Friday May 9th, up at 4am with diarrhea, just in time for my one week anniversary. again i take refuge in impermanence, this too will pass. it’s always the beginning that is the worst, nothing much one can do. India is an extreme shock to the system, we are accustomed to living in such a clean and plentiful environment in the states.
wasn’t sure if i was up for practice but still i went, only to find out that it was a led primary practice. i wasn’t sure if this would be a good or a bad thing, there would certainly be no way to rush off to the toilet unnoticed if need be, i took the spot closest to the bathroom just in case.
it’d been a long time since i’d been in a led class, not since i arrived in Boston last August just before Kate left, it was actually quite nice. i got to hear Louise’s insights on the practice as she talked in between vinyasa counts. from the beginning she invited us to experience the surya namaskarsas a physical prayer. and she talked about how the energy we create in the beginning of the practice sets a tone for the rest of the series. she views the postures as the skeleton of the practice, and the breath, bandhas, dristhi, and most importantly the level of devotion we bring to the practice, that is the soul.
i was feeling stiff and weak from the weeks practice and my night spent on the toilet. so it was good having the group energy to draw upon. all was going well up to the Marichi’s. Louise is encouraging us to continue to fill up the breath, “let it reach up behind the sternum, and feel an opening in the heart center.” meanwhile all i can think about is the foot in my gut and the fear of what might get squeezed out. i’m cultivating unwavering attention to Mula Bandha, once more suffering is the source of learning.
up into Bhujapida, no more worries about my elbow, now all i can focus on is the widening effect of the floor of my pelvis due to being up on my arms with my legs wrapped around and i’m focused on the importance of uddiyana like never before. on the way back through Bakasana she instructs us to bring our feet to touch, this is insightful as i am often seeing student’s feet too wide as their legs slide down their arms, the teacher mind just doesn’t rest. see what we endure to improve our understanding of the practice to be able to bring it back to the classroom.
the primary series is over in less than an hour and now it’s time for Urdva dhanurasna, i’m feeling pretty spent, but she urges us onwards encouraging us to move through the backbends quickly, “feel the energy of the full energy of the practice, without getting caught up in all the particulars.” she says “just let you body do as it will do on a given day, during the week in mysore class you get to work out all the details.” this is the way i like to think about the led practices.
the finishing poses go nice and slow. she invites the use of ajapa-japa practice, (using mantra with the breath) to help keep the focus on the breath and not let the mind wander as the practice slows down. i’ve been reading some meditation books from Swami Rama, and he teaches the use of mantra in meditation as well, a nice coming together of teachings. So-Hum is the mantra, So on the inhale, Hum on the exhale. Louise says that you don’t actually do the mantra, since it’s always happening, you simply tune it to it. i like that feeling. it makes me think about how all across the world through all the different time zones there is always someone, somewhere doing the practice.
so it’s Saturday now and i’m taking a rest. i drank my ORS (oral re-hydration salts) and i’ve stopped eating to let my stomach rid itself of what ever was making it unhappy. i have a nice papaya waiting for breakfast after practice tomorrow. the 15th is the last day of class here, then i head south to Mysore. i will get there on Sat. and start to practice after the Full Moon.
i hope everyone in Boston (or wherever else you might be reading this from) is doing well and i’d like to hear back from you, feel free to post comments or email me at samathii@gmail.com
peace and shanti vibes form Rishikesh. Hari Om.
