Yoga Retreat - Punta Cana
August 2018
6 a.m. - waking up
7:30 a.m. - first yoga practice (45 min)
9:00 a.m. - breakfast
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - beach and pool (swimming, walking)
1:30 p.m. - lunch
6:00 p.m. - second yoga practice (45 min)
8:00 p.m. - dinner
10:00 p.m. - sleep
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Tomorrow, I am traveling to Punta Cana. I will stay there 10 nights and for 9 straight days, I will do half primary ashtanga yoga twice a day. I will stay in an all-inclusive, 5 stars, adult only resort. I am going alone and my mind is oriented towards yoga practice.
I have packed only basic stuff, t-shirts, swimming pants, short pants, laptop and of course the yoga mat.
The two practices a day requires lots of physical and mental efforts. Ashtanga yoga is a boring practice, so repetitive, strenuous for lower back and knees. The key to having a good practice twice a day is to be well prepared in advance. So far, I had 10 practices in August. I believe that what I did so far is enough and I am ready. On this retreat, I will do 19 practices.
Guruji Pattabhi Jois used to say: “Yoga is very difficult. Everyday practice, practice, practice.” That is exactly what I am going to do. The successful retreat lies in combining yoga with swimming, walking, and some heavy lifting in the resort's gym and of course a lot of rest with a long dreamless sleep.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
My phone alarm woke me up at 5:45 a.m. this morning. I jumped from the bed, had a coffee and called uber to drive me to the airport. I was there around 7:30 a.m.
The flight from Toronto to Punta Cana was 4 hours and 25 minutes. It was a
pleasant flight. I had lots of room for my legs. I arrived at Punta Cana at
2:30 p.m., the immigration procedure was fast, took my bag and the bus was
waiting to take me to the hotel.
I was the only one who has traveled to this hotel. It was a nice welcoming
gesture, a bottle of champagne. I was surprised. I realized this hotel is an
exclusive place, no bracelets on the hand, no dinner buffet only ala carte
restaurants. I don't really like this, I had brought just one pair of
jeans, in which I traveled. Oh well, will see how I am going to go around
this.
The room is magnificent. A lot of space, clean and airy. I set my mat and
I am about to do my first yoga practice in Punta Cana. the 1st
one of 19. I am going to enjoy here.
My room has a beautiful outside look. I don't see the ocean but it is tropical
surrounding with palm trees and an artificial lake. Down there is
the ocean and I can smell the sea water.
The better we move, the greater we become. 😊
Thursday, August 16, 2018
I woke up a couple of times in the night, rested but I continue laying down in
the bed until 6 a.m. I got up had three small cups of coffees, did banking
online and I started morning yoga.
The practice was stiffness and heaviness in the beginning,
until Uthita-hasta-padangustasanas, after that pose I felt less tightness
and usual freedom. Something strange happened on the left side
of Parsvotanasana. I put my right hand beside left knee and extended
left hand forward and I lost breath. I think I pulled the stomach too much on
the left side so breathing was difficult. I felt such panic attack so I had to
lose up the pose. I almost pee in my shorts. It is a new experience and I will
pay special attention to this feeling.
I need to relax my muscles. I started the second yoga practice at 6:30 p.m. I
was on the phone with my girlfriend and we talked for a long time. I had no
wish to do yoga at all so to motivate myself I put Sharath's DVD and I
followed his breath count through half primary until Navasana. Then I did
finishing sequence. I was feeling tired after practice, a quick shower did not
shave and I went straight to dinner. I had cappeloni with shrimps. It was a
pleasant dinner. I returned to the room around 9:30 p.m. and went to sleep.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Ashtanga yoga is completely unpredictable. Whenever I expect that the practice
will be good it ends up to be strenuous, heavy and stiff. I had a nice 8 hours
rest last night and yet I was not so eager to start yoga this morning. I
started it at 9:30 a.m. 2 hours later than scheduled.
I was so heavy, left shoulder trapezoid muscle on the back was agitated from
sleep on left side and I could tell that muscles are a bit strained. I did not
push in stretching too far, I am very cautious not to get injured. My plan is
to do 19 practices on this vacation.
So this morning very tough practice, 50 minutes long. I did Navasana a bit
longer 8-9 breaths, 5 repetitions. I want to melt my belly fat, I can see the
progress but it is still early.
I am consistent and I did not have any beer on the third day now. Last night I
did have a glass of red wine. All day today I was drinking just water and I
had a couple of coffees...
I swam in the ocean today in the morning, had seafood for lunch and was almost
all day in the pool. I feel much more alive today so I started the second
practice at 5:30 pm. I could not wait for 6.
As I said, the ashtanga is unpredictable. I had a strong practice, 60 minutes
long. I did 5A, 5B sun salutations, Navasana and Urdhva Dhanurasana (wheel
pose) 3 times. I was avoiding full wheel for a month (instead I did bridge
pose) due to pain in the left wrist but today I did it. The wrist pain is
still here but it is okay, I can support myself in full wheel pose.
Saturday, August 18, 2018
This morning I missed breakfast which is available until 11 am. I had to wait
for lunch that opens at the noon. This morning I was late, late to get up,
late for the practice, late for breakfast... Last night I was watching the
show at the hotel and then karaoke, it was so much fun. I had 4 glasses of
wine and I returned to the room around midnight.
I did not go to sleep immediately, I was texting with my niece and I went to
bed around 1 am. My phone clock could not wake me up at 6. I got up around 7
am. I was feeling tired and I could not start yoga practice for a long time.
After 3 coffees and some orange juice, I finally started my 16th yoga practice
of the month,,, at 10 am.
The practice was slow, heavy and uninteresting. I did the only basic postures,
3A, 3B sun salutations, all standing and modified finishing sequence. I was
contemplated to quit the practice but I continued to the end.
I started the second practice for today at 5:30 pm. I slept in the afternoon
for about 2 hours and felt rested. The practice was just good, nothing
special. In Trigonosanas and Parsvotanasana I have started to rotate my body
more than usual and I felt how much belly fat is stored on the sides of the
stomach.
The fourth day of my yoga retreat is passed and I have succeeded to keep the
schedule. 7 practices so far. 7 of 19. There are 6 days left. It is
really difficult but I want to preserve. I cannot afford to go to bed after
11 pm. I need a good night sleep.
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Ashtanga yoga is not so great tool for weight loss. I mean I am practicing
a lot and I cannot lose my weight. This morning 90 kg and my goal is 86 kg
and that is very difficult, almost impossible to accomplish just by doing
yoga.
Last night I had a bit of pasta, a small pizza for dinner and two scoops
of strawberries ice cream. It was not the large meal and I don't know why
I am not losing weight as it supposes to. I did not drink any alcohol, no
sweet drinks either just water. I do practice twice a day for 4th day. I
came with 90 kg and I still have that weight. I don't understand.
Anyway, I will proceed with the practice. It will be so nice if every
practice is like this, this one what I have just done this morning. 50
minutes strong, flexible body, with deep breathing and great
concentration, half primary ashtanga yoga. I did 5A, 5B sun salutations
and all poses of the half primary until Navasana. I did full wheel pose
regardless of the pain in the left wrist.
Due to unforeseen circumstances (read... tequila and beer) the afternoon
yoga practice is canceled. God helps us all.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Last night I did not go to dinner. I had a couple more beers from the
room's fridge and then around 8 p.m. I just lay down and slept. I woke up
at 4:30 a.m. so rested, got up made a coffee and sit on the balcony.
It was still dark and unusually quiet.
I sat on the balcony until the sun came, around 6:10 a.m. I was trying
texting my girlfriend but she was so busy so I just sat there and observed
sunrise. I decided to take a break and not to do today's morning yoga. I
am tired, left knee started to hurt me, left wrist is very much agitated.
I need rest, I will do afternoon practice and resume twice a day yoga
tomorrow.
The breakfast is my favorite meal. I like fresh eggs, bacon, and sausage,
the traditional American style breakfast. This morning I was so hungry and
I had breakfast before 8. I was surprised to see so many people in the
restaurant. People do get early on vacation, I was always rushing to get
breakfast before 11.
I did not do any yoga today. My left knee hurt so much. I think the pain
comes from inflammation of lateral ligaments hipper extended
in Uthita-hasta-padangustasana. I wanted to do afternoon practice and
I was ready to start but my girlfriend called me and I had a long chat
with her. I drank 2 beers with her and then continue drinking beer during
the night. Went to bed around midnight...
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
I am resuming two practices a day for the next four days. I am traveling
back home on Saturday. To be quite honest I don't like this resort. The
hotel staff wants tips for the smallest service they offer. It is the
all-inclusive resort but I have to pay for everything. I will never come
here again.
I started morning practice at 9:30. I was strong, flying on the mat. I did
8 breaths in each pose and felt so much relaxed after practice. Still, I
have pain around the left kneecap.
I read today an article that our personality is changing and that for the
writer was a great surprise. I was laughing while I read it. Here you can
see for yourself: Our personality changes beyond recognition from 14 to 77 They say that there is growing neuroscience research that supports
the ancient Buddhist belief that our notion of a stable “self” is nothing
more than an illusion. Really?
I wear a bandana around my head because during the practice a sweat a lot
and the bandana protects me from the sweat going into my eyes. When it is
colder weather and I do not sweat so much like in summer I don't wear the
bandana. So it is not for some kind of being the yogi warrior or some
other bullshit, the bandana is here for practical reasons.
The second practice started at 6:30 pm. I put Sharath's DVD and he led me
through the half primary until Navasana and then I took over for finishing
sequence. Sharath's DVD used to be very fast for me but today I was not
feeling the speed. I did everything much faster than usual. Something has
changed.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Seven days on this yoga retreat have passed, three more days to go. Last
night I did not sleep so well. I went to bed at 10:15 pm. and from 3 am. I
was waking up every hour. Yesterday I had a fight with my girlfriend, I am
asking her to think about her life and relationships and decide which way
she wants to go. Her ex is very much active in her life and I suggested
her to go back to him. What else I can do? I told her that I am fine if we
do not see each other again. It does not matter that I love her, I cannot
stand this anymore, I am really tired from this relationship.
Beleive me or not I am the only single person in this resort. All around
me are couples on honeymoon or some anniversary or wedding or friends with
benefits came for some intimate time together or who knows what... I enjoy
watching them and I have concluded that I am extremely lucky that I am
alone. I see that very few of them I really happy. Being alone gives me
the freedom to be who I am. Yes, there is a lack of sex, but that is the
secondary, not the main thing.
This morning I started yoga practice with Max's DVD. The sun salutation is
so fast and the postures are held for almost 10 breaths. It was very
tiring practice 50 minutes long half primary practice. I set up my phone
and make a video of today's practice but it is low quality and so dark
that I cannot post it here. I selected these 2 photos as a reminder of my
Punta Cana practice.
The second practice started at 5:30 pm. I have done it by my own breath
count. The practice was a real joy. I did not hurry, I went slowly but
steady. I have done 5A, 3B sun salutations, all standing, sitting until
navasana and finishing sequence. 50 minutes.
Great news. I spoke to my agency representative and he informed me
that the bus arrives at 10:50 a.m. on Saturday to take us to the airport.
This is great I have time to do the last practice on this retreat on
Saturday at 7:30, have a breakfast and go to the airport.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
I was at the salsa party last night. It was fun and I had a great time. I
think I had about five beers. I came to the room around 11 pm. Everything
here in the resort is time scheduled and when things are the best they cut
it off. As a single, the only one in the resort, the female staff took a
pity on me and they were dancing with me. So I had fun and it is the best
night so far.
I had a problem waking up this morning but phone alarm rang at 6 so I just
got up. The best part of this vacation or how I call it the yoga retreat
is weather and the room. My room is a large junior suite, so spacious and
ideal for yoga practice. All these days I had nothing but the sun. It is
hot, but there is always a breeze so the heat is not really felt.
The food in the resort is not so good, although I must say I did not visit
all the restaurants. The breakfast is standard and nothing special. The
lunch buffet is poor with lots of french fries, pasta and hard to swallow
pizzas. I don't understand why people eat that stuff in this very
expensive place. the best part for the lunch is sushi and sashimi and I
eat them a lot.
Drinking and yoga do not go together. This morning practice was heavy and
I was weak. I did practice just 40 minutes, no navasana, from standing I
went straight to finishing sequence. I am very much tired and I need rest.
Oh well, one more day. I really like to go home.
My left side is much weaker than the right, I have pain in the left wrist,
left knee, and back shoulder on the left side. But as you know, the pain
caused by yoga can be healed only by doing more yoga. So morning practice
is done and that all that matters.
Why I was on the balcony after the practice the worker in the resort gave
me the fresh coconut. He cut it and I drunk it with a pleasure. This
reminds me of ashtangis in Mysore. Cheers...
I had a very good lunch today, sushi as the first plate and spaghetti with
meat sauce as the second. I was not having breakfast so I was really
hungry. After the lunch I felt much better, tiredness disappeared and the
rest of the day I spend on the beach. The water is so hot and there are a
lot of seaweeds but I love swimming in the ocean. I think I can do two
practices a day only because my body recovers in the sea during a day.
I did not do the afternoon practice today. I was ready to start it but my
girlfriend called me around 5 pm and we had a long 2 hours of
conversation. Nothing really changed in our relationship. She has a
difficult period in her life and we don't share the same interests. I
don't believe that will change anytime soon. So let it be like this I will
see for how long. After the phone conversation, I just showered and went
to dinner.
Friday, August 24, 2018
The last full day of my yoga retreat. Tomorrow I will travel back to
Toronto. Tomorrow will be my last yoga practice in Punta Cana. If all goes
as planned I will have the total of 16 practices of half primary ashtanga
yoga series. I think for 10 days that is a great success.
I'm going to repeat the yoga retreat next year, but not in the hot place
like this. It is nice to go swimming after yoga, however, I feel I need to
move more, the most of the time I just sit in the chair drinking various
drinks. I need more walking and moving. So yes, next year I am planning
for another yoga retreat but in a different surrounding, maybe in
mountains. We will see.
The morning practice was excellent. I was strong and concentrated. 5A, 5B
salutations, all standing, all sitting and finishing sequence. This is why
I like ashtanga yoga. It requires complete surrender, the way of careful
living and a lot of rest. It does not go well with lack of sleep, partying
and drinking.
I had a wonderful lunch today, sushi, and pasta. I skipped
breakfast, I was not hungry, so I had two plates for lunch. It was a hot
day, over 34 C. I was at the beach. I have not been on the pool in the
last 4 days. I do prefer ocean over the pool. I came from the beach around
3 pm and I had one hour nap.
Second practice started at 6:00. I did everything that I have done this
morning. A full yoga practice with full strength. I was exhausted after
the 50 minutes of bending, stretching and sweating so hard. It is all
good, I have no pain in my body. The left knee is okay, the left wrist is
better, I did wheel pose, 3 times and there is still pain but it is
controllable. Great success. Tomorrow is the last practice and it must be
done exactly at 7:30 because I have to catch the bus to the airport at
10:50 am.
I have started packing. I left only the stuff for the yoga and what I am
going to wear tomorrow. I am happy going home. It was quite enough. I gain
strength and consistency in the practice and that is what matters the
most. One more week is left in August and I will continue doing one
practice a day.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
I woke up at 5:15 am. Last night mosquitos had beaten me all over my body.
It was so hot outside, no wind at all, they sprayed something against
mosquitos. I was on the balcony and got the hard-hit too. I slept poorly,
went to bed around midnight and was waking up during a night. I did not go
for dinner last night and I was eagerly waiting to get up.
I started the last yoga practice in Punta Cana at 7 am. It was a good
practice, nothing out of ordinary, 5 A, 3 B sun salutations, all standing,
sitting until navasana and then full closing sequence. I showered after
the practice, packed my mat and I am ready to go...
In 10 days total of 16 practices. I am more than satisfied. No injuries,
everything is good, I gain strength. 26 practices in August. I will do
yoga next week too, the journey continues...
I am closing my laptop, leaving the room and going for breakfast. The bus
is coming around 11 and I will go to the airport. Punta Cana yoga retreat
is officially over.
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