I arrived at Sharanagati Yogahaus after more than 34 hours train ride, coming from Mumbai, having experienced all kinds of frustrations there (cash crisis due to the New Year demonetization, no cash, Visa card blocked, computer broken....)
Needlesss to say, I was looking forward to what I was fantasizing to be a peaceful, relaxing break from the stress of normal life. Well ...Sharanagati was all that, and much MUCH more!
As soon as I stepped out of my auto rickshaw and came through the door, I felt like I had arrived in some kind of heaven. A gorgeous garden, flowers everywhere in the house, the soothing and uplifting smell of sandalwood incense, the colors and the smiles... Hari, who created this haven, showed me to my room. Just what I needed: simple, very clean, with nice touches (a mosquito net!) . "This is going to be nice", I thought.
I stayed 8 days there, and can honestly say I left a different (and hopefully better) person than the one who arrived.
The house has some rules, which make perfect sense when you are serious about a retreat (no usage of phone or computer in the house, no smoking, curfew at 10:30) but there is enough flexibility that you can skip the occasional class and not feel like a total loser :-)
The rules are what help you disconnect from what gives you stress.. What Hari calls the "logistics" and which, truly, can pollute your mind and stop you from really letting go!
The day starts at 7 am with breathing exercises and meditation, to the sound of the garden birds and the distant train passing by.
It is followed by a 8 to 10 yoga class, after which we are served a fantastic breakfast of tea, porridge and fresh fruit (pineapple, mango, pomegranate, papaya, banana tangerines-- and yes, it has NOTHING to do with the kind of tasteless stuff we are sold at home!) ..
After breakfast, you are free to go for a swim (the beach is 4 minutes away) or go indulge in your addiction of choice (wifi, coffee, etc) at one of the many places on the nearby cliff.
A wonderful, multi-colored, incredibly tasty and super healthy (vegetarian of course) lunch is served at 1:30. If you stay a few days, you'll have the chance to experience the incredible variety of vegetables and the different ways to prepare them with which the two cooks express their creativity. I miss their wonderful cooking!
Before lunch, if you want, you can practice your asanas with Gayatri, the other yoga teacher who substitutes for Hari sometimes. Gayatri is a young Indian woman, a sanskrit scholar as well as a soothing, serene guiding presence always.. If you're into this kind of detail, she has the best Om I've ever heard...
There is another yoga class 4 - 5:30 pm, after which you can do whatever you want..
The style of yoga taught there is Shivananda. For those of you used to more Ashtanga/Vinyasa flow classes, Shivananda style can be a little disconcerting at first. You may find the pace a little slow, and the holding of the asanas a bit long. The series are done the same way, day after day, with some minor variations, which can get a bit boring for those of us who crave constant stimulation and newness.. But... have faith! In 8 days there, I noticed some significant improvements in my overall flexibility and strength, and most of all, my concentration. It truly works!
The morning meditation is a very special moment which I encourage you to try even if you have never done meditation. I had tried to meditate before and found it to be perplexing and frustrating,... up until Sharanagati, where everything came together to make sense. Leaving me feeling blissful and happier than I thought I could feel.
Most of all, it is Hari's wonderful personality which livens up the place and makes it so special. Everything is looked at with a mix of seriousness and humor...
Now back in my familiar environment, I try to call back some of his teachings and advice to help me manage things in a peaceful, non-judgmental way, breathe ... and .. relax.
I try to go back to that place of peace, light and happiness I was so lucky to find there. It's not always easy, but I will forever carry the light from Sharanagati with me everywhere I go.
....While I count the days until I can go back!
