I have now been in Tasmania for 2 weeks. My trip with many stops could not have been any smoother. I practiced in 5 different studios and taught at Bikram Yoga Mountainview in California on my way over to Tasmania. So far I was I was keeping up with the practical part of my trip. Visiting other studios- Check! Teaching new students- Check!
Before I talk about Tasmania, Tranquil Point and Ben, the owner of the studio. I have to regress to Hawaii. It was great to be in Colorado and California and see good friends before I left. Hawaii was the only stop I made that I didn\’t know anyone. I landed in Honolulu, got in the rental car and it struck me for the first time that I was there alone! A little bit of \”WHAT AM I DOING\” did start to slightly terrify me. As if that wasn\’t enough, almost at the same time, I came around a turn on the highway and the face of a mountain side was in front of me. It was the greenest, lushest, most enormous mountain I had ever seen! I felt as if I didn\’t follow my directions carefully, which is a TALL order for me, it could swallow me whole! Visions of Jurassic Park and Avatar were flashing in front of me! The only thing to do with my nerves at that point was to bee-line it for my first, of many, food recommendations on the island of Oahu. Malasadas from Leonards! Malasadas are Portugese donuts. Sugar covered or custard filled. Are they good? Lets just say a flight to Oahu is worth it JUST for them! I quickly settled in after that, finding the closest Bikram studios and the endless choices of beaches.
I landed in Tasmania on a Tuesday afternoon. The airport in Hobart is a tiny airport. A bit of a through back to the early 80\’s. I\’m a fan of the 80\’s so oddly enough, I felt already at home! Ben said he would pick me up outside. I did meet Ben briefly at my training. The only thing I really knew was he was from Tasmania…at the time I wasn\’t quite sure where that even was! The moment of truth. Here I was waiting to get picked up, really just hoping on a wing and a prayer that I wasn\’t about to spend the next 4 weeks with a crazy man. When Ben pulled up he was pleasant and friendly enough. It was about an hour ride to Tranquil Point. He told me the evening Bikram class would be starting at 6:30. Trumpet playing angels entered the car at that moment! After a 10 hour flight all I could think about was getting in the hot room but thought for sure I would miss the class! Again, after that I quickly settled in.
After spending 2 weeks with Ben I can assuredly say Ben is indeed a crazy man! I say that in the absolute, most respectful, best way possible. He is kind and generous. Compassionate with his students. Intuitive and innovative. I like to believe he is a trustworthy man. Although he encourages jumping in the water after class and in the next sentence he nonchalantly tells a story of fishing in his little 10\’ aluminum boat and a 7\’ shark jumped out of the water and grabbed his line. \”It\’s their water after all\” he says. As tempting as the water might be with the with oysters and starfish dotting the shoreline….I think I might think twice about jumping in!
Most importantly he is a wealth of knowledge in regards to Bikram Yoga. Within the first week I knew Ben was to me what Mr.Miyagi was to the Karate Kid! He had made some very minor adjustments to my postures that turned my practice upside down! Ben is authoritative and direct in his teaching and that has pushed me to discover new boundaries in my practice and in my own teaching. Exactly what I had been looking for.
In the small town of Cygnet, Tranquil Point is a Bikram Yoga retreat, as well as offering daily classes for locals. Tranquil Point sits on a peninsula of land overlooking the ocean, with the most absolute breathtaking views I have ever seen. It\’s so incredibly picturesque words can\’t do it justice. All of the water used on the property is captured rain water. There is a vegetable garden and fruit trees in the expansive backyard. Any other food used is 100% organic and locally sourced. Once the solar panels are installed Tranquil Point will be 100% sustainable. Ben uses every opportunity to remind me anything done around the house or the studio- weather it\’s laundry, washing dishes, or peeling vegetables to be mindful for \”its all in the name of sustainability\” I\’m sure that will be written on his tombstone! Nothing is wasted, I mean nothing!
A house with 6 bedrooms is on the property and the yoga studio is next door. Not a bad commute to work! The sliding glass entrance doors of the studio face the water. To say Tranquil Point is a fitting name for the property is an understatement. Only open for about a year, in the tiny town of Cygnet, Ben is building a strong community of solid Bikram Yoga practitioners. Their effort, focus and discipline could rival any Bikram studio in NYC!
Driving on the opposite side of the road and the opposite side of the car has been an adventure. EVERY time I turn the blinker on, the windshield wipers go on. Right hand turns completely rock my world and I spend the entire time I am driving FIGHTING the urge to be on the other side of the road! Every time I go to get in the car, I get in the wrong side and every time I cross the street I look the wrong way…slightly dangerous. I\’ll get it one of these days.
Two weeks have already passed since I have been here. I\’m back to counting weeks as I did in training. Although this time is vastly different than where I was a year ago. This time I\’m worried it will end too soon. Now, its only 2 weeks left. If only I could take my own advice and stay present in the moment and just enjoy it!
Sent from my iPad
