Diary of a Yoga retreat - Day 6 - thoughts

DAY 6 - MORNING SESSION - thoughts

Coffee before class, I think it is ok. Every morning I practice I have a coffee before I begin.

The founder of Ashtanga Yoga, Shri K Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, South India and his heir apparent, Sharath Rangaswamy arise at 2am every morning, have a cup of their beloved coffee before Sharath completes his own practice. Guriji (Pattabhi Jois), now retired from teaching on the floor of his shala, takes his coffee as he has done so for many years now. Nearly 60 actually.

A cup of coffee, java. For many centuries this liquid gold, this elixir many think it to be has been revered in many countries. South Americans have loved it for centuries, Europe, Asia and Australia, USA, everyone is drinking it.

It is an addictive substance and one must be careful but for me, in the morning before my yoga practice I truly enjoy a cup of coffee. C for coffee means P for poo for me. When I get up in the morning, quietly trying not to wake my family the first thing I do is tippee toe into the kitchen to turn on the coffee machine. Back to the shower, cleanse and dress, hair tied back, I make the brew.

This is my time alone in the day. As soon as I have the coffee my calling is for the toilet. A good poo. Why are you telling us this you ask? This is a good and regular way to clear my system before I start to practice yoga. We want the body to be a clean as possible before we begin so we can remove the toxins seated deep inside us.� Not just near the edge.

Everyone is different. Some people think coffee is the devils drink. They cannot control themselves. For me, and this is what this article is about, 1 cup in the morning and off to practice. 1 cup after in town with a girlfriend and my day starts with a bang and an open heart. Nice.

1 cup is a way of connecting, meeting each other across the table, a smile shared, a laugh. Then off into the day ahead.

I believe coffee works very well with you. Well with this style of yoga, Ashtanga Yoga. My teacher also drinks the brew before class. Most of my hard core yogi friends do as well.

I am here in Bali, attending a retreat in the hills of Ubud and each morning I have a little pot of coffee delivered by the very sweet ladies of this resort. I sit on my balcony and look out over the stunning view. The rice fields, the mist rising, the birds calling, chickens, frogs, lotus flowers all opening and awakening for the day. And me, and the coffee".

Quiet solitude, dawn breaks, the day begins. I think coffee is ok, yep it works for me.

Sugar cravings are beginning to lessen now which is great. I have been feeling very nervy regarding sugar and have cut it out now for 6 days and I am starting to feel the benefits of this. At least my head is not so busy now thinking about the sweeties and how to get them. Heading toward quiet mind in terms of sugar eating. Good one.