Date leaving: May 27, 2011
Date returning: June 18, 2011
City and Country: Bangalore, India
Course: Yoga and Healing Traditions of India (INR 3955)
Year in school: Junior
Major: Psychology and Religious Studies
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Entry No. 3 | June 10, 2011
After leaving Our Native Village it seems like we’ve been traveling non-stop all over Karnataka. While I will spare you of the grueling details of the long hours spent on the bus our destinations have been spectacular!
Our first stop was a Jain temple in Shravanabelagola which houses the largest statue of Bahubali cut from a single stone. The temple was about 600 steps up a mountain with a gorgeous view of the city below.
The following day we visited Halebidu, which means destroyed city, and saw the temple of Shiva. This was by far my favorite temple, the intricate carvings extended along the entire exterior of the building as well as the inside and not one figure was duplicated! My favorite figure was one the artisans created; they took the best qualities from several animals and displayed it everywhere. The creature hade the legs of a lion for strength, the stomach of a pig for good digestion, the tail of a peacock for beauty, the eyes of a monkey for sharp vision, the ears of a cow for good hearing, the mouth of a crocodile for powerful jaws, and the trunk of an elephant for versatility. It was truly a sight to be hold and I found that it was often depicted all around the southern India state of Karnataka.
The next temple was dedicated to Vishnu and is well known for its exterior design as the top panel is richly decorated with carvings of different deities. It was incredible to think of all the time and effort that went in to imagining and creating such beautiful temples.
Entry No. 2 | June 5, 2011
My first week is finally coming to a close here in Bangalore, India. Time here seems to move so slowly as I wake up each morning for the days activities but looking back at my time here it feels as though it went by so fast. I wake up every morning at 6 a.m., mostly because our yoga class starts then but also due to the fact that the sun comes blasting in through my window while the rooster crows to the dawn.
Everything about India draws me in -- the lush green jungles, the sweet smell of flowers in the air or the strong scent of spices from the kitchen, even the people here are so warm and friendly that I never want to leave. Every garden here seems to be filled with plants that are not only pleasing to the senses but have a medicinal purpose as well. The place we're staying at now, Our Native Village, uses only fresh organic ingredients in their food. The head chef, who we all affectionately named Mama, told us that nature provides all types of ingredients and all we have to do is put it all together, a lesson that could be interpreted in multiple ways.
One of our guides and our yoga instructor, Ragu (yes, like the sauce), is one of the most gentle and giving people that I have ever known. His patience and friendly nature is simply contagious and inspires me to be a better person. He likes to end each class with "and put a beautiful smile on your face and relax.” I just love how simplistic life seems through his eyes, and I really believe it is because he takes the core lessons of yoga to heart and practices them in every moment of every day.
Most of this week has been centered around the concepts of yoga as well as their effects on wellness. The main point that continues to be carried throughout is that yoga, as a traditional healing practice, has so many positive benefits that can be implemented into modern medicine. The ultimate goal of yoga is to read freedom (moksha) or a pure state of bliss. So many people before us have attained this freedom but in today’s world (even in India) the tradition is becoming lost. Many of our speakers that we're meeting are aiming to prove the positive effects of yoga through science so that more doctors, psychologists and other people will continue this ancient practice and realize this freedom that our ancestors have known all along.
-Marissa
Entry No. 1 | May 27, 2011
Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to travel all around the world. I’ve never been satisfied with only knowing one place on this earth so that’s why when I returned from winter break I made a decision that I would start my travels now. Call it a New Year’s resolution if you like but I was determined. I met with several advisers about where I should go and had my heart set on somewhere ancient and spiritual. One of the advisers let slip about a new program in the works about traveling to India to study yoga and holistic remedies, and I was immediately sold. The program wasn’t official yet so I had to wait a couple of weeks to find out exactly what I was going to do over in India but I was determined to go. When all the details were refined I was in awe; as a participant I would be traveling all around southern India studying and experiencing the holistic traditions of Hindus and Buddhists. I would have hands-on experience with Ayurveda, naturopathy, Tibetan medicine, and Raga-based music therapy. I made my participation official as soon as I could.
Many of the traditions I will be studying all contain a central theme of focus. My hope for this trip is to sharpen my focus and hopefully gain some insight on what exactly I wish to do in this world. Before this trip was planned, I felt as though I was dragging myself through school for a degree that I wasn’t sure how to use. Now I feel as though I am taking the first step to discovering who I am and what I can contribute to this world. I hope to return a little tanner than I left and a little wiser about the world.
-Marissa