Winding down...

Well this is it...I take off from Chiang Mai airport the day after tomorrow.

I imagined my last week was going to be a slow one, that I would put my studies down, move into cruise control and just soak up the Chiang Mai vibe...I imagined wrong (again).

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Pichest's studio went under construction last week. He is raising the roof (literally) in hopes of keeping the temperature cool. So we moved outside and set up shop in the driveway. Even though it is in the low 90's during the day, working outside in the shade with the warm breeze and some fans was really nice







A very chill atmosphere as everyone seemed to be in a groove after a few weeks together...and of course (work or no work) Pichest manages to fit in a nap...super relaxed.







One of the sweetest moments I witnessed at Pichet's happened when he started in on some 'Thai Massage' on his Grandson...this kid is destined for greatness as he is constantly being infused with energy from Pichest's healing hands...here are some shots of them sharing some time.











One of the more bitter sweet moments came when Pichest stood over me as I was giving a massage and started calling out "Ohhhh Terrible...Terrible...Block in the shoulder...block in the low back...your killing him...too much in your head!" It was true...I was distracted. My nerves were on edge as this was my last week and I could tell I wasn't focused.

He sat down and told me to start working on him. Oh shit..here we go.

There was a part of me that wanted to prove how much I had learned, to show him how 'great' I was at massage. But of course that was just my mind, intellect, ego, pride...whatever you want to call it...doing what it does.

"Your shoulder too tight!" So I relaxed my shoulder...."Now tension in the lower back!" So I relaxed my back...."Tension in the knee! Relax...Relax...Relax!!"

For one, the fact that he can read and follow where I am blocked (while I am the one working on him) is a great lesson in sensing.

Two... all my concern about what 'the teacher' might think just kicked that function of the mind (ego, intellect, etc) into overdrive...which in turn generated more mental static...clouding my ability to clearly discern...which ultimately effected my actions....(in this case)... I gave a crappy massage.

For me right now, this is where the delicacy in Thai Massage exists. Where there is ever evolvoing art, nature, presence, vitality and energy. The balance of maintaining mental focus on what's happening underneath the hands...how does the client feel? Tight? Relaxed? Sensitive?)... receiving that information... deciding what is the best movement to facilitate balance, health, and well being...and then finally converting all of that into a seemless action. Feeling and sensing, not just 'do do do!' as Pichest would say.

Pichest took his time readjusting my alignment, explaining some technical stuff, told me if I wanted to get my thai massage skills up... to meditate by simply watching the breath move in and out ('Watching your self die all the time...breath goes in ....life...breath goes out...death...") and then smiling casually he moved onto to the next student.

I will be going back tomorrow (thursday) to offer thanks and say goodbye. What a gift this teacher is. I will forever be grateful and forever a student.

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Some shots from around town...the market place...the streets...etc...

















I am running short on time as I have a final meeting with a meditation teacher I have been working with (I also had my 5th and last session with Kun Anon today...see last post) ....rather than rush through some conclusion of my trip, I think I will wait to post a final posting once I get back to the states

I am curious to see what happens as I move from Thai life back to the States. How will the transition go? What will I take with me? How will teaching yoga feel after so much time away from my usual practice? Will my teaching change? All things that will be sorted out in time and all things that I hold little expectations for...other than I hope to enjoy myself by keeping it simple!

More from the road soon...

Kevin