Learning about the future

The astrology session was pretty interesting, and I suppose you can take it as you like. It's kinda up to you if you believe or not. Mine was all good so I choose to trust it! My struggling period is over, it's all smooth rolling from now on, lots of travel, moving to another country in fact a few. A family life with no disturbances, 2 children (!), success with my phd, a career change towards more holistic things. He knew what area I worked in, he told me what Mister R's job was and what posture he had, he told me the ntime we had already decided to get married in, and told me that I would never be rich but always comfortable. He also said that I would never be fat but very strong muscles in the years to come. I was suprised at the things he knew about my past and a few other things as well. He was a very frail looking little old man but with a lot of energy and he laughed and smiled throughout the whole consultation. He said that I would come back to Mysore after the Marriage. That's something that has been at the back of my mind for a little while.

The tabla class was excellent. I loved it, vbecause I found it very meditative. Once you've got the rythm it's chilled. The teacher is very friendly and very good at showing me what to do, he even offered to leave his drums with me to practice on till tomorrow if I wanted them. I didn't want to because I was worried that something might happen to them. I agreed to buy some though at 3500rs, they come complete with travel bag which is handy. I buy the practice books and practice at home as well. I think that this is somthing that I would carry on doing and anyway it's a nice souvenir as well. Tomorrow 9am, the second lesson takes place. It'll have to be a quick breakfast after practice. One of the hard parts of the tabla class is stitting in half-lotus for 45mins. I had to keep swapping sides and got a numb foot.

The ayurvedic medecine class starts at 3pm. That'll be good. It leaves me time for a nap and also some studying which is good. I'm happy to do that, my days are interesting and fun.

No practice today as it's saturday, rest day. It's a little bit more chilled out here without Sharath, it is being said that people are going further than they would usually be allowed to. While waiting I've seen some people struggling early on and going on. I suppose it's different for everyone though. Sharath seems to be the very strict one.

I might venture to the zoo later on. It'll be a nice little wander around for a quiet afternoon. I've been bad and not studied for the past 3 days...I'd better get my bum in gear. I've just had a nap after tabla class and a meal at Anu's. Correction...a banquet at Anu's. It's all very healthy food but I tend to overdo it a bit. Mind you my eating patterns have changed here. I have a good breakfast and a good lunch and no dinner. Practice is better this way, and I really never go hungry.

There are so many americans here that I'm starting to think with an american accent. I'm still speaking normally though! Quite a few people have never been out of their country before and this is the first time, a few others have travelled around a bit and some others have only been to India. It's quite diverse, but this might explain why everyone has a different kind of experience or similar ones.

Yesterday the massage was very good. Not for the prudish though as it's completely naked. She recited a mantra before the massage and before touching my stomach and before touching my feet and head. It was vigorous. I said I was tired before we started, and felt really low on energy. After that I was full of life. She got everything flowing again and seemed to have swept away any negativity. She also did some "technical strokes" on my shoulder. It feels better today, so it has worked. I have a thai massage tomorrow with C. That should be quite good as well, I've never had that done either. I really seem to be doing new things here.

It is a life changing experience but not an excessively dramatic one. It's opening me up to a lot more things and it's shown me that practice doesn't have to be pretty necessarily but therapeutic rather. A bit like going to the osteopath for treatment or something. It's a healing practice and a fun one as well. Ashtangis tend to get very serious about their practice. This has shown me that it doesn't have to be like that. I've met some people who I think I will stay in touch with when I'm home again as well.

Ho-hum....that's it for today really. Just chilling, eating and learning. The photo is from a temple I visited. People sitting in silence together.

Tune of the Day: "I saw her again last night" - The mama's and the papa's (I woke up singing it in my head)