Final days

Final days, ups and downs, rain and sunshine

An auspicious combination of a full moon, the start of a week long celebration of Holi, Easter and the first storm of the season, provided a beautiful backdrop for the final days on the course. A liberating thunderstorm cleared away the tearful air and brought some much needed coolness to what had been the hottest week so far. A few more degrees and all of us would have been dropping like flies. The last few classes were already lacking energy and enthusiasm, minds had already left the classroom and drifted to other locations beyond the Shala and far away from Goa. Tears and emotions had already started pouring out as the grand finale of the course neared even closer. It's funny how intense and close knit retreats like these bring out deep seated emotions out of most people.

And I can't believe that's already it – 320 hours of intensive learning, training and practicing are over. It's been such an intense, fascinating, full-on few weeks, months, and now I'm done, I'm officially a yoga teacher –or am I? Right now, I simply own the certificate – a worthy one indeed- but these last 2 months haven't quite sunk in yet. The closing ceremony was a beautiful one – and we celebrated in a hybrid Indo-western way – a last group Pranayama practice, followed by breakfast and a philosophy class to round up our thoughts and knowledge on yoga. After handing us the certificates, we thanked our teachers with gifts and cards – in a very loosely themed Indian fashion.

So what next? Where is everyone off to? Will we all be teaching, assisting, or setting off for yet more learning? Right now, half my classmates are probably roasting on the beach (hours in the classroom doesn't exactly do much for the tan) an the other half have left or are on their way out.... It's somewhat sad to see people leave after such an intense, close time together and yet I feel many of us have made a bond, a mini network of like-minded people, who may very well become lifelong friends, who knows? Only time will tell what everyone will make of yoga in a few years' time.

As for me, I'm not baking on the beach, nor packing up to leave, but simply enjoying some time off from early morning sessions, homework and tight schedules. I've decided to spend a few weeks in the area to enjoy Goa at its quietest, work a few shifts in the shop (in exchange for free classes and some extra socialising), do a bit of admin work for the Yoga centre (not quite karma yoga, but when I can give something back, I love doing it), whilst also keeping up my practice and most importantly have a holiday!