The Last week has been full and complete. It has been Pranayama/breath work at the institute. One thing we worked on was how different arm positions can effect the freedom of the diaphragm. You can try it yourself. Just lie down in savasana on a bolster and bring the arms crossed over your head or out to your sides or down by your hips. Or make the elbows absolutely straight or keep the elbows bent. All the while observe how the breath moves in and out of the abdomen. Which arm position gives your abdomen the most freedom?
I also had a chance to visit Pune's outdoor market. It's easy to get caught within the fresh flower stalls for shrines and garlands. Tuber roses are popularly used for around the neck and they smell delicious. This market is huge and they sell food as well as non-food items. There's no limit to what you can find here. The potato and onion stall looks quite holy. Ganesh receives lots of attention from shoppers.as well. Also a picture of some goats that live around Ferguson College they are heading out for their afternoon walk. There doesn't seem to be any lack of love and gratitude for their animals here in India. Most every where I go I find caring relationships between the wild cats and dogs. I even found myself leaving left overs out for the dogs.
The cab ride back to Mumbai was yet another adventure. After spending some time locating and picking up the other passengers from Pune, we headed out on the night Journey listening to Indian music from the radio. When picked up I was pleasantly surprised that the Sedan's seat belts worked. As we approached a toll the driver asked for our payment, I reached up to the front seat and handed him my payment and at the very moment of leaning back to snap myself back in, the seat belt broke. I kid you not, the buckle end just lost its connection to the seat. I laughed out loud and settled back for the three and half hour journey on roads that look like dead ends lined with stalls that somehow connect to highways leading into the airport.
And so I look forward to sharing more with you soon. For now Namaste.
ALL CLASSES RESUME STARTING JULY 8
Workshop: Reflections on India
Date: Sunday August 6
Time:2:30-4:30
Location: Tree House Iyengar Yoga
