Wednesday, October 22, 2014

What Day is it Anyway?

Finally made it to the beach last week! A day off enjoying the sunshine was exactly what I needed to recharge and focus again on the last 2 weeks of the training. Hard to believe its coming to an end already, I feel like I just got here. I've learned more than I thought and most of it doesn't even have to do with yoga. Being secluded in the mountains really allows for introspection and self growth. 

My word of the year has been surrender. Surrender control and learn to go wherever life pushes you. Stop planning and instead start living in the moment. Be present and realize that life only exists in the present moment. Right here, right now. The past and the future exist only in the present moment. So far I'm happy with where this mind set has gotten me. Here I am, in Bali, enjoying every second and recognizing how blessed I am just to be alive and to be on this journey. So immersed in the moment that I usually don't even know what day of the week it is. 

Eventually though, you do have to make some plans... So after this training ends in 2.5 weeks, I'm hopping on a ferry to the white sand beaches of the Gili islands for a few days, flying to Bangkok for a couple nights and then jetting off to the Philippines for a month of island hopping. Life is pretty exciting right now!

So excited for all that lies ahead but being mindful to bring that excitement into every day and not just a future experience. 

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, thats why they call it the present! :)

Monday, October 13, 2014

The Art of Letting Go

"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy, for what we leave behind is a part of ourselves. We must die to one life before we can enter another." Anatole France

This week's theme has been letting go. It's such a seemingly simple concept yet it is so difficult to do. "The art of letting go" was an alternative name for this blog so I guess, in a way, I've been practicing this art for quite awhile. Booking this training, buying a one way ticket, leaving my comfortable life at home, in search of something greater. Yet there are constantly experiences, people, even material things, that keep surfacing begging to be let go of. I'm learning that when this happens, you can't fight it, sometimes you just have to surrender to what is and have faith in what will be. Afterall, the only constant in life is change.

It's hard to believe that I haven't even been gone for 2 weeks. It feels like a lifetime. Not having steady internet access really detaches you and forces you to live in the present moment. Its crazy how much we miss by being so attached to technology. This past week I went on a hike through the local rice paddy ending at a natural hot spring. The views of the rice paddies were breathtaking. I almost couldn't believe how vibrant and vivid everything was. And the beauty of it all is that I was present. Not having access to wifi means not being able to share these incredible moments with everyone via social media. Instead of boasting about what I was doing or seeking validation via instagram likes, I was able to stand still, look around me, and breathe in the beautiful reality before me. 

And then I climbed into the hot spring, sinking down into the mud and covering myself in it before realizing that the orange tint actually tinted my skin and bathing suit. Woops. Finally leaving the mountains this week and heading to the beach for a day! Ocean and civilization will be a nice change of pace from life on the commune at Prana Dewi. Looking forward to salty hair and sandy toes :)

xo Molly

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Bali Life

Finally made it to Bali after traveling for 3 days straight. My expectations of this place did not even come close. It is absolute paradise. I had some reservations about being in the "mountains" vs being at the beach since I am such a beach girl at heart but its so beautiful and calming being in such a secluded place.

Prana Dewi, my home for the next 30 days is comprised of a handful of bungalows spaced out amongst the rice paddies, a small open air restaurant, a yoga studio, and a gorgeous pool filled with natural mountain water. The bathrooms of the bungalows are completely outdoors, the toilet and sink area are covered by a little roof but the shower gives a new definition to outdoor shower. It is a bamboo stick that water flows from out onto a little wooden patio surrounded by luscious plants and tiny geckos running around. 

I wake up every morning at 6am to roosters and some Indonesian chanting. Follow that with a half an hour of meditation and I'm feeling pretty zen after only 3 days of being here. Its funny that my biggest qualm was not having internet access because now the disconnection from the outside world is one of my favorite aspects about this process. I thought it would be a difficult transition but it hasn't phased me at all. I have no desire to check emails, social media, or text messages. I know there probably won't be another time where I have the opportunity to completely tune out so I'm taking full advantage of this technology cleanse and opting to check in only once a week. There's too much to enjoy here to spend my time on an iPad. Tomorrow after dinner I'm getting a one hour massage for $8!

So excited and grateful for this opportunity to be immersed in this yoga teacher training and focus entirely on myself. I can't wait to put everything I'm learning to use and actually start teaching! I still have so much adventure lying ahead, so much unknown, and so much possibility. Feeling very positive about life and grateful to myself for making my dreams happen.

The pictures really don't do it justice- I'll try to get better ones later!

Xo Molly