How to be best friends.

One of my bestests from university days came to visit me in Dubai. I've had many visitors in the past, but this is the first real one for me.

Dubai is so appealing to the untrained eye. I can easily see me frolicking here until I see Carlyn get approached by a man in a white kandoora at the end of the night. It's all fun and games until someone takes you seriously.

On top of going down the tourist route, I gave Car a trip to the yoga room. Joumana led a level 1 class and Carlyn tried yoga for the first time ever. As a dancer and an athlete,  she found the ashtanga sequence challenging in a good way. I hope she gets into ashtanga when she gets back home! It was great to have her energy around me for a week.

And for me? Back to meditating about life, some serious prayer and a 60 day yoga challenge. Considering that I'm feeling super alone at home after my brother and bestie gone within a day of each other,  I neeeeed some self love.

Next post will give deeeeets. Ashtanga to a new level. It's on.

How to never give up but always let go.

Prarista Pachottanasana A or Wide legged forward bend. One of my favourite poses. This is not one of those things that just happen one day. I am just plain grateful for what I CAN do rather than where I want to be. Today, I slept in and skipped morning Mysore practice to make up for a shitty night and a weird weekend. Sometimes having a "life" is overrated. Everytime I feel like I don't go out enough or party or "relax" with a drink or two, I need to remind myself that it is so superficial. This weekend was one of those reminders. And I love my no-life life. 

Give and give and expect nothing back. Practice non-attachment. 

 "abhyasa vairagyabhyam tat nirodhah"

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras 1.12

how to OMMMMM

I bought a Groupon deal for 20 hot yoga sessions with a friend of mine. She has been on a quest to lose weight / get fit even though she is probably less than 90pounds (40kgs). Though I've dabbled in hot yoga before and not really loved it, I took this as a challenge to add to my Ashtanga practice and support a friend.

Yesterday was our first session at Fitness 4 Life in Dubai Silicon Oasis. I got through the 90 minutes session in a 40 degree room with ease. I even surprised myself when I wished it was a little more challenging.

This, my friends, is what Ashtanga does to you. This was my defining moment realizing that the Ashtanga practice is one of the most challenging and energized of them all. Hot yoga, Power yoga, Vinyasa flow, 90 minutes, nothing can wear me out like the primary series with all those vinyasas.

This past weekend, I was surrounded by fellow fit Ashtangis at a workshop at Yoga Room Dubai. The bodies that have been trained by this practice are truly refined and I can't wait to get older for this one reason. You see Mark Darby (probably in his early 70s) bringing his elbows to the floor in Uttanasana and it's so exciting!

When Darby lets out his "ommmm" at the beginning and end of a led class, the deepness of the sound resonates through your entire body and mind. I challenge you not to love Ashtanga.

Darby and his wife Joanne examine our Urdhva Dhanurasanas after giving us some helpful adjustments/ tips.

Like, Really. "How to hinge at your hips"

All of us AFTER the last day of back-bending. Spot me :)

 You can find more photos here.

A HUGE thank you to Joumana. She flew in the Darbys from Montreal for us!! Founder of Yoga Room, my light into Ashtanga and a good friend. Love you! 

xoxo