Yoga Marathon

So today my big thing is I'm doing a yoga marathon. I think people I've talked to about my trip have the impression that I'll be doing yoga the entire time. :-) That's actually not true, traveling and getting settled took a full week but we finally start classes at men-tsee-khang ( http://www.men-tsee-khang.org/ ) tomorrow. I'm not exactly sure what the topics are but it's all about Tibetan medicine and I'm sure the speakers will be fascinating.

But back to the yoga marathon. Since I'm not doing yoga classes all that often, today I decided I'm doing as much as possible. First I started out with a Tibetan yoga class from 7am to 9am - and I was wrong, it wasn't with a monk. I don't know why I thought that. So we sit there cross-legged for 2 hours while he makes suggestions on how we can improve ourselves through better living. Once he realized I was Deaf he suggested alternate nostril breathing for my eyes, ears, and brain (hee-hee). But again, very respectfully. I'm not so sure the woman sitting behind me who had severe acne thought his suggestions for skin care and nutrition were so respectful, though.

Then I had some coffee and a piece of toast, and on to session 2 from 10am to 11:45am. This was with an Indian yogi named Dr. Sushil, I am super-bendy now. Both Dr. Sushil and the Tibetan instructor spent a lot of time on the breathing exercises (pranayama). So now I'm super-breathe-y as well.

At 3:30 I have my final 2-hour session for the day. I'm sure it will be awesome. I get my very own mat when it's done! Yeah! Nicole would be happy to learn I did actual yoga in the pants she custom-sewed for me. I have slept in them everyday since arriving in India and didn't bother to change out of my pajamas this morning. Ha!

I haven't talked enough about the food here. I'm all about rice and paneer these days but only when I actually eat. I have ZERO appetite up here. If there's a momo in front of me, I'll eat it, but otherwise I don't even think to eat, drink or have coffee. I don't know why, maybe it's the altitude? Whatever the reason, I'm enjoying my lack of appetite while it lasts!

One more thing, here's the link for the Tibetan Children's Village if you're interested in sponsoring a child. I always thought those child sponsorship things were creepy, but I promise this is a wonderful thing. http://www.tcv.org.in/