The Gannon Flush...

Last night I practiced under master teacher Michael Gannon at Yoga One amongst my yoga family and friends. Michael walked in and began by comparing our crazy minds to a toilet. I must say there are more days then none that there is a lot of shit flying through my brain. I hope the hamster on the wheel has goggles and a shield because I'm sure it gets messy up there. Yoga is our way of flushing out the shit we make up about ourselves and others that controls our everyday lives. The more we practice the more control we have over the flushing mechanism and how often we can rid our lives of the toxic fecal matter that clouds our mental pond....I must say Michael Gannon is down with the 411. This was such an accurate comparison for the way humans really rationalize everyday thought. How many people do you know who are full of shit?...Self included.



We started the practice with Sama Vritti to calm our minds...it is balanced breathing...Balance during the holidays....I wonder if he planned that...He stated the famous Sutra words.. "yogas chitti vritti nirodha"...The cessation of the mind. It was a great mantra during my practice. It was an intense practice and I felt really wrung out afterward. I was glad I participated. It also gave me a good idea of what my practice is going to be like in India. I am grateful for the guidance and opportunity to see what I'm in for and practice under such a wise teacher.

This morning I woke up sore but relaxed. I keep repeating the sound of a toilet flushing in the back of my head. I'm now ready to spend some time with my family over the next week. So Yogas chitti vritti nirodha to the power of hell yea...flush out the shit often...because like every dog..we all drink from the same place and no one likes crap in their fruit punch...hahaha.. Merry Christmas.
Love and peace,
Jonathan

Vaccinations aren't all hot air.....

Yesterday was day 1 of 8 in my Typhoid vaccination round. It's simple...take a round of 4 pills skipping every other day and in 8 days I'll be about 70%-80% safer from contracting Typhoid. Sounds like a plan. I already received all of the vaccinations to prevent a myriad of diseases that come with the adventure of traveling to a developing country. This one is suppose to be easy. There is no pain in the form of a needle. I have had shots and I'm not a fan. So I welcome the pill vaccination....We will see..



This morning I woke up thinking I was in for a normal day. I figured I was safe from the side effects considering I took my first dose of Vivotif (typhoid vaccination) at 11am yesterday and there were no symptoms yet. I went to the bathroom and proceeded to carry on with my morning crescent twist in the right direction and all I can say is......Holy Shit!!! No..I mean it..... I think it was Holy Shit.....It must have had wings because it sent me off the commode 3 inches...With tears in my eyes and a bitter grin on my face I laughed and thought to myself.....side effects.....you have arrived. I visited the thunder bolt position a few more times before I hurried off to yoga for a full body detox.......



I was sitting in class and talking to friends when Liz (one of my teachers) walked in and we began our practice. I felt nervous a few times in the twists and balance series. You know I was cautious in Ardha Chandrasana being that it is a gas releasing pose but in much success and a little anal tension I made it to my back.....Upon supported shoulder stand....I heard it......It sounded like a......well......a fart......cause..... it was...My friend Kimberly looked at me and said... "That was not me".... and I was thinking if only I could even think about doing that today....Some people get all the luck....If I did that today there would surly be a mess to clean up. We settled into savasana and class ended. Moral of the story is.... don't take anything for granted...even natural body functions.... because one day you may even lose those. Not that I won't get them back in a few days...I just really appreciate my health and my ability to function....Especially today.



So long story short...Thanks to whoever invented the vaccine for Typhoid. I will be looking forward to enjoying all of my body functions in Mysore even if it curtails my experiences here in the present for just a little while. So for those of you traveling to a developing country...Bottoms up.......or should I say bottoms down....on the toilet I mean...hahahahaha...

Namaste.

Jonathan

The journey is soon to begin

On January 13th 2010 my life will be headed in a more eastern direction as I journey to Mysore, India to study Ashtanga yoga and meditation. This is a blog for my family and friends so that they may follow me on my travels and keep up with my activities while I'm abroad. Through further study under great teachers I hope to find a deeper yoga practice and a spiritual silence to calm my mind and bring about awareness of the present. I welcome you to read my blog and share the love with me on my pilgrimage over the length of my travels.
Love and peace,
Jonathan