Ananda Yoga

Michelle writes:
I'm now at my next yoga experience.  We arrived outside Kathmandu on the mountainside, above the pollution and noise.  

It's an older place with just a Turkish toilet in the room and no sink. All these places are in varying degrees of primitive. 

There is only one other woman here: Caroline, from Australia. She has been here for the month for teacher training.  I'm glad to have someone to talk to and get the low down. The main yoga instructor has been sick for several days and has been to the hospital for testing, but they can't determine what it is, so I'm not sure what the classes will be like.

Gunga taught this morning's class: breathing and gentle yoga. I'm sure it's hard to be getting new people and trying to teach to their level. Caroline is finishing her instruction tomorrow, so they are covering lessons for her. It's approximately $900 for the teacher training, less than half of what it is in the States. I had to pay for my days up front, which is not typical, and it causes me a little concern, as the instructor is ill. 
This morning we chanted and kirtan.* The cool mountain air is so pleasant after the heat of Lumbini. 

Every place is unique, with its own special experience. The people are warm, and the other travelers are a great source of information as they share stories of their travels. There are no expectations, no worries--all that is lost energy--we're chanting and raising consciousness.

*Cheryl's note: According to Wikipedia, Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tablas, the two-headed mrdanga or pakawaj drum, and karatal hand cymbals.