One down...

So I went to Kripalu. 3 nights, and what added up to 3 days (half-day, two full days, half-day).

I loved it. I went thinking I would have a real issue being around all sorts of people (crowds, even) that I'd never met... I'm not always good at making friends or being social, at least not on my own. I usually find a person to latch onto, and they sort of create a barrier for me - well, maybe not a barrier, but a buffer.

As it turned out, when I sat down at dinner, it didn't take long before a couple sat down near me and introduced themselves. I thought it was very kind of them. Saw them a few more times over the days I was there, and they always said hello and asked how things were going. I even spoke to my roommates: met a teacher and a massage therapist, one there for R&R (like me), and one there for a workshop that had something to do with hip alignment.

I went in the sauna and the whirlpool (I need one of each...), walked the labyrinth, got myself out of bed EARLY and went to a yoga class (that only happened on day 1), took a short hike (which I almost regret... the weather was probably the hottest week all summer, so it was still 90 degrees in the early evening when I went), and ate a TON of wonderful foods. I learned about Ayurvedic science, had an Ayurvedic oil treatment (massage... it was pretty great), learned a little about Qi-gong, a little about cooking vegetables, a little about kirtan, aaaaaaaaaand came home feeling pretty grounded and kick-started to turn things around.

I've spent my summer so far lazing about, which I deserved, but isn't a habit to dwell in for two months before returning to "real life" (teacher, remember?). So, the goal I came home with was to get up and go to bed at a decent hour. In addition, I'd really like my kitchen table to be clear... you know, so I can eat off of it... it's currently piled high with papers, most of it mail.

Tomorrow will be my first experiment in cooking millet. While I was at Kripalu, it was served for breakfast like a porridge, but I think I'll cook it up so it's more like rice. We'll see what happens!

I also learned some new words, like "jai bhagwan". It's interchangeable with Namaste in some places, and one of the translations is "May the divine in you be victorious." I like it.

Jai bhagwan, everybody!