Snapshot of me setting my intention at the beginning of SUP Yoga practice: "Dear abdominal muscles, please stay strong and fully engaged throughout this class. I have too much homework to do and really don't want to have to wash my hair tonight if I fall in this water. Thank you and NA-MA-STAY-on this board no matter what!" ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So WOW, balance training through SUP Yoga - or yoga on a stand-up paddle board, is muuuuch more challenging than I thought it would be. It requires A LOT OF BALANCE, to which core strength, is the key. It's also important to balance your weight in the middle of the board. The boards are attached to a line so you don't drift...
One of the most beautiful experiences I've had in Bali so far, and as an emerging Yogi:), was being a part of an Agni Hotra. It's a sacred, ancient FIRE (Agni) HEALING (Hotra) ceremony where specially ordained Hindu preists chant Sanskrit mantras and make OFFERINGS of ghee, grains, and fruits to invoke BLESSINGS of health and abundance. Everyone partaking in this powerful ritual are invited to join the priests at specific times to also throw rice into the fire, to kindle the DIVINE LIGHT being called upon. On this night, in addition to offerings of rice, we were asked to write down things we want to let go of, and things we want to attract, and put those statements into...
This morning during yoga class, there was a small EARTHQUAKE. the mental and emotional impression it had on me was this: EXPECT NOTHING, AND APPRECIATE EVERYTHING. Whenever life gets a bit shaky, I always ground myself in GRATITUDE. THANK YOU is one of the most humbling, powerful prayers I've ever said. If you're alive and able to read this, LIFE IS GOOD, enjoy it while you got it!
The first week of training was BANANAS...like bunches...
BUNCHES of new information, bunches of fears faced, friends made, notes taken, homework completed, lessons learned, new challenges, new experiences, and GRATITUDE.
