On the seams

Today practice was good but I got there a bit late, it was 4:30am when I should have been there around 4am for the 5am practice. Because it's quieter, everyone fits in the main room, as before people were in the hall as well. I scanned the room for a bit and saw a little space between 2 people so I asked them to budge up a bit so I could fit in. The downside is that I was on the seams. The shala has big rugs laid out on the floor and they overlap so that they cover all of the floor and don't slip apart from each other. It doesn't make for a very stable surface to practice on though!

Today I got a lot of attention to say the least. Guruji came over to help with Hasta Padangusthasana, and then when we finished Supta Kurmasana I crossed my legs and prepared to sit out everything until backbends and finishing. He shouted "LEGS STRAIGHT!" at me and then "GABA PINDASANA!" (ok ok ok, I'm doing it, I'm doing it). Then he nodded at me at every posture so I ended up doing full primary. I did a very good Gaba Pindasana and Kukkutasana by my standards, and then the rest is pretty much ok. Bearing in mind that Sharath is stricter in where he stops people, I asked a senior practitioner about it. Apparently I have been moved on so I get on with it. I wasn't expecting this. Guruji knows what he's doing, so I'll get off my butt and do the full series. In Utplutee I told myself to not make eye contact with him but he picked me up on it anyway and said "UP! UP! UP!". Today was a challenge!

I rolled clumsily out of Chakrasana and ended up kicking the guy next to me in the shins and trapping a nerve or 2 in my shoulder so turning my head is quite sore now. I'm seeing the acupuncturist tomorrow for some treatment. Need to be nice and fresh and non-injured for tuesday's practice, tomorrow is moon day so day off.

Tabla class was good, I have loads of fun doing that. It's becoming quite challenging now and it's hard to remember the sequence, but he said "much practice and it comes". Just like Ashtanga, practice, practice, practice. It's good practice for sitting on the floor for an hour in half-lotus though. My drums are coming tomorrow, I'm quite excited!

We went to the zoo yesterday. I had that childish excitement at the prospect of seeing all the animals when I arrived! They have tigers, even a white one, gorillas, chimps baboons, crocodiles, otters, elephants, giraffes, leopards,..loads of beautiful animals. I felt sad at the end like I do after most zoo visits because the animals don't have much space in their cages, it feels wrong to see them behind bars. The rinoceros however isn't enclosed as there was but a small hedge between it and us. The little lady sat on the floor at entrance is worth approaching as she sells delicious roasted peanuts (still in their shells).

Today there is conference at 4:30pm and then R is giving a violin session at Anu's. That should be good.

I'm tired today. I'm doing phd work this afternoon and evening and then sleeping early. The weather is cooler, long-sleeve t-shirt cool. It rained heavily all night and in the morning yesterday.

I've had my name emboidered on my mat in kannada. It's a souvenir for me, a reminder of what I've learnt here when I practice back in the UK.

Tune of the Day: The Gayathri Dhyanam