Ladakh - A Journey that was destined to BE !!

The mystical creation of the Universe surprises me and i get more and more inquisitive to explore it. I was truely delighted when things fell in place for me to embark on the journey to the Himalayas with Jakarta Ashtanga Yoga Shala. What more could I have asked for!!!

Ladakh is one of the most carefully painted creations of the Supreme Power. The Majestic Himalayas, as I landed onto Leh at 3700 meters, embraced me along with all my imperfections. I was breathing my lungs out for a day to acclimatize  on that elevated platform but at the same time I was feeling at peace within myself. A truly magical feeling by just breathing that fresh air and seeing the stretched out sugar sprinkled mountain range.

A sense of completeness engulfed me while I stood amidst the Gigantic Himalayas. This certainly had to do with the schedule and routine we followed that were laid by Jakarta Ashtanga Shala as this was a Yoga Retreat. The early morning rises, even before the Sun God opens his eyes, the long treks up to the Monastery, the calm meditation in the peaceful Abode, the fresh basket breakfast and organic farm Apricot juice by the river, under the shade, feather lite Asana practice, 11 kms river rafting in the mighty Indus ( which gave me unimaginable courage not only to sit in the raft but also face the huge rapids).

Singing Kirtan without fear of being judged sitting next to the flowing Indus, singing Kirtan dancing around the Fire God on a Moon lit sky, singing Kirtan on sand dunes basking under the Moon and Millions of bright twinkling star ... Many of them suddenly falling off that height only for you to make a wish... And singing amidst the magical Himalayas that  tuck you in tightly with its long arms ... 

Watching the World Cup Football final match with teams lightly teasing each other and sipping hot masala chai. As the match ended the taste buds got the first butter tea to do their job.

Chanting  from deep inside me all the way up, reverberating from the Mother Earth with utmost devotion, sipping chai under the foliage of the Apricot tree full of green Apricots waiting for the coming months to ripen and an early dinner cooked with vegetables that we're plucked right in front of us around 3-4 pm everyday ... As the night approached it got more and more serene with total silence and dimming of bright lights ... Apt to sit along with warm friends who at some point of time might be either helping or walking along with you for a short distance in this long journey of a beautiful life. Sometimes it was just sitting down together and listening to the silent night , sometimes meditate together on top of a tree house and at others just a muffled giggle so as not to disturb the quite retiring Nature...

I would get ready to say good bye to an exciting day gazing endlessly at the marvelous sky which is different from the sky we have grown up looking at...became a pleasant routine for those 2 weeks of the retreat

I am just a tiny dot in this vast space (which still remains a mystery) ... cannot claim what I experienced in this journey but I can certainly share what I felt ... Though far away and without connectivity to modern mayhem I still felt connected to all those who meant the world to me ... Felt compassionate for every living being around me ... Being loved ... And a sense of responsibility towards this society.....

The experience of watching and being blessed during the 13th and the last Kalachakra by His Holiness Dalai Lama was yet another example of Surrender to that Universal Energy with faith.

I thank Yuli from the bottom of my heart who ensured that we had this enchanting experience seamlessly. She worked out every minute detail, dotted all the eyes and crossed all T,s ... The selection of places ... Food menu ...the travel arrangements ... And so many other things which I might not be even aware of ... Chandra not only supported In all these but also was a strong pillar for this journey I felt ...

"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes  and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called TRUTH - Dan Rather" ... With my hands bowed down to express my gratitude to teacher Nilesh Tiwari whose heart is filled with compassion and the one who only gives with open arms. Cannot thank enough for everything that he has taught me. 

If time and Universe permit I will go back to Ladakh with Jakarta Ashtanga Yoga Shala and call out to the nature to give me a tight hug unconditionally ... 

- Dona Konidena

A mother of two sons and wife of the most supportive and encouraging husband. Trying hard to fall into a discipline .... 

In love with Nature, passionate about Music but scared of Water.....