Get ready for Yogi Dayna.....

Hello Everyone!

As of this am I have completed my 3rd private yoga class (which is from 8am-9am...).  All I can say is that I lost every bit of whatever muscle I had attained during my 6 month workout stint...while on the 2 month "off" stint.  I actually thought I was flexible and that it would be easy!  Not!!!  However, I can definitely see how beneficial it can be and am excited to make it my morning ritual.  Luckily for me, the guy that will be my "chaperon" during my 2 weeks of volunteering is a Hatha yoga teacher and said he will teach me every am!!  Should be interesting because it will have to be before breakfast which is at 7:30am--yikes!!!  Seems there is a very good chance I could be coming back to the USA as a "morning" person!!!

So I have really enjoyed my stay here in Pondicherry!!!  It has a huge french influence--I am staying in the French Area which has bougainvillea filled little streets and beautiful old french colonial architecture all with the background of the Bay of Bengal.  However, it is still India which makes for a very contrasting city.   

Yesterday I decided to become a member of the French Alliance Foundation which is across from my hotel ($4 for one month membership).  So last night I saw a film (which was packed with french ex-pats that are now living in Pondi) and then had dinner (just like a typical sun night in NYC).

Today I went to a famous "experimental" community called Auroville.  It is a UNESCO global city that began in 1968 that is self-sustained and sole belief is that we are all one, along with some other major philosophies that are really beautiful and inspiring.

Afterwards...yes, you guessed it....another massage!!  I was determined to not leave Pondi without a proper Ayurveda massage.  So I headed to the Sri Aurobondi Ashram--and Yippie--it was awesome!!!!

Tomorrow I head out to a very cool Eco design resort called Dune Village for the night, then will board an overnight sleeper train to Madurai the eve of Jan 14th (which I am sure will be interesting..hopefully in a good way).   I am again splurging....and will stay at the TAJ Garden retreat for 2 nights...yeeess!!  Now keep in mind, my "splurging" is $100-$150 per night including bksft and taxes).   Oh yeah, I have already accessed a magazine connection (the biggest travel magazine in India) and they have called the Taj to let them know I will be arriving, etc....--YEAH!!

I start my volunteer work on Jan 18-Feb 1.  The organization is called IFFAD. I will be working with two different groups on helping design their artisan's products that are better geared to sell in the western markets.  I am sure the living quarters will be very simple, but am hoping by then--some of my "yogi-ness" will be starting to settle into my "high maintenance" brain.

Namaste,

Dayna