That kind of day: too much caffeine before practice, too much salt in the muffins. Lets see how the rest of today plays out.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie for breakfast-- or, really, Morning Milkshake. Nom.

Slutty Shorts, long run. I do love America.

I'm that guy that needs to say outloud to someone how in love he is. Thank you, Internet, for allowing me to do that from bed -- a nest of saris.

I'm not a business man. I'm a business, man.

Sleet.

Same same, but different: taught some classes, lifted and sprinted, banana smoothie. Bed. Coffee. Kapo. This is the format of my life for a while.

Last day of return-to-America inspired Primary series. First day of return-to-America CrossFit. Artsy photos comin' in one month.

Want to drop-in to a class? Join me for half primary at Balance Gym on Tuesday at 7pm 🙂

"Knowing the difference between powerful concision and powerless vapidity is a matter of discernment, and the same words could be either."

Did I mention I'd be at the DC Cherry Blossom Festival 🙂

This is the status update where I tell you I'm getting a haircut. Only 30% less India.

Time to leave Sneaky Welcome Home Staycation and return to practice and principles. Ekam, inhale.

In Bangalore, waiting to pay for my overweight bag. We're both gonna need to hit the gym this week. Seriously: all my love for all to whom I've said "See ya soon." The adventure isn't over, here nor there.

Goodnight, Mysore. Don't be sad. We can say goodbye tomorrow.

In my Indian swan song, something unexpected and new: rain.

69 practices down, one to go. "Don't leave until you've left."

I once saw the other side of the universe and it was all the same and made of love. God is love and in the details. Surrender, surrender, control, surrender. Love.

Sometimes I want to live in a cave and not have to be a member of society. #yoga #wouldmakeashittysadhu

One week. Last week. This week.

My parents were married on the first day of Spring-- a time when the chill is thawed and blooms rebound. Happy 30th, Gail and Mike (aka: Mom & Dad): you inspire me everyday.

reframing: I still have 1/6 of my adventure left.

I might be the only person here loving the 97 degrees.

You wanna know how to make God laugh? Tell him your plans.

what you see here, what you do here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here

A slow coffee morning before led primary at the shala. Here's hoping the onslaught of Indian heat has scared up space for me. #mysore

aaaaaaaaand the coming home dreams have started. In this one: I left my copy of "Anatomy of Hatha Yoga" in India. Anyone think this is telling?

New scissor sisters album out in May. Dead excited.

At some point 2:30am became a perfectly reasonable time to wake up for practice.

Sometime I say shit and remember how f*ckin' weird I am 🙂

Well, here we are at the intersection of willpower and surrender. ha!

Just lost 15 minutes taking pictures in this morning's practice ensemble (headband and kungfu pants). #ashtangastylemaven

Muscle gripping bone-- visceral memories of my teachers and my lovers. Few pleasures run deeper. Jai Kristenji, jai Michael Roike;)

Off to be lovingly walked all over by the Three Sisters (ayervedic massage). Obv I miss my sisters and wives back home.

sleep, practice, coconuts.

I've wanted to do a coco fast for years (since I came home from Mexico with Giardia)-- four day fast starts tomorrow. I cannot believe I'm excited for such a thing.

So many things to report: no water in my part of Gokulum, as such I smell like India, multiplied by white boy. Also: I've had three chais at Amruths, and so I have no shame in sharing.

Puja Sardana better show me where to get good Indian hair oil when I get home.

Reading up on homebrew 'four lokos'. I woke up for practice, refresed, at 2:30. Which sentence is more absurd?

My ass breaking the plastic chair in the apartment is a serviceable wake up call: I'm calling a moritorium on Peanut Butter until next Friday. 😉

Emily Monahan and Michael Roike should go get Dar William's back catalog and start brushing up. She's at Rams Head Live May 12, and we're going.

I could eat peanut butter banana omlettes three meals a day.

Oh, hello, noon. That was one helluva nap.

Trip to market combined with sari hunting == long walk home to Gokulum exploring. Thats one way to kill an afternoon. oof.

YES!!! My girl Puja owns a home!!!!!!! Agh! SO proud!

Off to practice. Good Morning, Wednesday 🙂

5 weeks.

Paleo One Pot Poached Egg Abergine (aka: quick paleo baba ganoush)... so good, I had to share! Can be made vegan, and is super versatile for breakfast, snack, or side! http://midcityyoga.com/?p=1357

Coconut, Banana, and Cocoa for dinner. Joy.

Hear the Wild howlin',
"Time yet? Time yet?"

"Patience, patience,"
comes the Calm's reply.
"First the garden,
then the party."

With Radha,
Krishna danced.

Saturday night: bedtime? 7:30. You know how I do. #mysore

One Pot Poached Egg Aubergine sound super classy, right?

My baba ganoush omlette is off the hook.

Detachment can be a bitch.

I think the overhaul at midcityyoga.com is finally done. So pleased with the results!! Looks like I can still make a webpage 🙂

Is it too early to be excited about the Fourth of July? Lauren Waggner? Krista Volk? Gail Hall?

Up all night (even if accidently) for Shivaraitri, followed by a moonday birthday poolday with the celebrants. Yes, please.

Tameka Elephanté let me pet her trunk.

Eat a little, drink a little
Talk a little, sleep a little
Mix a little, move a little
Serve a little, rest a little
Work a little, relax a little
Study a little, worship a little
Do Asana a little, Pranayama a little
Reflect a little, meditate a little
Do Japa a little, do Kirtan a little
Write Mantra a little, have Satsang a little
Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize
Be good, Do good; Be kind, Be compassionate
Enquire 'Who am I ?', Know the Self and be Free

Must. Get. Mosquito. Net.

I'm a paleogi.

Reading "Ganesh Goes to Lunch" and drinking hot cocoa.

Note to self: when coconuts and clarified butter (ghee) are their own food groups, you needn't worry 'bout body image. Things are gonna be allllll riiiiiight 😉

I'm in love with my best friend, partner in crime, and roommate. He makes me one of the lucky ones. I love you, Michael Roike. I'm so glad you're mine 🙂

Halfway mark.

Signs of the times: I want to see "American Reunion" and "Titanic" in 3D.

I made chocolate almond flour pancakes today for lunch. One heckuva paleo treat 🙂

Two hours of yin, shirtless on the roof. Yum.

Fascinating reading 'round the blogosphere about krounchasana.

Paleo: India Edition -- Day 1? Success. Morning of day 2 feels awesome.

Tomorrow, I attempt to be (mostly) paleo in India. We'll give it a week and see what happens.

Today, I walked my hands in from a dropback (backbend) and caught hold of my ankles. Then I straightened my arms. Never have I ever.

By the time I get back from practice the big game will be over (unless we have overtime!). Can someone give me a link to the Super Bowl so that I can watch it from the beginning?

ಜೈಂಟ್ಸ್ ಹೋಗಿ!

Sweets on Saturday leads to stiffness on Sunday. Never expect one day's work to be the next's. Paleo challenge after the moonday? #mysore

I have to be up at 3am. Sleep must come.

A lazy, late morning filled with cold cafe americano, new music from Madonna, and comfy/sexy yoga pants. You can almost see the smile, right?

Navigating Mysore City is a daunting task. Fear not, with a copilot like Antonella, I fared well. The haul? A stove-top coffee maker, fisherman's pants, and "gym vests" (aka 4 bright and shiny tank tops) in hand. A warning: I am going to come home dressed like a yogi (I have a custom pair of 3/4 length pants being made). I am not done.

I realize that art isn't always created by well adjusted, goodhearted individuals... but is it okay to purchase that art if you know the money goes to line the coffers of a bigot? A hate instilling advocate of injustice?

Oh, led primary, how I love you.

Be awake for life 🙂

New apartment, new start time, new month. I've never been so excited for February in my whole life. #mysore

Lesson: You can not expect to shirt to end up white if the water starts out brown. #laundry #mysore #santosha #justwearit

A quick little gratitutde check list: 1) Anto is here! (!!!) 2) Roikes 3) My start time is earlier 4) [in case the others are too obnoxious] I've figured out how to add fiber into my diet 😉

Google searches for paleo muffins brought more people to my blog than ashtanga. Ashtanga tied with dolly parton -- I may never be a smart internet marketer, but I couldn't be more tickled (and wouldn't have it any other way!)

Dreamed that there was a Full House spinoff called "Becky" that followed the cast into a Brothers & Sisters-esque drama. It was good.

Bitched for no good reason. Good sleep, off to practice!

I haven't had caffeine In hours... Why can't I sleep? Gotta be up at 3:15, grr

Lazy morning, now off to find a bit of food and a bit of fun.

I love that adult friends in India hold hands. It makes me want to be more touchy-feely. (it also makes me really miss holding hands with Roike).

First day practicing second: was taken to my ankles in dropbacks (backbends) -- never have I ever. Said aloud "ohmygod." Sharath laaaaughed and said "No fear, no fun."

Sorry, Washingtonians: I'm not unhappy at missing a season of American politics.

tummy a'rumblin/popped a cipro lick'ty split/happy pracitce now-- This Haiku is dedicated to Pamela Xing and Lauren Twohig.

Survived led primary with Delhi Belly. Talk about humbling-- I felt like a human level.

Sanskirt then dinner. I should not have made that banana smoothie-- I'm full-- hopefully that changes in 3 hours 😉

Patterns of practice: I now like doing Led in the changing room.No pushing, no quiet violence. Huh.

I'm Okay-- Michael Joel Hall's News and Updates

4 Surprises Today: 1) The Internet worked this morning, soI got to have a real skype date with the hubs. 2) My clothes were wet, so I practiced in long pants sans shirt (after a conversation in which I pronounced that I may never go topless). 3) Sharath moved me on to Pashasana (helllllllllllo, second series!) 4) I ran into Clare on the street right after practice 🙂 It's not even noon!

A ton of fantastic assists in practice, a wonderful birthday party, and a thoroughly exhausting sanskirt . I'd call that a full day. #mysore

This is the first time I'm using Mid City Yoga's new comments section. I hope it a) works an b) is useful. http://midcityyoga.com/?p=630#comment-11617

Such a delicious, decadent practice. Making every movement (and flub) part of the beauty of creation, yet not rushing to the end. A freedom that one pointed focus can bring, and grace that should probably be there regardless *yum* #mysore

As many of you know, I abhor groupons... But a weekend at the Satchitananda Ashram from 1/2 off would likely do both you & the ashram a favor. I know I'd like to go for a weekend. May, anyone? bit.ly/ywRCSQ

Ahhhh! So this explains the extended celebration: It's Shankranti-- the Harvest festival celebrated all over India, though its named differently from state to state. Ganesh calls it 'thanksgiving' to mother earth.

Sunbathing.

Sometimes, you practice in the bathroom of the changing room and accept that as your penance.

7 hours of work, and do you know what my phone didn't save? Fucking Shala time. 10 minutes early was 5 minutes late. I can't win 🙁

I woke up at 3 without my alarm, in the midst of a dream in which I was giving Heather Locklear a career pep-talk.

Jesus, the pollution. I haven't thought I might need my inhaler in (I swear to Vishnu) years. YEARS. Anyway, we'll do that again on Tuesday.

I've spent the past 7 hours debugging the fuckery that iTunes Match inflicted upon my iPhone. Finally fixed, and better than before. Going to the cricket field to do wind sprints-- a little bit of HIIT does the body good (plus maybe I'll pass out at 8, so I can be up and well-rested for Sunday Led at 4:30am).

Led Primary, chanting, Sanskrit, philosophy, and two trips to the Ramakrishna ashram. Today was busy, but had a keen reminder to count my blessings: I saw a funeral procession today. It consisted of a flower adorned handmade chair, the deceased strapped in, carried and paraded to the crematorium. Tambourines and gongs, laughter and tears.

I'm super grateful for the help of my friends. Thank you so much Marky for being there for me in a pinch. I get to share pictures on my blog now because of Your Savvy. *hugs*

<3 A bit from KK about that NYT piece. My response hides in its comments.

I am super intimidated by my Sanskrit class. Holy. Cow.

Two things: 1.) I do not smell like America. 2.) This farmers tan is outta hand. ... I will be fixing both promptly.

Mom won't let me talk about American Greed on Skype. She's concerned Big Brother's listening. 🙂

My first conference was fascinating. I got to view Sharath, the (these are my terms) titleholder of the Ashtanga lineage, through the lens of a man who deals with keeping the purity of a practice in the real world-- the world of parties, internet gossip, and multiculturalism. A fascinating, non-textbook experience. A highlight, paraphrased: "A man with two gurus (gu ru: dispel dark) is like a man with two doctors-- take both pieces of advice/take both pills, and you surely are worse for it."

Between my "Ganesh is my OMboy" tee (thanks Karuna!) and silver nosering (thanks Lauren!), the locals are warming up to me. It also might be that I keep showing up and smiling like a crazy. Whatever.

I moved into a gorgeous house on the top of a hill today. Fuck the rupee cheating ttuk-tuk and jay! to Apu, my new tuktuk friend <3

I broke a tooth today! A trip to vist Dr Judith Pereira in Mysore for a fix and clean! Amazing grand total? 1100 Rupees... $22 dollars. She also said I was the politest American she had ever met and complimented my parents. She said I should be proud of them. Thanks, Mom!

Sharath yelled at me twice, then yelled at everyone else. "The only thing worse than being yelled at is being ignored."

I spent a good chunk of today sitting with the tuk-tuks after the house Shiva showed me didn't do the trick. Is 16000 Rupees an okay price for a house I'm going to share with a stranger? Your guess is as good as mine.

I have an hours worth of stories (minimum) and its not dark yet.

It's 85 here in Mysore. Seeing the driver holding a sign with my name on it was enough to make me want to cry, but the dangerousness of the car ride into town was enough to make me smile big. Best of all? I got to stay at the Southern Star/ Regalis-- exactly as planned. Antonella Accinelli will be pleased I didn't have to sleep outside.

Here we go!