Baptism of fire

So, first class completed and to describe it, I think I need to continue with yesterday's school analogy: I was super-excited the night before, fastidiously packing my bag and laying out my clothes, then unable to sleep afterwards. My behaviour prompted Chris to take this 'first day at school' portrait just before I headed out the door at 5am this morning- thatContinue reading "Baptism of fire"

I’m in!

I did it! We're back in Mysore and I registered at the KPJAYI shala today and met the main man, Sharath. Well, when I say 'met', it was more like being sent to see the headteacher... It felt like being at school from the start, as we all huddled on the floor of the foyer passing roundContinue reading "I’m in!"

Stuck in paradise

Yep, I'm still in Gokarna. This place is like Hotel California - you can check out any time you like, but it's damn hard to actually leave. In fact I've now enticed Chris here too - and so another fly lands in the sticky net of idyll. Actually I feel Chris's exploits need a special mention here asContinue reading "Stuck in paradise"

Beach bum

So, after much indecision, I decided to get out of the city again for my last month of ‘freedom’ before practising at the KPJAYI shala  in March. There were a few raised eyebrows when I announced I was off again so soon, but I knew it was the right thing. It was time to moveContinue reading "Beach bum"

Lessons learned – an essay on anger and guilt

I've just returned to Mysore from Rajasthan, 'up north' - like back home, it's significantly more chilly up there! So, I've said on here before that I feel like India is teaching me all kinds of lessons, and not necessarily the ones I expected - well, last week was no different. You may have noticed I've beenContinue reading "Lessons learned – an essay on anger and guilt"

Noisy neighbours

I should really be asleep right now. My taxi is picking me up in the early hours in order to make my early morning flight from Bangalore to Udaipur via Delhi. But the chances of me sleeping are, well, zero. Why? For a start I'm very excited, like a little girl on Christmas Eve. But, also, there's thatContinue reading "Noisy neighbours"

Feeling the heat

Ever since Maka Sankranti, which signifies the beginning of spring in Indian astrological terms, the temperature has been steadily rising in Mysore. And, given India's unwavering faith in all things astrology, I don't know why I'm surprised. But, blimey it was hot in the shala this morning, despite there being only four of us andContinue reading "Feeling the heat"

Body prodding and Happy Sankranti

Oh dear, I did it. I called Ken the Rolfer 'Rolf'' to his face by accident, in a Fawlty Towers 'don't mention the war' stylee. Oops... Still, he was very cool about it: "Oh it's fine, I spent four months being called Rolf in Indonesia - they just didn't get it." What a dude. Ken theContinue reading "Body prodding and Happy Sankranti"

Crying auntie and laughing cows

Today I feel a long way from home. Yesterday one of my sisters had a little baby girl and my tears of joy when she told me merged with tears of sadness that I wasn't there to give my sister a hug and drop my first kiss onto my new niece's soft, divine-smelling head. AnotherContinue reading "Crying auntie and laughing cows"