Indian Marketing Practices= Awesome.

When we left practice this morning  I heard  what I thought was a sound emanating from a 95 year old man who's lungs were riddled with emphysema. Then I heard it again, Euuuhacckauaak.  And then again, as I quicken my  pace to see what was happening I rounded the corner and realized that it was just a man riding his bike selling his vegetables.  I love that this is commonplace here, to have a man ride around screaming at people through their houses at 6:00 in the morning.  Each seller adopts there own distinct sound to notify people they  are  open for business.  I am  not sure what exactly they are saying but I like all their personal touches.  My favorite so far is the rebellious 11 year old perched atop a bike that is so big for him he has to prop himself up on the  cross bar while riding all while making sounds that would be more appropriate coming from the lead singer of Gwar.  He's got style.  I'm convinced this marketing practice would be a hit in Oakland.  It involves bikes, screaming in the street, and fresh produce.  It can't fail. 

Speaking of things I've been hearing the other day I went to lay down in savasana, grateful for a few minutes to keep my body still,  I started hearing Saraswati yelling something.  I ignored it trying to keep my senses  withdrawn and relaxed, until it got louder and the words took shape, "You. Insane".   What, I thought, is she telling someone they are insane, what are they doing? It continued,  "You INSANE, YOU INSANE"  I couldn't help but laugh, until I realized she was standing over me.  What... How does she know, and why is she yelling at me.  As I opened my eyes in confusion, I realized she was yelling "You Inside".  She was trying to usher me out of the main room to make room for incoming students.  

Saraswati's adjustments are...unique.  She swoops in, sits on my leg, pulls my arm out and wraps it around my twisted body, all while yelling at someone else across the room, then abruptly lets go at which point I usually fall onto my mat. It is awesome.  Sometimes she will adjust two people at the same time.  This women  shorter than me and made of steel.  

Strange  things have been occurring in the land of Marichyasana D.  I need someone to help me get into this pose but when I'm in it - it feels like all my organs shift to the left, then to the right, and bounce around.  My liver is salsa dancing, my small intestines are ballroom dancing, and my stomach square dancing.  I was a little worried I would shit my pants the first time it happened- but thankfully I just feel like my GI track is back on track. 

The Mysore style has been growing on me.    It has been nice going at my own pace, but I do miss having the instruction and a lot of the adjustments that I'm accustomed to at home.   My physical practice has not changed much since starting, but it has been interesting how different practice is from day  to day.  I'm pretty proud of myself for getting up at  5:00 am (okay more like 5:30) am  everyday.  

Post Practice Coconut

Baby chilling at the coffee shop

So much cheap coconut water

I love this little guy.  He comes and tugs at my shoes and tries to get me to play with him.  It is so hard for me not to want to give all these guys homes.