my last friday in mysore

Today has been a really wonderful day! I did have a bit of trouble getting up this morning – my body is tired from the week and I definitely slept as long as possible. Plus with it being led practice today, my mind was very difficult to convince to get out of bed. But I did, and I’m glad I did. It was a rather good led practice; as good as they can get for me at this point in my pregnancy…

I had two lovely coconuts after practice and then hunted down some bread and eggs before heading home to make some delicious breakfast. I got to speak to Kwang for a little while, have some food, and check emails…I did all that before taking a glorious 1 ½ hour nap! Being tired has been a real constant theme in my life as of recent, so that nap today was a true gift from the gods J

Once I got up I took another shower and made my way to Anu’s internet café to do another hour worth of work. Mona met me there so we could head to meet up with Rachel and Ben and Faith for lunch at the stand up. To my total surprise the gang had planned a little going away party for me and Kaiden!!! Isn’t that the sweetest thing ever? Mona told me we absolutely had to stop by Tina’s house before meeting everyone for lunch; and I agreed. When we got there Ben, Rachel, Chris, Phillip, and Tina were waiting for me J We had a feast at Tina’s for lunch and it was quite literally the best meal I’ve had in Mysore! And after lunch Rachel pulled out a delicious chocolate cake she picked up from the Southern Star. It was really so sweet and it touched my heart that they went to the trouble.
After lunch Chris and I headed back to my flat so we could do some training on the mind body online software he’ll be using when he comes to Orlando in April to teach. He caught on super quick and we were finished in no time! So we chatted for a while and also picked out a bunch of really good asana photos of him for our website. It’s always so lovely to spend time with Chris – he’s a truly beautiful spirit and real friend. I feel really blessed to have him coming to Orlando to sub for me while I’m on maternity leave – and I feel even more blessed that my students will get the chance to work with him!

Mona got home a little after 4pm and we headed to town to the bookstore so she could get some kids books for some friends back home. I scored big by finding a nice map of India in English, and two great little books (one on Hinduism and one specifically on Ganesha). We spent a little time trying to find a calendar, but gave up as it’s been impossible to find a wall size calendar for 2010 with nice pictures for the shala. I realize now that I really hit the jackpot last year when I stumbled (quite literally) upon a wee little shop during my travels through North India that had a fabulous wall size calendar for 2009 with different and gorgeous pictures of Ganesha for each month of the year, complete with moon days and all! No such luck here in Mysore – Mona and I have searched high and low throughout Mysore since I arrived. Oh well, poor shala will be barren of a wall calendar from India this year…

I cannot believe how quickly this month in India has flown by…I have two more full days in Mysore…two more practices at the Shala…one more conference…one more breakfast at Tina’s…one more ride to Bangalore. I will leave Mysore pretty early in the day on Monday because the day time traffic to get to Bangalore is rather hairy. I will arrive home in Orlando Tuesday night. I’ll take Wednesday and Thursday to re-coup, address jet lag, unpack, unwind, spend time with Kwang, and go to my doctors appointments with my OB and high risk OB…I shall return to teaching bright and early Friday morning!

That’s all for now…

Manju Jois Workshop and Teacher Training

I've been very busy preparing for Manju's coming visit in March. He'll be at The Yoga Shala March 1-7th. I am really honored to have him visit us, and eager for my students to get to experience working with him. Details are below :)

Manju Jois Teacher Training & Workshop
March 1-7, 2010 

TEACHER TRAINING: In this intense week-long training, Manju will introduce and teach powerful healing elements and techniques that make up the Ashtanga System, including:

•The traditional Ashtanga Yoga practice, a series of asanas (postures) known as the Primary Series of Yoga Chikista (Yoga Healing), followed by the Intermediate Series entitled Nadi Shodhana (Nerve Cleansing). Daily Practice of the asana purifies the mind and body while also healing the nervous system.
•The Nadi Shodhana Pranyama’s traditional breathing exercises, taught using original Sanskrit so that students will benefit from the traditional form.
•Vedic peace chants (Shanti Mantras)
•Meditation practice (concluding each day)
Teacher Training will begin Monday, March 1st and run through Friday March, 5th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day (6 hours per day) with a one-hour lunch break and typically includes:
•2 Hours of practice every day
•1 hour of hands on training
•Breathing exercises
•Vedic Chanting training
•Pranayama
•Yoga Therapy (includes teaching adjustments)
•Questions & Answers

Manju Jois’ dedicated life long mission is to provide training for students and teachers in the ancient traditions of authentic Ashtanga Yoga. He is honored to offer guidance to all who wish to learn and benefit from Ashtanga Yoga’s ancient and time-honored practices. By the end of this week, each student should be able to present the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga in the traditional form (using Sanskrit commands) as well as teach some of the fundamental pranayamas and chants.

Students Should Bring: A well hydrated and well rested body, refraining from eating at least 2 hours prior to the workshop. When eating, select foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains. Low acidic food choices are optimum. Wear loose comfortable clothes. Bring your own mat, towel, and an open mind, body and spirit.

COST: $750 

WEEKEND WORKSHOP: March 5-7, 2010

Friday Evening: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Ashtanga Introductory Class (light practice), Pranayama, Chanting, Discussion / Questions & Answers

Saturday morning: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm: Led Class, Primary Series; followed by 1-hour lunch break

Saturday afternoon: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm: Pranayama, Chants, Discussion / Questions & Answers.

Sunday afternoon: 12:00-2:00pm - followed by a 15-minute break - Mysore Class (Manju will assist with postures)

Sunday afternoon: 2:15-3:45pm: Pranayama, Chants, Discussion / Questions & Answers / Farewells & Pictures

Students Should Bring:A well hydrated and well rested body, refraining from eating at least 2 hours prior to the workshop. When eating, select foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains. Low acidic food choices are optimum. Wear loose comfortable clothes. Bring your own mat, towel, and an open mind, body and spirit.

COST: $175

If you opt to do the teacher training and weekend workshop you will receive a $100.00 discount.

My usual ramble

It's nearly 4:30pm Thursday afternoon here in Mysore. My morning students should be up by now getting ready to head to the shala :) My fiance is surely sleeping deeply in our bed at home - Thursdays are his days off so he doesn't even move a muscle til around 10:00am. I am personally quite exhausted today, both mentally and physically. I think its been a long week for me here and I have a lot on my mind getting ready to head home in a few days. I am certainly looking forward to the day of rest of Saturday - my body needs the break and my mind craves a lie in ;)

I'm at my friend Faith's house now working online...I'm sitting next to my friend Ben whom I'm trying to convince to do a new brochure for me ;) He's got some photoshop talent, and tons of time, so I'll let you know if he sucumbs to this pregnant woman's pleas!

I've been very bad this trip and not taken ONE single picture! I don't feel too bad though guys, this is my fifth trip to Mysore and I would have taken photos of the same exact things, just in a different year! I may grab a few of the shala before I leave b/c I could use some new ones for the website - but other than that you can always scroll back through the blog here to years past when I've posted tons of photos!

And regarding pregnant photos - I've been bad with those too - some people do the monthly belly shot to see the progression from beginning to end - I am sorry to say I have not! BUT, I will be doing some lovely photos with a great photographer around month 8-9 and I'll post some big ole belly pictures here and on facebook - I promise!

I'm really getting excited about heading home and getting ready for Kaiden's arrival. Kwang and I hope to make an offer on a home soon, and if things work out we can move in before Kaiden comes and I may even be lucky enough to prepare his little baby room too :) A dear friend and student is giving me her crib and another is giving me her matress. For all the other baby items I'm hoping to get some help with that from friends at the baby shower, which Connie, Jessica and Sasha are planning for me ;) I'm super excited - its gonna be at the College Park Community Center on March 20th! I have no idea what they are planning but I'm very grateful.

Have a most fabulous day ahead, or evening :)

xoxoxoxo
krista and kaiden

a few days left

I'm tired! It's a few minutes after 7pm wednesday evening and this day has been quite full. I had a wonderful practice this morning - not only got a great spot in the shala in the very back row next to the wall, but then randomly the person to end up right next to me was the fabulous Chris from Scotland (my dear friend who will be subbing for me in orlando while i'm on maternity leave) - this is a random act you understand, and one i won't quickly forget. Today was one of those days when the mind - the thoughts just keep coming - monkey mind as some call it...I knew I couldn't stop it, so I consciously decided not to allow it to ruin my practice...Instead, I allowed these thoughts to come and go like the wind, like the inhale and exhale of my breath...and by doing so i didn't hold on to any single thought, just kept breathing, kept moving from asana to asana - and before I knew it I was in the ladies locker room doing my finishing postures..

As I was going to give my respects to Sharath and Saraswati, I entered the office to find Saraswati chanting -- I nearly cried -- it was just such a beautiful moment for me!

When I left to get a coconut I spoke to a lovely lady (don't know her name though) who is here with her child and was here when she was pregnant with him...she asked if I was still doing inversions. I told her yes and she advised me to stop around 8 months and once he moves into position with his head down. I noted her good words of wisdom and thanked her! Not something I'd even thought of yet - good to know! She said she did everything else she had been doing, just left out the inversions.

My morning was filled with work online for the shala of course...8am-1pm flew by in the blink of an eye and before I knew it I was packing my computer away, paying Ganesh for my internet usage, and heading to the coconut stand to meet some friends for lunch!

After a fabulous meal, Faith and Ben and I headed back to Faith's place so both of them could help me ;) Faith with quickbooks and Ben with a graphic thingie ;) And about two hours later ben had created a fabulous graphic for me, faith had helped me with quickbooks (although I must admit i feel slightly dumber after our session - by no fault of faith's - I think I'm just think I'm utterly doomed when it comes to this damn software and accounting in general)....

I'm really at a loss for words about the fact I'm leaving in a few days! Where has time gone??? But, I'm excited to have four more practices at the shala ;)

I wish you a wonderful Wednesday ahead....Sending my love from Mysore!

Leaving too soon

This week has flown by faster than any other since I arrived here in Mysore. I cannot believe it is already 5:30am Saturday morning! I also cannot believe I fly home in a little over a week. I’m really sad to leave Mysore so soon, my shortest trip ever! And while I always knew it was really important to stay about three months, always wanted to and always have stayed three months per visit, it really becomes apparent why it makes all the difference to stay here that long. One month is a real tease – you get here, get over jet lag, get settled, and then you are packing to get back home. Whatever, I’m beyond grateful for this month ; )
I can’t believe its been about a week since I last blogged either…hmm, well last Sunday Mona and I went to the city and I found several special things for Kaiden  I got him a little baby boy shirt from Fab India, a toy Rickshaw from Sapna bookstore, and a bronze baby Ganesha from a small shop in the city (ok that is more for mama :)
Most of the rest of last week is a big blur because it flew by so quickly. I do vividly remember going to the hospital with Mona on Tuesday to meet with Dr. Meena, upon Saraswati’s recommendation. We waited for a few hours for the Doctor to arrive, and it took all of five minutes with her to find out I’d have to go elsewhere to get the ultra sound. Also decided to wait til I get home to do the glucose tolerance test. On Thursday morning we headed back to the city to the Kannon Diagnostic lab to get the ultrasound done. We didn’t wait long at all!! But when we went to sign in I noticed a sign that explained how it is illegal for doctors to tell the sex of babies here in India , and they can be fined up to 50,000 rupees and five years in jail. I knew it was illegal, in order to protect girls here – but I didn’t know such laws were in place to punish doctors – thought that was really interesting. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see much of the ultrasound b/c the screen was directly in front of the doctor, and I was faced in the opposite direction :( but Mona got to see everything and she enjoyed that very much! Baby kaiden is doing great – his heartbeat is super strong, and overall looking great.
The bits and pieces of my week were filled with work, lots and lots and lots of work….emails, scheduling, website, QuickBooks, taxes, payroll, etc.etc.etc.etc.etc.etc. and somehow, even though I’ve devoted tremendous amounts of time to all this work related stuff, there is still sooo much left! I feel like as soon as I mark something off my list, its replaced by five more items. How can this be? And how is it I have more time to spend on admin stuff here in India and yet I feel so far behind? One of the laws of nature I suppose!
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend ahead : )

Enjoying Mysore

Just before Saraswati began guiding us through the Led Primary Series, Sharath said there was one announcement: “Do not miss a class…anyone who misses a class will be fined 2,000 rupees, which will go to the charity.” People started to laugh and Sharath said, “I’m serious!” I smiled from a place deep within, I WISH I could say that to my students when they miss class ; )

Practice this morning was good, very challenging but good nonetheless. I always prefer Mysore class to Led class – EVEN MORE SO during my pregnancy. I’m either catching up (i.e. in Vinyasas) or waiting (like in Navasana when I don’t do the posture), and everything in between seems more of a challenge. I found myself praying the Marichasanas would come to an end today as I have to do A four times during led class now that Saraswati has taken B, C, and D away from me because I’m too far along now to do those postures. It just seemed like, well, I was in a time warp…Otherwise though practice was lovely. And Kaiden was having a ball this morning – he was moving from sun salutation A all the way to Shavasana ;) It was rather awesome! A lot of days he moves a little during practice, and usually the days he moves a lot its not comfortable for me because he keeps moving himself further down into my pelvis, which can be extremely uncomfortable and sometimes painful. But today he stayed pretty high up and just had a ball with mama while Saraswati led us through primary series.

As I was leaving the shala I stopped to pay my respects to Saraswati and Sharath and Saraswati asked me if I had been to see the doctor yet? I told her I planned to go tomorrow. She asked if I had to take an appointment and I told her I wasn’t sure. She smiled and wished me a good day…I slowly made my way out of the shala as the led intermediate students made their way in – I felt a twinge of jealousy as I saw them prepare their mats for class – I used to be in the led intermediate group – for years! And then I reminded myself that I’m the lucky one because I am blessed to be carrying a little man inside me, and my physical limitations were only temporary, but my relationship with Kaiden would last my entire lifetime. I smiled and headed out for two delicious coconuts…

___________________

I had a wonderful Ayurveda massage with Kumar yesterday. I have been looking forward to that for such a long, long time. He has amazing energy and always seems to know how to release physical and emotional baggage from my body. I had called him late last week to tell him I was back in Mysore, I was pregnant, and if he did pre-natal massage I wanted to book an appointment to see him. He said he did, he told me congrats, and we set the appt. for 2pm Saturday. He was so sweet when I arrived, he told me I looked beautiful and asked all about me and the shala and the baby. After a bit of catching up I soaked up 1 ½ hours of pure heaven; it was super gentle for a massage, and that is ok with me given my current ‘condition’ – but it was just awesome having someone with healing energy work on me and Kaiden. Kaiden liked it too :) After the massage he said how much he enjoyed working on me today – he rarely gets the opportunity to work with women who are creating life, and its just very magical for him to feel that energy. I booked another session for myself just before I leave; and one for Mona next week (she’s never worked with Kumar before so it will be a lovely treat for her).

_______________________

If you have not yet read The Time Traveler’s Wife, you MUST! I’m on my last 30 pages of this novel right now and I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading this book. It took the first 40 or so pages for me to really get into it, but after that I’ve been most hooked on this story and these characters. There are certainly some sad moments, a lot actually – but the novel is so well written you are just drawn into the characters lives and feel like you are there living the story with them! Props to the author, Audrey Niffenegger – very talented indeed! I don’t want to give the whole story away to any potential readers, but there are moments in this book I relate too all too well – death of parents, pregnancy, intense emotions – it’s awesome! Another book I’ll be very sad to say goodbye to…

I’ve been blessed to be able to do a lot of pleasure reading this trip – and I’ve most certainly taken advantage of this more this trip than any other. I think I’ve ‘digested’ the last two twilight sage novels, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Daddy Long Legs ;) and now The Time Travelers Wife. I’ve got several more books lined up and only hope I can get through them all before I leave; because I know when I get home I won’t have any free time to do leisure reading for a long, long time to come.

I wish you all a very happy Sunday ahead!

happy friday

Yesterday as I was leaving the shala, Saraswati came over to me and asked how i was doing? how the baby was doing? She's so sweet and gentle, I wanted to hug her and not let go. She walked outside with me and we chatted for a few minutes. she gave me lots of advice about my pregnancy...put oil on my body daily, eat cool foods, not spicy to keep heart burn at bay, have ghee by itself, drink cold milk with saffron....she also asked me if i was planning to see a doctor while i was here and I said i was, and asked her if she had any suggestions as to which doctor i might should see. Her eyes widened and she smiled, and told me she knew a wonderful doctor i should see while i'm here. she told me she'd give me the name and address tomorrow. i thanked her and smiled as i walked away....

This morning after practice I went into the office and she and Sharath talked about the location of the doctors office and Sharath wrote down the doctors name and details. I smiled and thanked them and quickly left the shala as I'd had a very difficult practice and was not feeling wonderful. Not easy to describe why today was so hard, but it was. My body felt very stiff, my mind was restless, my baby was over-active, my heart felt a little sad, and my stomach was too empty. At any rate, I was glad to have made it through practice, and even happier to get home and lie down for an hour to just let myself relax.

It's been a rather contemplative day today in Mysore. I've done little outside my house other than a lovley lunch with friends. Otherwise Ive stayed in and read, journeled, done a bit of tax stuff, and rested. I've always been such an active person - always on the go....and although it took a bit of getting used to this trip being softer, slower, less active - I'm now realizing how great this is for me. I cannot do this when I'm home with the shala and teaching and EVERYTHING that makes up my life; but here i can. Here, the only obligation I have each day is my practice. So the rest of each day I'm trying to focus on mentally and physically nourishing myself and my baby. I'm very grateful for this time, and will look back on it with a great deal of gratitude and love.

I wish everyone a wonderful Friday back home - enjoy your day and remember you will not get this particular friday back ever again - so make the most of each second. Be sure to tell the people you love that you love them, say hello, goodbye, I'll miss you, I love you, thank you as much as you can.

xoxo
krista

If you have nothing nice to say, dont say anything at all...

I had a rough start to my Wednesday - it all began at midnight...I wrote a very long, detailed blog entry about it, and by doing so I feel better. I even read it to Mona and she had a good laugh. I had all intentions of posting this entry about my shit start to today...But then my mothers voice sounded in my head, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!" So I've erased that entry and am sorry to leave you guessing as to what it was about....But this is better - b/c by erasing the entry I have let it go :) and that feels quite good!

I'm sitting at Anu's internet cafe with a bout of heartburn and a growling tummy. Looking forward to lunch but am unaware as to where or what. I have another hour before anything opens so its no biggie.

I've been quite productive these last few hours attending to loads of paperwork, emails, etc. And with each 'to do' I cross off my list, I am feeling more and more relieved. But alas there will be another page full tomorrow.

I would like to send a big THANK YOU to Linda who subbed class at the Yoga Shala last night. I am quite grateful to you for that!

Well, this wee little entry is all I can muster for now. Have a great day folks!