Lessons in trust and surrender.

Yoga teaches us steps so that we can achieve ishavara pranisad Surrendering to Universe or God.
If you have traveled in India you may have experienced the frustrations due to the lack of obvious
organisation and structure. Try crossing the road for a start...
Hmm my lessons started before this trip. I am now in India and feel very peaceful amidst the seemingly
noisy and busy bustle of rickshaws, cows and people. But the organisation back in the UK leading up to
this trip was not so peaceful.
I am here as part of my degree in ayurvedic medicine. And it was challenging waiting for our itinary for
our placements and advice regarding visa.
We finally did get our tickets... Then our next challenge were to apply for visas. We were all refused a
student visa with some getting 6 months entry or tourist visa and some (me) just a 3 months visa – not
long enough to finish our placements or time for a bit of travel.
Reaplying for the visa was slightly nervewrecking. I handed in my passport yet again on the Tuesday
planning to leave Friday. In that time I learned, or started seriously to learn, the lessons of surrender to
what is. I had done all I could but however long it may take the Indian High Commsion to cancel one
visa and make another I had no idea... So the only thing I could do was to be present – one breath at the
time. I am still learning but this was a valuable lesson for me in being in the moment. Yes I was worried
about not getting my booked plane or having to leave early from India. But “what is the worst case
scenario?” my very supportive husband asked. And really the worst cases I could come up with were
really not all that bad!
But visa arrived and I breathed a sigh of relief getting very excited about going to the magic land of
India.
The journey could not have been easier. Heathrow terminal 5 was as calm and serene an airport ever
could be. Myself and Sharon had a lovely filling meal at Waga Mama and did our last minute shopping
before boarding our overnight flight to Mumbai. Arriving in Mumbai on schedule we dished the plan of
a 15 hour overnight train to Belgaum and a long stay in Mumbai waiting to depart and instead bought a
last minute ticket for a flight to Hubli. And we got our tickets, did our transfer and our check in just in
time. Absolutely perfect timing (with not a minute to spare). In Hubli we got a taxi for the journey to
Belgaum listening to Bollywood music along the way whilst wacthing the scenery. Ahh bliss.
Our contact was here waiting for us despite us arriving a day early making sure we got settled in each
of our lovely little appartments.
I can not express how absolutely wonderful this experience is so far. How kind and warm the people
we have met are and how helpful. I am at this moment sitting in the shade at 8.30am on my balcony. I
woke up did my yoga practise, got ready and am now waiting for my friend to join me for breakfast.
Looking forward to idli and sambar. And then we are off to the Big Bazaar with yet another helpful
staff from KLE ayurvedic hospital.
Am feeling very blessed!
Namaste

Sharing my thoughts...

I created this blog to keep in touch with you all; friends, family, fellow yoga students - yogis and yoginis while I am away in India furthering my studies in Ayurvedic Medicine.

Having been practicing yoga for more than 10 years now my practice brought me knowledge of yoga's sister science AYURVEDA (Ayur=life, Veda=knowledge). This is the traditional Indian medical system compromising treatments of herbs, lifestyle, bodywork as well as asana (yoga) and pranayama.

It was a workshop with the amazing Dr Robert Svoboda at the Sivananda Centre in Putney that inspired me - it was one of those moments of thinking "Yes, this it definitely what I want to commit to". And that is pretty big for me... Committing to a university degree lasting 3 years. And then the Post Graduate/Masters which you need to be a fully qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner. But now I am a BSc in Ayurveda (and those who knew me as a schoolgirl would probably not have thought I would voluntarily go to school again!). And now I am very nearly on my way to India to start my clinical practice which is part of the Post Graduate Diploma.

I have meet so many wonderful people sharing the teachings of yoga over the past few years. And although I may not personally know many of the yogis who join my classes, your energy and presence have made it a joy to teach. I will be looking forward to come back to the classes in January and will keep you all updated on where and when I will teach.

Stay in touch...

Namaste

Anja