Diary of a Yoga retreat - Day 8 - pm class

Each day I finish the morning classes and serenely float back to my room. Reasonably long shower because I can and then off to breakfast. There is no rushing for me here in Bali on this retreat. I take my time and enjoy the food and the view. There is a beautiful restaurant over the road from our resort which has breathtaking views of the volcano towering over Ubud and the surrounding fields. The view is truly majestic and I savour it.

I have given up the sugar on this retreat but do not feel as strongly about giving up coffee. I still enjoy this after practice and here in Bali the coffee is actually ok, almost quite good. I sit and eat in peace and drink my coffee and just be. This is something I am very grateful for and have no problem to just be and relax.

Practicing yoga twice daily and eating well is truly the answer to a healthy body. I am starting to feel very zingy. This means that all the energy within me is feeling alive and the blockages from my daily routine at home are all moving. I feel as though the energy channels within me are clear and firing on all cylinders.

This afternoon we perform strengthening exercises again. The girl from London with the red hair is complaining again about these. She does not love them but for me they are ok. It is the opportunity for this peace and time to myself that I love really. The sessions are symbolic for me of giving myself peace and time. Gratitude reigns.

It would seem as though I have developed a small crush on the Melbourne guy on the course. Nothing serious but a rather troubling thought keeps pushing its way into my mind when I look at him. Wondering what he looks like naked fills my mind. Ummmarrrr I think. Back to the exercises and don't look over. Quite funny really but abit disconcerting. Need to get back to the breath, don't look over" Keep telling myself and don't look over".

I stop looking over and attempt to look within. Tricky but I persist. I realize that on a retreat the duration of this one the overwhelming feelings of bliss and love can disguise themselves and we can perceive others as outwardly appealing. Don't look over and get back to the breath..Ha""

Feeling good and heart open. I leave the shala today with thoughts of my family filling my head. I can see them now at the airport awaiting me and I smile to myself. It has been so fun to be free and single and riding the little motorbikes but I would not swap what I have at home for all the world. It is the correct place for me to be, at home with all of them. Giving myself to them and seeing what a fantastic affect is has. Sharing my heart with my family is my true vocation and practicing yoga helps me to do this with a quiet mind and a calm spirit.