First week update

So here's the low down- this place is so beautiful and completely freeing (minus the <30 hours a week of work). It has been the most incredible experience so far, but I'll start with the basics to keep it simple.

Where? The center is close to Lenox, MA in the Berkshire Mountains. There are all kind of cute towns around. The place was an Ashram (and is still very commune-like [Ashram= Commune+Yoga]) but now not only has Yoga, but three professional schools and all kinds of rest and renewal programs.

Roomies? Are awesome. I live in a place called the Hill House with about 25-30(?) other people. In my room there's Lia, a tattoo artist from Toronto, and Caroline, about to start PT school from Connecticut by way of Tampa. Just to throw this out, there are about 60 volunteers from all different backgrounds (mainly female).

What do I do? Mainly go to Yoga and the educational classes. Today I went to a class about Yoga and Shamanism (quite interesting!). My job is to wash dishes which is quite a bit different from what I was doing. It was rough and humbling at first, but I have come to enjoy it and love my schedule; I work 4 days a week, 1:30-9 for 3 days and then a short morning/ afternoon shift on Tuesday.

Food? The food is fantastic! It's mostly organic and there is even some meat (we had fish two times for dinner already). This week I have been experimenting with my diet by way of excluding gluten, so basically no wheat, oats, barley, rye, and spelt. I did this because I was having some issues with constipation and gas and those problems can be linked to gluten. I also did it because it's easy to eat healthy and tastefully and leave it out HERE, not so easy and tasty in the real world. So far I feel a little better. I'm going to add it back in next week and see what happens.

Revelations? Yes, I think I've already had two significant ones. First, the soul is eternal. I feel like I've always told myself that, but I really felt and embraced that thought this week. It felt so freeing. Second, whatever job you have in life, you can practice your values and karma yoga (karma yoga is the yoga of action). I was ready to get on the boat of I need to teach to practice what I believe, but I'm not feeling that so much anymore; I can show compassion in everything I do and I know if my heart is open and I'm willing to listen I'll walk the path I'm meant to tread.

Ok, well I hope that suffices as an update. I miss everyone and can't wait to bring some of the things I've learned back home. Thanks for reading and I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week!

"Happiness is a continuation of happenings which are not resisted." - Deepak Chopra