I notice there is a part of me that is a bit apprehensive of going back into my life. Of immersing myself in my routine, which includes a healthy dose of reality shows, Perez Hilton and the Huffington Post. I'm afraid of losing this sweet mango-juice like feeling I have from a week of study with John Friend and Ram Dass in Maui. I guess it's the mind afraid of change. I watched FIERCE GRACE again today (the documentary about Ram Dass, highly recommended) and there's a line where Ram Dass says that "suffering comes when you try to hold on to continuity." So I'm going to trust that I will not lose this feeling and embrace the days as they come. And in an effort to not only share what I've learned but to relieve what happened the last day of John's workshop, here is a recap of yesterday...

John taught a lovely morning practice with the theme of "juiciness" or water. He invoked the elements, in particular the element of water as a way of reminding us to stay fluid, soft and receptive. The poses took on a more circular manner, less linear and rigid. He also has a way of reminding us with specific alignment points how to respect the body so that we don't move against nature. It's funny because I'm having a hard time remembering the specific sequence. Mostly what I remember is how good I felt during and after class. I guess that's the mark of a truly master teacher: when you leave class not in your head but in your heart space. 

That said, there were: 

urdhva dhanurasanas, 

drop backs, 

one armed drop backs, 

headstand drop overs, 

mandalasanas... 

very challenging and lots of fun, and honestly not so intimidating once you were doing it in the moment.

The afternoon class had several inversions in it including headstands and shoulderstand. The afternoon class was about discharging excess vata or air element in us, which can lead to anxiety, worry and stress. We did a five minute shoulderstand which is in my opinion a challenging pose. But John talked about how important it is, how it stimulates the 7 main glands of the endocrine system (pineal, pituitary, thyroid, thymus, pancreas, adrenals and gonads) and when we came out, I really did feel super calm and harmonious. The workshop ended and there was a line to thank John and say goodbye. I hugged him really hard and thanked him. 

I feel that this whole week (the Gita intensive with Ram Dass and the weekend workshop) was my favorite week ever with John. 

I'm curious to start teaching again tomorrow and see if I can somehow channel these wonderful teachings. 

In the meantime, I can't wait to see my teacher again. 

Thank you John. 

Thank you Ram Dass. 

Thank you Maui.