...and so the journey begins!

The crew: Sara, Me, Jennifer, Josh, Alan, Ashley <3

I finished up my level one training yesterday, and now the true journey begins!! I could get into detail about my full 75min massage to the public, and how she could feel my love and energy with every touch- and I could tell you how excited and anxious I was- or how proud I was to complete- or how outstanding my teacher was, and how much I loved my 'neighbor' Sara, but instead I'll just leave you with this: Let your intuition be your guide, and when the universe points you in a certain direction...follow it, with an open mind. I have loved surfing more than anything or anyone, for my whole life. If a few years ago you had said that teaching yoga would become my passion, I would have laughed at you. If you told me a week ago that I would find a home in Thai Yoga Massage, I definitely would have rolled my eyes. How silly we are to think that we have any say in the matter! Blessings to my teacher, Jennifer Yarro...and to her assistants (boyfriend & great friend) Josh and Nikki for their patience and knowledge, to my 'neighbor' Sara for giving me constructive criticism along with encouragement to help me grow, and thank you to Daniel Orlansky for the e.p.i.c. hospitality!

Figured that I'd reward myself for a job well done....Yummy (local) "Happy Sol"....

"Do you think I know what I'm doing? That for one breath I belong to myself? As much as a pen knows what it's writing, or the ball can guess where it's going next." - Rumi

Day 3

Day 3, and I am just flying high ( as well as being totally exhausted ). Still overwhelmed with gratitude...stoked to be participating in such an amazing training with a great group of people and an ammmmazing instructor. Thai Yoga Massage is way more powerful and amazing than I had originally given it credit for. I'm super excited to be on this path and definitely plan to take this much further (hopefully continuing under the tutelage of Jennifer Yarro and hopefully some of that being in Thailand!). Speaking of Jennifer, she is a multifaceted pretty spectacular human being, and her boyfriend Josh is extremely special as well. Jen is a yoga instructor, dula, body worker, healer an oh so much more. Her Josh lived as a monk in Thailand for over three years, and his peace and serenity will seep into your soul...instantly making you a better person. Seriously. No lie. He has a deep, soothing voice that reaches just above a loud whisper. Compassion oozes from his being. And him and Jennifer together...well they're something special. And all of us are sharing one roof, with the gracious Daniel Orlansky who has opened up his home (and kitchen) to us wandering nomads.

Anywho- another long day, but I was thankful for a smaller group (only 8 of us in the full certification program, but about 20 people for the two day weekend immersion). It was nice to have more individual attention, less distraction, and a more intimate group. We added a lot more onto our flow today, which was mildly overwhelming but all in all will become second nature in no time.

After a full day we headed home for leftovers, hot tea and some great company. Aaron stopped over with his kids, which was more than entertaining. His youngest son Jasper came right in the house, stripped off his clothes, and sat in front of the wood stove. His oldest (7), Body, came wearing slacks, a button down shirt, a tie, and a argyle vest. Aaron declared that this has been his style since a school Christmas party. Both little kids had very Big personalities...it was great to have them in the mix for a bit (and then to send them on their way). Excited and nervous and a tad bit sad about tomorrow being my final day. Studying my notes now and listening to some Chris & Thomas to soothe my nerves. Hasta Mañana troops!

Thai Yoga Massage Training Day 2

Having a little lunch after a long morning...

The 10 major SEN lines in Thai Yoga Massage...

Jennifer and Josh demonstrating techniques....

Yeeew! Day two...and just wanted to report that I have fallen truly madly deeply in love with Thai massage. It is NOTHING like the Thai massage that I received in the touristy towns of Thailand. It is a spiritual practice and an intense body work that is deeply integrated with your energy. Powerful shit...and a bit too much for me to get into at this moment. So here are some photos: some of the osho books I've been borrowing from Daniel (he has a whole Osho library!), a few of us enjoying lunch together, an illustration of Thai "SEN" lines (similar to meridians), my amazing teacher Jennifer showing us some technique, and then a typical evening at Daniels house. Namaste my friends!

Back at Daniels, just lounging, some massage...

Cracking out on the Osho collection...

Sweet Sleep.

I get to lay my head down tonight in the most beautiful home in all of Boston, and probably the most beautiful sacred living space that I have ever entered, ever. Daniel Orlansky is a teachers' teacher, and I studied Kundalini yoga with him a while back at the Kripalu yoga center in Massachusetts. Through him I heard of Jennifer Yarros Thai Yoga Massage training, and he has been so kind as to offer up his home to me while I'm here for the training (he also scooped me up at the airport!). All in all an amazing individual. Day one of training is complete, and I'm still in sensory overload, so I'll have to digest that for you all at another time. But I WILL tell you THIS: Thai massage is amazing, and very powerful form of bodywork. This will definitely become a life long journey for me, an infinite student and practitioner. Namaste my friends, write more again soon, but now I am going to rest up for what tomorrow will bring!