Been here a week now and you have guessed it, it is as magical as ever.

I’m studying with a wonderful man called Tiwari . Everytime he enters the shala you can sense excitement in the air. He watches us all through our pranayama in the morning and afternoon sessions. Leading us through breathing techniques, and never misses a thing…..

We have daily Mysore as well. It’s hot and sweaty and my muscles feel long.

Raw Girl in Japan while studying in Thailand has been eating lots of goodness.

• Wheatgrass and coconut and spirulina in the mornings after practice.
• Variety of juices – cucumber and celery being a firm favorite at present.
• DURIAN…..yes tis the season to eat durian tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.
• Gorgeous red apples.
• MANGOS……

The other night I had to eat some steamed spinach, as I was craving dark greens and spinach was on the menu. Was mixed with coconut oil and nut – and I did enjoy it, but AM NOT GOING BACK TO COOKED FOOD.

Been taking psyillium as well, as I’m a little constipated. Drinking it in hot water.

Had two Thai massages and on Monday my friend and I experienced our first Infra-Red Sauna. Was very HOT. Felt great after, and had the smoothest skin. Said it helps reduce fatty cells. Will report back next week when I’ve had it a couple of more time.

Been doing a lot of thinking while here. Figuring out my direction in Tokyo. Some people have let me down, so am having trust issues at present. Just going to try and make my own way in my fields of interest and knowledge. I have realized that I also need to keep quiet about some of my ideas, as I have discovered some people taking them….Just wish there was more support.

Just allowing the universe guide me. The way it should be.

Yes, I’m back in Thailand. Here for two weeks on a 100 hour pranayama course.  Part of my teacher training, but mainly for me to deepen my own pranayama practice. Will be a tough couple of weeks, but am most excited.

Was out and about today (course starts Monday), and found my durian supplier. Rather than buying a huge durian I purchased a couple of pieces for 50 baht. Will have those for breakfast and then the rest of tomorrow I’m on a 24 hour coconut fast. Something I just want to do while I’m here.

Also purchased a couple of mangos, dragon fruit and apples. Each day I will also have a juice, but as my breathing deepens I want my food a simple as possible.

Also headed to the Spa Village today and was most upset that they had sold out of their raw lasagne and raw pizza…had to go for the raw pad thai in the end, which was a little disappointing.

Bed calls. Saturday 8.20pm – I know how to rock and roll!!

Am flying ANA to Bangkok next month as I return to deepen my yoga with a 100 hour pranayama training.

Anyway, just tried to book a fruit platter and was met with a NO….but they are going to contact the caterers about a special raw, vegan meal. I explained that just fruit (apple, grapes, banana) would be adequate for such a flight and again met with NO….

Am following this up.

….

I’ll be back eating these..

I arrive back in Thailand on Thursday 12th March. Friday 13th will be a coconut detox day.

More yoga work.

Nutrition consultations.

Yoga and food workshops.

Am abundant in health, happiness and love – am just incredibly lucky.

Wanted to share some pictures.

Breakfast at Yoga Thailand

Coconut and Rambatans

Wheatgrass

A plate full of delights

Feels strange. Doesn’t really feel like Christmas, which is kind of nice. If we were in Japan, hubby and I would be working. Yet, there is a little sadness that I’m not with family in the UK. 

We headed out to the mountains to see some waterfalls. There were elephants treks there. Obviously, we didn’t take one as it is cruel. I did see one of the handlers hit one of the elephants with a stick for wandering off track slightly and I nearly burst into tears. The elephants look very sad. I hoped my face spoke to them as they sauntered passed me. I just wanted to set them free amongst the trees. 

Animals are not here for our entertainment. 

Animals are not here to be eaten.

Daily Munchings

The usual – spiralina and coconut, banana

After our climb to the waterfall, we happily drank coconut water and then munched on the meat

Green salad for dinner.

Really not that hungry today. 

My Practice

Was raining this morning, so the heat was different in the shala. More humid and my practice was great. Absolutely loved being on the mat. The pranayama session, just before the asana practice felt more connected. My breath was reaching places it didn’t normally reach. My concentration was deeper -and it continued right into the asana flow. 

Always reaching a new level in a pose, and enjoying the opening of the body. How slow can I take the breath? How far can the body open? How much can I lift my heart?

Learning as always.

Am lucky to have such great teachers.

Will download photos tomorrow. Share some of the magic I am surrounded by.

Am reading The Secret - perfect way to lead into 2009.

Colonic tomorrow.

Enjoy your Christmas everyone.

Hugs to Suvine (you sexy raw girl).

xxxxx

Everyday I choose an angel card. Have been doing so for over a year now. When I travel I take them with me. They speak to me. I learn from them. I like to flick through the pack sometimes and just look at the messages and focus on the pictures. I have a particular way of choosing my daily angel – the way I wish to keep secret, but there is one card that seems to come to me more often than the others and this really has helped me decide on my next venture. A venture essential to yoga, without it there is no yoga. More will be told in my New Year post.

Daily Munchings (wheatgrass and spirulina had run out this morning)

Before practice – 6.00am – MSM in water

Breakfast (10-ish) – Coconut (straight after my practice), 1 banana, Pineapple, ginger and coriander juice (amazing)

Lunch – (2.30-ih) – Apple, celery, carrot and parsley juice – perfect 

Dinner (6.00- ish) green salad and avocado

Am finishing eating before 7, making sure my body has time to digest prior to sleep.

My practice

I felt strong, connected. really flowed with the breath today. Hadn’t felt this strong for a long time. Yes, I have asanas to keep working deeper in, but the natural heat here really helps the body organically melt into a pose, while the muscles stay alive. 

I try and spend more than five breaths in poses where my body needs to open. Sometimes if I’m loving a pose I will spend longer in it. The mysore practice is a self practice. Work with where your body is at. I have never understood why people zoom their way through. Surely they are missing the beauty of the practice. As a teacher, I also listen to my body so I know how to explain deeper details of sensations arising to my students.

Every time I come to my mat I fall in love with yoga a little bit more.

Other things

The food at Yoga Thailand is vegetarian and 98% vegan. Low sugar, low fat. Healthy, organic produce. The first year I came here I was toying with becoming vegan (having been vegetarian for 20 years). The next time I was here I was more or less raw, so the staff would allow me to use the kitchen and use the fruit and veggies to make whatever I wanted. Now with the new place, (and because I am frequently here I think), the chef is playing with some raw recipes, which I have been asked to sample – of course I am happy to oblige. I have already sampled a soup, which was lovely just recommended adding a little bit of tumeric to add a bit of ZING. 

So if anyone fancies a yoga retreat, but are worried about food, please know that Yoga Thailand will accommodate your needs.

I need to sleep now. Up early to meditate and listen to my angel before practice.

xxx 

Yes, I’m home – Koh Samui home, not England home. I’m happy, relaxed and tanned. Still in pain with the rib, easing into my practice. I feel safe here, supported by those around me.

Been eating lots and lots of fruit and want to tell more and post photos, but the wireless connection is very up and down (mostly down). I will post and write all about my healing, fruit adventures, yoga and addiction to raw coconut oil when I get back. xxxxx

Will write more tomorrow. Arrived safely at Yoga Thailand, around 9pm (Thai time). Nice to be back at the place I call my second home. Familiar faces, fresh air, great food. 

Today started with 2 bananas, lunch was a mango juice, mid afternoon a coconut and then this evening I had a pear and two bananas. Drinking lots of water.

Early evening saw be being twisted and flattened as I had a Thai massage.

It’s only 8pm – can see me in bed very soon – all the fresh air has made me sleepy. 

Night nite
x