A Baby Yogini is Born!

I DID IT!!!
I worked so hard for this certification. Ashtanga is very hard. Learning yoga in India is no joke, it is hard in many ways. I doubted myself a few times and was scared I wouldn't pass certification, but I did and I am very proud.

Finally back in Thrissur with my family and my husband. The last month in Kovalam for yoga training was very intense. It was both physically challenging and spiritually awakening. I can finally sit back at my computer and digest some of this experience.


To start, I could not blog while at the training for a number of reasons. First, the coursework and daily regimen kept me very occupied from 6:30am to about 8:00pm I was engaged in the course or dinner and socialization afterwards. Second, my brain was being overloaded with information and my body was being challenged physically, it is hard to reflect on your experience when you are still recovering from it. Third, internet connections were hard. I had to purchase a Netsetter USB for constant access, even then I used it mostly for study or the occasional Facebook check in.

This yoga training changed me profoundly. I am a newly born yogini, I have some different perspectives on my own existence, my own practice, the ethics and morality I choose to employ in my life, and what I perceive as important/necessary in my life. These life changes came from voluntarily forcing myself into an intensively hard living arrangement, a rigorous daily asana practice, the daily challenge of witnessing abject poverty and feeling local resentments and animosity towards foreign visitors, and experiencing overwhelming and unconditional love and support from a group of people who united for the soul purpose of becoming a yogi/yogini. I am humbled by this experience, I am profoundly proud of myself, and grateful to all my teachers.

I am just beginning this process of analysis, and frankly, it will probably take months to fully accept the dynamic changes I feel starting to develop in my own being. How I integrate these feelings and changes into my daily American life will be truly another endeavor. Many of the philosophies I learned about were interesting, Yogic science and living sutras are very archaic. I think part of the challenge is deciphering the information, and artfully applying those wisdoms into modern life/logic. This will be my challenge going forward.

Many people have asked me..."Will you teach, or When you return where are you offering classes?"  I am really humbled by this. My intent was really to do some serious mind/body conditioning and to learn how to bring my practice to a more organized daily ritual. I didn't think anyone would want to learn from me. So to answer that question....YES, sure, want to learn? I would be happy to lead a class. I must give this disclaimer though, Ashtanga yoga is hard. It is nothing like the vinyasa-flow, fitness type yoga Americans seek in gyms. It is regimented. I also learned this form in India, so I will lead my class in an "Indian style" which will be very different from what most people associate with a yoga course.

Let me get home and put out some feelers. If you are interested, please reach out and email me on Facebook. It will help me to know who is interested. I would be honored if anyone wants to do some Yoga with me. I learned some great pranayama and lead meditation techniques that I thought would also be great to introduce to a beginner class.

In the meantime I am using the next twelve days in Thrissur to relax, meditate, hang out with my family, and get ready to return back to the USA. In this time-off I will have a few more adventures. I have a wedding betrothal and a overnight trip into Cochin arranged. I need to return back to the studio to do some finishing dance work with Aparna. I need this time to fully digest all I have learned. I will blog more on that. It takes time...I have time.

Namaste,
Christy