My experience in India
Namaste!
The way to greet each other in Rishikesh India.
The home of yoga, chais, chillums, and chapatis.
A magical place hidden in the Himalayan mountains, vegetarian and alcohol free… The days are spent by the holy Ganga river or taking your shoes off and sitting criss cross applesauce with your friends drinking lemon ginger tea at a cafe.
Just like that my month and a half there has flown by. Yoga teacher certified with expanded knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine and emotional blockage treatments!
Wow I miss it. My heart aches a little thinking I'm not there…
From the start of my trip, the planning and sharing, I had many mixed reviews about India as a destination…
My father's response was “ITS DIRTY THERE!”
A customer I had told me to change my trip because she thought it would be terrible…
Then some told me how I would love the diverse culture.
These people had never been to India, how could I let someone else’s fear stop me? I couldn’t.
The past few years the power of yoga and Ayurvedic medicine changed my life. I went from uncontrollable emotions and anger issues to calm, cool, and collected (most of the time) because of yoga. My ongoing digestive issues and ideas upon life and medicine as a pre-med student drastically changed after reading books on Ayurveda. India had always been calling my name. My favorite movie as a child, The Little Princess, starts out with a young girl living in India…
I began my travels, 2 months in Europe then fly to India for a yoga teacher training. A month into my travels my parents became a bit worried. Booking my flight to India I felt some doubts… Then I met someone, he was living in Berlin for the last 8 years but grew up in India. He went to a school developed by Maria Montessori and Gandhi, such a cool way to endure the first 12 years of schooling. He then went to school for forestry working in the Valley of Flowers in Rishikesh India. We both had similar outlooks on life, ways of living, great connection… Just another sign from the universe I am meant to go to India!
As much as I loved his vibes I continued my traveling around Europe for a few weeks. Before I flew to India I went back to Berlin.. He taught me about the philosophy yoga, Kama sutra, more of the culture of India, what to expect. He made me authentic Indian cuisine on authentic Indian plate ware, he even showed me how they eat with their hands! Great introduction…
After a day or so of traveling from Germany I arrived in India, grateful my yoga studio did pick ups from the airport because the culture shock is real, on top of jet lag. I hopped into my taxi and soon after another classmate joined. She happened to be from Australia, my final destination of this travel session, just another sign from the universe this is where I belong!
Everyone seems to be so friendly and helpful in this area. The food is fresh and the cost of living is very small. They embrace sitting healthfully by taking shoes off and not using chairs, making meal and tea time a meditation.
The shock: The first few days I was exhausted. I recommend sleep, ginger water and boiled water upon arrival until you feel comfortable again. Both help with intestinal discomfort. As a “white” woman I got many natives asking for “selfies” which is funny at first. I was told never to take a picture with a man, what do they do with these photos anyways!? The men stare very intensely but smiles are always around…
They ride mostly on scooters or motorcycles, I took a few rides into the main city on my friends motorcycle. I kept saying to him, “shanti shanti” which means peace, I wanted him to slow down!
Another way to get into the busy main city would be a Tok Tok, a rickshaw type vehicle that costs money per rider, much cheaper than a taxi.
A few friends and I took trips in a Tok Tok, to the main city and to a nearby city of haridwar. Just the ride and seeing the lives of the people was enough for us sometimes. The market life is incredible in the cities, the produce stands, clothes markets, even the local herbalist always seem busy. Some of the local people have very little but are happy. You see people living in huts, carrying heavy loads on their head or back, children trying to have you buy flowers from them or just give them money. Many people will try to lure you into their shops, smile, wave, keep walking. Very little safety precautions there ( Saw a man standing on the ledge of a building painting it in flip flops)…A whole new world a whole new life, everything is different. They don’t even use toilet paper! After a few days it is easy to embrace this beautiful culture and I just wanted to blend in. I learned the eye liner they wear is to protect the eyes from dirt and infections, gave me an excuse to put on eyeliner again! I long to be able to wear an authentic Indian dress someday.
We began our first day of yoga teacher training with a fire ceremony, a way to cleanse and begin anew. Then we jumped right into school. Class would begin at 6 am, we would get an hour for breakfast and 3 hours for lunch, class until 8pm followed with dinner. The classes we had were 3 different asana lessons (anatomy/alignment, hatha and ashtanga) , philosophy/ayurveda, pranayama, shatkarma, mediation, and emotional blockage. I will dive deeper into the classes and knowledge I gained in a different post!
The first two weeks were the most painful. You wake up early and use all you have, yoga, eat, sleep, repeat! It was intense, I was lucky I lived with my very fit friends climbing mountains in Germany before so I was able to keep up! On Sundays we had excursions, a hike to a waterfall, rafting on the Ganga river, a trip to the Beatles ashram, ect. A great way to bond with your classmates and try to rest for the start of another week of yoga. Another reason I love yoga; the community you find from it. I made new friends and had 2 lovely roommates that will forever be in my heart.
Towards the end of the program we started creating and having our own teaching lessons which was fun and of course a bit stressful for some. I found that this place to be so peaceful. I had my credit card information stolen but maintained my calm. Luckily my roommate was from the US and we both use an online payment app, Venmo, I was able to have her take out money for me and pay her back online.
I feel that the school I attended was a bit too much money for what I received. I got a certificate but compared to the yoga my Indian teachers showed me, I felt I had much more to learn… Overall this school gave me community and comfortability. This was a great way to start out in such a diverse culture.
After my yoga teacher training I spent 2 weeks on my own. I found a guest house that offered yoga classes. One of my Indian friends had injured himself and allowed me to teach his yoga classes. The classes were 300 rupees and I would get 100 to 200 rupees which is around $3 per student.
Next time an ashram that offers food or a guest house that has a kitchen might be better for me saving money. I bought all my meals out because they are so good! I bought a water boiling kettle to make teas. The food was incredible although after having authentic Indian at my studio I could tell how touristy the cafe food was. My favorite dish was thali, it is a sample of different dishes with a serving of rice, their fresh bread, chapati, some curd/yogurt, and sometimes a dessert!
Every night before sunset there would be fire ceremonies held at temples, beautiful end to a day. Offerings, chanting, singing, and candles by the holy Ganga river.
When my time came to an end my friend brought me and my back packs on his bike through the jungle to the airport. Which I found out most locals never leave Rishikesh or have been on a plane!
Unfortunately my plane kept saying delayed until they cancelled it at 10 pm, I had no working phone or place to go… As I was in a panic a kind man offered to host me at his family home. There they treated me like a queen, the say “Guest is God”. Even though it was very late they made me chai, gave me cookies and made me a lovely dinner. They gave me a bed and made sure I all I needed. The mother was worried I would be cold and kept bringing me blankets, it was so sweet. In the morning they woke me up with fresh water, then chai and more cookies! A bit after they made me a full breakfast. They made sure before I headed back to the airport they gave a blessing and sent me away with a sari, bracelets, and some money! It was so sweet I was filled with love. I hope someday to repay for their kindness and they said I am always welcome back.
Oh India, if only I did not book my flight to Bali before I experienced your beauty...
I have a 1 year visa to Australia and a much needed trip to spend summer at home (2020), but I already cannot wait until I am able to be back in India. Another trip to the home of yoga and a new adventure to the home of Ayurveda, Kerala, till next time!
