So Sharath has written a new Ashtanga yoga book  (with the help of a couple of his students, whose names I didn't catch). As far as I am aware, this is his first book. He told us about this in the conference yesterday and even made light of some of the then/ now photographs of himself contained in the book. I also believe he said it contained some health related asana -but this could be a "lost in translation" on my part. There are lots of photographs contained in the book-some with him as a young man practising with his grandfather Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. I know this book will go on sale in the Shala in the next few weeks, but not sure when/where it will be on general sale. If you have friends currently in Mysore, get them to pick up a copy for you. I also managed to find the courage to ask a question in that conference yesterday, but that's for another post perhaps.

So after a week or so of practising here in the shale in Mysore, you catch on quickly that massage is going to be part of your weekly schedule (well, it is mine). Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre My first massage this time was at an Ayurvedic spa situated at the foot of the Chamundi Hills. A beautiful location and  really peaceful (also pretty expensive). I've forgotten the name of the treatment I had, but there was a lot of oil involved and a lot of hands. I sloshed about on this very large table, drank an odd drink and was sent on my way looking like I had been put in a chip pan. It was relaxing but not really my kind of thing. All sorts of treatments are available here including Panchakarama, the detox /rejuvenating package. (A wonderful day out but a bit pricey). Indus valley Ayurvedic centre:  www.ayurindus.com Despina Psarra I was then lucky enough to meet the wonderful Despina who is practising yoga in the shala (in fact we met last year). Her massage has real

Loving the t-shits on sale in the shala at the moment. A few of them are going home in my suitcase.

Well, I have been in many rickshaws; some plush, some not so plush. Here are a couple of varying rides... This is the Rolls Royce of rickshaws This one has taken the toilet mat for the front seat look (homely) This one has gone for the Hawaiian adorned goddess look    This one has a very dodgy looking rickshaw driver... Give it a miss.

This is the hand bag/yoga bag I use whilst in Mysore, so it is now referred to as my "Mysore Bag". It was given to me by a dear friend and she knows it comes travelling with me. It's a bit different to a lot of the yoga students bags I suppose, as its not really fit for purpose (i.e. carrying a yoga mat). It does however contain my rupees, my trusty torch, my mosquito zapper, my shala pass and factor 40 face cream. What more does a girl need? It is not really suitable for day to day life in London, but perfect for Mysore and I could step out at any red carpet event here in Gokulam, should I get a last minute invite. Indeed it's wonderful arm candy for sitting in a chauffeur driven rickshaw to loyal world (food shopping, like Waitrose but not). Again, not exactly fit for purpose but it is a beautiful bag. So if you see this bag wandering around in India, please say hello to its owner :-)  If Lulu Guinness does a remake of this bag or one sim

Okay, I'm going to have a bit of a moan here... I have worked really hard to get myself to Mysore this year (much like a lot of people). Indeed, I wasn't even sure I would be able to get on the flight, as I was awaiting some pretty significant test results (which thankfully came back all clear). I landed in Mysore exhausted and with stitches in a wound in my chest. This is not my moan, this is just life stuff and we all come to Mysore with a story to tell. My point being I'm VERY grateful to be here. I get up really early for a 6am led class. I get up at 4am and potter about for a bit then go and sit quietly outside the shala. My moan is the people who turn up and talk about the most banal stuff whilst waiting. I'm not talking about the polite whispered "good mornings" people share. Today's loud conversation really took the biscuit... "If you were a piece of fruit what would you be?" or "if you were a painting?" blah, blah, blah... D