December 03, 2002

Bahamas are great

My first entry... yeah it's about time.

I have been staying at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island. I think some of you would love it here. I have a beach hut and can here the sea lapping the creamy sandy beach just 30 feet away. It lulls me to sleep each night. The food here is strictly vegetarian and there is no caffeine, alcohol or other "poisons" that can interfere with good health, yoga practice and meditations. The yoga classes are great. The weather has been AbFab and I feel totally blessed to be here.

Here is my daily schedule:
5:30 & 5:45 am the morning bells ring. I get up when I get up.
6:00 Satsang (temple) for 30 minutes silent meditation, 30 minutes chanting, 30 minutes "lecture", 15 minute prayer ceremony.
8:30 Yoga class for 1 hour 45 minutes
10:30 Brunch (first meal of the day)... all you can eat buffet.
11:30-3:30 Free time... usually filled with Karma Yoga (work around the ashram)
4:00 Yoga Class
6:00 Dinner (second meal) all you can eat buffet
8:00 Satsang (same as morning)

Sometimes Satsang is a silent walk on the beach, we find a spot to sit, meditate, chant and talk. Close with a prayer and walk back.
The yoga, chanting and meditations are my favourite parts... in that order. When I get time I come to town to check e-mail, shop or do errands. I have a Chiropractor here now who I visit every Thursday... he's a regular at the Ashram yoga classes. I have benn to the beach to be lazy only a few times. I painted another guests shoes. I have pictures... they turned out gorgeous.

Then I painted the freezer for the "Health Hut & Boutique". It has also turned out wonderfully. I will post pictures later.

I leave the Ashram on Monday (9th) and go to the British Colonial Hilton Resort for 7 nights. I have already been to the SPA there to makes my treatment appointments... it is fabulous.

I have made several friends here and am now planning to visit with people on future trips (April, May and June) to Sweden, England and Germany. Everyone here is so nice and friendly.

I will write more on my next trip over to Nassau.

Posted by gailene at December 3, 2002 01:17 PM