Vicky's India Blog
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The hotel's server was down for almost 2 days, so I wasn't able to blog yesterday. It was a day immersed in yoga from 7 am to 8 pm.
Today was our last full day in India. We leave tomorrow. At the start, 27 days away from home, especially in a land such as India, seemed overwhelming. Now it seems to have gone by so quickly. There are feelings of excitement to be going home, and yet, a melancholy at leaving a place that has had such a dramatic impact on me.
We leave Pune tomorrow at 3 pm (5:30 am in Ohio) by car to Mumbai, which is a 4 hour drive. Our plane leaves Mumbai at around 11:00 pm (1:30 pm in Ohio), which is a 15 hour flight to Newark. Your prayers and thoughts as we make this long journey home will be greatly appreciated.
Today was our last full day in India. We leave tomorrow. At the start, 27 days away from home, especially in a land such as India, seemed overwhelming. Now it seems to have gone by so quickly. There are feelings of excitement to be going home, and yet, a melancholy at leaving a place that has had such a dramatic impact on me.
We leave Pune tomorrow at 3 pm (5:30 am in Ohio) by car to Mumbai, which is a 4 hour drive. Our plane leaves Mumbai at around 11:00 pm (1:30 pm in Ohio), which is a 15 hour flight to Newark. Your prayers and thoughts as we make this long journey home will be greatly appreciated.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
I often discuss the term "paksa pratipaksa" in class which means "the opposite way" or "going against the current". Traffic in India is the epitome of paksa pratipaksa.
We did some sight seeing today on our day off from yoga. Visited some caves, a temple and the Ghandi museum. Some of the sites were over 1200 years old.
This is part of the Pataleshwar Caves, that are hewn out of solid rock.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
There has been two days in a row with no rain which is unusual for this time of year. Finished our third week of classes and are heading home next week. We're a little homesick. We miss our family and friends and all the comforts of home we took for granted.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Today we started backbends. During class we did about 10 Urdhva Dhanurasanas (full push up backbend) in a row during the class.
Naana the rickshaw driver took us shopping this afternoon and I bought some more jewelry and other items. Things are so inexpensive.
This a cobbler who sits in cobbler's pose all day fixing shoes at an intersection near our hotel.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
I think I have the asthma under control. Feel alot better today.
Received an email from the U.S. Embassy to avoid certain areas of New Delhi. Around here it's relatively quiet, although today we did hear some protestors from the windows of the Institute. The consensus here is that it's nothing to worry about.
I passed Mr. Iyengar in a hallway as he was leaving the library today. I smiled. He smiled back and said hello. It was an unbelievable moment for me. To have traveled halfway across the world and meet him face-to-face....
These are two of my friends from the states and two from Iran.
Received an email from the U.S. Embassy to avoid certain areas of New Delhi. Around here it's relatively quiet, although today we did hear some protestors from the windows of the Institute. The consensus here is that it's nothing to worry about.
I passed Mr. Iyengar in a hallway as he was leaving the library today. I smiled. He smiled back and said hello. It was an unbelievable moment for me. To have traveled halfway across the world and meet him face-to-face....
These are two of my friends from the states and two from Iran.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The humidity and pollution has finally caught up with me. My asthma flared up over the weekend and got particularly bad yesterday. I'm taking medication and hoping I can get it under control.
There were mass demonstrations yesterday in various parts of India due to the arrest of a well known political activist. The government relented and released him late last night, and we hope the unrest subsides.
So yesterday was not a good day.
Today's class with Abhijata and the master was outstanding. Due to Monday's holiday and short week, they didn't introduce backbends yet. They stayed with forward bends and twists, and added some hip work, much to my delight.
There were mass demonstrations yesterday in various parts of India due to the arrest of a well known political activist. The government relented and released him late last night, and we hope the unrest subsides.
So yesterday was not a good day.
Today's class with Abhijata and the master was outstanding. Due to Monday's holiday and short week, they didn't introduce backbends yet. They stayed with forward bends and twists, and added some hip work, much to my delight.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Today we begin our third week of classes. This week will focus on backbends.
The monsoon season makes for some spectacular foliage.
