First day of school - Two worlds apart!

I arrived from Bangalore a little after 3pm, weary from the disturbed sleep. Before leaving, I had sent an email to my friend Sophie back home, going into detail about my anxiety over Wednesday’s Skype interview. I bought myself a 40KB add-on from EE so I could sync for a reply. And yes, I got one J Her kind words of reassured and grounded me, made me acknowledge why I did this trip in the first place:

I want to rid myself of the restrictions and familiarities that may conform to the expectations of others, but that keep journeying on a path that was not meant for me. A path of struggling. I wanted to be completely free, free to wonder toward MY passions, MY talents and MY true wants in life.

Sophie’s words calmed me. Yes I will have nerves and I should acknowledge them, but it’s important to remember how I felt in Avignon this summer. Remember why I made this decision.

I got off the bus and met a bubbly Canadian girl, turns out she too was practicing with Ashtanga Yoga Mysore. We took a tuktuk together, sharing our experiences so far. Hers submerged in a world of yoga, living in an Ashram, and spending the next 3 years backpacking around the world. And I, quitting my life back home to learn do more of what I love. We showed our driver the address and with an Indian head wiggle (those who have seen it will understand how endearing but also how bloody frustrating it is) he agreed to take us. Anyone would think that it was I who was travelling the world with this chest of a case! Ok, so back to the Indian head wiggle – Can you take us here? – *head wiggle* Will our cases fit? – *head wiggle* 15 minutes later and 10 stops to ask locals for directions. Do you know where we’re going? – *head wiggle* You don’t understand a word I’m saying do you? – *head wiggle*.  It annoys that pants off me that they can’t give either a yes/no answer to a question, but at the same time the head wiggle is testament to the kind hearts of the people of India. If they can, they will help. If they can’t, they will find a way. They are the eternal optimists, so a no in our language translates to a ‘give me 5 minutes and we’ll find a way’ in India. I like the head wiggle…sometimes. But not when I’m hungry though.

Anna and I are roommates! I'm so thankful I'm sharing with such a lovely girl; her enthusiasm for life is refreshing. Also I love hearing her repeat everything I say, trying to mimic my accent. She sounds like a Jane Austin Character! Ha! I don’t think I'm quite like that but I guess it’s slightly different from the American/Canadian chat. What’s it with me and Canadians? I think they’re just great! I also met two beautiful Canadians in Yoga Rocks, Aimie and Penni. Amazing women, strong practice and strong in life.

We must still be in monsoon as a horrendous thunderstorm struck last night. So, in a country with no drainage, myself, Anna, and Kevin walked in ankle high water to meet the others. Packing a head torch was a genius; pat on the back to me! We had the introduction meal at a lovely restaurant called Windflower. This was this first time I had not had masala dosa since being here! BUT being a creature of habit, I had Dal Makhni and roti instead - my favourite meal when travelling Rajasthan in April. Everyone here is lovely. There’s 20 of us altogether, split into 2 groups, therefore there will only be 10 in practice together. The perfect number for the adjustments and alterations. We are from all over: Canada, France, Chile, Croatia, India, Spain, Bali, Australia, Hungry, Holland, Sweden and then me and 1 other from the UK. Ages range from about 24 – 40. I feel like I fit in better with the older bunch??? Does that mean I’m ‘old?’ Anna thought I was 24 when she met me, no older than 26 – “English people always look older so I thought maybe 27 at the oldest”. This made me smile.

After dinner, we all crashed in our new beds. The house is simple and 10 minutes’ walk from the school. I woke at 5am this morning. So early. So I read my affirmation for the day. My dear friend Liz, bought me a book for my birthday ‘Journey to the heart’ by Melody Beattie. Such a great read for the mornings! Similar to a diary entry, you read to entry for your date. Today’s – ‘See How Much Easier Life can be’... see how balance occurs naturally when we trust our heart. I like this one.

First Practice at 8am.It was a led class up to Navasana. I had been pooing myself last night as a few of the others were talking about pressing up into handstand. My worries started – Will I be able to bind? What if I’m the only one that can’t jump through? What if I lose my balance in Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana? Turns out, my teachers back home have really helped me. Their adjustments and comments have helped me build a solid Ashtanga foundation. Ashtanga is all about your own practice, your relationship and progress with no one else’s body and mind but your own. That said, it made me feel good to know that I am strong. Jump throughs and binding will come.  I'm thinking that it may come before the end of the year. Fingers crossed. Behind my back of course J

So…today was my first day of school, but ????? miles away, it was also the 1^st day back of Autumn 2 for my French bubbas in London. I miss them! Knowing that they’ll be walking into the classroom, and for a few of them, not having me as a teacher for the first time in 3 years, will be difficult. But only at first. They’re adaptable and will get back to arguing over the football at playtime, who’s whose best friend, bickering over qouter!I love them dearly, and know they’ll be just fine. I know that my decision to leave may be viewed as selfish by a handful, but I teach my kids that being a good person and being happy is what matters. “Have courage and be kind” as Cinderella says. I know that my decision to leave will be accepted as this was what I needed to do. I'm happy that my last class focus with them way the teaching of the Hindi welcoming ‘Namaste’. If they don’t remember me, they’ll remember this J