Trying out new things

This morning practice was harder than usual. If you've ever surfed or bodyboarded or windsurfed or something like that on a regular basis you might understand. It's that sudden realisation when you're in the sea that this is actually quite dangerous! I suddenly got the realisation this morning that this practice is actually quite hard. Saraswathi smiled at me a few times with compassion I think! In Utpluthee Guruji shouted "HEAD UP!". And then again "HEAD UP!!!". I looked up at him and realised he was speaking just to me. He doesn't miss a thing, I was in the front row though, not far off from his feet. I told Saraswathi my shoulder was hurting inside in Supta Kurmasana. She said "Good! Correct position is coming. Supta Kurmasana is coming!". Good to know I'm making progress, even though I'm suffering a bit.

I went to see R again after breakfast and listened to another violin solo or two. It was really cool as it was last time. She made C cry it was so powerful. I'm very glad to have met her, she is wonderful. It is really helping me reconnect with DJing actually which is something I stepped away from before coming here. I'm looking forward to buying some records and recording again (promise I'll keep it down Mister R!).

Infor for those in Mysore right now: R is giving a free concert sunday at Anu's after conference if there is one or else at 4pm. Come along!

I went back to Meenas and got a few silver gifts for the family back home, it was nice to see her, she made chai which is the best in town, and chatted happily with me and R. I like her she is very sweet.

I went to Chakra house to check out some of the courses on offer and ended up booking a session with the astrologer for tomorrow morning 9am. This is unusual for me because I'm not a firm believer in this and slightly apprehensive, but I thought trying something new wouldn't hurt and it might be interesting. I believe that you shouldn't have an opinion on something unless you've tried it. I also booked tabla classes as well, a set of 10. They start tomorrow after the astrology session. I love percussions so this should be good. I have also booked myself in for an ayurvedic course as well which is 1-2 hours every day. I'm glad I didn't choose to do the time consuming massage course now. I also have time to do some work as well.

I took a rickshaw to Chakra house because I was short on time and it turned out that I didn't have any change so I gave him 50rs instead of 12rs. He said he'd wait but I said no, I would be a while. When I came out, there he was. I told him that I couldn't take the rickshaw back because I had no change, only 500rs. He said to jump in and that he wanted no money, I had paid too much. This is a good example of indian people, they are not all out to rip you off, a lot of them are very kind, friendly and honest.

There is a little girl who must be about 6 years old whith her little sister of about 18 months or so in arm, and another little sister with her younger still. They have this horrible monkey who runs about them, I'm a bit scared of it. They try and get money from yoga students by saying that it's for hanuman. They are obviously homeless street kids (or maybe not but that's my take on things). I never give money because they hassle constantly which gets your back up, but then I remembered that they were little children. I regularly give chocolate bars and lollys now. They are so happy to get sweets, I'd rather give that than money, who knows where the money goes, at least they are having some pleasure as little children should.

I went to the post-office to send some postcards and a card, and after buying the stamps at the booth I was informed that there was no gum on the stamps. She sent me off to a back room where a man was filing post, and he sent me outside where there was a table covered in newspaper and a pot of glue. I had to glue each stamp on myself. There's a first for everything!

In an hour I have an hours worth of ayurvedic massage with an ayurvedic nurse in my room for 400rs (!). After that I'm off with the gang to Sandias for dinner and than planet x the local club. I might have a beer actually, I don't miss it, but it would be nice anyway.

(Cows roam the streets happily here as they are auspicious, and they rule the roads!)

Tune of the Day: "I will survive" Gloria Gaynor (suggested by Rachel battling the shala cold)