Silence & Green Fast Day

Most of you are aware, I am sure, that there are two things I don't do. They are Silence and Fasting - so here I am sitting in the shade being cooled by the sea breeze in silence. Though I guess you could say I am cheating as I am talking to you guys.

We have been working hard since my last update. Our day starts, as I have already mentioned, with a two hour Ashtanga Yoga class followed by an hour's breathing and meditation before breakfast. I have to confess that breakfast is not to my taste as I am not a fan of milk and so the muesli and bran style flakes are sawdust to me. So I have fruit which is all freshly prepared with our classes being strictly timed so that the food is fresh and does not have the opportunity to spoil. We have been studying anatomy and philosophy during the remaining lessons and the hardest thing has been to sit on the floor. Anatomy is taken by Dr Abhay who has created a wonderful contraption to show us how the body bends in various asanas much to the amusement of the rest of the class. It takes a while to get used to the Indian style of teaching. There is no 'chalk and talk' it is practical demonstration and repetition. It makes the classes much more interactive and easier to retain the relevant facts. We are being taught yogic philosophy by Anand who is a Guru who has a centre nearby. He is young, only in his 30's and is exceedingly charismatic, the style is very Indian as you would expect, and the subject is presented in such a way that you have to explore the themes and come up with you own solutions. I have to admit I think this is better than the western way. We are so used to being able to come up with the answers on Google immediately that we are not really that interested in the answer and our mind flits onto the next thing without retaining the knowledge that has been obtained so easily.

As you know food is very important to me and I was somewhat nervous about the thought of a 75% raw food diet but my fears were in vain. The food is excellent. there is always a raw cold soup, inventive salad and a warm vegetable curry with brown rice. We even have puddings and last night was a vanilla basmati cream - for that read rice pudding and as good as those efforts lovingly provided for me by my sister Ann and my friend Alison. I loved it so much that boy let me have his - but hey the portions are only small. 

How do I feel? Great. My insulin intake has reduced significantly. I feel so full of energy and healthy that I was awake at 4am this morning and couldn't wait to get up and start class. I have so many ideas about how to take this forward that I can't wait to get back but am in no hurry to wish away the rest of my time here.

Andrew is doing well but a little homesick so I have squirrelled away a little chocolate and he has two pieces a night, which is showing great discipline for him. I have also got him some protein tablets as well, after all he is a growing boy. I think he is surprised by the emotions that come bursting out during a course like this but he is enjoying it on the whole but is also missing Mike very much. I am no substitute for his dad and he hopes to speak to him at the weekend if possible.

So today we are fasting and silent. We are allowed to have relevant discussions in class but outside we are silent. The purpose is to reflect on our inner-selves in order to assist us sort things out and move ourselves forward. The green fast is really interesting. We still have several courses so lunch today was watermelon juice, with three difference green smoothies - one with the main ingredient as avocado, another spinach and I can't remember the other. One was really thick and had crushed peanuts in it. We also had sliced cucumber with a wasabi paste and half a kiwi fruit. It tasted quite nice to be fair and the reason is to provide the body with easier digestion to give your system a rest. Poor boy, of course, does not eat green food voluntarily and so that was a bit of a laugh. However, he has let me know that he now likes kiwi fruit so that is a huge step forward. Check piut the picture  below. If you can't read the notes I had written down for the my friends at the dinner table state that 'My boy doesn't eat green food' to which he replied 'Clearly I do' Sense of humour still intact ... and it just goes to show that a day without personal interaction is too hard for me.

We have an afternoon off on Sunday and plan to explore a little bit further afield and a full day off on the following Sunday - so poor boy has to get up at 5,30am for the next 9 days. I think I will still get up for the optional yoga practise even then - but I guess you will have to wait and see whether I can manage it or if my will-power will fail me. 9 more early starts may be too much for me so watch this space.

Namaste