Iyengar is My Homeboy

“I was in yoga the other day. I was in full lotus position. My chakras were all aligned. My mind is cleared of all clatter and I'm looking out of my third eye and everything that I'm supposed to be doing. It's amazing what comes up, when you sit in that silence. 'Mama keeps whites bright like the sunlight, Mama's got the magic of Clorox 2.' -Ellen DeGeneres 

I have been studying Hatha yoga for about 6 months now. I have an amazing Yogi, Lynn, who has worked so hard and been so patient in teaching me the ways of one of the world's oldest forms of physical and mental discipline. It's a miracle she did not kick me out of our first session because I would not stop talking. I'm still quite talkative and ADHD durring our sessions, but, I must say, I have come a long way since day one. 

A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to study yoga in Thailand. So Lynn helped me look at various yoga facilities online, and we finally decided on one that was reasonably priced and in line with the same form of yoga on which we had been focusing, which is a combination of Hatha and Iyengar yoga. 


There are about 12 various types of yoga, but I really enjoy Hatha yoga because it is very slow-paced and relaxing. It reminds me a lot of ballet because many of the positions are similar, with Sanskrit names instead of French. (By the way, and I'm not bragging because that would go against all my yogi's teachings, but I can name about twenty different poses in Sanskrit. That's right! What up? High fives!)


So let's step into the present. I'm leaving tomorrow for Karuna Meditation Center. It is located in Nakatini village, on the island of Phuket, Thailand. I hope to spend a few days relaxing through yoga and meditation and exploring. I even plan on doing some hiking. What? Don't act like I am not Little Miss Sunsine when hiking! OK, so maaaaybe I turn into a monster when inclines are involved. And maaaaybe I tried to hail a cab while hiking up Namsan Mountain. And maaaaaybe I develop tourette's syndrome and curse everyone around me. But as long as I avoid inclines (I'm not lazy, just allergic) I will have a lovely time.


I won't lie. I'm very excited to learn yoga and meditation in Thailand. The facility is run by former monks, so I don't think one can find better teachers, but let's be honest. I'm gonna need a muzzle. I'm a complete chatterbox, and some people take a vow of silence before coming to the center. After five minutes with me, their ears will be bleeding, and they will be demanding refunds! And can I just say that if I took a vow of silence for this trip, I would explode and quite possible take a monk or two down with me! 


The best part, however, is I get to check two things off my bucket list!

• Ride an elephant in the jungle.
• Go to the island where The Beach was filmed.

That's right, people! Have you seen The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio? Well, if not, then you need to watch it ASAP, so that I may be the envy of all. Again, very un-yoga-like, but in the words of the great Kathy Griffin "SUCK IT!" I'm going to Phi Phi Leh Island!!!!! (It was also the setting for the James Bond flick, The Man with the Golden Gun.)

The Phi Phi Islands are very short taxi and  ferry ride away from the Center, so I am going to dedicate one day to exploring the islands then joining an elephant ride through the jungle of Phuket. All other days will be reserved for relaxing at the Center. I have a very hard life, I know. 

Now, I'm going to be perfectly honest for a bit. This is the circle of trust, right? A part of me is a bit nervous about Karuna Meditation center. Take a minute to click on the link and check out the website. It looks glorious, doesn't it? Well, I think it, like most websites, is a bit misleading. Alright, I KNOW it is.

After, and only after, viewing the website, read the following review I found online:

"The beautiful beach mentioned on their website is about 20 minute walk but once you get to KYMC they tell you that they don’t recommend women to walk there alone! You can however use the resort private beach across the road (5 minutes). Sometimes they can pose problems as you are not staying at the resort but be nice to them and with soft dialogue you should be fine. It also helps saying you are staying at KYMC.
There is also a swimming pool at Nakatani Village. It is not from KYMC but shared by all people that live at this condominium. Although at the time I was there, it was almost always empty, I can imagine it gets very busy in the high season.

When it comes to yoga, ignore the pictures on their website. It’s not done by the beach or any other fancy place. It either at the yoga sala by the pool (nice area) or indoors if raining. While I was at KYMC there were only classes at 11:00. No 17:00 class as advertised (never).
However, yoga classes are great and the teacher, Julie, is phenomenal. Everyone that came to yoga classes praised the classes and the teacher. She is an energy booster! Julie adapts to all levels and follows everyone individually making sure they are doing stuff right and that they are neither overdoing or are under doing. The yoga practiced at KYMC is Ashtanga primary series. Yoga is Monday to Friday. Some Saturdays as well but not Sundays.

As to meditation itself, there is only one guided meditation followed by teachings – Monday to Sunday. All other session are not guided. You join in when you want and you leave when you want. I will not comment on these as it’s really very personal. Some people find the talks very useful others not so much. Some find them ‘enlightening’ others negative and almost frustrating. It depends on what you are expecting and what your previous experience is."

At first, I was a bit upset that I had wasted my money on this trip, which is nonrefundable. Then my great friend Matt said "Swilley, no one has more fun than you." Which I hope is true. Even if the experience is miserable, I know I will be able to laugh about it, during and after, and it will turn into one hell of a blog! In the summer of 2008 I slept on the ground for two weeks in the Dominican Republic with tarantulas and mosquitoes the size of my head all around. Anything feels like the Hilton after that! So I secretly kind of hope that things are a bit odd because those make the best stories and memories.

One last thing before we say goodbye. There are no room keys at the center. That's right. There are no locks on the doors. Again, at first, I was a bit less than happy. Then I talked to Yogi Lynn, and she assured me that I would be safe, and that "no locks" are representative of a peaceful, trusting environment. Next Tom put his two cents in by saying something about a locked door being a metaphor for a locked mind. I wasn't really listening. After "sweaty cup," I think we've all learned to take his information with a grain of salt. (What does that even mean, by the way?) Later, Matt assured me that I would be perfect safe because anyone who came into my room to kill me would see me with my CPAP mask on and assume that I was already half dead. Did I mention, I love my friends?  


Anyway, I'm pushing my bed against my door when I sleep. End of story. Does that mean my mind will be open or locked? Maybe just inhospitable? Something to ponder, indeed!

Until next time, sawaddee ka!