First full day at Phool Chatti.
Day starts at 5.30am. I was the bell ringer for the day so was my responsibility to get everybody up.
6-6.30am Meditation
6.30-7-30 chanting and breathing exercise after a quick cleansing using a little jug style thing that you put up your nostril and pour water into your sinuses till it comes out the other side. Not entirely unpleasant when you get used to it but takes a bit of practise.
7-30-9am Hatha Yoga, a really strong class taught by the venerable Lolita Ji. "Move and Stretch your body", "Breath! no hold you breath". The laughing yoga was great even though she is no stand up comic. By end of class I'm well worked.
9am Breakfast at last. Porridge, bananas, mangoes and honey oh my!
10.30 2 hour meditation walk. Walked to a waterfall near by. The walk was lovely and the waterfall was a really treat at end of a hot hike. There was lovely little pools and caves to paddle in and the cooling cascade was delightful. The waterfall was not a raging torrent but it was was surrounded by moss covered rocks and limestone formations in this jungle. Birds and monkeys going about their business in the trees and butterflies the size of butterflies flew around us. A waterfall like most others but a fresh peaceful place that does make a sound in the jungle even when your not there, has been for millenia and will do so long after we're gone.
12.30 Lunch at last. More great food cooked up by Ram. We file into the dining hall and sit on the ground. The boys come along and serve us rice, Dal or whatever the daily dishes are out of their steal buckets. Coming around topping you up when your dish empties till you have to say "no more, no more!"
4-5.30 Astanga yoga, as the morning but different style and about 30c+ in the room. Lolita Ji working us skillfully just to our limits.
5.30-6 breathing exercises
6-8 discussion and evening prayers (not one for praying so sit this one out)
8 Dinner at last, like lunch but different delicious food.
8.30-9 Meditation to the sound of the river and the gentle wind.
Bed, sleep, darkness to do it all over again everyday for the next week.
