Moving here!!!
With only a few months of yoga experience (I had never heard of Ashtanga or Hatha - so, yeah…that kind of few) I decided to travel all the way to Rishikesh to follow the 200 hours course. Not with the intention to become a teacher, but just to learn more. And I absolutely did. All the angsty cliches were there: Will I be physically able to do it? Will I fit in? Will I even like it? Yada yada yada….And - big shocker! - the answers were ‘yes’. Everybody was so kind and welcoming. They all knew my name and chatted with me in the common areas. I felt very at home. I made friends here that I absolutely want to stay in contact with. I miss them already. And, no, I couldn’t do a headstand on the first day there, but you don’t even have to. You start from the very beginning, gradually working towards the more advanced asanas (I’m looking at you, crow pose). I felt my body getting stronger every day and by the time we attempted these postures, we all were surprised by our own abilities. The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and diverse in their style of teaching. Yet every class was a nice balance of serious, formal lecturing while maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere. Classes did not feel like an obligation, you want to attend and learn from them. If I could’ve stayed for the 300 hours course, I would’ve done it in a heartbeat. But I couldn’t, which means I have a great excuse to come back next year and visit Rishikesh and Vinyasa Yoga Ashram again. <3 And I honestly can’t wait. In the meantime I will continue to delve into the yogic discipline with as much zeal as I’ve felt this last month. PS. I’m good at volleyball. (Pradeep made me say it)