Back in the Shala

It felt good to be back in the Shala this morning. Many people have left already and a lot of people have come down with the "Mysore yoga student cold", even Anu. There are lots of spots free to put your mat down in the main room , and there is no queue for practice. When "one more" is called sometimes nobody comes. It also isn't as hot at the moment. I finished in the main room because there was a lot of space. Saraswathi knows when I'm getting to Supta Kurmasana and she comes over and wrenches my hands together and then my feet and then she presses hard on my back. It's quite strong, there's always a quiet moment of panic here for a split second. No reason for it, it just is. Dropbacks were good but I couldn't get back up again, cemented to the ground. "Walk" she says, meaning walk your hands closer to your feet. Eventually she pulled me up, she is one strong lady. The forward bend after was heavenly.

Breakfast at Shakti's was good, porridge with cinnamon. It's good to catch up with everyone and talk about the day ahead. The most common questions I have been asked here are :
"what's your name?", "where are you from?", "where are you staying", "what are you doing for lunch/breakfast?", "do you want to come with us to x". I've not been asked about my practice, where I stop, how long I've been practicing, who my teachers are, what injuries I have, etc... The practice happens first thing in the morning, and then it is over for the day. Those I have met practice and move on rather than spend all their time talking about it. Sure there'll be the odd chitchat but no conversation has revolved around it since I've been here. There is a LOT of talk about food though!

I've decided to not do the massage course in the end because it is going to take up all day every day until I leave. My new buddies don't want me to go AWOL and I think there's some other stuff I'd like to do like drumming for example, and a few field trips. I will of course book myself in for a few massages though. There's a few things I want to go and explore as well in the city as well. Anu is giving a cooking lesson right now accross the room, it smells good. I didn't want to take part, I've had enough cooking lessons recently.

This afternoon a trip to the lake is planned but it looks like it's going to rain so we might try the cinema again! This evening there is a concert at Tina's which everyone is going to. It should be fun, I'm looking forward to it. I am now also going to sort out a few things that I want to do, cool.

Tune of the Day: "Peacock tail" - Boards of Canada