Just a little update I had sent to Yoga Bob (my guru from the States) along with some pics (captions within the pics to explain):

Hi! Just checking in! Love it at the Institute so much. Great vibes and amazing teachers. So much to learn! I am in the middle of the 5 day Swadhyaya training (Swadhyaya means self-study in Sanskrit) with Dr. Atul which is awesome. [More on the Swadhyaya training next post]. I am making friends and enjoying my experience – lots of self-practice and meditating and have been taking great asana classes with Ramenderji (do you remember him? Said he knows you!) When the Swadhyaya course finishes I think I will take 21 Days Better Living course (with Ajay) in the mornings and then spend time in the library reading their books. Mrs. Desai recommended a lot of books (pic below). I also had a fantastic birthday in India – was showered with little gifts from everyone: Indian earrings, a little Ganesha statue, chocolates etc. And they even bought me a cake and then all hand fed me the cake and smeared it on my face, which they say is tradition here in India (you can see in one of the pics). Attaching lots of pics, including one of me and Sattvik, Hansaji (the Guru of The Yoga Institute’s) grandson. Also one of the giant Ganesha in the street for the last night of Ganesha Festival, which was going on my first week here. Very fun! I even attended a 2-day Tibetan Sound Bowl Healing training course outside the Yoga Institute and got my level 1 certification. Still not sure on where I will go after my month here, but staying present and positive. Namaste

Sound Bowl Healing Advanced Training

International Academy of Sound Bowl Healing (IASH)

Hansaji (Guru of The Yoga Institute)

Mrs. Desai, the oldest woman who works at the Institute and has been here for years. She was close with Bob back when he was learning here. She has recommended lots of books for me to read (The Institute publishes their own books based on their own research)

My self- practice in the mornings: meditating, yoga, and a quick workout under the gazebo. Watching the morning sun as it starts to stream in.

Bob (my teacher in the States) 20+ years ago while he was studying at the Institute. They used him as a model for their postures and his pics are still on the walls!

This is Sattvik. He is Hansaji’s Grandson. He is an angel.

The birthday cake they bought me! (There was TWO to feed the whole group of 7-day campers).

Chocolate cake smeared on my face – tradition here in india

ANOTHER birthday cake I got when I went out with friends that night

A little Ganesha statue that one of my friends gave me for my birthday. (We danced in the streets together for the Ganesha Festival, so it was very fitting 🙂 )

A pair of authentic Indian earrings given to me by an older woman and friend in the 7 Day Camp.

The giant Ganesha in the street for the last night of Ganesha Festival