And suddenly, we were in our last week of yoga teacher training! The first two days of the week proceeded much like the previous weeks, with yoga and theory as normal. But, from Wednesday onward, we finished with the yoga classes led by the teachers and began to lead the classes ourselves. We were split into 9 groups of 5, and for the morning and evening yoga sessions we each had one slot to lead our own 90 minute class.

As it turned out, these classes weren’t observed by the teaching faculty so it felt a little as if the pressure was off. Indeed, one of the less invested students led a savasana (lying on the floor without moving) for at least 45 minutes of the 90 minute class. By and large, however, we all tried our best. We used the model set out for us in our theory classes, starting with breathwork (pranayama), and mantra chanting, then moving into the physical poses (asanas), and ending with savasana (lying down), more pranayama and some meditation. Ellie and I both led our classes on the Wednesday afternoon, so went out to the temple at prayer time and to a local restaurant to celebrate what was certainly the most time-consuming and challenging part of the assessment.

By Friday morning, we had all delivered our classes and there was a general feeling that the hard work was done. Ostensibly there was a theory exam for covering 10 questions from the syllabus on the Saturday morning but, given the graduation ceremony was only an hour after the end of the exam, it seems unlikely that any of the 45 exam papers would be glanced at, let alone marked. So, on Friday, we did some nominal revision at the local cafe in the morning, though were chased back into the room as our table turned out to be underneath a nest of ferocious looking ants, which rained down on the table with the breeze.

The rest of the day we took off, dozing and reading in the room. Evidently, the 4 weeks of yoga had taken it out of us. However, we rallied by the evening as the majority of the students had arranged to go out for a meal to celebrate our Graduation Eve. The restaurant chosen was excellent (I had deep fried paneer in a rich source, which was absolutely delicious) and coped admirably well with the big crowd of us descending upon it. A few of us afterwards walked down to the beachfront where there are a few bars that are licensed(ish) to sell beer. Buying alcohol in Varkala is bizarre, with beer being served in opaque mugs and only available on request rather than being on the menu. Some places have cocktail menus but list the ingredients as “G. & tonic” or “Vo. & Coke”.

The following morning we sat our theory exam which was predictably informal, then gathered again at about midday for our graduation. Malathi had set out a mandala in some bright pigments on the floor, around which we sang some mantras, were given garlands and awarded our certificates. After the ceremony, we pulled the tables into the downstairs yoga shala and set up for our graduation lunch. The lunch was served by Malathi and Praveen (the manager, and Malathi’s husband) themselves, and consisted of a variety of curries, pickles and chutneys with rice on a banana leaf. It was by far the best food we had at Vrinda, and some of the best authentic regional food we have had on the trip so far.

The rest of Saturday we had off and so, after another afternoon of napping and reading, Ellie and I headed back into North Cliff (where all the restaurants are) for some dinner and a drink. The food was nothing to write home about (literally), though the chicken burger I had remains the chief suspect in causing the stomach upset I currently, at the time of writing on Monday, have.

Sunday was moving day, and our first since Mumbai which already feels a lifetime ago. We had plenty of time to pack up and get a rickshaw to our little homestay in North Cliff, Mango Villa. The room was small but neat and tidy, with a nice balcony on which we spent most of afternoon. We popped on to the beach-front highstreet where I bought a tailored linen shirt and trousers for £20 (results to be seen, as I’m picking them up this afternoon), but headed home relatively quickly as my stomach upset had begun to become apparent. Similarly, that evening’s dinner had to be boxed up in the restaurant and taken home as I wasn’t feeling up to it.

The following day (today), we are to head off to Munroe Island and the next part of our Kerala adventure!

Until then,

Rob x