Arriving in Chennai

Every time I have come to Chennai I meet a lovely person on the airplane.  Today I met an IT architect from New Jersey.  By the end of the fight I had seen pictures of his boys, who are here in Chennai for the summer with his wife to visit family.  He was going to surprise them and come to the in-laws house unannounced.  He offered his personal help and telephone number if I should need help while I am here.  He also offered me the name and number of a reliable driver.  I took the numbers to be polite thinking I would never need to call…….but it was a nice gesture.

Getting off the airplane you can smell the heat.  I have only been here a few hours (and yes, it is 2:00 a.m.) and I am already feeling the sweat of a good detox.  The lines for immigration were not too long tonight (20 minutes).  But we waited for the luggage for over an hour, which is not usual.  The driver I had set up to pick me up held a placket with my name on it.  All of the plackets with “missionary church of….” were trying to get my attention me because they were just sure I was their client!  I do look like a Minnesotan, Lutheran Ministers daughter.  What can I say, I am!

I love the airport with the Ganesh altars all over, removing obstacles from my journey.  The money exchange” Thomas Cook” who charges a huge fee (40 rupees to the USD instead of 44 rupee exchange rate).  So I only exchange enough money to get me started.

My driver has taken me to my guesthouse.  Unfortunately my room is locked and they cannot seem to find the key.  It is late, I am tired and India is chaotic as usual.  I just want to Skype my husband before I go to bed and get some sleep.  But the password to the Internet is also a mystery to everyone at this hour.  India is so good for the growth work that I need to do around the concept of patience.

But all is well.  I feel alive and happy to be here.  Mother India has welcomed me home into her arms once again.  I am here in the guesthouse at the kitchen table writing this blog.  So maybe I pull out my little pillow and blanket and sleep on the floor…. who knows.  I am willing to sleep on the floor, but I really have use the bathroom and there is none in sight.  Oh boy…….India.

Update:  It is 1 hour later.  The doorman has climbed back into bed and put a sheet over his face.  My driver has now left without telling me.  I honestly thought he was going to find me the person who was supposed to welcome me.  I could not believe it when I went outside to see his car gone.  I still have to go to the bathroom!  So I decide to get out my little travel pillow and blanket and sleep on the cement floor next to the kitchen table.  I lock the doors and turn out the lights.  I am just about to exhale myself into a “let go completely, deeply and permanently mantra” to drift off in to sleep when the most annoying doorbell I have ever heard in my life goes off loudly!  Well, maybe that is good news.  So I go to the door and peak through the hole to see a small Indian boy with a key in his hand.  He has come to let me into my room.  Just when I have given in….he arrived! How perfect.

He has let me into my room, which I am very pleased with.  It has a double bed, a nice ceiling fan and air conditioning if I want it.  It has a T.V.- which cracks me up because I don’t even have a T.V. at home!  It has many storage cabinets that lock, which means I can leave some personals here safely.  It has a fairly nice bathroom, very spacious and tiled from floor to ceiling.  Lakshmi has left me 12 bottles of Aqua Fina water in my room and I can actually brush my teeth tonight with the bottled water- yeah!  So I have unpacked and organized myself, because for me it is 3:00 PM in the afternoon CA time and I am a Virgo- ha ha!  I think having everything in place in my cabinets gives me the illusion of security.  And now off to bed…….I feel so happy to have gotten here safely and with only a little fuss.

The Flight and Getting Sleep

Reprinted from Huffington Post

How to Sleep Well When Traveling

By Russell Rosenberg, Ph.D

Summer vacation usually brings to mind images of fun, food and relaxation. However, many people find themselves tossing and turning in hotel beds when away from the comforts of home. With about six out of every ten Americans planning a getaway this year, it is important to maintain a regular, healthy sleep schedule no matter the location. Regardless of your destination, simple preparations for a good night’s sleep can head off any disturbance in your usual sleep schedule.

If You’re Staying In the Same Time Zone

Sneaking off to the lake or lucky enough to live near the beach? Your sleep patterns will not change as drastically as your jet-setting counterparts. Still, a night away from the familiar comforts of home could interrupt your usual sleep routine. Try a few simple tips below to ensure you make that 8 a.m. tee time:

-Bring your own bedding. If you know that wrapping up in your own pillows and blankets will lead to a more restful sleep, pack them in the car. Your body craves a stable routine and bringing along familiar items will help keep your sleep schedule on track.

-Be prepared with a sleep mask, earplugs or calming music. You never know when a hotel may be in the middle of a remodel or night owls could be in the room next to yours. Pack items that will block out unwanted noise and light.

-Don’t eat or drink too much. While it is tempting to indulge on vacation, too many calories or too much alcohol close to bedtime could keep you pacing throughout the night.

-Avoid drowsy driving. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently reported that drowsy driving is involved in about 1 in 6 car accidents. Keep yourself and your family safe — if you feel sleepy, let someone else drive, drink a caffeinated beverage or pull into a rest area for a nap.

Traveling Through 3 or Less Time Zones

If you are flying or driving across three or fewer time zones, you will be facing a few sleep challenges. A California native vacationing in Florida might find themselves up half the night, missing out on the morning beach activities. To settle into this slight change, try the following:

Plan ahead. It takes about one day to recover from traveling across one time zone. If your vacation is packed with activities and you cannot afford one day of rest, consider setting your clock to your destination’s local time a day or so before departing. Plan your sleep/wake pattern around this new time and you will be ready to hit the beach (or any other destination) upon arrival.

Adjust naturally. Call ahead to see if your hotel has black out curtains or other sleep aids. If sleep medication or supplements are not a normal part of your life, do not rely on them as a sleep aid while on vacation. A medication that works well for another family member or friend may have adverse side effects for you, so be sure to consult a doctor before traveling with any prescriptions.

Stay hydrated. Dehydration is often a cause of travel fatigue. Make sure to drink plenty of water before boarding a plane, and do not pass up the opportunity to snag the smaller-sized bottles once on board. If you are driving, consider stocking a cooler with bottled water or bring a large thermos to keep fully hydrated.

Traveling Abroad

Jet lag is the physical reaction to transmeridian travel, creating fatigue, insomnia and digestive problems in even the most seasoned travelers. Jet lag affects everyone differently, and does not get easier with age or experience. Jet lag is caused by a new time zone’s abrupt change to your body’s natural circadian rhythm. Similar to shift workers who upset their body’s natural sleep clock when working night hours, jet lag can also cause headaches or confusion.

As previously stated, it takes one day to recover from each time zone you cross. If you are finally taking that long-awaited vacation to Europe and departing from Arizona, you might need a full week to reset your internal clock. If you are traveling to London from South Carolina, it should take about five days to readjust. What can you do to help your body bridge that sleep gap so you can get moving?

Get some sun (or fake it). The sun is the body’s natural sleep regulator. Step outside on a sunny day and your body internally knows it is time to rise and shine. If you are heading somewhere infamous for dismal weather, consider purchasing a machine that emits artificial sunlight. Place the device by your bed to use as a more natural wake-up call than a blaring alarm clock.

Exercise. Get any last-minute vacation stressors out of your system with a workout before your flight. Get up and move around to keep your blood flowing during the plane ride. Once you land, work in some exercise before going to bed — you will sleep better and have more energy the next day.

Stay awake and on local time. Even if it’s 11 p.m. in your hometown, try to stay on your destination’s clock. No napping and no shuteye until the locals turn in.

Borrow tips from above. All the tips listed in the previous two sections may prove helpful for your jet lag. Set your clocks to your destination’s local time, do not overeat or drink too much, pack the comforts of home — at least your pillow — do whatever is necessary to guarantee you will be well-rested and ready to enjoy your vacation.

What to Wear at the KYM

What to Wear at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram Training Programs

Southern India is a conservative place!  When you go to a program at the KYM or the KHYF, it is advised to dress with cultural sensitivity in mind.  First, cover up!  Please do not show your shoulders or your legs.  Although clothing is beginning to modernize in Northern India and in fancy hotels in Southern, India, this is not the case for studies at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram and the surrounding neighborhoods.  It is best not to draw attention to yourself.  Just try to blend in with the community and become “unnoticed”.  This is quite different from going to other Yoga Centers in South India where westerners wear workout clothing and skimpy outfits.

The first time my husband went to the KYM he wore shorts.  After all, it is over 100 degrees and humid!  As we walked up to the Mandiram we were met in the driveway by a kind woman asking us to go home and have him wear pants to cover his legs!  We were embarrassed, and went immediately to “Fab India” to get him appropriate clothing.   “Fab India” is a great place to shop and you can find it at many places in Chennai.  The prices are inexpensive compared to shopping in the west; the clothing is cotton and cool, the colors bright.  You will fit right in with the style of South India.  That would be my recommendation, that you show up for studies a few days early to get settled and buy a few outfits that you can rotate and wash in the sink at night.

A friend once tried to fit in to the Indian culture and wore a long men’s skirt called a dhoti.  He wanted to fit in and be cool.  Unfortunately he chose the color of bright orange, thinking that all the bright colors in South India are so nice!  When he came to class everyone was calling him “swami” and he said that he felt so honored to be called this.  Little did he know that it was because of his bright orange dhoti!  Finally someone told him that color matters when choosing clothing.  My advice is that if in doubt, ask the helpful shopkeepers!  Ask them the current trends, ask if the color is appropriate, and ask if the length, the fitting and the matching of tops and bottoms works for their culture.  We have all seen tourist in America that try to be in style and it is just a little off, giving us the giggles.  Don’t be the one who is getting giggled at in India!  Just ask for helpJ

Ladies, you will likely want to wear a “kurta”.  This is a long shirt that goes above your knees and covers all the important parts.  You will have some loose fitting pants under the kurta.  Please do not wear tight pants that will show any of your curves.  Also, you will want to have a matching scarf that covers your upper body and shoulders.  The bottom line is that you do not want your figure to be shown off.  It is best not to show your bare shoulders.  It can be considered offensive in this culture.  When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

One more note.  It has been my observation that the women at the KYM wear really lovely clothing, make-up and jewelry!  There are times that I have felt like a slug in my Fab India clothing and natural face (read no make-up)!  So if you want to look a little nicer, go to Shilpi or Anoki  which are not far from the KYM in Chennai.  They have lovely clothing.  You will pay more, but you will look amazing!  Even the poorest of the poor do their best to look good within their means in South India.  You will see very poor women with a nice sari on…  We should show them respect by preparing ourselves to receive the teachings with the niyama of sauca.

Home Away From Home: My Guest House Near the KYM in Chennai, India

I am so excited to see the guest house that I will be staying in when I go to the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai, India.  My friend from Chicago, Laura Jane, is staying there now and posted these pictures.  It looks really clean and modern.  This is going to be quite a change from what I am used to!  I have an air-conditioned room and internet access, so life should be good!  I will have my own room and other travelers to socialize with if I need some company.  They are also going to be cooking lunch and dinner for me, which will make it easy (and delicious) after a long day.  Everything included is about $25 per day- which is expensive by some people’s standards.  But my feeling is that staying in India for a month is hard work and I want to have comfortable accommodations where I can rest.  I begin my own Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga 500-Hour Teacher Training just two weeks after I get home and I cannot afford to come home sick.  So, I am pampering myself just a little bit by staying in this guest house.  Additionally, it is a short 5-7 minute walk to the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, so I will not necessarily need a rickshaw driver every day.

One of these pictures is of the main room of the guest house.  The other picture is looking off from the balcony of one of the guest rooms.

The benefit of private accommodations so close to the KYM that have been enjoyed by friends is comforting.  I encourage people to get recommendations from others prior to their journey to India and abroad, wherever it may be!

Love and Safe Travels to Everyone!

Amy

Love and Gratitude for my Yoga Sangha at Home and Abroad

I am just finishing training 20 new teachers at a Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga 500-Hour Teacher Training in Chicago.  They have been studying for 2 ½ years and they are ready to graduate!  I can see the excitement in each student and we have many parties planned.  Today we are discussing the ethics of being a Yoga Teacher.  I have 20 scenarios that have happened to me over the past 15 years pertaining to the ethics of being a Yoga Teacher.  Each student received a scenario last night and will present what they feel is the ethical response to the group.  They will use the Yamas and the Niyamas as their guide.  It should be an interesting and fun activity.

I woke up this morning to emails and blogs from all over the world from loving friends who are all part of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Lineage.  At least several of these friends are in India right now!  I am getting emails on the Ayurvedic massage prices near my apartment ($20 for 2 people and 1 hour!!!).   I have 2 days to recover when I get there, so a few massages are definitely on the schedule after the 24 hour plane ride.  It is so lovely to have friends who think of you and send love from India often.  It reminds me that I am part of a family of people who have all gone through a similar process of transformation and realization by using the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya.  Many people think that 2 1/2 years is far too long to study for a certification, but honestly, for many it is only the beginning.  When I think about my Krishnamacharya Sangha living all over the world, and how they check in with me regularly, send love and blessings, write notes over Facebook, call me, Skype me and how all of us focusing on the same quotes given from the Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation daily…..it makes my heart feel very open.  I feel as if there is an invisible force in my life holding me and nourishing me.  I know that some people feel the word “lineage” can be dogmatic and oppressive, but in my personal experience I have not found this to be the case.  It is simply a group of people who are on the path together, wanting to suffer less and experience more joy.

I send love this morning to all those who are traveling to India and are having such a great time.  I send love to all those in the Chicago Teacher Training Group who are about to graduate.  I send love to the people who will and have already signed-up for my 500-Hour Teacher Training that will begin in September.  I feel extremely grateful to my teachers, Kausthub Desikachar, Sri Desikachar and especially T. Krishnamacharya for making this all possible!

Mental and Physical Preparations for Traveling to India

I am preparing mentally for my upcoming trip to India.  Today I went to my chanting lesson in Long Beach and reviewed several chants to Shiva, as well as the Bhusuktam.  As I sat and listened to my teacher chanting, I imagined that I was in India again.  When I am in India, it seems there is always someone chanting.  I felt relaxed and happy and knew that I was mentally preparing to go.  I also know that chanting daily until I leave will be a big part of strengthening my mind, nervous system and emotions.  Chanting in Sanskrit has this amazing effect on the mind and subtle body, especially if done daily, because of the cumulative effect.

One part of going to India is leaving my family here in the States.  My parents are never very excited to hear that I am going.  My father always asks if there is any way that my husband can go with me.  I think that most of the rest of my family just thinks I am a little nuts.  They really do not understand the nourishment that comes from this deeply spiritual journey.  My husband keeps making requests about making sure that I eat only clean food and make sure no mosquitoes bite me.  I worry about leaving my 14-year old beloved dogs here for so long without me.  In the morning I will be interviewing a pet sitter that can come over while my husband is at work and I am half way across the world.

It is useful to think about the time change and how one can use video chat such as Skype each night to contact loved ones.  It is about 12 hours difference in time, so 6:30 p.m. in India will be like 6:30 a.m. here is California.  Somehow using Skype makes me feel not so lonely when I am so far away.  Usually after about 3 weeks I want to come home so badly!

Think about packing lightly and what you really need to bring with you.  It is no fun to carry around heavy bags when you travel that far.  I will likely bring 2 or 3 outfits and try to have them washed every 3^rd day when I am there.  It is easy to get them washed an ironed for about 25 cents.  Plus, it is a “given” than I will do some shopping while I am there.  So I always pack lightly on the way there, carrying extra bags within bags, so that I can fill them up for the way home.  But with the current baggage regulations on airplanes, there will likely be less shopping on this trip.  The other option is to have things sent home, and not really know if they will arrive.

It is also useful to think about any medications that one might need to order ahead of time and have on hand.  It is pretty easy to see a doctor in India.  Last time I got a house call for about $20.  But there are some things that I know to bring with me.  I use many essential oils and herbs for treating my common health challenges.  I am putting in an order to make sure I have enough to last the month!

The planning continues!  Thanks for sharing this journey with me!

Planning tips for a Yoga trip to Chennai, India

I am happy to be going back to India to continue my Yoga studies.  I will be leaving on July 27^th and coming home on August 28^th.  The purpose of this article is to assist the travel of others who might like to visit the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram or to help you live vicariously through me if a trip is not possible in your life right now.  There are many steps for planning a trip to Chennai, South India to visit the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram.  Here are a few steps that I have been taking recently.

1)  Be prepared for the price of the airfare!  Prices have gone up dramatically in the past 5 years.  In 2005 I got a last minute flight (day I was leaving) for about $1200.  As of April, 2011 I paid $1700 on American Airlines for an August 2011 flight.  I chose a U.S. based airline for the following reasons:

1. 1) If for some reason I cannot go, I can use the money from the ticket for another trip within the U.S.  Getting the $140 travel insurance is not a bad idea either (although I did not buy it).
2. 2) The baggage requirements for many Asian-based airlines are pretty rough.  You know that you are going to shop when you are there and sending packages home to the U.S. is not the best idea.  The packages may never make it out of India.
3. 3) U.S. airlines have very competitive prices with all the other airlines- so why not!

2)  Get your passport and visa really early.  The visa usually takes about 6 weeks and you DO NOT want to be waiting for it to come at the last minute.  They will not even allow you to get on the airplane without your passport and visa.  So get started on this.  I bought a 10- year student visa many years ago.  I knew that I would be going to India many times to study at the KYM and I thought that it would be easier to have it whenever I needed it.  If I remember, it was about $150 for a 10-year visa.  This was 5 years ago…so not sure what it is now.   One more thing, make copies of your passport and visa and keep them in a safe place just in case your lose the original.  You do not want to be in India without any documentation.  Same thing with credit cards and photo I.D.- make copies front and back and keep the docs in a safe place.

3)  I like to know where I am going to land when I get there.  Most flights get you there at 12:00 midnight (or around there).  The last thing you want to do is land exhausted, with no rupees (the currency) in your pocket, wandering around the Chennai airport in the middle of the night, trying to discern if you should take one cab driver over another driver (both of whom might take you for a long ride and charge you too much).  If you can, just plan a night or two at the New Woodlands Hotel in Chennai: http://www.newwoodlands.com/.  It’s nothing fancy, but it is safe, has good clean food, the drivers know where it is.  You can get a decent room for about $30 per night.  There is Indian food in the Woodlands Hotel and both Indian and American food right next door.  This will give you a place to sleep off your flight and wake up to a good meal.  You can even call the hotel early and schedule a ride from the airport.  They will have someone waiting with a sign that has your name.  This is key because when you walk outside of the airport in the middle of the night, an unbelievable number of people (seems like 1,000) will be hanging out trying to get you to come with them for a ride.  Have your driver ready to go so that you feel safe.  Remember, you are tired after a 24 hour flight and not in the best state of mind to be making unfamiliar transportation decisions.

4)  Try to get your hands on some rupees before you go (from your local bank).  You will need to have them ordered ahead of time from your bank.  Most banks do not have them in the back just waiting for people like you and me!  So get about $200 worth to get your started on your trip.  Then, when you get there you can have a day to find a good exchange rate.  You can also get rupees at the airport in Chennai.  The exchange rate at the airport is set by the government, so you won’t get ripped off.  It is just one more thing to do in the middle of the night….when you are really jet lagged.  Prepare, prepare, prepare for best-case scenario.  Then let go, let go, let go of expectations when nothing turns out the way that you had planned

5)  For shopping/ spending, use credit cards whenever possible.  You might want to call your credit card company before you leave so that they do not suspect fraud and shut down your card unexpectedly.  I have had this happen.  You are ready to pay your bill and the credit card will not go through.  Then you go to find a telephone to call your company and this is no easy task in India!!!  Country codes, strange tones, people speaking a language that you have no idea what they are saying to you.  Just call ahead and warn them that you will be charging while travelling across the world on specified dates and they will put it in your file.  Then have no more than $100 U.S. on you at any given time.  You will not need more than this and why risk losing your money or getting it stolen.  If you lose $100, you will live to tell about it.

6)  Please do not land in Chennai with inappropriate clothing.  No shorts, tank tops, tight clothes should be worn while you are there.  You will stand out like a sore thumb waiting to be taken advantage of and may offend the locals.  Stay covered, even though it is hot, hot, hot!  Be respectful of the culture.  When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

7)  Malaria pills and shots?  Vaccine shots are a good idea.  Just see your doctor many months before you go to get updated on your shots.  If you get all the vaccines for Hepatitis A, B, C, yellow fever, etc. it may take a few months to space the shots, so start early.  I have never taken malaria pills.  They are terrible for your liver and make you feel so awful that you can’t enjoy your vacation.  Instead, you can be diligent about your bug spray all day and all night.  Keep your body covered (arms and legs) at all times to avoid bug bites.  Sleep with a mosquito net, especially if your room does not have screens on the windows (very likely).  Also, do not assume that all rooms have A/C- you must ask for this and pay extra.

This is all for today.  I am getting fatigued just thinking about my trip to India

Announcing: Amy Wheeler Ph.D.’s Yoga and Wellness Blog!

Welcome to the first installment of my blog about living, learning and being in yoga, or union.  This “union” could be within you, with loved ones, with the divine- or maybe all three simultaneously!

My first set of blog entries will be in the weeks leading up to my 2011 summer visit to South India.  As I prepare for my trip to the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) in Chennai, I will describe the preparations and experiences leading up to my arrival.  Maybe you can live vicariously through me, or plot out your own trip to India as you read!  I will arrive in India on July 27^th and be there one month.  My main task there will be to complete my Yoga Therapy Internship at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram.  This comes at the end of a 4-year study program of theory and now the application of all that I have learned will begin.

At the KYM they diagnose, treat and work to heal disease just as we do at the doctor’s office in the United States.  I will see how they use postures, breathing techniques, meditations, herbs and other applications to work with diseases such as epilepsy, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, back pain, hypothyroidism, fibroid tumors and many other health issues.  I will do my best to keep you posted daily on what it is that I am observing at the KYM.  I will see 5-6 clients per day and hopefully I can find time to write a little each day. I will also try to keep you posted on what it is like to visit India.  I think for people who have never been there, this will be the most interesting part of the blog.

Please join me by signing up to have the daily posts sent to your email by clicking the link at the very bottom of this page.  It will be very nourishing for me to know that you are with me in spirit as I travel across the world!

Peace and light- Amy