Learning Yoga: Intensive Teacher Training

Sitting here, I have been trying to best describe my experience over the last month.  It’s hard to believe that I willing woke up at 4:30 most days and then had a full day of practice and learning, but it was all worth it.  This journey has been one full of learning and growth.  Each day, I could feel the difference in my progress and learning, but this is only the start!

 

My time in Mysore has been so special and I really do treasure all of it.  I have met some amazing people, who each in their own way has helped me along my journey.  It is really difficult to put into writing exactly what feels different, but I do know that there is something, and that change is something that I want to keep.

Physically too there have been some changes, while I am still on the search for the elusive sirsasana (headstand).  Everyday I give myself a pep talk, set up, get close and then spend the next few breaths staring at the one big toe, stubbornly lodged on the ground.  The whole time mentally saying: “come on toe, today is the day, come on toe, why won’t you just float FLOAT!”…but so far no success.  I am sure it will come in time though, until then I will just focus on the many things I can do.

Some of the highlights of this month, somewhere in the second week, I finally managed to consistently get into chakrasana.  Then during the final class, I touch the floor with my toes in halasana, and there is even the inkling of a padmasana!

Sunday Adventures

While we worked hard Monday thru Saturday, Sunday was given off, a day to do as we pleased.  Most weekends, I chose to go home and visit my family for sometime, but I also joined on a few outings.

The first weekend, I joined the group for a scenic view around Kulkerhallikere, and once again, it was a peaceful and scenic stroll. After spending the rest of the day at home, I found the group at Mysore Palace for the spectacular illumination!  It was as beautiful as I remember it, and definitely worth braving the crowds.

The second weekend, brought my first introduction to the busy area of Gokulam, where after walking about, I enjoyed a delicious Smoothie before visiting family, and visiting another exhibition.  While I did not buy anything this time, I love admiring the sheer variety of silks and prints available!

Golden Triangle

To close out the month, we went on a trip to visit 3 ancient South Indian temples.  We boarded the bus early in the morning, and set off.  Our first stop was breakfast at a tiny place that had 2 options: idli or upma.

Then it was off to Belur, an ancient Hoysala Temple, dedicated to the dancing Shantala and lord Vishnu.  Our tour guided showed off the highlights and pointed out the various dancing status, and then I spent the better part of an hour posing and photographing the temple.

The second temple, Halebidu, also a Hoysala temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was larger, but no longer a functioning temple. In both of these temples, the carvings truly stand the test of time, and even today we can learn so much from the intricate carvings.  I could have easily spent days studying and enjoying each temple.

Finally, we trekked up over 600 steps at  Shravanabelagola, to see the massive towering monolithic Gomateshwara at the top.  While the temple was grand, the view from the top was breathtaking and made the perfect backdrop to try out many of the asanas perfected over the month.