Power of a Woman, Shakti, Mother Earth

Whilst in McLeod Ganj, India I viisited Argentinian lady Berenise (http://www.lunaroja.4t.com/) who specialises in harnessing female energy and connecting with instinct of our wombs.  Berenise firstly explained how in her own practise she discovered the healing power of connecting to your menstration cycle and seeing it as a positive rather than how it is typically viewed in the west as a bit disgusting, something women may opt to avoid and be embarrassed of. We've been conditioned to be ashamed and detached from our cycle when it is one of the most vital life forces. Rather than throwing all the energy that is stored in the menstrual blood away in the bin Bernise actually uses the blood to nourish organic vegetables she grows and has even used it to heal injuries. I'm not sure this is something I will be doing personally but it is never the less very interesting.

Menstration and the Moon
As I began a regular yoga practise I found that my cycle became regular and insync so I would menstrate on full moon. It felt good to be able to chart my cycle with nature and I thought this was perfect harmony and know fellow yoginis who follow the same pattern. However I did find that around 5 days before full moon I would have terrible pmt, feel emotionally out of control and unbalanced and although I knew it would pass it was disruptive. I shared this with my incredible ayurvedic doctor Jono Condous (based at Triyoga: http://www.ayurvedabrighton.co.uk/) and he is very passionate about female cycles and reassured me that it is natural for these emotions to arise. He articulated that in the west women are told to carry on as normal throughout cycle; tv adverts for santitary care depict ladies smiling and jumping on trampolines which is probably the last thing we feel like doing! Whereas in the east traditionally at this time of the month women would come together in a red tent to relax, share stories and bond.

Jono also said that in fact the most fruitfiul time of the month to menstrate is on the new/dark moon because of the gravity and power of the full moon it heightens any emotions and can create inbalance if also menstrating. Not that this is important to me personally at the moment but by shifting the period to coincide with the new moon you then ovulate on the full moon so it's power can aid fertility. With the herbs and practises he prescribed my period is starting to shift forward, close to new moon and thankfully I don't go quite soo crazy and suffer as bad pmt and feel more balanced across the month.

Wombs Workshop with BereniseI wanted to take opportunity to learn as much as possible from Bernise so she kindly ran a 3hr workshop to help us to tune into female intuition and connect to the womb and mother Earth. We began looking at the cycle and how it follows the flow of the seasons and of a woman growing from a child into an old black witch as follows:

Spring / Teenager - New cycle starts bringing fresh energy
Summer / Young Woman / Full Moon - Ovulation, fertile, strong sexual desire
Autumn / Old Woman - Pre-menstration, coming into darker side of woman
Winter / Black Witch / Dark Moon - Menstration AnatomyWe spent time studying the anatomy of female genitals and the interconnecting pelvic floor muscles to understand and know ourselves. Then we started engaging and trying to isolate specific muscles and observing any sensations in the womb. Berenise explained that there is a connection between the 2nd chakra swadisthana (sexual energy) and the 5th chakra vishuddhi chakra (throat, voice, creativity) and so encouraged us to open up and make any instinctive noises we felt like during exercises.

In my yoga asana practise I do work on strengthening mulha bandha and uddiyana bandha with similar exercises but I had never drawn attention to mt womb and been conscious of this as a way of connect to female power. A particular exercise which helped cultivate a conscious sensations in the womb was slowly isolating and working up the vaginal rings to the uterus. We also worked in pairs giving a massage centralising around the womb and working out over the whole body and then listening into any pulsations and instictive thoughts.

It was totally unexpected and empowering to spend an afternoon celebrating the aspects of womanhood that usually shy away from.

McLeod Ganj - God is in the Mountains

"God is in the mountains.  Impassive, immovable, jagged giants, seperating the celestial from the terrestial with eternal diagonal certainty.  As if silently monitoring the beating heart of the creator from the universe's perfect birth.  Stood in the thin air and the awe, one inhales God involuntarily acknowledging that we are but fragments of a whole, a higher thing.  The mountains remind me of a place, as a servant to truth and wonder.  Yes, God is in the mountains.  Perhaps the pulpit too and even in the piety of an athiest's sigh.  I don't know, but I feel him in the mountains."
Russell Brand, Booky Wook 2

From Rishikesh Josefina, Victor and I took the 17 hour, bumpy bus ride further north to McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala and settled into a cheap guesthouse with an amazing view over the green mountains and valley. Exhausted after the long journey we had a relaxing first afternoon, pottering around and getting the feel for the place. McLeod Ganj is where the Dalai Lama resides (although unfortunately he was not present on this visit), a place of exile for Tibetans and a pilgrimage spot for Buddhists. It's not somewhere people come to see stuff but more just to be and enjoy the energy of the mountains.

 Tushita Retreat

Tushita Retreat
It is a peaceful place made up of just 3 streets lined with Tibetan handicrafts, restaurants, market stalls, political posters and adverts for all sorts of courses and classes. Our guesthouse was next door to Greens Hotel which became our local hang out with delicious Tibetan food (and yummy carrot cake) and to mix with fellow travellers. In the afternoon I went to OM Meditation for a yoga class and I never want to be disrespectful of others teaching but I was really disappointed. Anyway I breathed through it and it just made me grateful for all the incredible teachers I have back in London and that I have my own self practice which is with me wherever I go. A different Indian teacher was then lead a meditation class with chanting aum with attention on 3rd eye but I found myself zoning into own kriya exercises and again realised the power of self practice and that I have found what works best for me.

The next morning we went on a stroll to Upper Bagsu to visit another Argentinian lady Bernise who specialises in harnessing female energy and connecting with instinct of our wombs. She stayed in lovely place with colourful garden and views of mountains for just 150rupee/less than £2 a night - good to know if I come back to the area to stay for longer. See blog post Power of a Woman for details of the workshop we did with Bernise.

The next day we visited the Vipassana (10 day Buddhist silent retreat) centre which was set in beautiful forests. I haven't been drawn to undertake a vipassana as yet however if I was this would be lovely peaceful spot for it. Next to the Vipassana centre is the renowned Tushita retreat centre which hosts intoduction to Buddhism courses and Josefina was undertaking and said it was very good. I am interested in attending the course when I am back in India.

Dalai Lama's Residence 
Before visting the temple I went into the Tibetan Museum and I was appalled to learn more about the Chinese invasion and inhumane brutality against Tibet; torturing people and destroying temples, scriptures and trying to stamp out their culture and identity. There is now more Chinese people than Tibetan people living in Tibet and there is a strong military presence. Martyrs (as young as 20) set themselves alight to raise awareness, families trek across the trecherous himalayas at night to escape and live in exile in India or Nepal.

When we see things on the news we can be disensitified and the awful magnitude of the situation doesn't sink in but when we see the consequences and gain greater understanding of the suffering we can feel more empathetic. The Tibetans I met, despite this treatment, are gracious, peaceful and spirited.

The Buddhist temple is understated on the outside with monks chanting, playing gongs, performing fire puja. I circle the temple seven times spinning the prayer wheels and chanting then go inside where greeted with a ornate golden Buddha and rich coloured wallpaper with intricate Mandalas. The art of Mandalas has been passed down for thousands of years for therapeutic meditation. I'm trying to learn more about Mandalas as I use visualisations in meditation and interested in the power of images which have had collective focus.

The following day I let it be a day for myself, my practise and enjoyed a super long, slow morning vinyasa flow practice and enjoy spending time writing in the sunshine overlooking the mountains.

Tibetan Contemporary Dance -Lion Man
That evening I went to see the infamous local dancer the Lion Man show which was held at a local primary school. He opened by sharing his story of being abused by the milatary in Tibet and then escaping across the snowy himalaya mountains, having to trek in the freezing night time to avoid being caught and then being put in prison. Then he started traditional, classical Tibetan dancing which was fluid and light before moving into more contemporary, experimental works. In one piece he came right up to each audience member fixatedly staring directly eye to eye without blinking, forehead touching and his sweat dripping onto you. This created atmosphere of interogation and invasion into your space and from a dance perspective it is interesting that it is very similar to ideas emnating from Europe/Canada.

Meditating in the Mountains 
The next day I met Prateek, a lovely Indian from Rishikesh, for breakfast in Carpe Diem a cool rooftop cafe with views of the mountains.  We then took a walk up further into mountains to the Bagsu waterfall.  On the way it was wonderful to share our philosophies, our desire to live in the moment and find many points of connection.  We may live different lifestyles, in different parts of the world but we shared same outlooks and love of the mountains as feel so close to God here. 

As we walked we passed families relaxing by the river, washing clothes, children swimming.  We took time to find spots to meditate together, love sharing with another person as enhances concentration and focus.  We took in the sound of the waterfall and headed up to the notorious hippy party place Shiva Cafe for chai in the sunshine.  On the way back we find a peaceful, shady grassy spot and I teach Prateek some yoga.  Despite growing up in Rishikesh the home of yoga this is his first ever class! He has a very strong meditation practice soo easy to connect in, sync breath and flow together.  Its wonderful experience to share yoga in the beautiful nature and to really breathe together.  I am soo pleased that Prateek enjoyed it and has been continuing to do yoga!

Back in town we relax over lunch (yummy homemade pumpkin pasta at Khangsar guest house - such great food in this town!) then we watch the pink sunset before each heading of on our overnight buses to Delhi and then fly down to Goa to regroup with my travelling circus comrades.  Its been brilliant travelling on my own, not that you are ever alone as you meet soo many people, but glad to see friend and catch up on each others adventures. 

Rishikesh: The India of my Dreams

11.11.11 Kundalini and Music Festival, Parmath Niketan Ashram 

My time in India began (after a fleeting night in a horrible hotel in Delhi where they first tried to give me a room with a gaping hole for a window and then a room with cockroaches..) arriving in the world's mecca of yoga Rishikesh and staying in the renowned, vast Parmath Niketan Ashram located on the banks of the ganges.  I had signed up to a week long, intense Kundalini and Music Festival leading up to 11.11.11 in celebration of the dawning of the Aquarian age and this time of transformation.  This was a rather bold step given that I have only attended a few Kundalini yoga classes and knew little about this practice!  But something told me to attend the festival in meditations and when I took my phone out of my bag and it displayed the numbers 111111 that was it I had enrolled on the course!


Arriving at the festival we were was greeted by a sea of shining people with light in their eyes dressed in white from head to toe (kundalini practitioners wear white including turbans because it includes every other colour and encourages transcendence).  Parmeth Niketan is huge, housing 1000 people it is more like a small village but I was pleasantly suprised by how nice the room was with an incredible view of the ganges and Lord Shiva statue and ensuite with hot shower - not the back to basics, simple experience I was anticipating.  I was grateful that a lovely, warm Argentinian yoga teacher, Josefina, took me under her wing as a roommate and providing insight into the Kundalini culture and guided me through losing my  Kundalini virginity. 


The next morning we were woken up (as we would be for the whole week) at 3am by the evocative voice of Guru Sing and his guitar calling us to Rise up, Rise up (video to follow).  And it worked, layered in warm clothes, in the pitch black we headed to the yoga shala located on the Ganga for morning Sadhana from 4am - 6.30am.  The morning Sadhana is a Kundalini practice which Yogi Bhajan developed for the dawning of the Aquarian age working deep into the fascia and cultivating a strong nervous system as this is what is required in the current challenging economic environment.  The practice consists of approx 30 minutes heating, repetitive asanas, then moving into intense kriyas and mantra, the first of which is sitting crossed legged with hands stretched out it front, palms activated with small finger to middle finger together and thumb and second finger seperated with your drishti/gaze at your nose and staying absolutely still for an excruciatingly painful 27 minutes!  This couldn't be more far removed from my flowing vinyasa flow practice and so needless to say I failed miserably and just couldn't understand the point, nothing in me wanted to keep my arms up and face the pain.  But midway through the week something clicked, something connected (with some advice from other practioners) I found my breath in the posture, rather than seeing it as pain building up in my shoulders I felt it as energy which I could flow around my body.  It became deeply meditative and deeply devotional.  I lost concept of time and somehow my arms stayed there energised and alive for 27minutes and I got it and I loved it. and felt totally empowered.


A typically daily programme for the festival consited as follows:


3am - Guru Singh wake up 
4am - 6.30am - Sadhana
6.30am - 7am - Bangra Dance
7am - 8am - Breakfast
8am - 10am - Intense Physical Kundalini Class with Gormukh
10am - 12pm - Meditative Kundalini practice with Guru Dev
12pm - 2pm - Lunch
2pm - 5pm - Music, workshops, concerts
5pm - 6.30pm - Yugna / Arti ceremony
7pm - 8pm - Dinner
8pm - 9.30pm - Concerts, talks, kirtan
10pm - Bedtime


Jeez just writing that schedule is exhausting! On the first day of the festival I attended every class and it was a bit overwhelming, particularly as there is no time scheduled for still meditation and silence which is a growing part of my personal practice. I also found it necessary to have time to ground down and be still to neutralise fronm working with intense physical kriyas which created elevated, europhic states. So through the course of the week I took some time out for sweet, deep vinyasa flow and meditation on the banks of the ganga. I have not yet been anywhere else on this Earth more condusive to spiritual practice than Rishikesh, never so easily have I found sweet stillness and eyes turned inwards gazing to the light.

Thankfully the kundalini classes were relaxed with no pressure to do everything just to do your best. In fact there would often be people curled up asleep or lying down chilling which was deemed fine as Yogi Bhajan said just showing up was the most important thing and that you receive 70% of the benefits just being there absorbing the energy of the practice.

Each of the kundalini teaches had their own distinct style. Gormukh's classes were super physical, at points a cross between an aerobics class and a trance rave with a real American can do attitude. It was invigorating to be active and move in new ways; doing reverse star jumps, squats, wrestling and hugging partners, shaking your body from head to toe for up to 20minutes, galloping and skipping and best of all dancing freely. The classes built up energy to everyone dancing ecstaticly, liberating body and mind to move in own natural rhythym as innately as the flow of the ganges river.

Guru Dev's teachings focused on more subtle, series of powerful kriyas designed to repattern sub consciousness and awaken you to highest highs. Despite claiming that in one year of kundalini practice you will experience more than in 10 years of hatha yoga which I don't agree with as 1. everyone finds their own path which works for them (kundalini may be deemed too strong for those with fragile minds and weak bodies) 2. there is no rush 3. hatha yoga encompasses many diverse practises including cross overs with kundalini, anyway I digress but I loved his classes and will be using some of the mudras and kriyas. Although I want to research and greater understand these exercises and their affects to ensure neutralise, ground and close practises.

Throughout the festival we were blessed with beautiful live music, kirtan and chanting; Snatum Kaur's Divine voice and grace and the heaven sent and Deva Primal.
Yugna and Arti
One of my favourite parts of Rishikesh life was the daily Hindu Yugna and Arti fire ritual which took place on the Ganga ghats led by captivating chanting of H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji. I loved emmersing in the ritual, a time for prayer, offering and gratitude. The fire and each offering given into it acts a sacrifice and a reminder to offer everything to God - every thought action and breath. When you make an offering into the fire they say 'idam namamah' which means 'Not for me, but for You.'.

Finding your voice
It's no secret that I'm tone deaf and that I found chanting one of the more scary yogic practices, but as with many things in life the things you fear and are resistant to are perhaps the things you need to do to liberate yourself. Chanting forces me to focus and let go, I have to confront my mind telling me I'm rubbish and that everyone around is laughing at me and wishing I'd shut the f**k up and I have to go beyond the thought to allow the sounds (out of tune they maybe) of the sacred mantras to drown out the negative chit chatter. Chanting is fundamental to kundalini and there is nothing quite like the encouraging words from Guru Singh that "everyone can sing perfectly in their own key" and the sound of 600 people around you to help you loose any inhabitions and find your voice. Guru Singh''s advice comes from a conversation he had with Yogi Bajin who had a very 'distinctive' voice but was ever confident to be different, be own person because "I fit perfectly in my own skin".




Satsang with H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji
I've read a lot of books by various Swami's (definitions) but this is first time I've been in presence of a Swami and what struct me was his humble, down to earth sensibility and how he remained in touch with the world and people to enable his life teachings to be accessible.

Silence - his own story
Swamiji shared his own story which began at 8 years old when he met Swamiji Senior and he a shakti pat (explain?). From that first encounter Swamiji knew he wanted to spend time with Swamiji Senior but when he asked senior dismissed him and gave him a sadhana to stay ion silence for 1 year and once this is completed he would reconsider. Unbelievably Swamiji, an 8 year old child, did keep silent for a year and so of course Swamiji Senior could ignore him no longer and took him under his wing, committed to the spiritual path. Swamiji junior rennunciated to live in forests and caves and now shares his experience and devotion to teach and guide others.

Silence is still an important part of Swamiji's Sadhana and he observes silence daily from 10pm - 8am and 2.30pm - 4.30pm. He shares that silence is opportunity to truly listen, to watch yourself and get to the root of problems, it provides space to learn to listen and think before speak and tp hear the Divine. Swamiji makes his teachings relevant and current telling us to rather than wasting our time on facebook looking at other people, comparing our lives and being distracted we should meditate on our own facebook, read ourselves to get to our inner truth. It's not out there but inside. I loved his frank relationship advice - why not disegnate a time on Sunday for all arguing I'm sure when the time comes you will have forgetten what was so important to arguing about!

11.11.11
The week was focused on building up to 11.11.11, using this shift into the Aquarian age as point of transformation. When you spend a week in intense practice you do feel like you unravel some layers and get rid of things that don't serve you and for me this culminated with going into the Ganga and dipping under 3 times. Can't begin to put into words this moment see the Creativity page on the blog for my attempt.

104 year old yogi master 

I also enjoyed taking a Hatha class with an incredibly inspiring teacher, 104 year old master Senior Swamiji. Anyone who wonders what the point of yoga is and is sceptical of its benefits need only look at him with his legs wrapped around his head and his enormous, cheeky grin to be convinced of its powers! Of course his display of extraordinary flexibility in ridiculously difficult asanas is impressive but I'm more struck by his playful sense of humour and joyous energy. He teaches class every morning 6am - 8am, attends the Yugna and Arti ceremonies every sunset happily clapping and chanting away, is active in the ashram as well as attending guest appearances at festivals and events worldwide.  Here's some photos and he requested me to let you know he has perfect eyesight and all his own teeth as well as being a human pretzel (a posture I'm not sure I will achieve in this lifetime which he can stay in for an hour!), he can fall asleep in padmasana / full lotus and is able to crack jokes in paschimottanasa with a man double his weight on his back.

Pure Soul Connection - let two 1's become 11, side by side The other very unexpected reason why my time in Rishikesh was soo special was because I connected with a beautiful soul and we drifted effortlessly together. We clicked straight away, in a mixture of intuition and deja vu, and we were relieved to discover neither of us were kundalini devotees and shared similarities in kriya meditation practices. My beloved guide Alessandra shared chakra and pure light kriya exercises which I pratice and he is a kriya meditation teacher under Paramahansa Yogananda. We only spent ten days together but I learnt soo much and felt soo blessed to experience closeness with a man which rather than distracting you from spiritual practises totally enhanced meditation and connection. The following extract from Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now sums up the experience of another,
"If you are fortunate enough to find someone who is intensely conscious, if you can be with them and join them in a state of presence, that can be helpful and will accelerate things. When a log that has just started to burn is placed next to one that is burning fiercely, and after a while they are seperated again, the first log will be burning with much greater intensity. After all, it is the same fire. To be such a fire is of the function of a spiritual teacher."

Our eyes gaze over and through each others souls,
Lying side by side in tingling energy, hands tentatively touch and sparks fly,
We've met before, we've done this before, we must have it feels soo easy, soo right,
A raindow connects our crowns and we are each others pots of gold,
We fall together in perfect harmony, whilst singning magnificant solos,
I love basking in your Divinity, it takes me higher,
Your beautiful energy vibrates to my core and we transcend into the cosmos,
I soak up your bountiful wisdom and grace, judgements, preconceptions and ego melt away,
Thank you for reaching out your hand, for sharing your spirit and heart and the magic of Rishikesh,
Thank you for being a brilliant, bright, burning flame and ingniting my light

Kriya meditation are considered secret techniques passed to you when you are ready and so I am very fortunate and grateful to receive these methods. I also gratefully recieved a fantastic book "Scientific Affirmations" of Paramahansa Yogananda's teachings and am reading more of his writings on metaphysical meditations,
"By daily meditation you will prepare the cradle of your consciousness to hold the infinite baby Christ. Every day will become a true Christmas of divine communion."
Beyond learning specific meditation exercises, bountiful stories about the hindu dieties and philosophies I learnt I could be conscious and connected with another and accept that we would physical be seperated to continue our paths.



After the festival me, my lovely roommate Josephine, a mexican called Victor and an Austrian Simon wanted to stay a few more days to relax in Rishikesh. We found a lovely guesthouse up in the hippy part of town, Laxman Julla, with a terrace overlooking the ganga and mountains. We enjoyed chilling on the beaches by the river, strolling the markets, sitting in the infamous German Bakery and spending an evening singing around a fire at an open mic night at Hill Top Hotel. Rishikesh has a dizzying array of yoga classes and ashrams but we were recommended to attend Anand Prakash Ashram's morning class 6am - 8am and was really glad we did. It was held in a beautiful shala and after a week of kundalini it felt great to be back in my comfort zone with a Hatha class focused on Prana. The teacher Vishikesh is light, smiley and walks around the room with the deepest, richest ujjayi breath which leads you further into your practice and offers hands on assists. The class the following day looked at wellness and we opened chanting 'siva hum, siva hum, siva hum, sivo hum' and I liked how we chanting to the sun between surya namaskars.

Beatle's Ashram
For the last day in Rishikesh visited the abandoned ashram tucked away out in the forests were the Beatles stayed in the 60's to explore transcendental medition (and no doubt tantra and the physchedelic drugs) . It's a beautiful building with Morrocan feel tiled white domes, and ornately curved windows, it's a shame it's now wasted and left in dissaray due to the government kicking the swami who ran the ashram out because of the debaucherous sexual antics and drug taking that went on. We climbed up on the roof to take in the stunning scenery and sunshine. Abrao led me through kriya techniques, and was totally focused and connected and leading easily into pure, calm, still meditation. The afternoon flies by and the only reason we move is because our bellies grumble for food. We go to an Italian and I have big comforting bowl of pasta (had been ill the day before and didnt eat all day so this tastes good!). Then head to last arti ceremony and I drink it all in and then send off my prayer boat (made of flowers, incense and candle) with the wish "to bring contentment to others".
It's hard to leave Rishikesh, but I will keep it alive and sure I will return.
India 
 
For me coming to India was thankfully never to see the sights and tick off the tourist hotspots because for people that arrive with the motives are often frustrated and alarmed by the enslaught of dirt, chaos, poverty and inconvenience. The poverty is heart wretchingly painful and I don't want to romantiscise it but there is something amazing about this place which forces you to be fully in the present (partly for your own safety dodging tuk tuks and cows), alive and connected. In India there are only two times, the present and everything else - literally in Indian the word for yesterday and tomorrow are the same! The same language has seven words for water eg flowing, calm, dirty, pure). In India your priorities change, India gets inside of you and it changes you.

 

Shiva: Auspicious One

When I arrived at Parmath Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh and I came face to face with the most beautiful, Divine Shiva floating on the ganges I realised how strongly I felt connected to this diety.  I was drawn to meditate and practice in his presence and so have been doing a vinyasa flow and meditation facing Shiva and the ganges at the auspicious Braham Muhurta (hour of God) time at 4am.  It is a truly magical experience practising amongst people coming to bathe in the holy waters and as the sunrises.

As if in answer to my questions on why I felt connected to a Hindu diety I attended an evening talk with Anand Mehrotra on Shiva. Dieties embody energies that we may wish to call on to guide and help us at particular times in our lives. Ultimately these qualities already reside within us but we may struggle to find them or doubt ourselves so they can provide light, strength and act as a mirror to what we wish to see within us.

In India these dieties grace homes, cars, shops and temples and are an important part of daily life. When I visited a holy Shiva temple in the Himalayan mountains north of Rishikesh I was struck by the Hinda's unwavering devotion and excitement about visiting and honouring Shiva. Dressed in their finest clothes, bringing puja's with fruit, Ganges water, flowers and pictures they were happy to wait in a long line, eager in anticipation at opportunity to grace Shiva with gifts and kiss his feet. In the West we look to celebritiesand try to emulate them, however this is only adding to the illusion given you have no clue who they really are, they encourage you to buy things you don't need and they may behave in ways which are less than inspirational.

Shiva, meaning auspicious one, is finite and infinite, limitless, ageless, fierce and powerful yet serene.  He is beyond the ego - deeply detached. Shiva is transformative and represents destroying and letting go of what doesn't serve us and so he is an important energy and figure for spiritual seekers, hence it's natural that I'm drawn to him at this transformative time. I will continue to call on his power through Shiva mantras, meditations and a dear soul mate kindly gave me a Shiva diety from the temple which will stay with me wherever I go.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

Nepal: Never Ending Peace And Love

Kathmandu

We were lucky to arrive in Kathmadu as the city was alive gearing up for Divali, the Hindu celebration of light. Fairylights adourened every buidling, candles lit up the pavements alongiside brilliant bright painted decorations and bright orange flower garlands hung from doorways awnings and even the dogs and cows which freely wander the streets. Our senses were awakened; with car horns in constant conversation, deep wafts of incense, vivid coloured prayer flags fluttering in the wind, dense smog tickling the back of our throats, fireworks cracking, dogs barking and animated chit chatter. It felt magical to be part of this vibrant buzz of excitement, which united this sprawling, poor, polluted city and unite in joyous celebration.
The next day we visited some of Kathmandu's Temples starting with the Buddhist Temple Swayambhu located up high in the hills, overlooking the vast city. It was a peaceful place, other than the playful monkey, and I loved the constant, reassuring hum of the mantra Om mane padme hum which is said to embody all the teachings of the Buddha and which engraved spinning prayer wheels.

We then went to the Hindu temple Pashuputi were we played silent witness to the traditional cremation ceremony and dissolving of ashes in the holy river which leads to the ganges. It was a shock to be confronted by death but it somehow felt like the ultimate act of faith as rather than being sad it was a peaceful release from the physical body freeing the soul to live on.

Lastly we went to the heart of Kathmandu, Hanuman-Dhoka Durbar Square, which is the oldest part of the city and combines beautfiuffly ornate Hindu and Buddhist temples and dieties. The intricate, ornate wooden engraved temples are a testament of dedication to the higher and having two religions hand in hand is a sign of Nepal's open, welcoming nature.

Pokhara

From Kathmandu we caught an early bus to Pokhara, the long 7hr bumpy ride took us through small villages where the Divali celebrations continued in full swing with groups dancing in the streets, children singing traditional songs to shopkeepers for money and people playing cards. Nepal has a huge, friendly heart even the road signs are touching 'A heartfelt, warm welcome..' and the lorries and coaches are decorated in vivid colours, Om signs, Namaste and dieties. The people are happy, go over and beyond to help and are so trusting they never ask for payment in advance.

It's sunny afternoon when we arrive and take the chance to practise yoga down by the mountain lake with the sound of the local music in the background, idyllic. In the evening we visit a truly local haunt for the first of many yummy dal bhat meal.

Ghorepani Trek in the Annupurnas

Another early start to head off on a 5 day trek in the Annupurna range.  Our journey begins with a crazy drive winding through the mountains with a driver who was unreassuringly non chalent about the steep slopping edges! We caught our first sight of one of Nepal's 3 holy mountains Fish Tail, it's hard to comprehend the enourmous scale of the horizon but utterly breathtaking.

The trek starts in the valley along the roaring, crystal clear river, passing through farms and the hillside carved into paddy fields and en route with donkeys and the superhuman sherpas who transport oil and produce up the mountains. We powered the walk in 21/2 hours and stayed and relaxed at a tea house. Up early doors and trek for 3 hours steep upwards in the hot sun, it's hard work but love the physical challenge, finding rhthym with breath and pace of steps in moving meditation. Then we head into the jungle, crossing creaky wooden bridges across waterfalls and through old,mystical, mossy covered trees. After a final push upwards after 71/2 hrs we make it to Ghorepani Tea House to stay the night. We celebrated with beers and rum and hot chocolate. The 3rd day we get up before dawn at 4.15am to hike up Poon Hill under the amazing stars and with the cold air in our lungs. From Poon Hill we watched the sun rise over one mountain range and hitting the magnificant Annurpurnas and glowing on the snow capped peaks, totally mesmorising. 14 of the world's mountains are over 8,000m, 9 are in Nepal and we could see 3! I always feel calm, at peace and grateful when surrounded by nature of such incredible scale and beauty as it reminds me how small I am and the miracle of existence and being there.

We carried on up towards Tadapni and realised just how high we were when a plane flew way beneath us! In a rather surreal attempt to keep up morale and energy our lovely guide Kapil played music on their mobiles Acorn, Shakira and to our dismay James Blunt 'Your beautiful'. The next day we trekked for 6hours from Tadapani to Saulyi Bazar and that night Kapil gave us an insight into Nepal's recent turbellant history and into it's socio-economic challenges. Kapil grew up in the civil war (which was started by the Maoists who demanded that Nepal should not be run by royalty and for a fairer distribution of taxes etc) and was caught by the police who electrocuted him and his family in bid to get them to admit they were Maoists. I felt even more inspired by the hardworking nature, happy and spirited attitude of the Nepalese given its a country of poverty, political unease and still has a caste system dividing 72 ethnic groups.

India; Inspiring Never Doubting Inner Answers

India has been calling me, when I meditate I feel it in my heart that I need to go there, absorb myself in the rich culture and breathe in the faith.  It somehow already feels like a second home.

Of course I am drawn by the yoga, India is renowned for preserving and practising this ancient art although it's actually rooted in cultures worldwide, but in the wider sense I am drawn by the incredible faith that is central to Indian life.  India is the birth place of four of the world’s major religious traditions; Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism but more amazing than that is that they were born in a place where poverty and hardship is rife.  It’s beautiful that people of all walks of faith live harmoniously together and the freedom of religion is considered a fundamental right.

Devotional practices are at the very centre of Indian life, it is in India’s blood and in the waters - the Ganges.  This is very different to England and the general approach to life in the West which is defined by consumerism, individualism, logic and monetary driven success and where it is a only a minority of people that truly believe and undertake acts of worship. 

I’ve recently been absolutely transfixed reading Shantaram; the extraordinary true story of Gregory David Robert who was an armed robber and heroin addict that escaped from an Australian prison and came to exile in India and fell into life in a Bombay slum.  It’s an intense and gripping tale, showing the violent and treacherous underworld of the Bombay mafia, Indian jail and war in Afghanistan.  Even in this insight to the dark sides of India what shines through is the uncompromising believe in God, compassionate love, endless hope and the philosophy that we are all connected and on a path moving towards the Divine.

“The truth is that we are all, every one of us, every atom, every galaxy, and every particle in the universe, moving toward God”

“That's how we keep this crazy place together - with the heart.... India is the heart. It's the heart that keeps us together. There's no place with people, like my people, Lin. There's no heart like the INDIAN HEART”

“For this is what we do. Put one foot forward and then the other. Lift our eyes to the snarl and smile of the world once more. Think. Act. feel. Add our little consequence to the tides of good and evil that flood and drain the world. Drag our shadowed crosses into the hope of another night. Push our brave hearts into the promise of a new day. With love: the passionate search for truth other than our own. With longing: the pure, ineffable yearning to be saved. For so long as fate keeps waiting, we live on. God help us. God forgive us. We live on.”

If you haven’t read Shataram yet I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Autumn Vinyasa Flow with Alessandra

Are you by chance feeling a bit run down, tired, possibly a little poorly and low energy?  I sure am and the coughs and sniffles on the tubes suggest I'm not alone.  It's no coincidence, Friday was the Autumn Equinox when our world spends equal time in dark as light and we begin to descend into the darkness of winter.  Perhaps that explains why I was in bed at 10pm on Friday night and couldn't get out of bed until 10am the next day.. 

But before I could get too bogged down in the post-summer blues I was blessed to spend Saturday afternoon with the beautiful goddess Alessandra Pecorella and the wonderful Live Music of Ann Malone for an Autumn Vinyasa Flow Workshop: Heart = Prana + Fire which was exactly what I need to spark my spirits.  

“As we approach Autumn Equinox the universal energy (Shakti) coils back towards the Earth and this reflects in a descent of prana-shakti (life force) along the spine towards its base.  The Equinox is when pran-shakti is half way in descent at the Heart Centre



And what better way to energise and enjoy prana flowing our heart space than beginning with a dance meditation.  Spinning, vibrating and dancing inspired by the image of celestial planets and the great universe, to the ecstatic beat of Ann Malone’s drumming was really freeing and it’s amazing how different and alive I felt straight away.  I will definitely take some time out to dance to my favourite song and just enjoy moving next time I’m struggling with morning asana.  

 That’s another thing I love about Alessandra’s classes she releases you from being bound to the yoga mat and encourages you to experiment and expand in news ways, in new directions and create space and light.  You never know what is coming next which means you have to stay fully focused (no chance of going into auto-pilot surya namaskars or deciding what to have for dinner here!).  But the krama sequences gradually develop and unfold and before you know it she’s led you into the deepest hip opener and somehow overridden the inner doubts that normally creep in as you approach the challenging asanas.       

I hope you can make it to Alessandra's classes to experience her guidance for yourselves.  In the meantime perhaps acknowledge the phases of the moon, chart any significant shifts in energy levels and acknowledge any correlations.  Allow this to feed into your yoga self practice or the types of yoga classes you choose to attend and when.  

Tonight is the New Moon so why not start now...    

Alessandra Pecorella www.alessandrayoga.com