Practice makes.....

Yesterday we registered at the shala and this morning we practiced for the first time. On Friday and Sunday our practice is led. Led practice is when the teacher calls out the commands and even tells us when to breathe. We were up at 4:30am and on the way to the shala in a rickshaw by 5am. You have to get there early because the students flood in when the doors open and to get a place in the big room you have to be quick. By the time I found a place a lady was putting her mat down underneath me. I found another place by the door and then a minute later R. Sharath was asking my name and moving me to the front of the class. I didn't even think I just did what he said. They say he likes new students because we are not conditioned in our bad habits. It is intence and guru walks around and adjusts students when needed. His mother Saraswati Pattabhi's daughter who is well in her 60's also walks around and helps guide you into positions. I was adjusted twice today by Sharath and once by Saraswati. They are loving but firm and you feel every bone and muscle in your body as they contort you into the position.


I have met a small group of yoga students that I resonate with. We have become like family in just a few days. Vonya is Sweedish and so funny. She is a free spirit and full of love. Katie is a Yoga teacher from Spokane, Wa and has already helped me in my practice by adjusting different asanas in our spare time. Makato is a Japanese guy who is very quiet and kind just follows us around like a quiet puppy. Jennifer is a New Yorker who just flew to Mysore by her self 2 months ago and is staying until she feels like leaving. She is also very funny and sincere. She serves tables for free food at cafe Anoki where there is great breakfast, free wifi, and an out side garden where we dine. Lastly there is Elaine who is from Latavia and is staying for a month on vacation just to further her practice. She is very nurturing. We all practice and eat and hang out together. It is like a very close knit family.


Today in the afternoon we went to the big market in Mysore city and shopped for malas and incense and oils. I love it there. There is so many people and so much color. You feel like you are walking in a movie. Cows are everywhere. They roam through the markets and the merchants feed them fruit and veggies as they pass. They are friendly but dirty so we don't touch them. They will walk right up to you and just stare at you as if they want you to scratch them on the head. There was a festival yesterday and the local people rubbed turmeric into their coats to make them yellow and painted their horns blue and gold. We shopped and walked the market for a few hours and then went back to Gokulam to meet Sista Sharee.


Sista Sharee is an older black woman who is American but has been living in Mysore for over 25 years. She was a student of Guruji and is staying at Saraswati's house down from the shala. We were invited by Katie to go and have tea with her and visit. We sat and talked about Guruji and the history of the shala for a few hours. She is so kind and knows so much about the lineage. We are going to her house on Sunday for lunch to chant 108 Gayatri mantra's and watch the movie Siddhartha. She is organizing a charity to raise money for the orphans in Mysore. There are so many teachers here and so much to learn.


At 4:30 we went to the shala for our Sunday lecture. R. Sharat talked about the history of his Grandfather Guruji and what yoga was to him. We all listened as to not miss a word of what he was saying. It was a room filled with about 300 students. It was so perfect. No questions this week.  Next week we are allowed to ask questions.  Every time R. Sharath would speak his Grandfather's name his face would light up and he would smile. It was so lovely and peaceful.
 

After lecture my yoga family and I went to eat at Anu's cafe for the buffet. We sat and talked and laughed and ate the best vegetarian food ever. Than I was off to bed so i could get up at 5am to practice. This place is perfect.