Pages

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Lost in Eco Village Wonder amongst the Hare Krsnas in Peru


A 'truly' is a dome shaped sustainable building made out of mud and love.
Arriving at Eco Truly Park was like taking a big breath of fresh air in my life.  When had I become so serious, or at least decided to take myself so seriously? Why was I so wound up and didn't even realize it? Well everything about this wonderful sanctuary of a place allowed me to unwind completely, to utterly relax, to breath space into my lfie and and to find a natural ebb and groove of day to day living.

Volunteer accommodations.
Some of the bio-huertos,
or ecological gardens.
Eco Truly Park is an ecological, artistic, and self sustaining community that lies on Chacra y Mar Beach, about an hour and a half north of Lima.  It was founded 25 years ago by a Hare Krsna who wanted to start something for himself and for his followers, and really for all people to come and enjoy. And boy did he! This holistic, health driven community is based upon living happily amongst nature and the Vaishnava principles of non-violence, community, harmony, service, yoga and LOVE (this also includes vegetarianism, no drugs, no caffeine).


Having fun with the serpent slide!
A typical day is as follows... Temple starts at 4:30am and is completely optional (I made it once!), it's primarily for the Hare Krsna devotees who live on the farm more or less full time. Yoga is at 7 and was with a ride range of teachers from the beautiful Elisabeth to the local Limeña who came up to teach for the weekend. Breakfast is at 8:30 and volunteer services start at 10ish. Volunteer services range from working in the garden, helping out in the kitchen, being creative in the arts and crafts workshop, and much more.  Lunch begins around 2 and the afternoons are free for lounging, siesta, beach play, hiking to the nearby caves, journeying to the closest town of Chancay, or attending one of the numerous workshops (sometimes they do sweat lodges as well!). We did Kundalini with my new friend Caleb, made dream catchers, learned about furthering recycling and reusing abilities, and just plain enjoyed ourselves.  All the activities except the volunteer work are optional, but you can also stay as a guest and just come to relax if you wish.

Arts & Crafts studio.
On the weekends hoards of people come from Lima and all over to get away, to be in nature, and to experience the majesty of this place first hand. They learn about sustainable living (eco toilets, creating good soil, using solar power, herbs, wells), get information about non-violence and vegetarianism (in the Spoon Revolution hut!), and even spend time in the temple simply to look around or to worship. It's so funny to have people walk around your living quarters taking pictures, fascinated but often not quite grasping the concept of what is going on or why there are so many people from all over the world living on this farm. Or doing afternoon yoga and having tour groups walk by and look in, making you feel like you're animals in the zoo (especially when doing kundalini, chanting and doing breathwork that makes you sound and look like a baboon!). We definitely had some good laughs and it was great to broaden these people's perspectives as well as be surrounded by so many like minded folk.

Herbs collected for my infusion.
So is it obvious I loved everything about this place (even if i didn't take a warm shower once)? The people, the food, the friends, the devotion, the yoga, the harmony, the nature. And a couple of things that made my experience all the more special and unique...   having a circus juggler as a roommate, who lived in Cusco for a while and got to tell me all about the best spots to go for the next step of my journey (I loved having her unicycle parked outside our room)... touring the herb gardens with the plant doctor to make an infusion for my stomach which had been upset since Mexico (all better now!)... my first full classes in yoga with a native Spanish speaker and of the Inbound Yoga tradition (mudras, mantras, Bhakti devotion)... picking up trash throughout the farm on Peruvian Earth Day... and being at this majestic place with the ocean by my side, and the full moon up above.

El estudio de Yoga. Ahhhh.
Amongst all that I learned here, one of my favorite parts was knowing that this Eco Village embodies so much of what many of my friends back home aim to do in terms of sustainable living, community involvement, living with nature, yoga, and spiritual awakenings. I envisioned bringing so many of you here. I also learned so much in terms of different approaches to energy work and awakening, feeling connected, breathwork, and teaching bilingually. I taught my first half Spanish, half English class and already feel so ready to teach bilingually back in Bozeman. I look forward to sharing all of this with all of you.

Arrived in Cusco today and am preparing for ruins, more yoga of course, and Machu Pichu later in the week. Just driving into the mountains excited my soul, I'm a mountain girl and something about being in their splendor just fills me up and makes me feel at home. I'm blessed to be surrounded by so much beauty in my life and look forward to getting to know the glorious Peruvian Andes further. 

Beautiful artwork everywhere.
I leave you with some newfound perspective and appreciation.  As I was walking through the streets of Lima, preparing for my 22 hour bus ride to Cusco, I saw a man cleaning the streets looking so empty and ignored. I felt so sorry for him as everyone was just passing him by in their business suits and I felt like my privilege was just sitting there staring me in the face. I of course gave him a huge smile and tried to show him some recognition and appreciation but it still made me feel sad, guilty even.  My friend and new travel partner Caleb put some things into perspective for me. He reminded me that we all have reasons for being here in this lifetime; we all have our own lessons to learn. And when we drove through a rather materially 'poor' Andean village, that looked gruff yet surrounded by some of the most beautiful energy, he asked me 'do you think these people are even aware of their own privilege in living here, in a place like this?'  What makes one think they have more or less than anyone else in this world? It really is all relative, and all so personal. So appreciate what you have and who you are. Because the grass really is greenest of all wherever it is you're already standing, that is if you simply take a moment to breath and appreciate the wonder of it all.

A meditation on compassion and appreciation:

Bring to mind a place you feel completely safe, secure, understood, a place real or imagined.
Bring to mind this place with all of your senses.
What would you taste, touch, smell, hear, see, sense? 
Take a few deep breaths in and out, breathing into your belly and your heart.
Feel connected, rooted to the earth yet open to the sky.

Now bring to mind someone you love completely, who makes you feel happy and joyful.
Meditate on this person and the acceptance and appreciation you have for them.
Stay as long as you like.
Now turn this energy inwards and place all those thoughts and feelings upon your own being.
When you're ready bring your hands to your heart center.
Chant (aloud or to yourself) AUM MANI PADME HUM 3 times, or for as long as you like.

Aum Mani Padme Hum is the sound and prayer of compassion.
It is said to encompass all of the teachings of the Buddha in one simple mantra: Aum Mani Padme Hum.


Thank you Dani for providing me a place to stay in Lima and inviting me in to your family's home. Thank you Jacquie and Caleb for helping me to laugh harder than I have in weeks.  Thank you Eco Truly for reviving my soul. Thanks to all of you for reading and for finding compassion in whatever way works for you.  
 Con paz y amor, NAMASTE.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Finding Vision in Oaxaca


The Ruins of Mitla
It´s my last day in Mexico and I leave for Peru later this afternoon. This whole week here has felt so surreal and has been quite the enriching experience.

I definitely arrived to la Ciudad de Mexico a bit shell shocked- finally having the travels, the departures, the preparation, the beautiful realization that all I had envisioned was actually happening.. well all of it finally caught up with me and started to sink in.


Puebla, hometown of Molé
As I have already expressed, the first couple of days in the city were trying for me. I think a lot of it has to do with what it means to travel as a female, solo, and gringa on top of that.  My usually tendency to be incredibly open and trusting with my energies has to be checked, and I don't like that. I appreciate living in a place where I can be so trusting and don't have to walk around with a jaded energy about me. So it is definitely somewhat of a transition and a reality check to have to do so and to really decide who to trust. But the added effort it takes to feel safe and secure is most certainly worth the effort (o se dicen, vale la pena!). Because with just a simple change in attitude and demeanor, I am privileged enough to get to travel around some of the most colorful, warmest, and most flavorful cultures I have ever known.

The Schmalzbauers in front of the
classroom they helped  make of mud and bamboo.
Upon arrival in Oaxaca I got picked up by Leah, a friend of mine from Bozeman, and her delightful family. I met Leah through two of my best friends, Jessa and Jenna, upon my return from Argentina. Together they were creating a non-profit called Tias y Tios, working through MSU and the Latino community in Bozeman to bridge gaps and embrace diversity within the Gallatin Valley. Leah so graciously allowed me to audit her Sociology classes (Latino Migration and Globalization) and I can honestly say that her classes changed my life. She is one of the most wonderful professors I have ever known and also happens to be one of the most incredible women I have ever known. Which is why I was so ecstatic to have the opportunity to be welcomed into her life abroad in Oaxaca.

Her whole family is surrounded by a beautiful glow that this year of sabbatical and adventure has provided them. On Friday we went to visit their self-described 'hippy' school for the kids. Walking through the cobblestone streets of San Felipe, donkeys and neighbors passing by, a sense of tranquility all around, is just a normal part of their daily routine. I arrived on the right day because the kids were recieving a special surprise, a new pig named Pepé! Just another hands on tool for the type of learning they do which involves being outdoors or in an open air classroom most of the day, growing their own vegetables, and lots of arts and crafts for motor skills. You know lots of people in the states would see a school like this and immediately consider it inferior.  But these kids are passionate!! About learning, about sharing, about cultures, about life, about health, about living peacefully. And they have 4 teachers for just about 13 students, with over 3 different languages spoken throughout the day (primarily Spanish and English). I think we have a good thing going in the States but we certainly still have a lot to learn in terms of education. This is yet another example of taking a second look and the beauty and enrichment that can come of having an open mind.

With Micah and Zola and our fresh fruit breakfast.
Leah, Steve, Micah, and Zola took me to famous markets and shared with me many of the idiosyncracies and intricacies of Mexico living.. We ate amazing food, absorbed culture, and had stimulating talks (including how to incorporate teaching yoga in Spanish on a broad-reaching, community level upon all of our returns to Bozeman, very inspiring and rewarding indeed).  Their children and they're ability to truly thrive in this time abroad touched my heart. It certainly made it hard to leave!

So going back to my last blog (I added a meditation picture, as promised), remember how I mentioned the change in perspective that enhancied my yoga practice on my very first day? Did you think about where you can find fresh perspective in your life yet? Well now I urge you to tap into that fresh perspective, new inspiration, and envision what it is you truly want for yourself. Don't doubt yourself, be limitless and unapologetic, you deserve it! If you bring to mind what you want with enough clarity and heartfelt intention, then you can rest assured that what you ask for and envision, or something even better, will already be making its way into your life.
(see exercise below)

Tulle tree, filling me up with some
amazing energy and light!
I envisioned this PERUsing adventure. I manifested it out of seemingly nowhere. It started off as the simple inclination to spend time around old growth forests in Peru. Picturing this, feeling this, knowing it could be true. And everything just sort of fell into place and took off from there. As a result of this trusting, this believing, this feeling of deserving, it is all coming true. And to top off, this added time in Mexico allowed me to visit one of the oldest trees in the world (2,000 years young- talk about old growth!) which is also the widest tree in the world.  Another great opportunity that came my way (there are no coincidences) and furthered my mission.

Lastly, I was blessed to spend time at a place that has adorned my desktop for months (look familiar? it's also the background of this blog)! A place that I had found so meaningful and captivating in a picture and I got to visit it in real life. These petrified waterfalls, called Hierve el Agua, have some of the best energy  that I've ever had the honor of immersing myself in.

The stunning panorama of Hierve el Agua.
So when I say that in setting intention you allow for whatever it is, or something even better, to make its way into your life... this is the something better I am talking about!
Try it out for yourself! Dream big and enjoy.

Sit comfortably (or stand, you can do this throughout your day, or wherever you are).
Bring your attention to your breath.
Perhaps even place a hand on your belly, feeling it rise and fall as you breathe in and out.


Exhale relax. Inhale inspiration.

Exhale clarity. Inhale fresh perspective.

Use whatever mantras or words come to mind for you in the moment.
Repeat 5-10 times or as many as necessary to feel relaxed and open.

Bring your minds eye inwards to your heart center.
Let your attention rest there and ask for your heart to express itself with grace and ease.
Listen. And breathe.

Now bring your attention to the space between your brows and about 2 inches back.
Imagine there is a blank screen (like a crystal ball!).
Still listening to your heart center, let it speak without thinking too much about what it says. 
Start envisioning your desires being played out, and in as much detail and clarity as possible.
Feel these desires and visions coming true. Know that they are.
Stay as long as you like, envision as much as you like.

Find GRATITUDE in whatever was you like.

Sharing morning yoga with Leah and the kiddos.
They thought it was all so magical!
Have to say I agree.

Another huge thanks to all of you, to Mexico, to the Schmalzbauers, and to Alex and YourExpeditionSouth.com for helping me to expand my vision far beyond my wildest dreams.

Namasté



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Bienvenidos al Mexico!

Well here goes adventures in Mexico!!!

On top of Piramide de la Luna, Piramade del Sol in the background.

 Today I ventured about an hour and a half outside of the city to the largest pyramids outside of Egypt, Teotihuacan.  And they were impressive indeed. Hard to imagine that around 2,000 years ago this was the largest and most populous urban center in the New World, especially with the new urban center of Mexico City so closeby.  But the pyramids were remarkable indeed, and absolutely worth spending my only full day in DF visiting. Either way, being in a place of ancient tradition and majesty such as these makes it hard to believe that I was in Montana just yesterday.

Speaking of yesterday, oh man was I sleep deprived and challenged by the end of it!  I took the metro from the airport, and let´s just say that navigating through one of the world´s largest metros, during rush hour, transferring lines 4 times, and having a huge pack on.. well after a long day of traveling I was completely spent by the time I got to my hostel, La Catedral, in the heart of the city.  I was determined to take the metro to get the full experience, since my time here is so limited, and to save money as well. Let´s just say I´ll be taking the taxis (I know, I know, everyone told me how cheap and worthwhile they are) from now on when I have my pack.  Regardless, by the time I got somewhat situated, I still felt so disoriented and spent. At my wits end. I seriously had to reaffirm to myself why I left the wonderful comforts of home to find myself alone in one of the biggest citites on the globe, far away from everything familiar. A challenge in bravery indeed!

Yoga a la terraza.
Well the light of day, a good night's sleep, some morning meditation and rooftop yoga put me right back on track (see grounding exercises & tips below).  In meditation I realized why I was so drained - because nothing was there to fill me up.. the airports, the detachment of big cities, the emptiness.  Makes me grateful for where I live, you can just look out your window or take a walk and let nature and cheeriness fill you up.  Also why I practice yoga, I like having the best of myself to give and in cities where there is no foliage, no instant access to the sense of belonging and fresh air, yoga is a godsend!

Find fresh perspective anywhere!
But already I am getting back into the groove of the travel mentality and loving every minute of it. Immersing myself in Spanish fills my spirit with such joy and I not so secretly wonder how the people traveling throughout LatinAmerica without Spanish can do it! Seriously, I admire your bravery! I´ve also already started to enjoy the benefits fresh scenery and perspective can bring.  In pracitcing yoga this morning, I had a new revelation in why my crow pose has been so challenging lately.  I had lost the focus of the gaze.  As much as I say it correctly in teaching, I wasn´t practicing it true to for.  What can I say, we´re creatures of habit.  And it took a complete change of perspective and surroundings to make this insight available to me.  Now I´m off to finally meet up with my couchsurfer, it´s been difficult to meet up with other couchsurfers here so far.  Big city and lack of cell phone make for difficult communication.  But in the mean time...

I ask you, where can you find fresh perspective in your life?
 Where can you bring to mind a limiting habit or trait, and decide to look at it with a fresh and freeing lense, without even having to leave your home?  Think about it, it´s so very refreshing and worthwhile.

Other things that have ´filled me up´ since leaving home:
  • that first bite of Mexican food. Oh man was it worth it. So flavorful, so rewarding after a long day of travel.
  • the 2 hour long conversation I had with Herve (lives in Houston, from Morocco, works in Mexico) on the plane to DF yesterday. He stuck a conversation with me and told me of his desire to take up yoga and spirituality in his life. We talked the whole time, sharing incredible story after story. Afterwards he had a renewed passion towards taking the reins of his being into his own hands (and he also thinks I should give a Ted Talk about energy work and the powers of metaphysics-something to consider!). He said he'd come to Montana to study yoga with me if I started something or did spirituality retreats. Again, fills me right up and gives me ideas!
  • Fabiola.  She approached me on top of the Pyramid of the Sun and started asking me all sorts of questions. Come to find out she´s been trying to find a way to pick up yoga and start experiencing it.  She´s from Peru and when I go down there, I am going to share yoga with her!  I swear she was seeking me out! And funnily enough, she had met the man she was with at Macchu Picchu and then found me on top of ancient pyramids. Guess she likes to bring people into her life in some pretty spectacular places.


 For grounding anywhere:
Sit comfortably. Bring your attention to your breath. Just notice it and start exploring inwardly. 
Release anything not serving you into the earth through your roots and sitz bones.
With your right hand, use your thumb and pinky to practice alternate nostril breathing.
Begin by exhaling deeply.  Plug your right nostril, inhale deeply through the left. 
Plug both nostrils and pause in your fullness.  
Release through the right and exhale the right side. 
Plug both nostrils and pause in your emptiness.
Inhale right, exhale left.
Repeat 3-10 times.

For extra grounding, hold use your left hand to hold a grounding mudra.
Extend the pointer and pinky fingers, placing the thumb on top of the middle and ring fingers.

Simple, easy, and amazingly grounding and balancing, no matter where you are.

Enjoy & Namaste.





Tuesday, January 15, 2013





Well here goes, BIENVENIDOS A VIVA MY YOGA!!! 

Look forward to staying in touch here, through pictures and tales, musings, and mysteries.
Tomorrow, 1/15, is my take off for a PERUsing adventure!!!

It is snowy and wonderful here in Montana, a temperature of about 4 degrees, and plenty of fresh snow fall over the last several days.

The ice skating rink across the street from my home in Bozeman.

I'll be spending my first night away in in Mexico City.  The following day I head to the pyramids of Teotihuacán, just outside of D.F. This day and particular voyage will also be in honor of my dear friend KP's one year anniversary of being sober, CONGRATS KP, I'm very proud and thrilled for you. 

Doesn't life just get better when you decide to live it with intention?

From there I'll head southeast to Oaxaca to try eating crickets, cheese (not to generalize or anything) and visit my wonderful sociology professor Leah.  I am so thrilled at the opportunity to experience a glimpse into her lifestyle there, while she is on a year long sabbatical from Montana State University.

I am beyond stoked that my best flight option to Lima ended up with a short stint in Mexico, it's about time I get a glimpse into this neighboring country that has fascinated me for so long. And I hear the food is the best in all of South America!

Been a while since I've carried all my belongings on my back!
I'm all packed and ready to go, all though as always with traveling leaving loved ones behind is bittersweet.  I am so fortunate and feel blessed beyond belief for the support of everyone here in Bozeman and far and wide.  And already the Couchsurfing communities in the places I will be traveling have been beyond helpful and welcoming.  I've included a picture of my packing, simply because when I went to give a good bye hug to the little girl, Ava, whom I nanny, exclaimed: 'You know what the most important thing to pack is, right Jess?' 'What's that Ava?' 'Well your yoga mat of course.'  And I couldn't agree more.  

Namasté Ava, Namasté to all of you.


Stay tuned for much more... meditation tips, yoga poses in fun places, daily inspirations, acts of kindness, and adventures of this incredibly PERUsing adventure.