Day Five: Complete Physical Fatigue

So, the week of practice started off with increased emotional bouyancy and energy levels and by Day Five it was like The Gap Band’s “You Dropped A Bomb On Me.” Holy cow. I had to be dragged to the 8 AM morning practice and I was yawning and shaking thru the whole thing. My body was completely fatigued and I was beginning to feel the massive effects of dehydration and drastic change in diet & exercise patterns. I wasn’t able to participate in more than 30% of the two hour morning practice.

Thankfully, the afternoon mysore class became a focused breathing and meditation workshop, so I didn’t have to perform the Ashtanga primary series twice in one day (like we seem to have been doing a lot). Instead, I just got a chance to focus on controlling my abdomen and chanting with my group. Quite an amazing experience and all the worries and troubles I had going into the room were resolved or dissolved upon my leaving the room. Lots of work, but lots of benefit. Still no complaints overall.

See you all next week!

Link to complete picture series for Australia 2005

Ashtanga Retreat: Day One

What an energizing experience! The location here is too much for words. You will have to wait for the pictures (or view the site for the place we’re staying). And altho we had two long sessions today, I left feeling charged up and ridiculously happy. Overall, a way good decision to come on this retreat. More to say, but no time left to write. Must get to bed since we start at 8 AM.

Exotic Fruit Tasting

We were lucky enough to join an exotic fruit tasting tour here in Cape Trib yesterday. The guy who runs the tour also owns the farm and small house nearby. What an incredible setting and the work they’ve done with the place is inspiring. Rain water reclaimation, solar power, hundreds of varieties of fruits and veggies — all growing in an organic, chemical-free environment.

This two hour tour was probably my favorite thing so far. After enthusiastically thanking him for showing us his place and delicious fruits, the last thing he asked was to “Tell other folks about it.” Consider yourself told. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend Digby’s fruit farm and tasting tour. Upon return, I would like to spend a few days in their bed and breakfast and a few lazy hours walking the orchard with their beautiful rottweilers.

Ashtanga Day One

I attended my first real yoga session today and, well, it was intense. I did fairly well and plan on making a go of it tomorrow. Gotta start somewhere. Wish me luck!