pondicherry

I made a very quick trip to Pondicherry to visit my good friend, Vishak, this weekend. I flew into Chennai at 7:30pm Saturday night and made it back to Pune by 11pm on Sunday. Wow - what a whirlwind of a trip. But, it was nice. Pondicherry was a French colony on the East Coast of India. It still has many French remnants. For instance, you can have a cappuccino and a croissant on the beach there. Also, the streets are named rue saint antoine, and such like this. The buildings are very colonial as well. Situated nearby Pondicherry is Auroville, which was founded by the Mother ( a french Guru ) and Sri Aurobindo. There is a pretty magnificent temple there that was built (I think in the 70s) for all of humanity to come and find spiritual peace and union. Here are a few pictures.

And, of course, a trip to visit Vishak always includes lots of yummy food. So here is a picture of the delicious South Indian Thali. Tamil Nadu has amazing food. Good thing I am coming home soon. I have trouble controlling my intake of all this delicious food.

sequence

For the yoga students out there, here is a sequence that was taught last night at the institute. I am not going to write any instructions on actions, breath, etc, so it is up to you to be aware of how you are practicing. Be safe, and explore how the sequence may effect you.


Adho Mukha Virasana (child's pose)
Adho Mukha Svanasana (dog pose)
Uttanasana
Prasarita Padottanasana
Adho Mukha Vrksasana
Sirsasana I
Eka pada sirsasana
Parsvaikapada sirasasana
Parsva sirsasana
Uttanasana
Chatushapadasana 2x
Sarvangasana
Eka pada sarvangasana
Parsvaika pada sarvangasana
Halasana
Parsva Halasana
Marichyasana III (3x)
Uttanasana (heels lifted)
Uttanasana (toes lifted)
Uttanasan (heels lifted)
Uttansana (toes lifted)

-Samasthiti (Samasthiti between each side and each asana - jumping feet apart and together)-

Trikonasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Uttanasana
Virabhadrasana II
Uttanasana
Utkatasana
Virabhadrasana I
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Trikonasana to Ardha Chandrasana
Uttanasana
Baddha Konasana
Upavistha Konasana
Baddha Konasana
Dandasana
Tadasana
Virabhadrasana I to Virabhadrasana III
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Uttanasana
Paschimottanasana (legs wide)
Janu Sirsasana
Pachimottanasana (legs together)
Supported setu bandha (use brick - feet to wall)
Savasana (no support)

custard apples

It is mid afternoon on Friday. I've just come home from the tailor, where I had been 3 or 4 times this week to obtain a pair of pants I dropped off a week ago. Each time was unsuccessful until today. And, in need of a little snack to fuel me for tonight's class with Geetaji, I have encountered my favorite India fruit - the custard apple.

I don't know how or where they grow, but I am convinced that they should be produced in the states. They look scary, but they are the most delicious fruit. I would bring them back for everyone to sample, but produce on the plane and crossing borders is not allowed. You'll have to come to India for a taste, I guess.

So, only one week left, which is saddening. There is so much to learn, and so little time, but I am grateful for what I have been able to experience. And, there is still much more processing to be done.

It is the week of standing poses. A sequence will come to you soon (hopefully tomorrow) to keep your practices up a bit longer. Last week, Geetaji gave a talk on the Bhagavad Gita. She started by mentioning that a Sannyasi and a Yogi are no different from each other. Moksha is attainable by both. It is through constant practice that we become realized. It was inspiring to hear her words. It was inspiring to hear my teacher, as I hear constantly from Dr. Lad, that it is possible for all of us - this life time even. I will bring this talk home with me for anyone that would like to have a listen. I may transcribe it and discuss it during the yoga intensive.

hope to have some more words for you soon.