To practice would be a start

Well there has been no asana practice now for over 2 weeks. My knee aches and is still swelled, my back is sore from walking in a distorted fashion. How quick it all falls apart - I can only hope that it will come back together again, both my practice and my body. I have a high pain tolerance but I am getting a bit over this. Today I just felt like bursting into tears, and it wouldn't be the first time in the past two weeks. I am just so frustrated with my in activity, just to straighten my leg would make me happy at this point. And to be frank no one gives a shit. Someone said as long as you look like you are coping that help will be far, well it may as well be in India. But god helps those who help themselves - well help - I want my physical capacity back NOW!!!!!!!

To practice is to touch is to bind

Oh dear - it's been all down hill for a while culminating in knee surgery 6 days ago. Today I was thinking by the end of the week I can just have a little practice, but have been on my feet for 1 hour and my leg is killing me. Don't get me wrong it is so much better than it was, but not up to practice pace as yet me thinks. At least the swelling has gone down a little. Just as well I'm a morning person as that's when it at its best, so bless the practice being a morning thing too. So no binds, no touches, I can only dream of Marichiasana D, Supta Kurmasana......................

The Passing of Guruji

It was with great sadness that I read this morning (Melbourne Australia time) that Guruji - Sri K Pattabhi Jois passed away yesterday - 18 May 2009. Being aware of his recent hospitalisation, and having recently been in Mysore, I was not totally surprised, but nevertheless shocked and saddened. Although I only did a couple of classes with him on my trip to Mysore in 2007, I feel blessed to have been in his presence, but most importantly to be fortunate to be given this beautiful practice. His years of dedication and teaching has made the world a better place with so many directly or indirectly the recipient of his gift of Ashtanga yoga.
On my trip to Mysore in 2007 he was often present in the shala, some mornings he would lead the prayer, and on a number of occasions lead the practice on a Sunday or Friday. A few times I given a spot in front of the office, and often I would see him through my dristi in dog pose sitting at the desk reading. I will treasure these memories and the few times I was fortunate enough to be in his company or class. My recent trip this year I did not see him, Saraswati providing little updates upon my enquiries of his health.
While the yoga and Ashtanga community are saddened and have lost our Guruji, we must continue to uphold his teachings and the practice, and feel blessed and thankful for what he has given, for the path that he walked.
Om shanti


These photos were taken on my 2007 trip to Mysore

If only I could touch................

Well after a month home, and a multitude of injuries - well actually my body is just seizing up or falling apart in this cold, I can barely touch in my poses let alone bind. Practice has been hard, compounded by the absence of my teacher, who now thankfully is back on these chilly shores. I put my back out in Garba Pindasana due to being cold to begin with (need more than a couple of heaters in the room on the coldest day in April in a trillion years) and then spraying cold water on my limbs. Errrgh!! Well off to the osteopath tonight who will have his work cut out - back, foot, ankle, knee, hand - other than that I'm dandy! Also coupled with my over zealous desire to eat everything within sight, people are even gifting me food - had a Barney Banana today - back by popular demand (yes I was part of that petition).

Nevertheless being home has been hard - I truly miss India - even the bad things - and for me there ain't that many of them anyway. But I miss the warmth, both the temperature and that of the people. I miss their tenacity, ingenuity, love of life, spirituality, overall beauty, I miss the children, particularly those at Bapuji in Mysore, I miss the carefree nature of my days, the food, the colors, smells and sights. I just miss it all. If my life was not here I would be there. But my life here make me appreciate India more - so each and every trip provides me with wonder and admiration. I'm counting the days til the next, am waiting for a friend to get married, or to win the lottery - whichever comes first. In the mean time I must stop eating, get back to physical capacity, and keep practicing - for to touch is to bind - and I want my binds back!

Marvada Family - Harijan people, Bhujodi

These are photos from my embroidery family in Bhujodi, a small village south east of Bhuj. They are a Harijan family. Hari means god, and Jan means people. The name Harijan was given to the Meghwal people by Mahatma Gandhi. Ganga, the young girl in the photos (not in traditional dress), was primarily my teacher, though her mum Veeramai, and sister Uma also assisted. Ganga does not dress in the traditional Harijan dress, she is a "modern" girl, and like most teenagers wants to dress in their own way, and chooses salwar suits, and more modern wear. A really stunning, lovely family.

Favorite Photo - Jat man

This is my favorite photo, taken last week in a village in the Kutch region. The Jat people, live in a village about 25km from Bhuj. This man was sitting chatting with 2 old men, with his little boy playing with a mobile phone, by his feet. He is gorgeous.

Australian Home Sweet Home

Well made it all safe and sound - and even got to have a little snooze on the way home courtesy of Emirates and being upgraded in Singapore to J class - Business - it was heavenly - food, wine, bed, trimmings - what did a girl do to deserve that!!!

Will compose a little finalisation of my trip in the next few days as well as some photos - have some definite favorites - many from my tribal adventures in Kutch.

Thanks for reading, emails, etc - hope to catch up soon.

Missing beautiful India already - anyone up to a trip soon?

Stay tuned for more. xox P

Goodbye Dubai - Hello Singapore

What the - no one told me I was going via Changi - feel like I'm in an episode of the Sullivan's. Oh well hopefully I get more miles.
Dubai was great - did a whirlwind tour - get on, get off bus at your leisure - but sick of shopping centres - who cares if they have ice skating rinks, ski slopes, are mini theme parks. Architecturally Dubai is great - glad I have seen it, but more than a day - without my bathers, perhaps the novelty would wear off.
Have to get back on plane
Bye

Namaste my Beautiful India

It's nearly over - a few more hours - and what a better place to spend them and leave from than crazy Ahmedabad (Amdavad). Leaving Bhuj was sad as I love it. Went to my favorite chai stand in India and Bhuj at 6.00am this morning - the bazaar was empty - just 2 people in the chai stand, and one of them I knew. Our conversation was brief, my Gujarati is non existent, and Jay's English limited - though when I met him he said he had a friend in Brunswick - and did I know where it was? He is a young jeweller - he, his parents and sister run a little silver (Chandi) shop - in fact they are all silversmiths - and a delightful family - again I have photos.

Train trip was uncomfortable - again sleeper class - 7 hours sitting on a rock almost, with about 15 sets of eyes glued on me - all creepy blokes. Was glad to get off - gave them some stick about pushing too.

My next few hours will be spent on trying to find an Ahmedabad Rockets t-shirt for Rob, though I doubt they exist. It is a funny, or should I say unfortunate choice of name for the state cricket team as Ahmedabad is not without many recent bombings etc.

Well a short post this will be - the chair is uncomfortable and very low - my back is aching from both this and lugging an almighty pack filled with half of India.

Dubai is calling, but my heart belongs to India.
But - "I'll be back" - will start saving Monday!

Kutch Rocks (excuse the pun)

Well life here is certainly so interesting and very different. Throughout the Kutch region at times you pinch yourself as you feel like you are on another planet or in some costume period piece - with all the funky tribal outfits and different lifestyles (and not alternative ones either). But what strikes you most is the overwhelming spirit, generosity, hospitality and openness of the people, even in spite of their sometimes dire economic situation. What I can say are they are rich in many ways we will never know or get.

Enough philosophising - and now a summary of the past few days - and no yoga to speak of except a brief demonstration for my embroidery teacher and her family.

Sunday I took a local bus to Mandvi - and same same everyone says hello, asks where you are from (if they speak English - and it's not that common here), looks, smiles, really it's exhausting, but give some insight into the lives of the rich and famous. Mandvi is on the coast - Arabian Sea/Bay of Kutch, and is primarily a ship building port - huge ships made of timber. Interesting but am glad I only made a day trip there - and being on my own I was hesitant to swim - stripping off even mildly is likely to cause more commotion.

Monday I was met bright and early by my driver Bharat - he took Deb and I around last trip and is a fabulous man. We first visited a Rabari family in Bhujodi, a village near Bhuj, where unfortunately the mother/woman of the house had been called away to a meeting so we spent time with her husband Vanka and various daughters-in-law who came by - all dressed in very funky Rabari outfits (and not just for me - this is there garb). Much chai was consumed and Rupees spent on some lovely Rabari embroidery - I couldn't refuse - it's my favorite. It was unfortunate that I couldn't have any lessons there, but embroidery lessons were in the afternoon, and organised near-by. Suffice to say they were really nice and it was great hanging out in their home - again like being in a film or something. Before Vanka's wife left she dressed me up in traditional Rabari dress - I must say I looked rather weird, but as they wear all black it was kind of cool. The woman have these very funky tattoos - primarily on their arms, neck and face, not to mention jewellery. They were very impressed with mine too, particularly given the colour we have, something you never see here in tattoos.

Second stop was to a family of weavers - who were really nice and great to chat to. More rupees gone but top stuff, they even use Australian merino wool. Also scored an invite to lunch, which I attended today - a home cooked Gujarati Thali - these are the famous Indian Thalis, and the feast lived up to its hype. Again really nice family, new friendships formed.

The afternoon was filled with embroidery and mirror work, from a Harijan girl and her family. Ganga is 13 and was primarily my teacher, with her mum, 2 sisters, and sister-in-law. The women spend a vast majority of the day, week in week out doing mirror work and embroidery, and I can tell you practice makes perfect - they are good, and I suck big time. When they do it it looks so easy - when I try, it is so difficult, but after round 2 today I am getting the hang. They are a fantastic family, and I felt like a real weirdo after a while in my boring clothes (I have lots of pics - you'll see why). Nevertheless Ganga is a modern girl, preferring a salwar or some funkier indo-western style clothes to that of the rest of the family, the woman all decked out in cholis, skirts, shawls, and amazing jewellery, all which have probably not changed much for 100s of years. Anyway it was great and a fantastic way to hang out with women, and particularly tribal women. Highly recommended and I really loved it.

I capped of today with a visit to the Jat community, a Muslim community about 25km north of Bhuj. They are a very poor but vibrant community, and despite the overwhelming evidence of poverty and disadvantage, all the families were very welcoming and hospitable, and not one person asked for money. In fact they were offering chai, but I declined saying I had just had one, anyway how many can I down in a day. To them it meant they would give up some of their milk, sugar, etc. so I figured they could do with it more. I did buy a couple of small pieces of embroidery, though only one family emerged with any, but many women were busy with their crafts for a co-op that supports their craftsmanship. Gorgeous people.

On the ride back to town we picked up a couple of Rabari women and a child who were walking towards the bus - some 6 kms away. They looked at me, me at them - again I pinched myself.

Returning to Bhuj today and yesterday evenings I have spent time in the bazaars purchasing mirrors and embroidery thread, and a few other bits and pieces. Next time I return I will show them my skills! Also spent a bit of time with some nice people I met in the bazaar - again much chai and laughter later. The boys in the hotel I am staying in want me to come to their village next time and stay with their families. Buddha - one of the staff here has even been asking me my opinion on what he should call his newly born son (I think Sachin - but have yet to tell him).

All in all this is a magical place (except for this keyboard which is shit and accounts for any errors there may be). Everyone should put it on their map if visiting India, though the magic might be lost if too many people come. This is by far my favorite place in India, I will be sorry to leave, as I will be my beautiful India. I know this time I will shed a tear - I will miss the people and their spirit most.

Tomorrow Ahmedabad by train - another 7 hours - then a few in Ahmedabad, then off to Dubai. Home Saturday - how will I cope - except for seeing Rob, Pixie, Chief and a few other significant others - I could just stay here in my own costume drama.

Namaste!