the Shala

I've been feeling better over the past two days, not one hundred percent perfect but able to go to practice!

I wish I could show you a photo of the yoga Shala but we're not allowed to photograph anywhere inside! In the mornings before mysore practice we arrive before the time we were assigned. Shala time runs fast and we want to be ready. There are sandals littering the ground and the yogis with their mats crouch on the stairs among the planters. Little by little, as those with earlier practice times trickle out we make it into the foyer. Now we can see into the main practice room through an open door. The room is large with natural lighting and poster sized photos of the Jois family covering the walls. It is packed, practically mat to mat, with people from all over the world breathing, sweating, engaged in practice. It is beautiful to watch! All the faces and bodies working. As people finish and a space opens up Sharath calls out "one more!" and somebody jumps up to fill it. Yesterday the spot I filled was front and center, directly below Sharath's "throne," (really just two chairs where he sometimes perches briefly) and I tried not to be nervous.

It feels good to practice. And, to be honest, it hurts too. Right now I feel sore and stiff and not at my best. I hope it's from the travel and all the newness and that the pain will burn off soon. I haven't been adjusted at all so far, aside from drop-backs, but I expect I will as time goes on and Sharath and the assistants have a chance to observe my body. I want to improve my marichyasanas, supta kurmasana, bada konasana, and to re-open in my backbends. Oh! And jump backs! That'll be the day.

Sharath is great! I didn't know what to expect but I like him already. He's got this wonderful face with eyes that twinkle sometimes. And tall skinny legs and a sense of humor and a wisdom about him.

When you finish the series and do your backbends you pick up your mat and go into the dressing room to do the rest of the finishing sequence and savasana. Then across the street to drink a coconut immediately! Coconut water never tasted so good as after practice. There's a guy standing there with a machete to hack off the top and hand you a straw. And when you're done he will whack it in half so you can eat the insides. It's amazing!