The end of the course

There were many things about the course which surprised me; the strict timetable, the fact we had to ask for a pass to leave the premises, the number of lovely people on my course, the fact a role call number was called out at random during Satsang (blimmin Satsang) so that person had to lead a chant (nerve racking - thankfully I escaped selection) but nothing surprised me more than the behaviour of some of the teachers at the end of the course. Two in particular, Mani (Director of Yoga) and Sri Nagarajji (lecturer in Bhagavad Gita).

At school  there were always certain teachers who struck a cord with the students. Mani and Sri Nagarajji were clearly the two favourites. Mani because he seemed to get the mood of all us and aside from the fact his yoga classes were utterly amazing; in terms of developing our flexibility but also challenging us in standard and advanced asanas but in judging the mood of the 'people' he always managed to have a story up his sleeve which would totally sum up how we were feeling and cheer us up at the same time. 

At the end of our last asana class he prostrated in front of us. Apologised if he or anyone else had done anything to offend us during our time at the ashram but explained they were trying to teach us how their masters (Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnu Devananda) taught them but they are human and not perfect so naturally can make mistakes. People were crying - it was pretty moving.  

Sri Nagarajji was just a whole bunch of cuteness. He was in his 80's, very active, wore little round rimmed glasses and was about 5.5 - like a little pocked sized chant box - he adored chanting and the Bhagavad Gita scriptures too. He loved to chant them. He was utterly thrilled when we joined in. How could you not when he was so enthusiastic about them. At the end of our last lecture we stood up and gave him a standing ovation - he cried. Like Mani, he apologised if he'd made any mistakes during the course. Again, more tears. A little lesson acceptance there along with how demonstrate complete humility.

It was Sri Nagarajji who gave me my certificate when I PASSED THE COURSE. Yes, I made it. I'm now a qualified yoga teacher. Very pleased with myself especially when I picked up a leaflet advertising yoga classes which read 'trained in the gulakula system (tick), in-depth knowledge of main yoga scripture, Bhagavad Gita (tick) and yoga philosophy (tick), trained at a world famous ashram (tick, tickety, tick). I must admit it felt rather good.

I never, ever thought I'd be a qualified yoga teacher - oh, the irony. I used to snigger at people practicing yoga on the beach - no I do it myself! Hahaaa. If someone had told me before I left for my big trip in July 07 that eighteen months later I would be spending a month in an ashram and come out a qualified yoga teacher I would've pissed my pants laughing, sparked up another fag and downed whatever cocktail I drinking at the time or a vodka tonic out as the mere thought would've made me nervous. When I left the UK for my big trip I had a bottle of vodka under my arm - I returned to the UK nearly a year later not drinking or smoking with a yoga matt! It brings an ironic smirk to my face every time I think about it.

So aside from gaining a qualification, learning how to pronounce Sanskrit (traditional Indian language, with 52 letters in the alphabet so totally different sounds), extensive knowledge about my own behaviour, thought patterns, ego (finally admitted I have one) and becoming more disciplined than I could ever have possibly imagined (I wake up at 530am to meditate and practice yoga before I teach my first class - er, hello?!) I also met some incredible people and made some life long friends. In fact it's not until after a month later, now I'm writing this, that I'm starting to fully appreciate how many ways I benefited from the course.

I was told a number of times the course would change me - I completely under estimated just how much it could and did. A transformation no less? You'll have to see that for yourselves but I certainly feel a whole lot different.

OOoommmmmmmm

(still got my sense of humour though!! LOL)