We don't need reasons to smile

We don't need reasons to smile 

Getting to Agonda in a very sweaty 2hr taxi ride with plenty of near misses was not the most fitting introduction to the Indian haven that is South Goa. Unlike my experience of Mumbai, the shop owners and accommodation staff actually smile and say hello, even without you trying to initiate interaction. Maybe they've all spent time with Sudhir - the philosophy and meditation tutor on my yoga teacher training course that brought me here. One of his many morning meditation mantras being the title of this post, with the others usually in Sanskrit, this one seemed both most relatable and apt. 

We don't need reasons to smile - smiling is our birth right as it is the outward expression of the unconditional happiness that is the true nature of the self when the mind is quiet and stops analysing. This is a fairly difficult skill to master, as you can imagine, however this place gives you plenty of reasons to smile, whilst you learn how to do it for no reason. 

I arrived to find a huge, clean room equipped with all the creature comforts you could want - and a few actual creatures living nearby (a gorgeous kitten, tiny little frogs, geckos, chipmunks and monkeys). The beautiful jungle scenery of coconut palms and ripe cashew trees that these animals inhabit forms the backdrop for our yoga classrooms, or shalas, with the ocean horizon in the distance. Surprisingly it's actually only a tiny hop, skip and jump to the quietest sweep of soft sandy beach with only the odd friendly dog or ageing hippy to distract you from your post-class sunset watch or rest-day swim. These lazy moments are made all the more sweet by their juxtaposition with the intense, exhilarating yoga course itself.

The daily routine full of sun salutations, oms and aaahs starts at 6am, after a wake up call by the cockerel next door. Starting

with 2hrs of ashtanga practice (the repeated series of contortionist-style poses that challenge the body in order to quieten the mind, focusing on the breath whilst you try to ignore the sweat dripping from your nose). This is followed by meditation then anatomy, alignment, teaching and philosophy classes, rounded off with one more inventive yoga class every evening. This repetition is  a perfect antidote for my unpredictable freelance lifestyle in London whilst continuing to feed my need for physical creativity and refreshing my love of learning. 

The full schedule is punctuated by the delights that are meal time. Despite sticking to the yogic diet that verges on veganism (yogurt is allowed due to the holiness of the cow around here) the kitchen produces the most delicious food that has left me not averse to a good sweet n sour tofu (did i actually just write that?). From lentil dahl, to aloo gobi, rice and naans to jewel coloured salads - none of it has turned my tummy once *touch wood*  The miniature coconut or banana flavoured desserts haven't always satiated my sugar-cravings but there have been goodie offerings from my fellow international students including Moroccan chocolate and good old creme eggs. 

Which brings me to another joyful aspect of the experience - the people I am sharing it with. From the site staff, to the teachers, the karma yogis (classroom assistants) and most importantly my peers. Spending atleast 12hours per day with the same 25 people 6/7days a week, negotiating with each other's bodies as well as mind sets, might have quickly become tiresome. But with so many gentle, like-minded individuals from all walks of life to learn from it has become not only a source of interesting conversation but a support network or temporary family. As we break down our own barriers, both physically and mentally, it is comforting to know that there will always be someone around to build us back up when we, rather than the boundaries, crumble. The smile we give to others is the smile we enjoy the most.