I believe her smile when she gives it to me. We step past each other and our eyes meet, we let each other in. For once I am not scanned up and down for whatever about me is offending that day. Sometimes here it feels as though I am offending them every minute of everyday. I could explain that having your middle area exposed would be offensive in my culture, but they have not come to my country.
It’s a sunny about 85 degree afternoon in what is said to be the coldest winter in 17 years. I have been up since 3 this morning and it is taking all the arm strength I have left to type. I have never known this kind if burn. I have been assisting in the Shala for 3 weeks now and it gets better everyday. Another guy got booted today, beginners are supposed to be with Saraswati down the road but everyone thinks they know Ashtanga Yoga. One girl yesterday attempted to take the first pose of second with out being given it and as if this were not bad enough she then could not stand up from a backbend. With Sharath standing over her she looked pretty frightened as he said, “Who is your teacher? (no response) who taught you second without backbends? (again no response) Who is your teacher?!? (I will not repeat the name). I keep meaning to count how many students are in the room at one time but always forget, did count how many sputa kurmasana adjustments I gave today, about 30. During the 9:30-11:30/12 time there is Sharath, Saraswati, 4 other assistants and myself. Yesterday we got sweets “for all your hard work today” he says, I smile. It is so amazing to teach along side of the Guru of the tradition, his is the only opinion that matters. There is no wondering what is correct or debating the best way, only standing firmly connected to roots of the tradition I grew up in/am growing up in. The tradition I now have the blessing to teach. After I finish in the shala I can barely hold my bottle of water to my mouth. I have never been one to stand with my hands on my hips but do it all the time now as they cannot hold themselves. I still can not believe that I get to be a part of someone’s Mysore experience, that I get to stand next to my Guru as we both drop people back, crazy.
My back is doing so much better, I spend at least 3 hours a day doing rehab. And just today, only 6 weeks in, found a better way to sit as I wait to be called into the Shala. Speaking of the waiting room, I have the most fantastic group that I wait with. So many kind smiling faces, people I am happy to get to spend a few moments with so early in the morning. We all wait our turn, entering in the order we arrived. It very much feels like we are in it together.
This is all for now I must go get dressed as we are going to check the timings at the cinema for the weekend. Then to the park to hang up side down for some time. Then to the internet to send this to you. x
