Four month debrief

Just over four months into my journey, although I feel this is not really like a travel blog, more of an online diary of a YOGIC journey. Or really just an online diary! So if you are happy reading the complete, and somewhat insensible ramblings of an ageing yogi - read on!

It feels like so much longer than four months, I have learnt so much more about Yoga, and what it means to me than I expected. Actually I'm not sure what I expected, some answers yes, I have found myself to be stronger than I thought (but this was a lesson in self discovery I started back in September 2014) and way more independent than I ever thought possible. I have discovered that I really like my own company, in fact I feel I am in danger of preferring my own company to that of others at the moment! - note to self, must get out more!

Where it all began...

My body continues to amaze me with it's ability to get stronger, and more flexible and I certainly feel the fittest I've ever felt in my entire life. I don't want to harp on and on about the benefits of yoga but it really, REALLY works for me. And not only on the physical level, but I have already written on the mental level. The ability to stay calm in stressful situations I attribute soley to my yoga practice. Yoga is not just exersice for me now, it's a way of life, nay, a lifestyle. And with this comes less the urge to have the cutest yoga pants and take instagram selfies but more to delve into the self and challenge what you find there.

Feel like dancing...woo hoo

My travels so far have taken me to India, Thailand (well Koh Phangan) and a quick jaunt to Kuala Lumpar. I am now planning a short break (read visa run) to Bali, to hopefully get back on a surfboard and see how that is after almost a year's break! So far, my favourite place has been Mysore, but not just the city, it;s the Ashtanga Yoga and the magic that happens there which is difficult to put into words. You'll just have to go find out for yourself or take my word for it!

Me! Post hair cut on way to beach = happy Claire

Travelling solo is both exhilarating, liberating and lonely in equal measures. I have the luxury of having some of my oldest and dearest friends here on the island, and this was of course a big factor in deciding to move here, I also am pretty good at chatting (yes those of you who know me know I can talk the hind legs of a donkey) and therefore find it very easy to socialise at the retreat with all the guests and have met some lovely people here.  I have also met so many solo female travellers and they are inspirational.

Squad Goals

And then there is the beauty in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Phangan. It's and island of hedonism and spirituality. It's beautiful beaches and fierce jungle. It's hot sunny days, and more recently heavy tropical downpours. I have to say I like the slight drop in temperature (about 28-32 degrees when raining) but I am getting a little frustrated with flies and those pesky, potentially dangerous mosquito's. So bring the gruelling heat back please - and if anyone has any tips on how I can bathe in a natural mosquito repellent that last all day and actually works, please message me!

Temple 

Home

Front Garden

The final thing I would like to add to this quarterly summary is that I have discovered not only do I need food to survive and supply my body with energy but I really do get pleasure from eating. My diet changed when I started living the single life, I became a 5:2 vegetarian and now I am almost no meat, but still eat seafood. I find this diet gives me energy, makes me feel better 'in myself' and maintain a healthy weight. And since the detox I have cut down drastically on snacks and alcohol, and caffeine but not completely, those things still have a place in my life just not as much!

Seafood Salad

Chia and Mango Pudding

Glorious veg and rice

Aubergine Salad

Friday's Indian Buffet

Vegetable Wraps

Just some of the amazing food choices I have here and what I eat on a weekly basis. I am keen to look into nutrition and very interested in food that heals. So this could become my new 'hobby'

If I would like you to take one thing away from this post it's that YOU are capable of anything you want, and whatever it is you want, go out and get it. Don't just dream about it - make it YOUR reality. I have been reading many travel blogs recently and particularly liked a post in one that mentioned would you still do you job if you didn't get paid for it? If the answer is yes, congratulations, if it's no, then change it. One of my favourite quotes at the moment is from Walt Whitman -

'Do whatever, just let it produce joy' 

I hope that reading this inspires you to get off your butts and go out and do something! Let it produce joy for you and yours, make your life mean something to you, and please please do not get caught up in the trap of working to live. 

Until next time - NamaSLAY xxx

Staying in Thailand!

So readers, friends and family, it's been a while since I have posted about how hard beach life is and how living on a island you have plenty to choose from!

I have some news so thought it worth a blog post, plus will try to endeavour to post more frequently my thoughts and musings even if my day does mainly consist of yoga and beach.

EAT, YOGA, BEACH REPEAT.....

Back to the news - I'm staying in Thailand! I've handed in my notice! (for those of you who remember this little yoga jaunt I'm on is officially a sabbatical) After some deliberation I decided that my life right now is here on the island and that for the same reasons I requested a sabbatical I cannot return to my life as a lecturer/curriculum leader in rainy old Gloucester City.

I have had some amazingly rewarding times at GC and loved spreading my love for dance and the theatre to the young people of Gloucestershire, but the way the education system is currently set up in the UK is frustrating and life became more about retention and whether a student was attending a Maths or English class than whether indeed they could have the skills to give them a future in performing arts. This sad fact and the fact that after 9 years I had had enough of working in a low pay public sector role have made the decision to stay on at the Yoga Retreat a very easy one.

As I sit here writing on my new balcony (Thai version of living room) after my morning Mysore style practice I can hardly believe my luck of where my life is today.

Home for now

Being at the retreat I am still getting the same gratification of seeing people's lives change for the better, and that is the rewarding thing about this job. That and the sea view. And the beaches. And the healthy amazing food, ok so a little more than the gratification of helping change peoples lives!

Sophie the cat assisting me in one of my Yin Classes

I'm on the most part a sociable person so meeting people from all over the world is a wonderful daily activity. Hanging out at breakfast with guests, the talk is often of yoga, which is fine but also we have lots of laughs and giggles at other random topics.
My free time has now just gone up a notch as I have moved into my own little bungalow on the hill overlooking the beach at Haad Salad.
The sea view reminding me that whilst I deeply miss the folks back home this experience is what I was seeking, the ease and simplicity of island life. The shedding of the ego and material wants. The being content with what you have, and where you are right now.

View through the trees to the sea (trees give good shade means cool house!)

My yoga practice is getting stronger, and this in turn is making me a better teacher, more on this in next post :)

So, dear readers, those of you that are friends and family it would be amazing if you could start saving up your coppers and come over to visit, take a course, maybe a detox, or simply just hang out at the beach to catch the greatest show on earth....with a ice cold beer of course! Come and visit me, cause I'm not sure when I'll be back!!

The Greatest Show on Earth (that I didn't choreograph!)

Food - GLORIOUS Food

A summary of food choices and delights in India - I'm basing this in Mysore/Karnataka as Goa has world cuisine and an abundance of seafood on offer.

Dosa’s

Masala Dosa the breakfast of India, a light pancake made from rice and lentil flour, filled with a potato and onion mix and served with a coconut and sometimes-spicy red salsa.

Much talk of the ‘best’ and ‘secret’ dosas can be had amongst the Ashtangi’s in Mysore, and many favour the ones from Mylari, I however and not a big fan of pancakes, especially thick ‘American’ style ones so this was not my favourite venue, my favourite was the ‘secret’ breakfast spot in Laksmipurum (so secret I cannot even tell you the name or location) and the ones served in either Shri Durga places.

Idly

Small flat mounds of black lentils and rice, tasteless apart from the sambars they are served with, are low in calories and plain enough for even the most sensitive of stomachs. In fact these are recommended to eat if you do suffer from the inevitable tender tummy in India

Thali

Thali is the name for a small selection of dishes served with rice, breads, chutney’s and even a sweet. They are the best value for money nutritious dish you can get and most places will keep replacing the rice and side dishes until you can no longer eat! Obviously we are practicing self-restraint so sometimes even one is too much. The side dishes usually include a vegetable palva, a dhal, curd, a sambar and a vegetable ‘curry’. South Indian ones with have quite liquidy dishes and North Indian tends to be richer and creamier. You have lots of rice and normally a roti, chapatti and poppadum to scoop the liquids on or in to. Most notable of the Thali’s I had was the North Indian Thali in Sixth Main and the Organic Thali in Dhatu’s but I honestly never had a bad one.

Home cooked Thali

(See cookery class post)

The best food I had in India was definitely from one of the houses that open their doors to us westerners to sample the home cooked Thali. Normally including the same kind of dishes and sides as the restaurant ones but much fresher and tastier and with salads of beetroot, cabbage and carrots making it an even healthier option.

To choose one over the other would be unfair, as they all offer stunning food and welcoming, sociable atmosphere’s to eat them in. Anu’s, Manjula’s, Sanjit’s you can find them all over Gokulum and Laksmipurum so it’s up to you to go hunt them down and enjoy!

Dhal after Dhal after Dhal

If I had to choose one dish to eat for the rest of my life I think Dhal would be in the top 3! I just love the creamy goodness of lentils and spices marinated together, and with the added bonus of being low calorie, its just sublime.

Dhal Fry, Chana Dhal, Dhal Makhani, just keep ‘em coming. With rice or roti, or chapatti, or all three or alone I don’t mind. I just LOVE dhal.

Western ‘Yogi’ Food

There are plenty of cafes frequented by the Yogi’s of Mysore for healthy yogi friendly breakfasts and brunches. Especially popular after conference they serve scrumptious smoothies for your post practice protein hit, omelette’s for another protein hit loved by the non vegans, pretty fruit salads, and if you have a sweet tooth plenty of crepes too!

My favourite place for this was Anokhi Garden, owned by the gorgeous Marie Lovato, and staffed by the happy crew of yogis and locals in the kitchen.

There is nothing on this menu I don’t like, but highlights have to be Flora’s fruit salad and the fancy porridge.

Coconuts

Not really a food, but has to have a mention, the coconut guys stand outside the shala’s expertly cutting the tops off the fresh coconut so that you can rehydrate after class, or at any time of the day.

You can ask for them to be opened so that you can also eat the silky flesh inside for even more nutrition.

At 20p a pop it’s the cheapest way to stay hydrated in this stifling heat.

Chai

Whether masala or plain, the milky tea that is India’s number 1 drink is my new addiction (well I did give up alcohol and coffee!)

A small ‘shot’ glass will cost you around 10 rps

Not to be confused with the never to be drunk again Chai Lattes we have in the UK.

Best ones for Masala made by the wonderful Shanta at the KinoTim house.

Best plain from Amruth.

I would say after yoga, food is the next best bit about Mysore – and India and as those of you who know me, and my Instagram account, one of my most favourite subjects!

Bon Appetite!