Making mistakes

Dear Daughter,

It has been a while, but I am returning to writing these blogs that you will be able to read.

Recently I finished a Yoga Teacher Training as you know, and you made this amazing picture for me and tried to write “Papa” in Devanagari. It was so sweet, but it says “Pipa”, which is some how even better than the real thing because it does not exist in Sanskrit, which makes it even more special! Sometimes, things that are “mistakes” are the portals to new discoveries and ideas.

Never be afraid to make a mistake.

I Love You,

Papa, or “Pipa”

Yoga at School

Dear Daughter,
This weekend was "Sports Day" for the school that I teach at. However, it was quite different than Sports Days in America and Belgium. The school was divided up into the four ancient royal families of Tamil Nadu: the Cholas, Pandyas, Chera, and Pallava, each with their own colors. Each of the groups had a presentation on Nature and Mother Earth in between special demonstrations of Yoga, Gymnastics, and Karate in addition to some foot races that many of the students also ran barefoot. Here are some pictures of the Yoga Club's demonstrations. Do you recognize the children doing Vrkasana, the Tree Pose?

New Beginnings

Dear Daughter,
Papa started his Yoga classes yesterday with a nice woman named Rajeshwara. She has two sons who also both practice Yoga. Like Papa used to go to swim meets around America, her sons went to Yoga "competitions" to learn more about Yoga from others from all over India. We have started from the very beginning with the simplest poses, like Tadasana, or the Mountain Pose. When you have not been doing something like Yoga in life for a while, it is very important to start over with something from the simplest approach, even if you have once been very good at it. And, you must have patience. Remember that patience is a skill that will always serve you well.
I love You, Papa

Nothing So Lovely as a Tree

Yesterday, waiting for the swimming pool to open, we went into the gym and practiced some yoga "poses," that you had invented. Learn to breathe and relax and things will come to you easier. Then, we did Vriksasana, the Tree Pose, and for a moment stood there facing each other like two trees in the forest, smiling. It was a wonderful moment. Then, you started giggling and we both fell out of the pose laughing. 
Remember to breathe.
Remember to laugh.