Diary of a Yoga retreat - Day 9 - pm class

We all come together.It is a strange feeling, this is the last afternoon class. People are getting ready to leave here. We have been present, together for the duration of this retreat, 10 days and now we are all feeling the end nearing. It is nearer than further that is for sure.

Travelling is a surreal experience for me. When I am at home, in my little town, I am present there. Overseas and all its existence seems like a postcard, so far away. Once I take that plane ride though, home seems like the postcard and so far far away. I like the strangeness of this though. It is wonderful to be present wherever you are and feel the earth beneath your toes.

Today I am in Bali and I choose to breathe the air deep into my lungs and remember this afternoon and this moment. Two days from now my reality will be far different and I love that and look toward it with relish. Today, though, I am here, all of me.

Japanese have already left. They are out.

I feel good about this yoga experience. In fact I feel great that the connection with my teacher has deepened. This level will carry me through life and I am ready for more teaching upon my return home. I have realized that the learning and the studying with yoga can be life long. She (the teacher) is always learning and listening where she can. I choose to do the same.

I sense my kids and husband needing my help and attention. Their tentacles have reached me now and I like it. Here I come, I am coming home. Mama is on the way back.

We move a little today. Core strength (London girl is still groaning, bless) and leg lifts (London girl is still groaning). This retreat has also cemented within me my understanding of our core and how it affects our body. How it aligns the spine and helps the rest of the body stand strong and firm.

We breathe and practice pranayama together, today is the last one we will complete together. It is a beautiful experience and then we sing.

I have indeed found my voice. It is not so much that I have found my voice, it is more that I have let go of looking for it and letting the sound come out. I allow the sound escape from my body. It is not about "can I sing", but "how is the vibration". This is a beautiful feeling. I am thrilled to have found this. Uplifted.

I think I will chant like this for the rest of my life. 89 year old granny chanting whilst her grandkids play. That may well be me.

We have been learning a new shanti mantra this 10 days. The shanti mantra we are singing is divine. Shanti mantras are the mantras that finish with ohm shanti shanti shantihi (this means peace sweet peace). They are all very powerful and ancient. We sing in unison with the teacher today.

Call and response is another method of chanting with a teacher. They call out the lines and the students respond. It is a great way of learning a mantra You don't need to remember too much at one time.

It has been lovely to learn a new mantra. Learning a new mantra can be tricky but this teacher makes it easy. We have it within now. So nice. This afternoon we remember the words and sing together. I find I let go of the trying and allow the sound out. This is something new and I am liking it very much. Magic and light take hold and leave my body. Very magical and yummy.

All these ancient texts and yogic philosophy are about feeling good and letting go. I understand that most religions in their higher teachings are trying to help us get to a quiet mind and a calm and compassionate heart. These teachings are actually like a treasure map to peace. If we follow this map we will get there. This 10 days I feel I have walked quite far down the path of the map and I am feeling the benefits. The map is the correct path for me. There are so many different maps on offer. You need just choose which one works for you.

The yoga treasure map is my map of choice. I choose it or does it choose me?

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