Been very focused on the workshops. Can't believe the first week is almost over. Starting to contemplate staying on for an additional training in yoga therapeutics. We'll see how I feel at the end of week two. The sessions are getting more and more intense with numerous variations on arm balances (a particular challenge of mine). But I feel very supported with the partner assists during the workshop. I hadn't realized that was such a big part of the Anusara practice.

Last night we had a performance/led meditation using Tibettan Singing Bowls. A man who owns a shop in Chiang Mai came to serenade us. It was incredible. Musically they behave similarly to upside-down bells and are made predominantly of tin and copper (with a tiny bit or mercury and lead mixed in). Amazing sounds and vibrations. They range in size from 2" diameter to 2'. The performance was held in the yoga sala, I was surprised at how strong the sound quality was in there as it is pretty much an open wooden pavilion with a tall thatch roof. We all just sat in meditation pose, or lay out on the floor and zen-ed out.

The other daily highlight... Food! Revisited the village market down the road which was less intimidating the second time around. Sampled the local specialty called Kow Soy, a rich coconut curry noodle soup. Apparently it's one of the famous Chiang Mai cuisines. I'm hoping to take a cooking class this weekend (to impress Ana and Irmak on lunch club!), perhaps this will be on the menu. The soup is typically served with chicken, but we had a number of vegetarians with us, which led to some funny communications with the guy at the food cart. He didn't speak and English so the way he asked me if I wanted meat was to cluck like a chicken and puppet his fingers like a bird. Thai version of the Chicken Dance?