Thank you 2013 ~ Wishing everyone all the blessings of abundance, love, joy, health and success in 2014!Gra

Thank you 2013 for yoga, kids yoga, ayurveda, reiki, travel and joy!

RIYA YOGA Kids Yoga Graduation in Dharmshala, INDIA

RIYA YOGA Kids Yoga Graduation, Dharmshala, INDIA

RIYA YOGA Kids Yoga Teacher Trainees, Dharmshala, INDIA

Yoga Class, Dharmshala, INDIA

Yoga Bliss

Reiki Level 1

More Yoga and Reiki Love

Rogpa Kids NGO exploring yoga in McLeodganj (Dharmshala) INDIA

Raja ~ Taking my Uncle's neighbors pet elephant for a walk, Kerala, INDIA

Walking to Bagsu Waterfall with Ram and Cathrine.

Beautiful Breakfast with Ram and Stephanie, Dharmshala, INDIA

At Golden Temple in Punjab, INDIA

Tibetan Monks, and the blessing of one Dharma Talk with His Holiness HH Dalaia Lama.

Delicious Indian food.

Incredible Energy of Murhsir Temple, Kangra, INDIA

Highlights of my Adventures in India

New Bike Rickshaw job in Delhi and shopping in Paharganj.

Exploring Handicrafts in Delhi with my favorite Thai Yoga Massage teacher, Ram.

Enjoying some Hot Chocolate and the Magical views of Dharmshala with Catherine.

Picking Gorgeous Green Tea Leaves.

My visit with the most incredible Tibetan Doctor.  One check of the pulse and he knew all my bodily troubles.

So much gratitude for another magical adventure in India.  A chance to explore, share yoga, practice, teach, visit my family and friends.  Here are a few snaps from the adventure so far.  I also had the special blessing of attending a Dharma Talk by his Holliness the 14th Dalai Lama, on 11/11.  What a beautiful experience!!!  The room was filled with devoted Tibetan Buddhist Monks. Let go of hatred and anger was a special theme of his talk.  So grateful to be here.

YOGA's Yama and Niyama top 10 Tips in Kerala

While many people travel to India (including myself) to study Yoga, to teach Yoga, and to experience the purity of the birth place of yoga, sometimes the ashram is not the only place for enlightenment.  That being said, India the ultimate place for purification, and in my case the birthplace for my parents.  It is my favorite place to teach Yoga, practice yoga, and study.  You have the magical landscapes, and the traditional teaching of Ashtanga, Iyengar, Hatha Yoga, and many other incredible Guru's, Babas, and Ayurveda Teachers.

Prior to booking this trip, I had spent 5 months caring for my beloved Aunty who passed in January.  Many Yogis would consider this an act of Seva (selfless service), for me it was an honor and my duty.  I cancelled some amazing teaching opportunities in Malta, Switzerland and India to stay bedside with her.  Though every morning I maintained my morning yoga (while she would sleep), I quickly learned what the nurses were warning me about....the burnout.

She passed away in January, and I decided to accompany my dad on an emergency trip to India.  We were visiting my Uncle who was also in poor health condition, but I knew it was also necessary for me to get away.

While I was invited to teach yoga in 2 places in Kerala, I chose to truly take time for me and heal my mind-body-spirit.  In the West, yogis get caught up in routines and almost attached to them.  I wanted the most minimalist detox experience possible.

We left Toronto Airport after a beautiful snow storm, only to arrive in Kerala where the weather was comparable to most Bikram studios and was perfect for my morning & afternoon Yoga practice.

The top 10 Yama & Niyama, Minimalist guide to Yoga in India:

1. AHIMSA - Non Harming to all living things - Visiting a beautiful Elephant Sanctuary where these brilliant animals are trained with kindness & compassion and eventually go on to be working animals in the local Temples.
2. SATYA - Truthfulness - Being True to myself.  It would have been easy for me to teach yoga, or post daily updates online of my experience, but instead I chose to enjoy time with family and heal any grief or residual stress that may have unconsciously found its way into my being.
3. ASTEYA - Non Stealing - Often I tell my Yoga Teacher Trainees that as teachers we must respect people's time, privacy, and never misuse the precious classroom moments for our own glory etc.  On this trip I practiced Asteya by realizing I was there on a family trip, so instead of visiting an ashram, I consciously chose to practice every morning at 4 am in solitude so that I can have the remaining time to spend with my loved ones.
4.  BRAMACHARYA - preserving our sexual energy and redirecting it into our spiritual path - Most girls who take a vacation with their dad are guaranteed to be free from any opportunities or thoughts of romance.
5.  APARIGRAHA - Non Hoarding - I went to India with a suitcase full of chocolate to give to my relatives and friends, so I did not bother to pack too many personal items.  While there are so many amazing shops, malls and bazaars to buy things in Kerala, including the grand opening of the largest mall in all of India (LULU MALL) right in Kerala - I chose to keep purchases to necessities only.        
6. SAUCHA - Purity & Cleanliness - After my morning meditation, yoga, I would follow with lime/lemon water (picked straight from the tree) to alkalize my body.  I maintained my regular vegetarian diet, and kept my body clean.
7.  SANTOSHA - Contentment - While I faced many challenges during the time I cared for my aunty, I focused on contentment.  I reflected on blessings, and gave thanks for the challenges, challenging people, and lessons as they made me a stronger person. This contentment led me to the deeper awareness that all experiences are from ourselves and primarily our reaction.  Soon I was so overwhelmed with the contentment in the beauty of Kerala's tropical landscape, sounds of birds, and the lively orchestra of beeping horns, saree clad pedestrians, and all other things that were a celebration of LIVING IN THE MOMENT, Being right here, right NOW.
8. TAPAS - Disciplined use of energy - Tapas is bringing heat to the body to burn through all urges and purify.  With daily morning yoga without any fan or air conditioner, in the extreme heat of Kerala I was feeling purified.
9. SVADHYAYA - Self Study - Daily journaling, drawing, reading, meditating, chanting, singing, and walks all led to a self realization experience.  I made a conscious choice to stay off Facebook, my blog, twitter, and even refrained from email.  While I use Facebook to share/read inspirational quotes, stories of other fellow yogis, or share aspects of my self-discovery, but I chose to be as pure as possible and unplugged from the system. 
10. ISVARAPRANIDHANA - Celebration of the spiritual - Laying all your actions at the feet of divine.  With daily yoga, daily prayer, and time with loved ones we all can learn to celebrate the Divine.

Like always seeing my family in India is always a beautiful experience.  I am happy to be back.  For those who are interested to study Yoga, Ayurveda or Reiki with me there will be some workshops coming up in Ontario, New York, and a 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training I will offer this July in Ireland, and one in November in India.  Thank you to all those who emailed me after noticing my disappearance on social media.  We all face challenges perhaps in job, family, health, and for those who have the tendency to be care-givers, it is important to take care of our self as well.

Stay Blessed ~ Om Shanti

Kumbh Mela 2013

Kumbh Mela 2013 is one of the biggest Hindu Pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism from January 14 - February 3rd.  Pilgrims gather at the sacred river to bathe and purify their souls, and cleanse from sins.  It happens every 12 years.  The last Festival had an estimated 70 million participants and this current one is expected to have over 100 million participants.  People come from all over the world, to bathe in the sacred rivers, to witness the Sadhus (dressed in orange), naga baba's (naked as symbol complete aparigrapha), yogis,  and other devotees immerse themselves in this sacred ritual to cleanse their souls and purify from any negative energy.

The river Ganga-Yamuna and mythical Saraswati are said to hold the necatar from the Kumbh (pitcher) of the Gods after the seas were churned.  Aside from witnessing the mass baptismal like purification of Hindu devotees, people who participate enjoy spiritual discourses, devotional kirtan, and feeding of many people (holy people and poor).

Kalaripayattu - Indian Martial Arts

During my visit to India, I was fortunate to experience the beautiful ancient art of Kalaripayattu.  In my daddy's hometown of Kudduthuruthy, I walked to the Kalari Payattu center to watch, learn, and discover this incredible art form.  This is the oldest known form of martial arts that is said to have derived from ancient Vedic Times, and has its base in Kerala, India.  Tracing back over 3,000 years the name translates into "field of battle". The style if martial art is said to have inspired Kung Fu and most every other style of battle.

Students are required to find the raw power from majestic animals like the lion, tiger, elephant, wild boar, snake and crocodile, in the art of Kalari payattu.  The entrance of every Kalari establishment faces the East, the South West area is the "poothara", is a 7 their platform meant to house the guardian deity, and be an place of worship and prayer before every lesson.  Students touch the ground, the poothara, and the Guru's feet to symbolize respect and submission to their Guru.  The Teacher is also known as the Asan guides the students to develop the 4 powers of the practice.

· Meikaruthu: power of the body.
· Manakaruthu: power of the mind.
· Ankakaruthu: power to combat.
· Ayudhakaruthu: power to wield weapons.

The four stages of learning are meipayattu or maithari (body), kolthari (sticks), angathari (metal weapons), verumkai (without weapon or empty hand).  Students learn how to wield over 13 different types of weaponry.  Though the movements require committed practice and determination, I quickly realized I need more time to study this art, and I was teaching and studying yoga at the time, so it was not going to happen.  It was amazing to watch how this discipline is still being taught my my fathers local hometown.  

Vedic Astrology

On the wave of the recent Super Moon, I am reminded of a really fun experience I had in India with an incredible Vedic Astrologer.  For those who missed the super moon, and or are unaware, it is when the moon is the closest to the Earth's orbit.  This recent Super moon was the biggest in over 20 years, and appears 30% brighter than normal.  The Super moon was in the sign of Scorpio, and the sun was in Taurus, and said to destroy negative patterns to make room for rebirth into the positive.  It is a time for transformation. Traditionally, yogis would adjust their yoga practice according to the sun and moon.  Even today, Ashtanga yogis maintain a practice that faces the sun, and that abstains from practicing on moon days.  Since ancient times Vedic Sadhus would monitor the patterns of the moon, the stars and planets to determine what the future would hold.  The reason why this science cannot be argued with is because for centuries many of these sages could not be proven wrong and prophetic tales have been handed down through the Vedas.  Even today in India, massive undertakings like marriages, building projects, and business ventures consult the planets before any action is taken, due to the accuracy of this ancient practice.

For some, the tradition of reading the stars and planets have been handed down.  According to Vedic Astrology, the planets, moons, stars are all in a specific alignment and help to create a framework of an individuals life path.  The difference between Vedic astrology and western astrology is that it actually focuses more on an individual's moon sign.  The chart analyzes the alignment of planets, moons, stars all at the time of an individuals birth.

For me, I had my chart analyzed by an amazing individual who is famous in India and throughout Europe for reading peoples individual astrological chart.  He enlightened me with his time and wisdom.  While for many years I knew I was born under the Sun Sign of Aquarius, I did not have any awareness of my moon sign, or rising sign, or how the planets lined up at the time of my birth, until now.  It was fascinating to learn how each planet has a specific affect on our journey.  The information in my chart was the most accurate review of my life of up to date. It was amazing to see how things in the past line up with my chart, and I am looking forward to the amazing things in my future.  Thank you Jai Krishna for your time and wisdom.  If anyone is ever interested in finding out the alignment of planets, stars and the moon at the time of their birth, this is the astrologer to go to.  

Lesson 1: There is no "I" in Yoga

While there were so many highlights to my adventures in India that both deepened my yoga practice and also left me with tremendous gratitude, there is a lot that I have yet to share.  Some experiences that I will keep sacred and refrain from sharing, and some over time will find there way to the blog.  Many people would think I am so lucky to have spent so much time in India, learning with incredible gurus, teaching yoga, volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity, and much more.  While my experience was nothing short of amazing, my expedition did come with some challenges.  Tremendous thanks to my family and friends for taking such good care of me for 4 months, and thank you to blog fans who followed along my journey.  Prior to leaving for my trip, I did have a health condition that only worsened with my travels, leaving me in serious need of medical attention a few times.  Of course I kept this situation to myself while doing Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training, and put my trust in God, and at one point I thought perhaps this trip is so magnificent because this is the end of my journey.  It was not, I am still here, back in North America, slowly adjusting to the time zone difference.

One thing I noticed was the energy of stress that was in the air when I came to the beautiful Toronto Airport. Perhaps that is why Yoga is beneficial for people in this part of the world.  While driving home my father drove in a special lane that is designated to people with two or more passengers, as a way to promote car pooling for a better environment.  The other lanes were filled with back to back vehicles driven by people so anxious to get home.  While India would have the orchestral sounds of honking horns, random chickens and cows that cross streets, motorcycles with entire families riding helmet less, and the occasional giant trucks filled with bales of hay and 9 to 10 people sitting on top,  the air of stress is not as common in India as it is in the Western part of the world.

So it makes me wonder, why and how can this part of the world benefit from the ancient wisdom in India beyond just wearing trendy yoga clothes, mala beads, and flowing through Yoga postures?  How can we learn as a society that it is more than the external clothing.  The practice itself is so deep and creates an essence in an individual, with inspires a Sangha, that only later colors a nation.

In India you can see slums that have a fourth wall as a mansion, you can see extreme poverty with joy filled smiles that no drug could recreate, you can be lost and have every person offer to help direct you to the right place, and yet in North America we hide and avoid the site of poverty, we complain when we have regular meals and a roof over our head, and we rely on our GPS before we dare to strike a conversation with another person.  With our technology of iPod, iPhones, iPads we have the ability to connect with those who we choose to connect with and fail to realize how we are in fact isolating ourselves further, perhaps that is why these products begin with "I".

So after months in India, the thing that I understand more than anything is that there is no "I" in Yoga.  Yoga is a Sanskrit word that translates into union.  So when we search for ways to brand this ancient practice with roots in Vedic History that both myself, and no 200Hr or 500Hr Yogi can begin to understand, when we deny the vedic roots of yoga to alleviate any unnecessary guilt or insecurity we may have related to our own religious beliefs, when we attempt to justify a diet that is both harmful to our bodies, animals, and our environment, when we cling to defining ourselves with updated overpriced Yoga apparel, when we insist on boasting about our asana.....perhaps we should ask how much Ego is inspiring our practice.

I met so many brilliant Gurus who do not rely social media to promote themselves or their teaching.  Many who have devoted their lives to the practice of Yoga, and shine with a light of peace in their eyes that I hardly see in North America.  They have never even heard of Facebook or a Blog, and some requested to not be mentioned because they believe the true practice finds its way to the aspirant without marketing.

Does this mean that we should live in a cave, practice in a dothi, never market our Teacher Trainings and classes, and study Vedanta extensively?  No, because imitation has no authenticity, and in this part of the world social media can be used to share light if we choose.  Instead, perhaps we should just embrace the concept of being a humble student who aims to share love, light and peace by living it......and challenge ourselves to slowly let go of attachments to our past, to our feelings, to our physical practice, and ultimately to the material definitions that we all will one day realize is an illusion, especially for us who practice yoga. ~ Namaste

Photos: Ambria in Kerala Palace and Kangra Fort.

Golden Temple

While visiting Temples, Churches, and celebrating festivals is a normal thing here in India before leaving Canada I was determined to see the Golden Temple.  The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is the most important temple/gurudwar for Sikh Indians.  It is located in Amritsar, Punjab, India.  This temple holds the Adi Granth which is the Sikh Holy Scripture.  The Gold Plated Temple with interior fresco and gemstone artwork draws people from all over the world.  There are four entrances, upon entering you must remove your shoes and wash your feet and hands in little pools of water.  The actual Temple is surrounded by water where some people bathe as a symbol of purification.  No alcohol, meat, or smoking is allowed in the shrine.  People wait in procession with prasad (offering) for when they enter the Temple.  All people must have their heads covered as a sign of respect.  This particular day I did not wear a Salwar, instead I wore a Kurtha Top, and so a head covering scarf was provided for me and Ram and Shankar who accompanied me.  The Golden Temple is a beautiful place to visit.  Outside the Temple you can find many beautiful bazaars to shop at, delicious Punjabi Foods, and street side foods like Kulfi.

While I wish I could stay in India longer, visit some more relatives, attend one of my cousins weddings in May, and of course study more, I must return to the West and share this Love & Light.  Thank you India. ~ Namaste

Thai Yoga Massage Certified

During my travels in India I have had the pleasure to study with some brilliant teachers. India has been the place where people come from all over the world to learn ancient systems of knowledge. For centuries the biggest producer of both Allopathic, Ayurveda and Homeopathic medicines are from India, due to the land rich in natural herbs and plants. The one thing I realize after my months in India, there is a special authenticity when you learn from these Indian Gurus, that leaves you eager to learn more and leaves you deeply humbled by their wisdom. While in the Western part of the world Yoga has turned into a method of exercise where a quick course gives you the title of Yoga Teacher, here in India, the awareness of Yoga is in their essence, life long devotion to the practice, family lineage and humility. Here Ayurveda (the science of Life) is the natural way of living. While in Kerala my family home is surrounded with various plants that are ayurveda remedies that have been handed down from my great great grandparents. I was suffering with a health set back while in North India, and when I returned to Kerala, my aunt whipped up some leaves that helped tremendously.

 Ultimately both Yoga and Ayurveda are systems designed for higher consciousness which can only be achieved when an individual is disease free. The wise sage Patanjali says: purusarthasunyanam, gunanam pratiprasvah kaivalyam svarupapratistha va citi saktiriti (KAI PA. 4.43) 

Which translates: Yoga takes us to the portals of consciousness beyond the mind.

Many gurus here in India teach how proper practice of Yoga, daily pranayama, proper diet, and ayurveda is a natural system that eradicates disease. After weeks of illness, I realized had I maintained my daily pranayama practice, my health situation may have been a little different.

This trip has allowed me to deepen my understanding by more in-depth studies of Yoga, Ayurveda, and recently Thai Yoga Massage. As I have years of study and experience with Body Work Modalities like Yoga, Shiatsu, Ohashiatsu, Reiki, Lomi Lomi, and Ayurveda Massage, this course was a beautiful addition to my list of things to share. The course was an intensive course with world renowned Ram, from Om Yoga Ayurveda. We learned the history of Thai Yoga Massage, the sequence, the stretches, the points, ayurveda, mantras and much more.

 Many people would assume that Thai Yoga Massage was created in Thai Land, however, the system was originally developed in India by Dr. Shivag who was close friends and Doctor for Buddah. When he returned from Thai Land, he found some literature that helped him develop this modality that we now call Thai Yoga Massage. We learned the creative sequence that much like the modality of Ohashiatsu, leaves both the "giver" and "receiver" feeling wonderful. We learned important points and meridian lines on the body.

 The best part was we learned so much about Ayurveda as well. Ram is an amazing teacher.  Himachel Pradesh is a region of India known for it's mountains, so one day as a treat, we walked down the mountain to Dharmshala to go to Baba Ram Dev's Ayurveda store. During our hike, Ram explained in depth many of the plants, herbs and flowers and their Ayurveda benefits. One herb very similar to the Jamaican chew stick, but here in India we call it ThiraMira. This stick is said to make your teeth strong, and it's little seeds are like bursts of licorice and mint in your mouth. While I am now officially Thai Yoga Massage certified, I am looking forward to learn more, to practice more and share this beautiful modality with people. Thank you to Ram, Shankar, and my wonderful classmates (Chris & Julia) for making this a wonderful experience.

Love Thy Neighbor...and their Elephants.

While in Kerala I enjoyed yoga, teaching, family and the gorgeous landscape that makes Kerala also known as "God's own Abode". All my life coming to India, it was not uncommon to see Elephants in Kerala. My Uncle's neighbor has had Elephant's as a pet almost all my life. People who keep these beautiful animals as pets, either use it for work (like a truck for transport) or used for Hindu Festivals, and sometimes both. One time I was driving with my daddy and cousin and made the driver stop, only to ask to ride a roadside elephant. Roadside Elephants are not really trained, so my daddy was petrified and I was thoroughly elated to climb atop this beautiful creature and go for a spin. This time while in Kerala, the elephant that was next door was not feeling very well, and as it reminded me of some of my friends with sick pets, the thought occurred to me that my friends in the Western part of the world are used to having a neighbor with a dog or cat, rather than an elephant. Meet my neighbors pet elephant....Balan.

Jai Hanuman

Since my travels in Himachal Pradesh had me encounter many monkeys, especially Hanuman Monkeys.....My dear friend took me to the Hanuman Temple in Delhi. This giant temple is made in the shape of the Hindu deity Hanuman, devotee of Lord Ram. When you enter through the mouth/entrance you give pooja, and make your way through dozens of tunnels, cave like corridors, and stairs that lead you to the top. There is a Pandit reciting Hanuman Chalisa and various other Mantras. Hanuman is the devoted Monkey god known for his giant leap to save Lord Ram's beloved Sita. In Yoga asana, the splits is the pose named after Hanuman, as it represents his giant leap of faith. Hanuman is known for his intelligence, strength and celibacy. This temple is a beautiful place to visit if you come to Delhi.

"Om Anjaneaye Vidamahe Mahabalye Dhi-Mahi Tan No Hanuman Prachodayat Ommmmm." (Mantra to Hanuman for Increasing Love in Performance & Selfless Service)

Discovering Yoga in Dharmshala

My travels in India have taken me on the journey of a lifetime. Though I have been to India numerous times my entire life, this is my first solo adventure. I am now in the northern part of India, Himachael Pradesh. This is my first time seeing snow in India, well at least snow capped mountains. The streets are filled with Tibetan Monks, as the Dali Lama lives in this part of India, and has regular Dharma Talks. There are tourists from all over the world. I have seen more monkeys than NYC has pigeons. I had a hungry monkey creep it's way to my table with friends, to which I said "I'm outta here", and monkey ate my left over gnocchi. Recently I left my back door open, only to have to shoo a monkey off the balcony.

I met my beautiful teacher, Shivam on the Hindu Festival Holi, only to have my face adorned with brilliant colors. While teaching here with Shivam, and on my own, was part of the plan, my health took a different turn. Initially it was beautiful to practice with a view of the magical Himachel Pradesh Mountains, the footsteps to the Himilayas. However, while my asana practice soon been minimal due to feeling extremely weak from a little turn with my health, I have discovered a beautiful meaning of yoga. The word yoga that is, meaning union or to yoke. My mind, body and spirit have united with gratitude for a beautiful landscape that is India, and compassionate new friends who have cared for me on days when I had barely enough energy to sit up and miles away from family. This has been a time to reflect in prayer with gratitude in stillness. As my health is getting better, I know I will be back to teaching and learning in no time. With some tears, some pain, and a whole lot of JOY, I am so grateful to discover yoga in Dharmshala.

Pictures: 1) The Monkey that ate my gnocchi, 2) Shivam and I 3) Me peaking in the line of Tibetan Monks 4) The Tibetan Monks marching for FREE Tibet 5) The beautiful landscape of Himachel Pradesh

Celebrating Curves with Yogarazzi in Goa

When I had arrived in Kerala, I was told that I looked malnourished by my family. Most people who know me, are aware that I love to eat, so nourishment is not ever an issue unless I am fasting. Now by American standards, and if you look back at my earlier photos in India, I looked normal.....but in South India, if your butt isn't inflated enough, you are considered malnourished. Despite my regular Ashtanga Yoga practice, my family worked very hard at fattening me up.....and they succeeded! Due to the fact that when I gain weight it has a tendency to go straight to my buttocks & thighs, when I left Kerala, I literally could not fit into my jeans. According to the family, I looked almost normal. According to my mirror I looked like I needed to get my A$$ back into shape.

The irony I found about this situation is in NYC the culture is to get into the best shape ever, minimal fat and toned and tight.....and in Kerala culturally they appreciate a woman with more meat on their bones. This reaction of an appreciation for a curvier woman is also found in other Spanish, African, West Indian and some European Cultures. When will we just embrace exactly what a woman is without any societal pressures, expectations or media influence? When will a woman be able to gain weight and celebrate every inch? When will health be the main reason we get into shape? Because I always tell my female students to embrace exactly where they are physically, celebrate their sexy curves and live each moment to the fullest, I still went to the beach each day in Goa, in a bikini (Thank you Maayan). I did yoga on the beach, only to have a swarm of men snap photos of me and my friend because apparently they thought I was a Bollywood Film Star and she an American star. So we got the Yoga-razzi!

I do look forward to getting back to a trimmer size.....for now I will enjoy my extra padding for my asana. ~ Namaste

Manifesting Dreams with Yoga in Kerala

"Do your practice and all is coming" ~ Sri K Pattabhi Jois

So my trip to India has so far taken me from Delhi where I saw a friend, then to Calcutta where I volunteered with Missionaries of Charity, to Chennai where I saw my Aunty, and now Kerala, the birth place of my parents where I can see my family, where I am studying Ashtanga Yoga, where I am teaching yoga & Chakras, and enjoying the lush paradise scenes of the backwaters of India (Kerala).

As I have said to many of my beloved students in the past, write down your dreams, your aspirations, meditate on them and watch how the Universe brings those things to you. Our thoughts are the key factor of quantum physics, vibrational energy that brings to your life exactly what you seek, and exactly what you are meant to learn from or let go of. Key point, if you want to manifest amazing things, please let go of the things that no longer serve you (grudges, painful memories etc....This will lighten the load for your journey)

So the things I wrote on my list last year:

1. To See my family in IndiaTo study Ashtanga Yoga & become a certified Ashtanga Yogi & deepen my practice.
2. To Volunteer with Missionaries of Charity in India.
3. To study Ashtanga Yoga & become a certified Ashtanga Yogi & deepen my practice.
4. To Teach Yoga and study Yoga in a beautiful location surrounded by water and nature.
5. To meet my Teacher in India
6. To study Ayurveda
7. To travel to the Northern part of India
8. To Study Kriya & Meditation

Last year, I wrote that I want to go to India and see my family, it had been a few years since I was here. I spent my Birthday with my Uncle and Aunt, and have seen almost all of my relatives so far.

I spent one of the most amazing weeks of my life with the Missionaries of Charity, working at Daya Dan, the orphanage for children with special needs. This experience introduced me to amazing new friends from all over the globe, allowed me to see Mother Teresa's Tomb, and spend time with children who will forever remain in my heart.

I also wrote that I want to finally study Ashtanga Yoga. This was on a list years ago, but in the past I would get sick on my many trips to India, I had family obligations, and also I had many injuries (unrelated to Yoga), that left the Ashtanga practice as far to intimidating. But here I am today, enjoying Ashtanga and discovering new muscles.

If you look at my list above, technically I have crossed off item #1,2,3,4 & 6.

The location where I am studying Ashtanga and teaching yoga/chakra in Kerala is on a beautiful exotic Island, 15 minutes from my family. The experience has been so amazing! I am so grateful for the amazing teacher who invited me to teach here during her training, what a blessing.

On my list items #5,7 & 8 will happen in the month of march when I travel north to Dharmshala.

I share this post with tremendous gratitude for the opportunity to learn and teach in the place where my family originates from, in the place where Yoga originates from, and where many of my beloved teachers are from. Also, I share this to inspire people to understand how quickly the universe responds to our desires, our thoughts, our mind.

Watch your thoughts, as they are the map to your life. While the Asana practice is amazing, it is all preparations for us to become one with God, one with this Universe and experience Samadhi.

Namaskaram from Kerala

Pictures:

Ashtanga Yoga Clinic, Class with Ayurveda Doctor, and Me on the Boat getting to the island where I am studying & teaching in Kerala.