The Adventures of Bindi Girl: (2012) Read Online Free PDF

example of the fascination of Mother India in that She doesn’t try to hide Her life, death, suffering, and joy. It’s all out there for one to see, smell, and taste.
    Right now, I’m focusing on other sensory immersions. Here in Lakshman Jhula, the village where I’m staying, I’ve found an Iyengar-style yoga teacher I like by the name of Anil. Every day I attend an hour-and-a-half asana class (asana means posture) in the morning, and sometimes, again in the late afternoon. Since it’s off-season, I’m usually the only student attending the afternoon class, which gives me both stage fright and the opportunity to get plenty of individual attention.
    Iyengar yoga, founded by the infamous yogi and guru B.K.S. Iyengar, is a hatha yoga derivative known for its strict focus on alignment. The emphasis is not on rapid succession of postures; rather, one holds positions for several seconds or even minutes. My main reason for learning asanas while I’m here is the obvious—to improve my health and vitality. Plus, this intensive practice will give me the opportunity to create a “body memory” so that I can practice a yoga routine on my own, anytime, anywhere.
    I have three mini-goals for yoga before I leave Rishikesh. First, though I’ve experimented with yoga off and on for about ten years, due to a strange lack of coordination or lack of commitment, or both, I’ve never been able to memorize the Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) sequence. (Yoga buffs scoff, “Easy as pie!”) My first goal is accomplished: I have finally memorized the Sun Salutation asanas, along with synchronized inhales and exhales, which are very important for me, as I am too lazy to do pranayama , the breathing exercises that are central to yoga practice.
    My other mini-goals are to be able to push myself into a full backbend ( chakra-asana ), and then put myself into (and stay in!) a full headstand ( shirshasana ). Both of these require more strength and balance than I currently have; plus, I need to get past the psychological blocks of turning myself upside-down. I’m sure it’s easier than I think. And, these goals are just incidental. The journey is the destination, especially with yoga.
    After two weeks of intensive practice, I can already feel myself “lightening up” physically, as well as mentally and spiritually. Upon leaving Dharamsala a couple weeks ago, I was feeling quite blocked, physically stiff and a little emotionally stuck. I had to remind myself: Yes, Erin, it takes TIME to integrate into a new place. Coming to Rishikesh was like coming to a new country altogether—new “vibes,” and new water, food, smells, bacteria (oh yeah!), and new culture all the way around.
    Speaking of our little internal traveling companion, I experienced my first little bout of bacterial fun last week. It started with a crazy little fever that lasted about five hours. I think I nipped the worst part in the bud by eating a ton of acidophilus and taking a fabulous homeopathic remedy meant to assist with mental or physical duress. When the fever ended, though, I had one mild day of the infamous “Delhi Belly”—the Indian subcontinent’s answer to “Montezuma’s Revenge.” Suffice it to say, I was much luckier than some travelers I’ve seen around here—three days of stomach problems can turn anyone into a walking skeleton. That would be the time to break out the real meds.

Rock Ashram
    16 th of December, Rishikesh
    I’ve sussed out my favorite find in Rishikesh: the old, abandoned Marahishi Maresh Yogi compound, otherwise touted as “The Beatles’ Ashram.” What a place. Tucked away just south of the hustle and bustle of the main tourist settlement of Ram Jhula, the Marahishi ashram reminds me of a location straight out of Lord of the Rings . It’s Middle Earth. There are dozens and dozens of individual meditation huts—pod-like structures resembling Hobbit houses hidden among the hillside foliage. There are gardens and pathways and