Woke up energised ready for practice, enjoyed my cycle saw a cute squirel climbing a tree en route.
Just flowing so nicely in class some days are easier than others. A couple of my fellow class mates were asked to help adjust. I think the astanga drug has kicked in again as i was thinking ooooh so glad its not me and i can get to practice.
Hi my name is Jen and i am an Astanga addict…
Thanks guys your adjustments were beautiful. After meditation we did more adjustment training then we did what Michael called a Mysore cube. We all start the practice from where he says (my start point was Surya Namaskara B) and continue untill he tells you to stop and start adjusting the group. Again, so cool to get all those adjustments but it makes you work so much harder, warriors in training. I didnt get called to adjust so at end of my practice i took rest….no no no up up! Start again and keep going….wow an Astanga marathon…
We finished early as we have to meet back at the loft for the evenings Temazcal Ceremonies…
We met back at the Yoga Loft at around 4 30pm and finally set off for the jungle around 5pm.
We drove for around 20mins and arrived at the Sac-be, wow it was spectacular so pretty we walked along a windy path and came to the temple, which we entered and i was speechless. This is all based on a Mayan tradition and…. gave us a talk on it, so interesting and explained the temple and what we were about to do and if you feel u need to escape just sit with it and know its ok. I was bit nervous but mainly so excited and intruiged.
Note the face, eyes, ears and tree of the temple..
We then went down to where they do the fire lighting ceremony to heat the rocks and we were each given some dried tobacco to throw on the fire with our intentions. We then went back to the temple where Michael lead an energy meditation, then it was time to go into the temazcal….
The temazal is round igloo like structule..a hut which is covered with traditional blankets, there is a fire pit in the centre where the heated rocks are placed, there was another innvocation with a drum before we entered. One by one we crawled in and entered clockwise to squeeze up next to each other. Then we waited in anticipation as the first of the 7 heated volcanic rocks were brought in,it was amazing how they glowed in the dark as they came in, copal was sprinkled over for purification and the rocks sparkled as the copal was burnt off leaving a lovely insence aroma. The 7th rock was in and the door closed it was pitch black and we were already sweating before Oscar poured water over the rocks to give even more heat.
Michael then led us in the opening invocation of Astanga, sounded so cool, but started gettting really hot, water just running off me like a river. We chanted and sang and spoke of why we were there, i felt so much overwellming joy and peace. My experience wasnt as challenging as i thought as whenever the heat became too much i lay down where it was cooler.
It was a very energising experience, and no one had to leave the space…..astangi warriors, conditioned by the heat of our practice. Oscar opened the door 4 times for another 7 fresh hot rocks, each time representing a different element…earth, wind,water and fire and each were honoured with a respective chant.
Before i knew it we were done and slowly crawled back out to the cool evening air, we drank water and ate fruit then walked through the jungle to a senote which is a rock pool under a cave, with crystal clear fresh water. We swam in the very fresh water which was invigorating, walked back and ate a bit more then left for home we got back around 1 30am. Michael gave us saterday off..chill time.