The pretzel factory

With less than a month until our UK adventure begins, we decide to visit an ashram for meditation and yoga. A little recharging and relaxation. So we sit in silence, chant Om, and bend ourselves like pretzels twice a day for 15 days- and apart from the food we forget we are in India. No noise, no pollution and a really relaxed vibe.

Because it's so quiet all of the time, its hard to reference what it is like "outside"- but departure brings a sharp distinction. Traffic is loud, and smells pungent, but strangely enough, it bothers me a little less and I see people, and life in general, differently. The weeks of retreat at the ashram let me "see" people- their wants and thoughts before they say anything. I also "see" myself in a new light- considering my actions, reactions and interactions in a different way.

Got myself into some pretty interesting postures, and overall, left feeling light, flexible and energetic. Perfect frame of mind and body, and just what I wanted before the UK adventures begin.

Other residents at the ashram included monkeys, which were a constant source of inspiration, amusement and wonder. No hesitation to approach for food, or just to watch- some of them are as curious as I am.