Welcome back old friend...

Photo: ombites

It's time. I've been itching to get the words down and having a outlet to do it. A friend suggested I start blogging, ha...so welcome back old friend.

The most significant thing that has happened since January is that I am now single after 9 years. This only happened several weeks ago. It has been seriously quite incredible and the most amicable break up I have ever had. We love each other dearly but our love just became a different kind of love. We know each other far too well to want to hold each other back or even hurt one another so really, how very adult. A little sad for both of us because we will lose each other to silence while we adjust, but also very exciting. For the moment we are still living together.

Now fast forward a couple of weeks, from a few too many days/nights drinking and obliterating ourselves while being completely indulgent and a little too naughty (me, in a different state), to today. The day after the first Jivamukti Yoga Sydney immersion. Jivamukti Yoga Sydney is now official. And it's nice to be back. It's nice to be back in Sydney and it's nice to be back to where my heart, mind (and body) belongs - yoga!

This past week we were blessed and honoured to have David Life and Sharon Gannon (Jivamukti Yoga founders) and Yogeswari (Senior Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher) come to Australia and guide us through a 5 day immersion. Our own teachers likened it to a mini yoga teacher training so you can imagine, it was intense - think 10 hour days with asana, chanting, meditation and scripture. It was brilliant and overwhelming. I am still processing it all and will be processing it for a long time to come. If anything, the immersion has reinforced how real and a part of my life yoga is - living and breathing it, even when I fall off the wagon. I won't write too much more about it because it could go on for pages and pages but here are my Facebook updates to give an idea of how I felt each day.

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion - Day 1 - Facebook Status - 04/04

On the path of an early morning meander (photo of a sign that said FREE)...maybe a sign of what's to come this week - yogash chitta vritti nirodhah ||2||. Of course only after all the challenges, breakdowns, lightbulb moments and love that comes with a week long Jivamukti yoga immersion, and will continue to happen well after the immersion is over.

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion - Day 2 - Facebook Status - 05/04

Realised she's only scared because she stopped breathing. We come into life w/ an inhale, we go out of life w/ an exhale. Keep it constant and strong. Best ujjayi breathing session ever, thank you Yogeswari Azahar. To KE for being my breathing partner + SJP for getting me up into my first dishevelled handstand, love. Bring on Day 2 x

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion - Day 2 - Facebook Status - 05/04

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion ~ Day 2 reflection. When in doubt, "On this path effort never goes to waste and there is no failure. Even a little effort will protect you from the greatest fear (death)." BG:2:40

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion - Day 3 - Facebook Status - 06/04

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion ~ Day 3. Reflection after another 10 hour day. Spiritually sunburnt but after the burn (and layers shed) comes that golden glow, right? Another gem, "How we treat others will determine how others treat us. How others treat us will determine how we see ourselves. How we see ourselves will determine who we are."

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion - Day 4 - Facebook Status - 07/04

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion ~ Day 4. Felt like a total yogi fraud today. David Life gave some serious adjustments + then there were silent tears. Practice is nowhere near potential, physically or mentally - humbling. Magic is a shift in perception, right? At first you can't do but then you can...it just takes a little more effort and grace. It's not all about the asana either. This practice challenges your whole being.

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion - Day 5 - Facebook Status - 08/04

Jivamukti Yoga Immersion ~ Day 5. To conclude, but it never really ends. Yoga is not for everyone but if you want answers to your questions, get on the mat + just do your practice. Discover it for yourself. Jivamukti Yoga Sydney + to our blessed teachers, much love + thanks x

So welcome back old friend...let's see how this journey unfolds now that I am single (and want to be single) and yoga will be my primary focus. The aim is to attend Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training in New York in 2012.

** Oh, and I tried power yoga for two weeks and loved it. Learned to love the hot room and will go back again but my true love is still with the Jivamukti Yoga method. It's nice to mix it up a bit though and try different methods. I have met so many more wonderful yogis this way and starting to feel more of that "global community" thing happening where it doesn't matter what race, religion....or type of yoga you do - we all want the same thing ultimately, liberation.

So now I've got some blog reading catch up to do....I wonder who's still around...