Week Three

This week we had our last 3 sessions observing RIMYI teachers, visiting teachers and students in the Medical group. We also enjoyed a special 1 hr session with Raya focusing on working with injuries, specifically knees. All the sessions have been really interesting and so well presented. We practised backbends in asana classes, exploring variations in Sirsanana, both with legs, and arms, and had lots of fun dropping back in Setubhanda Sarvangasana with numerous repeats of Urdhva Dhanurasana using the breath. In Raya's 5.45am class, he had us jumping, and rolling from one asana to another very rapidly. I love the variety in the teaching here.

Pranayama classes were even more fantastic this week but very difficult to summarise here. Lots to take home to practice!

The 50th year of RIMYI began with an Anniversary Celebration Weekend. The Institute was decorated with flowers, leaves and garlands. Many people travelled to attend and a red carpet was rolled out. We began with a question and answer session with Prashantji and Abhijataji on Saturday evening at the Institute. On Sunday we all enjoyed musical entertainment, a variety of dance, an amazing vertical rope sequence by a twice National champion, a children's demonstration which was wonderful, and we also listened to a range of very inspirational speakers. We then shared lunch together in the courtyard.

I collected my tailor made dress and kurti and visited Fab India where I really enjoyed browsing all the clothing and homeware. They offer a rainbow of bright colours, fantastic textile techniques and embroidery. India really is a textiles heaven. I may need another suitcase!

This week I also discovered that Thali is very delicious. It comprises of a bowl of soup, a range of small curry dishes, daal, bread and rice, and a little dessert all on one sectioned plate.