Adventures in India: Final Impressions....and Travel Yoga Photo Entries

Tomorrow I begin the long journey back to Boston, in more ways than one. Coming full circle back to my first post a month ago, I really do feel "At Home" here. I love the food. I get to wear my yoga bloomers with no one laughing. The temperature (70's during the day) is delightful, and I know I'm in for a rude shock when I step off the plane at home! But, most of all, I will miss the people here at the institute, both teachers and other visitors.

The atmosphere this last week is palpably different from the first three. I would even say it is serene. First, the Institute faculty are more relaxed, realizing that we really are here to deepen our personal practice, not to collect notes for our teaching, as Geeta pointed out the first week.

Your learning is most important, your freedom in the body is most important...why should you come here and learn the words and go back and teach your students? That is not the way...Always you have to be a disciple of yoga…then you will learn something. People sitting in the back writing in the notebook…that doesn’t make sense! It will only remain in the notebook…but your experience will be quite different, no?

Second, what defines our learning is not just confined to being a student in class or practice. There is a lovely feeling of openness and sharing in the practice hall this week. One morning a very kind senior teacher was helping me to learn a particular adjustment for a Sirsasana variation...but I was struggling a bit with it. One of the RIMYI teachers saw what we were working on and came over to guide me further. Later, when I was observing one of his classes, he called me over to assist a student while he continued on teaching. Today, while we were participating in a class of mostly locals, the teacher pulled me and my flatmate into service to work with one section of the room while she taught at the ropes.

Third, the visiting students, whether veterans or first-timers, have merged into the collective flow of things here. In the practice hall I noticed someone practicing similar poses to mine, and asked for her advice on one I was struggling to do. Next thing I knew we were practicing side by side and giving one another feedback.

Finally, it is pranayama week! Each teacher has brought a different approach to that practice, which has really enriched my understanding. Some times it is a word or phrase that is new to my experience, or perhaps it is an image, or an anatomical explanation or philosophical thought which deepens the experience. Either way, this final week has been blissful!

And now, the moment you all have been waiting for...well, at least the four brave students who sent me photos of themselves doing yoga while traveling! I love your enthusiasm, folks, and as promised, a special "something" from The Institute is already packed in my bag for you!