India

This year I had an opportunity to adventure to RIshekish, India. It was an incrediable experience to be on a pilgrimage to fly across the world to emerge yourself in an unknown culture. I did enjoy the ceremony's, dipping in the Ganga, Beatles ashram, meditating in community on the banks of the Ganga daily, lemon na na's, the colorful saree's that the people of India wear that brighten the land. Singing kirtan with Krishna Das and hundreds of other who are as passionate as you about repeating the mantras in song wile dancing.I suggest that you experience of squeezing in a tuk tuks as it zips thought the streets navigating on both sides of the road beeping by as it is passing cars, trucks and families of four driving barefoot on a scooter with no helmet's on. Or walking down the street in a foreign land to the market all by myself at times with a cow or a monkey in site and feeling completely safe.It was magical to shout out Om Namaya Shiva to people walking by and they shout the greeting and blessing back to you. If I have to pick my favorite part of the entire experience I would have to say it was the bonds that I was able to create with the men and women that I spent on this journey. Kalyanamitra (कल्यानमित्र) this translates to spiritual friend. To spend two weeks praying and meditating together bonded in the experience of being in a strange land with people you do not know unified in the desire to travel, explore, practice yoga and live in the moment.

 I highly suggest when you can going outside your comfort zone often. We do not need to go to the other side of the world to do it. Stepping outside your comfort zone can happen in your own community. It takes faith, curiosity, open mindless and a taste for adventure.Stepping outside our comfort zone with a curious mind can teaches us so much about ourselves. Entering the experience you will see all the fears that arise witness all the character defenses that you dance with to protect you. They are often as old as you instilled since childhood. Invite that fearful child into the moment hug them and then let them know you're an adult let them know they are safe. Keep clam and carry on.The key for me is not to allow my fear to be bigger than my faith. I would have missed out on many amazing experiences if I stayed trapped in fear. 

Hanuman statue at Artee

International Yoga Community

Happiness right after singing kirtan and dancing with Krishna Das and several hundred friends

Ceremonies