Breathe Life into Your Being

Day Four in Bali
Morning Meditation
Breakfast
Ayurvedic Teachings & Asana Practice

Ganesha: Overcomes Obstacles 

Day Four began with rain that had plagued us the last two days. By now we came to expect it at least once during the day. But, this did not stop the group from our daily routine. The sound of the rain falling during our meditation seemed to wash away the tension I was feeling in my body. The air was fresh and with each breath I brought in that freshness. With each breath I felt renewed. My cold, with the help of a Chinese herbal medicine from Andrea, was subsiding; which meant that I was not struggling trying to breath in and out through my nose. I began to believe that Ganesha: a Hindu deity who removes obstacles and whom I had passed everyday as I came from the Mumbai Station (where the statue was placed) was aiding me in my quest to overcome the cold that was hindering my ability to enjoy the retreat. I wanted to be able to take a wonderful inhale and exhale with out blockage. Inside all of us we have a force called Prana and "when prana (life force) is prevented from flowing naturally, either becoming blocked or overactive at a certain point, it can create disharmony on both a physical and emotional level." 

I could tell that I was out of balance, physically and emotionally. Physically, when doing asana practice I would fall over while trying to balance. When going into a forward fold my head felt like it was going to explode. Emotionally, I was sad and depressed. I wanted to get past the negativity. By the end of our time together; meditation and asana practice the heaviness that I felt inside of me had diminished. I felt as though I had turned the page and the next one was going to be much more exciting. 

Before going into Savasana Andrea introduced a pranayama breathing technique called, Nadhi Shodhana;  or alternate nostril breathing. Pranayama Breathing is a key component of yoga. Prana: "Sanskrit word which translates as, 'vital life force,' less tangible, but no less real, is the energy that exists within and around the physical body." I was a bit hesitant to try this technique because I knew that I would be able to breath properly. But, with Ganesha in mind, I brought myself in to a seated Sukhasana and prepared myself for the technique. 

RETREAT SEQUENCE IV

OPENING

Grounding/Meditation

BACK

Bridge

Dead Bug-V out & in-Straight Leg up & down

STANDING
Sumo Squat

Arms Raises- Internal & External Raises

WALL

Arm up high/keep hand on wall-spin (3x’s)

Hand at wall/open side body

SUN SALUTATIONS

Sun A:cobra & locust

STANDING
Warrior I/heel up/heel down

Warrior II/up & down

Side Angle

Wide Legged: ½ Squats/Fold

Triangle

Pyramid

Revolved Triangle

DD/Plank

BACK

Supine Leg Work w/strap

PRANAYAMA BREATHING
Nadi Shodhana

SAVASANA

Metta Chant: (teacher states & students re-state together)

May all beings be happy

May all beings be healthy

May all beings be safe & free from danger

May all beings be free from their ancient & twisted karma

May all beings be free from all forms of suffering

Namaste

Travels in Bali:

Explaining the process of a painting. 

Painting School trains future generations

Keliki Painting School 

Artist works with a student 

Laura's Natural Life
Natural Products: Laura's Natural Life

Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life 
Dr. Claudia Welch

Prana: https://www.doyouyoga.com/what-is-prana/

Stop Complaining and Enjoy the Experience

Day Three in Bali: Rain, Rain, Go Away....

Morning Meditation
Breakfast
Ayurvedic Teachings & Asana Practice
Supper Clear Cafe
Barong Dance Ubud Palace


Wondering
You are probably wondering about the title of this post, "stop complaining and enjoy the experience." Well, I found myself falling into negative self-thought and self-talk in my head during my retreat. It had been raining for two days and I was finding myself focusing on my environment and what was wrong (in my eyes) with it. Staying in a tropical climate one would assume that you are going to be living with rain and creatures which inhabit it.
Everyday I would find at least one to two frogs behind the curtains. And, after two days of continuous rain our bathroom, which is exposed to the elements was flooded.  I was getting frustrated. And, to top it off, I was coming down with a cold. Needless to say I was questioning why me...

Meditation & Breath
Usually during meditation the focus should be on your breath and not on frogs, and the rain, and a stuffy nose. But there I was totally distracted by all that I thought was wrong. Finally, I said to myself, "Stop complaining and enjoy the experience. Appreciate the experience and don't fall into the abyss of negativity." Instead, as I took an inhale I brought myself back to my breath and on the exhale focused on letting go of the heaviness I was feeling. I wanted to feel light and not bogged down by self-pity.
Did it work? Yes, but not without accepting how I as feeling for what it was. At lunch, I discovered that the entire Shala was dealing with this concern. It was not all about me. Andrea, helped me out so much by giving me a Chinese herbal medicine which helped with the stuffiness and sore throat. What I did learn though is that I need to voice when I am feeling frustrated so that it does not fester; which can be very hard for me to do. But, by opening myself my concerns were heard,respected, and in the end, I was able to put aside.

Ayurvedic Doshas

Three Doshas 

I found it interesting, that as we began our teachings for the day I was being validated; at least according to my Dosha. Dosha, in Ayurvedic teachings are; "biological energies found throughout the human body and mind. They govern all physical and mental processes and provide every living being with an individual blueprint for health and fulfillment. "   According to the characteristics of the three doshas, and at this particular time in my life; in my current state I was Kapha: congested, heavy, slow, tired. Water & Earth, (two of the five elements & Kapha characteristics) were present as the rain continued and the earth became saturated. No wonder I as feeling under the weather. What I needed  to eliminate the imbalance was to look to the opposite qualities; as like qualities increase like and opposite qualities balance. The opposite would be looking to Fire to bring in heat to the body through exercise and foods (spicy), to increase the heat in my body offsetting the heavy elements.
*I will include a link to a website (under the Dosha chart) which will give a wonderful explanation of the Doshas, the elements and where you might find yourself.

Asana Practice
Our asana practice today was just what I needed: heat to my body with movement, opening the chest/heart, and lastly, pranayama breathing helping to clear my sinuses.
Props needed: 2 blocks, bolster & blanket.

RETREAT SEQUENCE III

CAMEL PREP

OPENING

Meditation/Grounding

BACK

Hip Bridge

CNC slow

STANDING

Tadasana to FF/Twist

Shoulder circles/hands on shoulders

SUN SALUTATIONS

Cobra: Spider Fingers

Cobra:Hamstring Wakeup

STANDING

Chair Squat/up & back

Warrior I/ step backs

Warrior II/ up & down - hold

Side Angle

Triangle

Wide Legged FF w/Twist

Lunge Twist

BACK

Bridge

KNEES

Shin Stand/back n forth

WALL

Block at Sternum/Thoracic Spine

Block at thighs/Camel (blocks under feet)

DD

SEATED

90/90 Twist

Wide Leg FF/Right side/Left side

Wide Leg/Forward

Staff Fold

90/90 Twist over bolster

Supported Backbend over bolster

Cobbler

PRANAYAMA BREATHING

Nadi Shodana

SAVASANA

Afternoon Adventure:
Shopping with a new yogi, Nicole. Supper at The Clear Cafe. Barong Dance at the Ubud Palace.

Wonderful Vegetarian Dinner w/fresh fruit juice  

Barong Dance

 Barong Ket, it takes shape like an animal mix between tiger, lion, dragon and a cow shape.

Resources:
Ayurveda 101: http://www.eattasteheal.com/ayurveda101/eth_bodytypes.htm