Last few days and then back home

I am back home now. Wow, what a amazing time.  I truly love this place and what it produces.  The love that we all have towards each other, the growth and the special friendships we have made over our time here, and all that we have learned about Yoga and ourselves is profound. Our last few days here were fantastic.  We learned about the Bhagavad Gita while sitting on the beach at Makalawena Beach, the students all taught amazing classes, and we all started feeling the presence that the end of our journey here was near.  We all grew a little closer the those last few days and cherished our time together even more.  Having a deep knowingness that what we just experienced with this particular group was unique and special.  Even if or when we have a reunion with the same people it would not recreate the experience that was just created, and now which is a beautiful memory.  The friendships will last, even if communication isn't frequent.  The love and shared magic we all have experienced will remain our bond no matter what. 

Our sunset watching ritual

I want to add a few pictures I have from the last few days spent at Hale Kai.  Some of the others took more pictures and are posting them online.  As time goes on I plan to go through some of their pictures and make a combined album with their photos and mine.  As for now, here are some from my last few days.

Our hike to our crystal clear beach Makalawena Beach

We made it! Our Crystal Clear Beach

 Studying and discussing the Bhagavad Gita.  Not too bad for a classroom!

Goats came bye for a snack while we were studying.

Then some time for play!

 

 

Living the good life!

my shower had a gecko on it!

Such gorgeous flowers all over Hale Kai

Jon was so sweet.  He was happy to have me home.  He made a welcome home sign and put up some balloons and streamers.  Jimi (the cat) was happy too.  He said hello and then went to go eat some food.  It's great to be home and getting back to work.  Looking forward to spreading the good vibes and love I experienced in Hawaii.  Mahalo and A Hui Ho (Thank you and see you soon!)

 Aloha!  We are into 3 weeks of this years Yoga Teacher Training and everyone is doing great!

New Students practicing with some Locals

 

 

 We have had 2 classes with Local folks here on the Island.  Everyone has learned so much.  As a reward we took a day trip to the Hawaiian Volcano Park.  We hiked several miles down the crater and then entirely across, back up, and over to our starting point.  It was a great hike.  Once down in the crater we stopped at a steam vent, did some yoga, performed the hula, and left her (Madame Hele) some flowers and incense.

Finished the hike down, now to reach the other side.

Ginger Plant

From the Jungle to Lava

 It was amazing how the scenery changed from jungle to baron lava.  There were some signs of life on the lava but not much.  We also came across quite a bit of the semi precious stone peridot.  This crater has an abundance of this beautiful green crystal scattered all over it if you look carefully.  We also came across some interesting life in the jungle surrounding the crater.  We saw a beautiful volcanic peacock family, a ginger flower, and natural orchids. 

Hiking

 

Our Offerings

Life amongst the Death

Volcano Offerings from someone

Wild Orchids

 After our hike and lunch we trekked through the lava tunnels and then over to the observatory to take a look at the lava glow from above.  It was a beautiful sight.  It was rainy and cold so we all had hot cocoa and tomato soup in our cars before we road tripped home. It was a really fun day.

Volcanic Peacock

Madame Hele the Volcano

 One of our cooks had to leave so that left me as one of the main cooks for the group.  I have really been enjoying being in the kitchen and learning how to make some great healthy food for a large group of people. Not that I am ready to host Thanksgiving this year, but I have learned alot.  I am happy that I didn't come here with a pre-set idea of how my time here would be spent.  I just enjoy going with the flow and being of service to all the Yoga Gods and Goddess.  As you can imagine the energy here is so blissful no matter what you are doing.  I still make sure I make it for a swim or a snorkle daily and sometimes more. 

Lunch

Gluetan Free Pizza

One of our many little friends

Just a regular Breakfast Day

 

 

Sasha and I cooking DinDin in our matchy uniforms

As you can expect at a place like this I am making alot of really cool friends.  Sasha and I have been having a great time in the kitchen together.  She lives here on the Big Island and has been coming over in the evenings to help with Dinner.  She is so awesome!  She saw my Ocean Beach Peoples Cookbook and told me she has been there and loves that place.  We have been doing some recipes out of that book while here.  Fun Times!

The next few days the students will continue learning Yoga Philosophy and Asana.  Tomorrow we have another field trip to a beautiful beach called Maklavena.  After that our new students will be leading thier own Yoga classes that we will be able to take.  I am excited for some Yoga Asana after all my Kitchen Yoga!

I hope all who is reading this is having an amazing day!  Mahalo!

Time Flies!

My Friend Alicia and I

Wow!  I can't believe how the days at this teacher training are flying bye!  All of the students are absolutely wonderful people.  We have a variety of people from France, Samoa, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Florida.  There are 15 students in total.  I thought I would have a harder time learning everyone's name but they are all so friendly it came quickly.

My intention origianally was to blog every other day.  With the busyness going on there is no way that is possible.  My typical day starts at 6am in the kitchen.  If breakfast is made quickly I may have some time to go into class and re-learn with the other students.  After breakfast we all break for free time.  For me that means OCEAN!  The black sand beach is right down the way.  Lately I have been bringing my pink inflatable raft.  The other day I got to float it around a huge pod of Dolphins and just yesterday a little Honu (Sea Turtle) popped his head up and swam right up to me in my raft.

Nicole and My Tiki Hut "Naia"

View of our Tiki Hut and Bathroom

Anyways, after the beach I shower and prep lunch.  After lunch class resumes again.  Now I only have a little time to enjoy class so that I can assist in the dinners.  We really make some gormet food here.  We also make sure we garnish it beautifully with flowers and in beautiful serving wear.  Sometimes after Dinner we may have some more teaching and I enjoy to sit on in that too.  Since everything is on Solar Power here once the sun goes down, we also start settling down and getting ready for bed.  The internet and phone service here is really spotty. I can really only use it in certain spots, and my room is not one of them.

Anyhow, here are some photo's in my collection from the past 10 days.  Enjoy!  Video of Dolphin I took soon to come.  :)

Kumu Keala teaching us Hula and Traditional Hawaiian Chanting

Kiss the cooks!  Where's Sasha?  She should be in this pic too!

Anatomy class

Ganesh adorning my Fathers Day Flowers.  Karl, David, Bob

Just before our ceremony releasing the flowers into the ocean

My roomie Nicole and I at the Kava Bar

The Kava Tender

Sunset at my friends house

Kona County

All in all I am having a great time here. I am really enjoying spending so much time in the kitchen.  Also, everyone here has so much great knowledge to share about healthy living and eating.  Jons going to be so excited with my new love of cooking when I return! 

Since my time is limited today I am just going to upload some pics I have been taking and add a brief description on each of them.  I have also been posting some of these on facebook, which has been easier than logging in on this blogger site.  I apologize if you have already seen some of the photos from the facebook uploads. Mahalo!

Opening Ceremony

Just an example of one of our yummy salads

Ho'Okeena Beach

Fresh Picked Coconuts from Matt.  He climbed the tree!

Love it!  The straw was made out of Papaya leaf stalk

My Indian Angel protecting me in my room