Diary of a yoga retreat - Day 2 morning sessions

So we begin again as we started yesterday. Breathing as one, well nearly as one. As a few would be more accurate. Some of us have done this sort of controlled breathing before and some of us are really beginners. I can feel Mr Austria beside me fidgeting after a short few minutes and my compassion goes out to him. I remember when it was excruciating to sit for any amount of time and the way the mind plays tricks on you. Ouch.

Mr London across from me seems to have grown in yoga stature over the last 2 years and he is wearing it well, bless him. Muscles have grown where there was once none and he is shinier somehow. Yoga is a formidable tool for transformation and it never fails to amaze me what we can do with our bodies if we choose to try. Mr London has done well and I am happy for him.

We begin to practice the standing postures and on my first down dog (I am facing away from the rice paddies this time) I catch a glimpse of probably the most beautiful lotus flower I have ever seen. It is looking like the travel magazines when they are trying to get you to come here. Fushcia pink in full bloom, yellow centre and bees buzzing away, pollinating as I take it all in. I am trying to keep my mind on my breath and listen to the instructions from my teacher but I am really thinking, feeling and knowing that I am in the right place. This lotus flower is showing me that it was the correct and in fact wonderful decision to come on this retreat.

Something for me, not something I have been giving myself much of lately. Not since my children were born. That is ok, as mothers dedicate themselves to the upbringing of their children when they are very young and we do it gladly. Well I do. But for the next 10 days I will emerse myself in the spirit of yoga and Bali and see what comes up for me. Bliss I am hoping.

Back to the class. Mr Austria beside me is struggling. He has such short hamstrings that he is on tippi toes in downward dog. Must be very painful to keep it there for the 5 breaths we are being led on. Good for him. He is panting abit and again my compassion goes out to him.

Funky Miss London is cruising along and Mr Byron on the other side of me also seems to be doing fine. These standing postures seem to set me free and I am feeling so fantastic it is truly divine.

It must be the case that in past lives I have been a practicing yogi. Surely I could not love this practice so much if it was my first go at it in this life. My body is nearly singing with each breath I take. This is quite a hard class but as I push myself and control and listen to each breath I am beyond amazement at what I am finding I am capable of achieving. There is a big truth in that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Im not that old but 39 is getting on in the Ashtanga Yoga world but I am keeping my head above water for sure.

Susan Plesser
I am a Yoga instructor, but first and foremost i practice yoga. i became an instructor so I could share the joy that Yoga brings me, with others. I run classes, small retreats and have an online Yoga Products Shop.

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