Mysore Magic – Part 2 "The Ashtanga Family"

It’s amazing how wherever in the world you go into an Ashtanga Yoga Shala you know you are at home; it truly feels like we are all part of this Ashtanga Family. This practice brings together similar-minded people who share the same passion and love for Yoga. In Mysore you meet yoga students from all around the world! Having coconuts after practice you can talk to students from Mexico, Peru, Bali, Germany, the Philippines. We are all different, come from totally different cultures, but here we are, sharing this experience together.

I am personally a bit of an introvert, so making new friends has never been very easy for me. The first day in Mysore, when I came to register to my classes I felt a bit like the first day of school. That funny, awkward moment when you don’t know anybody yet, and it just might be any of these people who become your best friend. It’s pretty exciting and stressful at the same time and the funniest thing is feeling this way when you are 30 years old!

The first few days I decided to spend my free time catching up on some reading, and was feeling comfortable with being by myself. But the “Mysore magic” seems to draw kind-hearted people together so my alone time did not last long. I suddenly had two new amazing friends with me and I easily fell in with their adventures: exciting days of sightseeing the city, enjoying delicious food and great company. It’s a special feeling when after just a few hours with somebody you feel like old friends, ready to talk about almost anything. The strangest moment is the realization that it's easier to speak about your feelings to this person you've just met, than it is to some friends you’ve known for ages.

The only problem with meeting friends when traveling is that everyone has a different schedule and some people who you just got close to are already leaving... and so after two exciting weeks I was left to myself again.

Once again, I decided to use this time wisely to meditate, contemplate, read, and study new things. There are lots of different courses you can sign up for, so everyone will find something to match their interests. I decided to concentrate on yoga philosophy and Sanskrit to be able to go deeper in my understanding of yoga.

And so, on this new path, once again I stumbled on amazing people, new adventures, lunches, breakfasts and dinners together… You will never feel lonely for very long in Mysore. The “magic” of Mysore seems to bring together people who understand each other. You will not have to explain why you are vegetarian or vegan, why you feed the street dogs, or why you refuse to kill the ants in your room, carrying them out instead on tiny pieces of tissue paper.

I think that is one of the most special parts of this beautiful adventure. It’s nice to be understood, and to know that you are not the only one to care: there are many amazing, kind people around you, who are beautiful inside and out.

Thank you all my friends: I feel so lucky to have met you all! <3