Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! I hope you all had a really nice holiday celebration, surrounded by good company and lots of love. This has been my first winter season away from friends and family back home, however I do feel your presence more than ever. The past two days have been filled with lots of beautiful gatherings, yoga and celebration! Although I do miss all of you, I feel so grateful to be in this special place right now in my life.
The weather here has been so hot the past few weeks that it really has not felt like the holiday season. On Christmas I rode my bike around town in a tank top and sipped on a smoothie at brunch while sitting outside under the bright sun - a huge shift from the snow, scarves and hot chocolate that I am used to! Christmas is not celebrated in Thai culture so there was little reminder of the holiday approaching. Although I have seen a few Christmas trees set up at the tourist restaurants and guest houses, as well as some gold jingle bells hanging from a palm tree (it was a pretty funny sight). With all of the decorations, songs and hectic shopping far from Thai culture, I have really enjoyed experienceing a different side to the holiday season. One that has been entirely focused on relaxation and community.
Christmas eve I celebrated in Thai style by having an authentic meal at my friend Rhiannon's house. Her roommate and his friends cooked us a beautiful homemade dinner- coconut curry with shrimp and vegetables, spicy fish and baked squid, freshly steamed root veggies, sticky rice, and coconut treats for desert. We sat crossed legged on the floor, eating with chop sticks and listening to reggae, which is truly a Thai favorite. Although there was no Christmas caroling that night, it was really a treat to gather with all native Thia's to exchange positive intention and energy. My friend Miako shared with us the Asian perspective on this time of year and I found it to be really beautiful, so I want to share it with all of you. Each year the winter solstice takes place on the evening of December 21st, which is followed by three days of complete darkness for many parts of the northern hemisphere. So the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th are considered the darkest days of the entire year. Then on the 25th light floods back into the world and there is intense brightness. In our culture this is represented by the birth of Jesus Christ, but people living here in the east see it as the birth of global consciousness, where each being awakens to the bright light that shines so brightly inside of their own hearts. I really love this this beautiful way of perceiving this time of year!
I received the amazing gift of being able to teach a yoga class both on Christmas eve and Christmas morning, and it was such a special way to start the holiday celebration centered around peace and love. Wonderful people coming together to consciously bring in the beautiful spirit of the season. Since being here in Thailand I have gotten to teach a yoga class on each one of our major holidays, and it really has been the best gift I could ever ask for - sharing love with my students as they reflect that same positive energy back to me. So wonderful! On Christmas day I also got to receive a Thai massage with my two friends Cat and Rhianon at a cute little shop here in town. Cat treated us as a Chirstmas gift, and as I lay there listening to Asian music while having my sore muscles ringed out, I couldn't help but smile... feeling just overwhelemed with happiness and peace. But I guess that is what the holidays are all about, right?!
Christmas evening I went to a party at my friend Jonas' house, who is one of the yoga teachers at Wild Rose from Sweden. There was such a nice community of people that came together to celebrate, and it was so festive. Everyone brought some sort of veggie to throw on the grill and
we sat outside under the stars eating, laughing and singing rock songs on Jonas' guitar. Again, no Christmas carols, but there was still that same beautiful energy of voices coming together to create the sound of union. Although I got a few small gifts from a couple of friends, it really was not the focus of the day, and I know that with the change in the economy back home, many of you may have had a very similar experience. It really was a nice reminder of the true meaning of the holiday season. However, I did receive a big box in the mail about 4 days before Christmas from my wonderful mom that was carefully packed with beautifully wrapped presents. When I opened the box tears of joy and gratitude filled my eyes, partially because it reminded me of home but also because I feel like one of the luckiest people in the entire world. I have such beautiful friends and family that flood my life with unconditional love! What more could I ask for? Each and every day I feel SO grateful for all of you! Just to stay connected to that feeling of appreciation, I opened one of my mom's gifts each day leading up to the 25th... which makes me smile because it combines the beautiful traditions of Hanukkah and Christmas, and not to mention I'm living in a Buddhist country. I just love the diversity of the world that we live in! It's so wonderful!
Peace and Love to you all this holiday season!
April
Friday, December 26, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Being Connected
This past weekend was really one of fun and laughter. It was two of my good friend's birthdays so we celebrated by dancing for three nights straight! Rhiannon's birthday was Friday night and I got to explore break dancing for the first time, which was really a blast! We went to a club where we were the only forong (non Thia's) present, and not to mention the only people on the dance floor... I'm sure they had no idea what to make of our funny moves! Saturday night we went salsa dancing to celebrate my friend Sibyl's birthday, which was at a beautiful restaurant with a great deck and live music. There was a group of about 20 people from every corner of the world gathered around the same dinner table, all coming together to celebrate and laugh as one. Then on Sunday I got to hear live music again at a jazz bar, where we danced for hours. The musicians were really talented and clearly had studied their American jazz history because sometimes I would close my eyes and it really sounded like Ray Charles singing or on Louis Armstrong on sax. Three culturally diverse nights, with completely different styles of music, and yet there was a commonality running through it all. Music has the incredible capability of bringing people together from all walks of life, allowing us to feel connected by the same basic thread of humanity. Thai, Mexican, African, Italian, American, Canadian... it does not matter, we are all truly the same. Music creates that connection, and it's something we can not just talk about, but rather feel in our hearts. At the jazz bar I was so deeply connected to my Grandpa who passed away last year, feeling his entire being dancing with me and singing along to all of the songs. When I was out with the girls dancing to house music and playing around with break dancing moves, I felt like I was surrounded by all my amazing girlfriends from back home. And as I sat with huge global community listening to beautiful Spanish and English songs, all language barriers were lost and I felt completely surrounded by the loving energy of my friends and family. I love what music and dancing does to my soul, and this entire weekend was a great way for me to come back home to that place inside my own heart.
Now that the stuidos are back in full swing, I have started teaching a lot again. In addition to Wild Rose, I am teaching a few days a week at another studio in town called Namo. The yoga community is so small here that everyone knows each other and the studios support one another, which is really nice. Yoga means union, and just like music it has that power to bring people together as one. As always I am learning and growing as a teacher and student all the time, it's really humbling! Last week was my last class at Freedom House for a while since it is closing for a holiday break. The owner has been in the states for the past two months trying to fundraise for the school and has been having a really hard time. People are feeling financially strapped right now with the holidays and the economic situation, that charitable donations seem to have been put on the back burner for a bit. I am not sure if Freedom House will have the financial stability to stay open, and I just ask that everyone sends out their best intentions and prayers to this amazing organization. It has been an incredibly challenging, rewarding and beautiful experience working with these children. Right now I just hope they can continue to receive an education and feel encouraged to explore the inocense of their childhood.
With all the changes and shifts that are taking place here, I find that I'm thinking about you all back home more than ever. I know that it is a bitter sweet time of year, with immense amounts of fears and suffering, as well as tons of love and beautiful gatherings. My heart goes out for all those who have already or who may risk losing their jobs in our shifting economy. And I'm sending out so much love to all of my friends and family who are experiencing physical or emotional pain right now. It's hard to be across the world when loved ones are hurting back home, when all I really want to do is reach out and help. Right now I know that my role is sending out love and positive intentions, and having faith that you all will feel my heart back home. Since we really are so deeply connected, nothing that we face can be experienced alone. It's the support and love from everyone in the world that helps us through any difficulty. When one person feels pain, it ripples through all of existence. My heart goes out to you all right now back home, and I hope that you can feel all the love I'm sending during this holiday season!
Miss you all!
April
Now that the stuidos are back in full swing, I have started teaching a lot again. In addition to Wild Rose, I am teaching a few days a week at another studio in town called Namo. The yoga community is so small here that everyone knows each other and the studios support one another, which is really nice. Yoga means union, and just like music it has that power to bring people together as one. As always I am learning and growing as a teacher and student all the time, it's really humbling! Last week was my last class at Freedom House for a while since it is closing for a holiday break. The owner has been in the states for the past two months trying to fundraise for the school and has been having a really hard time. People are feeling financially strapped right now with the holidays and the economic situation, that charitable donations seem to have been put on the back burner for a bit. I am not sure if Freedom House will have the financial stability to stay open, and I just ask that everyone sends out their best intentions and prayers to this amazing organization. It has been an incredibly challenging, rewarding and beautiful experience working with these children. Right now I just hope they can continue to receive an education and feel encouraged to explore the inocense of their childhood.
With all the changes and shifts that are taking place here, I find that I'm thinking about you all back home more than ever. I know that it is a bitter sweet time of year, with immense amounts of fears and suffering, as well as tons of love and beautiful gatherings. My heart goes out for all those who have already or who may risk losing their jobs in our shifting economy. And I'm sending out so much love to all of my friends and family who are experiencing physical or emotional pain right now. It's hard to be across the world when loved ones are hurting back home, when all I really want to do is reach out and help. Right now I know that my role is sending out love and positive intentions, and having faith that you all will feel my heart back home. Since we really are so deeply connected, nothing that we face can be experienced alone. It's the support and love from everyone in the world that helps us through any difficulty. When one person feels pain, it ripples through all of existence. My heart goes out to you all right now back home, and I hope that you can feel all the love I'm sending during this holiday season!
Miss you all!
April
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Get Comfortable...
I haven't gotten a chance to write in almost two weeks because I've been so busy, but no complaints because it's been all good things. I have lots to share, so you may want to sit down and get comfortable because I have a feeling this is going to be a long one!
First I want to tell you about my camping experience a few weekends ago, because it was really amazing! My friend Ali teaches English at the Chiang Mai University, and one of her Thai students organized a trip up to the very north of Thailand and invited us to go along. About 15 people (mainly all Thia's who spoke very little English) piled into a small truck called a saung tao for an eight hour drive into the mountains! Luckily I pulled the motion sickness card and got to sit up front with my friend Dave the entire time, but I know that my karma will come back around for all the people who squished into the back without even complaining.... Thia's really are wonderful people! We drove to Pu Chi Fa National Park which is at the very tip of Thailand on the border of Laos. But the long trip was completely worth it when we finally got out of the car to see the view! We camped out on the top of a mountain that overlooked the Mekong River and this enormous mountain range between the two countries. We watched the sunset from the mountains peak and gazed up into the most incredable starry night sky! The only down side was that it was absolutely freezing, and none of us were prepared at all! I had no idea that tropical Thailand could get so cold at night, and of course the warmest thing I brought was a light jacket. Needless to say we huddled around the camp fire (sadly, no s'mores in Thailand) and cuddled together in our tents to fall asleep! The next morning we drove another hour higher up into the mountains to hike along the side of this cliff that is well know for its incredible view, and don't think I have never seen anything so beautiful! I know we have amazing mountain ranges at home, but I've never gotten to sit on top of one of the peaks and see across the entire stretch of the Rocky Mountains. I had no idea that the mountains here where so enormous, but gazing out across the vastness of the earth was a truly humbling experience. Being with nature really takes me away from myself, and reminds me that I am just a smaller part of a much greater whole. I took pictures to share with you all when I get home, but of course they couldn't truly capture the real beauty!
Last week I took a Thai Yoga Massage course at an international training school here in Chiang Mai called ITM. I had class each day from 9-5, and going from a laid back schedule to these long days was really a big adjustment for me! I learned a lot and really enjoyed the program, but it was definitely a challenge! We started class every morning with either Chi Quong or a yoga practice, which was a really nice way to begin the day. Chi Quong is a type of slow mindful dancing, combined with martial arts and yoga. Of course I really enjoyed it, and I look forward to taking more classes during my stay here. The days were filled with lectures, demonstrations and time to practice the sequencing. Thai Yoga Massage is a beautiful combination of the intentional stretching of yoga and the energetic release of acupressure points. It originated in India thousands of years ago by a man who traveled with the Buddha as his personal physician. In Thai culture, massage is viewed as a deeply healing practice that frees us from physical pain, emotional blockages, and psychological suffering. Through this program I really have come to understand the amazing benefits of using massage as a regular practice towards health and well being. In the western culture, we often rush to get a massage after receiving an injury or illness, or when feeling stressed and close to burn out. But here it is viewed as a type of preventative step towards taking care of our mind, body and soul. Of course this really speaks to me because I am interested in a holistic approach towards overall emotional, physical and spiritual health. Since so many of the techniques are in alignment with yoga postures, I felt really comfortable working with the body and exploring the meditative side of being a massage therapist. I initially took this course to enhance my yoga teaching and also to give a little TLC to friends and family, but now I think massage may be something that I really would like to put into practice. I guess we will see what takes shape when I get back home!
Last thing I want to tell you about was the organic farm that I stayed at this past weekend, which was absolutely amazing! I went with a few friends by motorbike about an hour outside of town to the most beautiful country side, surround by tropical mountains and so much greenery. The farm is called You Sabai Home, (sabai means relax) and we stayed in this amazing tree house build from bamboo and logs! The community that lives there is very conscious about sustaining the environment and use no waste or unnatural products to support themselves. Their homes are hand made from the earth, using mud and clay for bricks, and hay for thatched roofs. Their drinking water is collected from the rain run off, and all electricity is solar powered. Although I did not stay long enough to learn much about farming, I got to help the cook prepare the most amazing meals using organic locally grown ingredients. For breakfast we would have fresh ginger tea and banana sesame smoothies; lunch and dinner would be stir fries with amazing mushrooms, cashew nuts, bamboo shoots and garlic, or huge salads filled with ripe avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, tastey red flowers, and topped with a squeeze of fresh lime! Oh, and desert was either sliced pumpkin in coconut milk or big chunks of juicy mango. Yea, it was pretty amazing! I feel like I really learned a lot about flavorful fresh cooking, and I'm looking forward to having a kitchen again when I get back home to put some of these recipes into practice. During the day I would spend hours trekking through the mountain trails, or exploring the fields which were lined with so much beautiful fruits and veggies. I taught yoga in the mornings and spent the evenings surrounded by beautiful people all gathered together to enjoy the simple pleasures of reconnecting with the earth. I feel like I tapped into a secret paradise, and plan to go back for a longer stay in January! I think there is so much more I can learn about living off of the land and appreciating the environment that so generously takes care of our every need. Such a beautiful world we live in!
I hope you are all staying warm back home in this winter season! I miss you all and send you a great big hug!
Love
April
First I want to tell you about my camping experience a few weekends ago, because it was really amazing! My friend Ali teaches English at the Chiang Mai University, and one of her Thai students organized a trip up to the very north of Thailand and invited us to go along. About 15 people (mainly all Thia's who spoke very little English) piled into a small truck called a saung tao for an eight hour drive into the mountains! Luckily I pulled the motion sickness card and got to sit up front with my friend Dave the entire time, but I know that my karma will come back around for all the people who squished into the back without even complaining.... Thia's really are wonderful people! We drove to Pu Chi Fa National Park which is at the very tip of Thailand on the border of Laos. But the long trip was completely worth it when we finally got out of the car to see the view! We camped out on the top of a mountain that overlooked the Mekong River and this enormous mountain range between the two countries. We watched the sunset from the mountains peak and gazed up into the most incredable starry night sky! The only down side was that it was absolutely freezing, and none of us were prepared at all! I had no idea that tropical Thailand could get so cold at night, and of course the warmest thing I brought was a light jacket. Needless to say we huddled around the camp fire (sadly, no s'mores in Thailand) and cuddled together in our tents to fall asleep! The next morning we drove another hour higher up into the mountains to hike along the side of this cliff that is well know for its incredible view, and don't think I have never seen anything so beautiful! I know we have amazing mountain ranges at home, but I've never gotten to sit on top of one of the peaks and see across the entire stretch of the Rocky Mountains. I had no idea that the mountains here where so enormous, but gazing out across the vastness of the earth was a truly humbling experience. Being with nature really takes me away from myself, and reminds me that I am just a smaller part of a much greater whole. I took pictures to share with you all when I get home, but of course they couldn't truly capture the real beauty!
Last week I took a Thai Yoga Massage course at an international training school here in Chiang Mai called ITM. I had class each day from 9-5, and going from a laid back schedule to these long days was really a big adjustment for me! I learned a lot and really enjoyed the program, but it was definitely a challenge! We started class every morning with either Chi Quong or a yoga practice, which was a really nice way to begin the day. Chi Quong is a type of slow mindful dancing, combined with martial arts and yoga. Of course I really enjoyed it, and I look forward to taking more classes during my stay here. The days were filled with lectures, demonstrations and time to practice the sequencing. Thai Yoga Massage is a beautiful combination of the intentional stretching of yoga and the energetic release of acupressure points. It originated in India thousands of years ago by a man who traveled with the Buddha as his personal physician. In Thai culture, massage is viewed as a deeply healing practice that frees us from physical pain, emotional blockages, and psychological suffering. Through this program I really have come to understand the amazing benefits of using massage as a regular practice towards health and well being. In the western culture, we often rush to get a massage after receiving an injury or illness, or when feeling stressed and close to burn out. But here it is viewed as a type of preventative step towards taking care of our mind, body and soul. Of course this really speaks to me because I am interested in a holistic approach towards overall emotional, physical and spiritual health. Since so many of the techniques are in alignment with yoga postures, I felt really comfortable working with the body and exploring the meditative side of being a massage therapist. I initially took this course to enhance my yoga teaching and also to give a little TLC to friends and family, but now I think massage may be something that I really would like to put into practice. I guess we will see what takes shape when I get back home!
Last thing I want to tell you about was the organic farm that I stayed at this past weekend, which was absolutely amazing! I went with a few friends by motorbike about an hour outside of town to the most beautiful country side, surround by tropical mountains and so much greenery. The farm is called You Sabai Home, (sabai means relax) and we stayed in this amazing tree house build from bamboo and logs! The community that lives there is very conscious about sustaining the environment and use no waste or unnatural products to support themselves. Their homes are hand made from the earth, using mud and clay for bricks, and hay for thatched roofs. Their drinking water is collected from the rain run off, and all electricity is solar powered. Although I did not stay long enough to learn much about farming, I got to help the cook prepare the most amazing meals using organic locally grown ingredients. For breakfast we would have fresh ginger tea and banana sesame smoothies; lunch and dinner would be stir fries with amazing mushrooms, cashew nuts, bamboo shoots and garlic, or huge salads filled with ripe avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, tastey red flowers, and topped with a squeeze of fresh lime! Oh, and desert was either sliced pumpkin in coconut milk or big chunks of juicy mango. Yea, it was pretty amazing! I feel like I really learned a lot about flavorful fresh cooking, and I'm looking forward to having a kitchen again when I get back home to put some of these recipes into practice. During the day I would spend hours trekking through the mountain trails, or exploring the fields which were lined with so much beautiful fruits and veggies. I taught yoga in the mornings and spent the evenings surrounded by beautiful people all gathered together to enjoy the simple pleasures of reconnecting with the earth. I feel like I tapped into a secret paradise, and plan to go back for a longer stay in January! I think there is so much more I can learn about living off of the land and appreciating the environment that so generously takes care of our every need. Such a beautiful world we live in!
I hope you are all staying warm back home in this winter season! I miss you all and send you a great big hug!
Love
April
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