with about 100 kids ages 6-12 from all over India coming to learn about yoga. If any of them are like the 16 year old freakishly flexible female that is in our TTC, I can't even imagine what it will actually be like. You know those Chinese acrobats that contort their body in every which direction. The 16 yr old girl can do all of that and more. She performed for us 2 weeks ago and we all sat with jaws on the floor and eyes bugging out. It was truly crazy!
I hope all is well with everyone else. I'm going to try to upload some photos today, so hopefully those come through.
Be well,
Mandy
However, we had a lovely Puja last night to the Divine Mother. A puja is a ceremony performed with a priest, lots of chanting, offerings, and such. The priests and others have been fasting for 8 days preparing for this auspicious day. After opening prayers and the priest doing some ritual, we chant a mantra to the Divine Mother for about 30 minutes while we took pinches of kumkum, placed on a banana leaf in front of each of us, and "flicked" it at the lamp (oil lamp with 2 flames) in front of us offering up our prayers for specific things in our life or for the world as a whole. It was quite beautiful. We then did several bhajans (songs/chants) and then where blessed with 3 types of powders to the forehead and received prasad (a nice sweet treat).
Other than that TTC continued this week with Anatomy, Bhagavad Gita, and more Karma Yoga. We also started teaching (ourselves) this week. I very much enjoy it and look forward to actually teaching some yoga classes upon my return! One more week and our exam is next Sat with a feast and graduation following. Hard to believe!
Kids Camp starts the following week and I may stay on at the ashram for 1 month doing a work/study program (so basically 4 hrs of Karma yoga/day at a reduced room rate) plus I will get some opportunity to assist in the yoga classes to get experience before I come back. They say Kids Camp is amazing with about 100 kids ages 6-12 from all over India coming to learn about yoga. If any of them are like the 16 year old freakishly flexible female that is in our TTC, I can't even imagine what it will actually be like. You know those Chinese acrobats that contort their body in every which direction. The 16 yr old girl can do all of that and more. She performed for us 2 weeks ago and we all sat with jaws on the floor and eyes bugging out. It was truly crazy!
I hope all is well with everyone else. I'm going to try to upload some photos today, so hopefully those come through.
Be well,
Mandy
Great to see your smiling face! The pictures are wonderful. You seem to be truly happy immersed in this experience. Just don't go replacing our steam room visits with that big 'ol dumplin' steamer! Things in Indian-err are just fine, spring is springing and my bike rides to your place are lots of fun (wind and all!). Miss you lots, but send you many oms from Ashtanga practices. :) V.
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