Diary of a Yoga retreat - Day 6 - pm class

DAY SIX - AFTERNOON CLASS

Everyone seems quite tired today.    We are over half way through the retreat now.  Instead of a full asana practice (physical postures) we had a question and answer session. I always find these quite interesting.  It is compelling to see which students ask which questions. 

I have found that the people that have established a rather strong practice are the ones that ask the questions.  They have something further to interest them and want some answers. 

Sweet spunky chick from Melbourne is wanting answers.  Her practice is quite developed and she is obviously a rather focused individual.  It is an intense experience to develop your own practice to that degree by yourself after work.   She has managed it though.  

Mostly people come back to questions about a quiet mind.  How do we get that?  They all ask.  I felt for the first time today, this afternoon and during the morning class today that I am beginning to feel the light of the yoga. 

The morning class affected me in a way that I felt so fantastic I was truly surprised.  I feel it is a combination of the sugar leaving my system now.  It is day 6 and that is enough to remove it from my body.  I am starting to feel like the  books say you will.  Smooth on the inside and clean, clean, clean.  Wonderful feeling.

Sugar is my downfall.  I find it very hard to resist in the real world of mine.  After putting the kids to bed I gravitate to the sweeties.  My husband joins me and it is such a short trip down the addicted lane that I am there before I know it.  It does not take long to kick it.  Just about 4-5 boring days of being strong and then you are reasonably free.

I am leaving the boring section now and starting to feel the benefits.  All this double a day practice and no sugar is really starting to take effect.  I can feel that I am beginning to shine and that is great.

Centred and strong and peaceful.  Shining from the inside out.  All the books say this will happen but only today do I really feel this. 

The 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga as taught by Patanjali, the yogic sage are within the reach of the common people.  You need only walk the path and Ashtanga Yoga will help you get there.  Slow and steady, just like the turtle, wins the race.

Back to today's class.

We begin to chant again.  Day six and I am getting used to using my voice in public.    Chanting twice a day allows me to get over myself and sit with the singing.

I am beginning to drop the worry about people hearing me.  It doesn't matter what people think of my singing voice.  It only matters that I sing from the heart.  That is what makes a person's voice true and clear.    My confidence is growing. 

My chest is opening and a sound is coming out that is not held back by fear.  How lovely.   My shoulders are staying down and I am feeling the connection of my sit bones with the mat.  I am enjoying the chanting, who would have ever thought that would happen.

This calmness of my chanting is allowing all the others, who are not as experienced as I am to also relax and start to sing.  This is great and we are all mixing our energies and making a sound.  Delightful. 

What I like about attending this type of yoga retreat is the variation of people we meet.  I have not been on one of these yet where I have not enjoyed the company of such a differing and varied group of people. 

The familiar thread we all have running through us is the yoga practice.   I find it hard to believe that someone would come all the way from Norway, London if they didn't love this style of breath and movement.  This way of accessing the heart, expansion of the heart centre. 

This retreat is a gift for us all.  Our connection is true.    I find I have respect for all of the people here, regardless of their ability on the mat.  Morning and afternoon we all return to this shala and show each other our hearts.  Very special.  A lot of kindness fills this room.  Love also.  Yum. 

It is today that I see everyone for the spirits they are.  Not the body that encases them.  Delicious spirits looking to find themselves and sit in their true nature.  That deserves respect and today I see it and give it.