Study Friday, tomorrow 3,5h written exams

This Friday, and sadly the last Friday,  was dedicated to the brain! As the exam is tomorrow I started studying directly at 0800 h in the morning after sat sang. First I went to the lake, then to temple. There were basically only food interruptions. My friend and studying colleague Stuti joined me after breakfast and we studied sperately but together.

As we were allowed to leave the Ashram we decided to have our Tea Break out side at our favourite Tea Bar. At 1000 pm in the evening we called it a day and let our brain rest with sleeping. So tomorrow is the day!

We Yogis know how to party

On the last official study day the Ashram organised a traditional band directly after Sat Sang. See what happens....And we danced

Meet Janaki

During the first week we where told that we could choose our own Mantra and get an Initiation. The Man(to think) tra (free or protect) is used in meditation and for protection. The mantra is chosen either for a special purpose or because the sound appeals to you. As I found my self singing the Mantra Om Namo Narayanaya I decided that the mantra found me without knowing the meaning... Later I found out that it is the Mantra for inner and outer peace and also for world peace. Works for me!

Everybody can use a Mantra without being initiated. The Initiation is a ceremony  which strengthen the relationship to the Mantra.

So this morning we were asked to go at 6 o'clock in the temple with our offerings. I had a beautiful banana leave with two oranges and two bananas and some flowers. Swamije made the initiation for each Mantra. As I was the only person with this Mantra I had a private Initiation. We sang it together and later he put Ash, Sandalwood paste and Kumkum on my forehead. There are no words to describe the ceremony it was the most special moment!

After the Initiation we received our spiritual names. Mine is Janaki meaning tenderness, compassionate mother. I love it!

Kids Yoga

At the time where we usually practise our own Asanas we were told to get instructions for the Kids Yoga class. We got instructions all right and guess what happened? As we got pregnant for the pregnancy class we became kids, divided in 20 people we did all the Asanas but in a totally different way. Our teacher gave the instructions as we were kids!!!

Imagine 200 people laughing and doing Asanas as children. So we repeated in the sitting forward stretch, I am sandwich with peanut butter, in the butterfly we said we are beautiful butterflies flying to the sky, the plough was used to play piano, the leg raises to drive an air bicycle. And for the sun salutation he had the most beautiful story which connect all the postures. We had soooooo much fun. I never laughed so hard during a Yoga class before and enjoyed myself during exercise. And NO there are no pics, but you are all invited to join my first adult child class!

Pregnancy Yoga

How to teach a pregnancy class? Everything you want to teach you must experience first! So let's get pregnant ;-).

We practised every Asana in the pregnancy option. We had a lot of fun and learned how different the body behaves even with only one pillow.

My first students.

Guess which one I got the fourth and longest and I was really excited.
Here is a picture of the group, me as the teacher in Uniform! This is the reason I actually came,  I enjoyed it soooooooo much you cannot imagine. After the class I felt never better in my life!

After Puja party

All dressed up for the Puja! What can you do afterwards? Of course have the Ashram Cocktail. Drinking water. Meet you at the bar...

Puja

Priests came to Ashram in order to have a Puja. The 'Puja' or Worship of the gods consists of a range of ritual offerings and prayers. The Ashram choose the end of the third week for this ritual in order to have a personal purification. So we chanted, prayed and sang a Mantra. After this everybody throw a piece of wood in the fire in order to burn a bad habit for the purification. It was really magical!

We were allowed to dress out self's up, so no Uniforms!!!! Everybody looked so pretty and neat. This was the first time we have seen each other really dressed up. It was like on a prom night we had much fun and all got a little purer.

Teaching has begun!

After practising our own Asanas and have been taught how to teach the postures, it is our turn to start teaching. So we were divided in small groups. We had to teach each other all the 4 basic classes.

Greetings from the class room and the break.

Back in school, except we neither have chairs nor tables  =).

A trip to the jungle

This Friday, which is our free day, we had the opportunity to join a trip to the jungle. We hiked for over one hour through an amazing forest and ended the  journey on a beautiful waterfall. The friendly staff made a bonfire and cooked us tea and lunch. The sun is warm, the air is clear and the smell of the fire is really nice. After the Kriya everyone is happy to relax and we have finally time to talk. And of course everybody went for a swim :-D.

Meditation

Sitting still with a deep, slow breath calms the mind. Meditation is one of the five points of Yoga and as challenging and important as the Asanas!

Second week of TTC is over

So the second week is over. We learned to teach the four Sivanada classes and practised a lot on our own Asanas as well. We also had our chanting classes and philosophy class. Time was used very well.

Next week we will start to teach each other in small groups. I love to teach that's what I came here for. We will learn a lot from each other as everybody is different. So wish me luck!

Also meet our new friend who came with us from the mountains. He leads now a spiritual live and even joins Samije for the philosophy lectures, hoping for a higher rebirth :-).

Kriyas

I am not able to describe it, so google it. It was an amazing experience! And no there could be no pictures taken imagine 200 people doing it.

Walking is meditation

This morning a great surprise awaited us. We had our silent walk to the temple way up the hill. The view and the walk were breathtaking :-) 

A free Friday

Every Friday we have a free day and are allowed to go on. So some of us gathered together and went to Varkala. A beautiful and sacred beach. Wonderful!

Daily routine

Our daily programme is now a routine and the first week is over

05h20 Bell
06h00 Satsang
07h30 Tea
08h00 Asana teaching class
10h00 Brunch
11h00 Karma Yoga cleaning
11h45 Homework collecting
12h00 Chanting lessons
13h30 Tea
14h00 Philosophy and theorie lessons
16h00 Asanas for us
18h00 Dinner
20h00 Satsang
22h30 lights out

And to be honest I love it. You might say that there is no time but there is. There is always time for homework, a chat with the other students. The attitude is fantastic there is no tension despite of the 208 people who are attending the TTC.

First full training day

Today which means, the 7th January, was first full teacher training day. We received a lot information about asanas, chanting and philosophy behind Yoga. And of course we got homework too =). The day is filled except nearly an hour between dinner and satsang. But during this time you have to do your homework or wash your cloths. I like to have a busy day which is filled with full filling tasks.

We also received our Karma Yoga task.  There were many different tasks, like tea serving, food serving, emptying the bins, helping in the Health Hut or Boutique and of course there is cleaning the dorms. Guess what I got. Dorm cleaning, right!
And guess what will be cleaning for the two days. The bathrooms including shower, toilet and bins.

Aarati and morning satsang

This morning a big surprise awaited us. A priest was in the Ashram to perform a ritual to honour Ganesha. Ganesha is the Elephant god who will take obstacles away. It was really impressive and the air was full of energy so that you could touch it. I think we all in the TTC will need Ganesha during this course sooner or later. At the end of the ritual we received coconut water and some sweet curry, if can call it so.

Induction

Nearly 180 people attending the TTC. Last night were getting the uniforms, today is the first day. I am really happy and excited!

At the Ashram or what I have signed for

The total journey took a little bit more than fourteen hours from Germany to India. The flight was good and I could even sleep a little. As soon as I felt the warm air and smelled it after getting out of the plane I felt at home.
Here are some pics of the journey.

After two times Yoga vacation in India I decided not only to make Yoga part of my life in daily practice but give the joy and positive effects of Yoga to others.

So I signed in to the Yoga Teacher Training.

The Agenda is the following

05h20 wake up bell
06h00 Satsang (Group meditation, chanting, talk)
07h30 Tea Time
08h00 Asana Class
10h00 Vegetarian Meal
11h00 Karma Yoga
12h30 Coaching Class
01h30 Tea Time
02h00 Lecture
03h30 Asana Class
06h00 Vegetarian Meal
08h00 Satsang
10h30 lights out

Luckily there is some free time between the meal and the Satsang so that I can send my blog from time to time. So ten minutes to light out.... Goodnight

My I introduce my room.

First taste of India - Dahl for lunch yummi

The crew in Saris (at least the females :-) ), friendly smiles and Dahl ( Lentil curry) for lunch and an incredible sunset. Life is good. I feel like on vacation already!

At the Airport

Baggage checked in! Now already at the gate, the Ashram is only 14 h away. I am so happy to come again to Kerala, it is truly Gods own country. I simply love the people, the nature and the happy chaos.
The flight will go nonstop to Sri Lanka and from there to Trivandrum.

Sivananda Ashram I am coming.

Things you need

Yogamath
Uniform which will I receive there, I orderd Large, lets see if it fits
Towels
T-Shirts
Long trowsers, 30 degress that will be fun...

The bag for the Yoga Math is a present from my dear friend Jutta. She made it herself. :-) :-) 

And all fits in this back pack 

New Year - New Moon - New Path

Finally 2014 has come. In two days I will be on the plane to India, Trivandrum. There I will visit the Sivananda Ashram and attend the Yoga Teacher Training. I have waited 2 years to do this. And now I have to admit that I am rather scared and excited. But to be in the now I try to enjoy the last ours in Paris, near the Pantheon. This is the view from the Cafe, where I am writing.