Poop, Pray, Move [Part 1] – with apologies to Elizabeth Gilbert
This is my secret recipe for inner peace and outward calm, the kind I felt during my yoga stay in India last year. I've summarized the most important things I learnt at Kailash Tribal School of Yoga into five essentials. Yes, we studied yoga philosophy and yoga psychology and Vedic wisdom and ancient Sanskrit and sequencing of yoga asanas –...
Book Packing In McLeod Ganj
[caption id="attachment_542" align="aligncenter" width="640"] How can FedEx compete against this charming setup?[/caption] Yes, that’s Book Packing in McLeod Ganj, not Backpacking. The latter being a travel adventure for those exploring the Himalayas in (most likely) scruffy-baggy-unisex trousers and cotton rasta-colored friendship bracelets; seeking budget accommodation, ethnic meals and meaningful inter-cultural connections with locals and likeminded international explorers. The former being an...
Meeting The Dalai Lama at 36,000 Feet
I met His Holiness the Dalai Lama on my flight to Delhi today...
Goodbye, McLeod Ganj
It's our last day in McLeod Ganj and my sunrise walk took me through the peaceful woods on the way to the Buddhist temple - a kaleidoscope of Tibetan prayer flags flapping in the breeze, prayer wheels spinning to the hum of Om Mani Padme Hum, stray dogs lazing in the early sunlight. I realize how little quiet time we've...
Yes, I Have a Yoga Name
I've always thought it was faintly ridiculous when I'd hear someone in the US use their "yoga name", especially when clad from head to toe in Lululemon lycra. I had cynically joked about how my chosen yoga name would be Yogini Sri Shakti Jai Murphananda. [caption id="attachment_1384" align="alignright" width="200"] Yogi Sivadas on Sitar[/caption] But, here in India, after several weeks of advanced...
Mcleod Ganj Moonrise
I was going to write a post about Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) and the Moon Salutations (Chandra Namaskar), to accompany photos of the magnificent moonrise last night and then I thought all that really mattered was to share the moon's magic with you. Every morning and evening, the view from my balcony here in McLeod Ganj is different, as the...
Gee, I can Make Ghee!
Love butter, but worried about cholesterol? Guilt-free ghee is your alternative! [caption id="attachment_151" align="alignright" width="300"] Butter About to Become Ghee[/caption] Fat is good for you! In fact, "good" fat (in moderation) is an essential part of a healthy diet if you want happy joints, healthy tissues and good digestion. This is what I learnt today at our Ayurvedic cooking class with Dr...
Buddhist Nun and Anger
A magical day today. I met a Buddhist nun at Tushita, after finishing morning meditation (sans Hairy Bearded Dude). The only reason we met was because I heard uncontrollable laughter as I walked past her home, so I stopped to see what was going on. She'd just thrown a papaya skin into the woods for the monkeys and by mistake...