Motorbiking at sunrise between red Rock cliffs watching the mist roll of the ocean. Lazily swerving around cows and dogs napping in the road. Enjoying the last of the cool breezy shadows before the sun makes his presence known. Once I hit the town it’s two fingers on the break and a thumb on the horn. They actually use the horn to communicate logisitics, like I’m passing you, or blind curve, rather than the typical NYC “get the f*** outta of my way” charm.

Fresh chai comes my way the steam peels back my eyelids in a refreshing manner. The lil shops untie the lil strings holding their tarps over their merch and everyone is sweeping their stores, sweeping the dirt road, sweeping . . . Sweeping. In India the first thing you are to do in
The morning is sweep. Before breakfast, before anything, you are to sweep your home and start anew each day. It’s a nice practice. Ive been sweeping my room each morning and would like to continue this ritual upon my home coming. Time will tell.

The next thing they do is throw water onto the road. The Indian people have an impressive technique for throwing water. It’s much more beautiful then you or I have ever spread it upon the earth. If water throwing were an Olympic sport the Indians would take the gold. I believe they do it to keep the dust down, sometimes they do it to disperse the cow dung – as cows are holy and roam wherever they please. Sometimes they are giving an offering or cleaning a pan- it does not matter the reason why they are throwing the water. It is always done with style and gusto.

Today I go to Arambol! I have not yet been but look forward to the adventure of three bus rides and another town as I make my way to the northern part of Goa. I have been told it’s full of freaks, gypsies, and circus folk- and upon hearing this I can’t imagine why I have been visiting anywhere else. Lolololol. Oh right – discipline, focus, and all that jazz 😉 it’s been good for me to study in a quiet far-flung seaside as we all know I would not be studiously practicing in my room for hours on end in the art hub if India. Looking forward to the adventure and must get a move on before the sun gets too hot. Good morning world! Thank you for letting me travel upon you. Gravity and flight. Namaste.

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I have been
diving deep into Odissi dance. It is ancient temple dance. A dance
of devotion created and performed for the gods. It is beautiful and
intricate and even people who have been studying it after 20 years
are still considered beginners. It is the oldest classical dance
form of India with written documentation of it dating back over
2000 years to 1 B.C.. I have begun an incredible journey. I am
dancing 5-7 hours a day. It has had an incredible impact on
quieting my mind, improving my posture, and increasing my own
self-discipline. I have exercises and choreography in the morning,
rhythm and music theory in the afternoon, mudra class (!!!!! This
makes me so happy), then followed by choreography recap. I make a
point in my down time to then study my own movement practices. I
have been alternating between tribal fusion bellydance technique,
working on my 3 hoop separations ( one on your chest or above in
the hand, one on your waist, one on your knees) and I hope to have
a day where I work on contact juggling out on the beach ( a long
time and long term goal for myself). This Friday I get to take a
Persian dance class on Sufi Whirling (!!!! This is also very
exciting for me)! The lessons Odissi is teaching me are grand and
of great importance. Some of them i surely wont even recognize
until I have left. Part of my intention for this trip was to
receive. To be open not only to learning new things but to retain
them. It has been a while since I have undertaken the serious role
of “student” and I am loving it!! The ashram where I am staying is
also a tantric yoga teacher training program. It has been a nice
mix of dance and yoga creating a complete practice. Everyone
attending the program is super nice and inclusive. I Also join them
for their lectures on metaphysics, Hinduism, the history of India,
and the history of yoga which have all been a complimentary study
to the ancient history of Orisa (where Odissi was born). Through
studying this ancient dance form I have enjoyed recognizing that so
many other forms of movement have all built their practice from
this ancient foundation. I look forward to discovering all the
lessons yet to unfold. Bless!! -=ali*<

I have made it to South India. Justin and i spent time in the wild city of Bangalore where the roads erupt into 15 lanes of traffic complete with dogs, cows, motorbikes, rickshaws, taxis, buses, cars, babies, you name it- it’s moving- and at high speeds in all directions. I spent several hours in the saree district finessing the finest silks laden in jewels. I was sat down and shown showcase after showcase of one-of-a-kind hand woven, hand beaded, intricate pieces of wearable art- from the way they are made to the multitude of ways the are tied. Each one was wrapped me so perfectly, folded in a perfect bkend oc science and art. The women of India are equally as intrigued by me as I am of them. We all steal glances -returned with sweet smiles, cheeky looks, and head bobbles. Mutual admiration society in full effect!

We find busy food stalls and my fingers become an extension of my tastebuds as I scoop up channah masala with fresh puri and have as many dosas as I can possibly eat in 24 hours. All washed down with chai- every meal, every thought, every corner – chai, chai, chai!

We then took a sleeper train to Hampi. Hampi is a magical and ancient village full of 16th century temples, gypsies, amazing boulders strewn across the landscape teetering in unrealistic ways. Nature truly is the greatest abstractionist. I’m also constantly impressed by the timelessness of human innovation. The intricacy of the temples, the roads, the sculptures, the society that existed in a different time of technology makes a huge impact on me. I learned all about Krishnadeviraya and fell into a deep fascination with the unfolding history of India.

I am currently attending an Odissi dance program mixed with tantric yoga in south Goa over the mountain along the sea side.

I am honing in on the art of being a healthy traveler. Enjoying my time exploring this world as well as the inner journey of exploring myself and finding the harmony in all things. India is a magical place but it is not such an easy place to get along ( confusion, corruption, disease, politics, harsh weather harsh sun, etc) but if you surrender and release your expectations into the flow- the rest will follow.

Currently I’m on Galgibaga Beach. There are few westerners here and each one’s absence is replaced three-fold with INCREDIBLE wildlife. Dogs and cows lazily mill through every city and village- but in this very far flung village woven into an even further out coast there is the most amazing array of birds. Huge crows, hawks with at least a 3 ft wingspan riding the warm thermals coming off the Arabian sea. Bright green and blue parakeets glittering and flipping around, these lil birds slightly bigger than a hummingbird with the coloring of a peacock darting here and there, roosters, egrets, gulls, and a ton
More that I don’t even
Know how to dichotimize. Even a short five minute walk yields spectacular sightings.

Life and death is also much more in your face. I’ve seen several animals killed with my own eyes in the past few weeks. I saw one monkey brutally attack and kill another and then drag off the body, I saw a dog trot by with the bottom half of a very large Doberman colored creature hanging from it’s mouth, a hawk dropped a rodent 10 ft from me on the road from about 25 ft and then 2 cars immediately ran it over, even the 5 week old puppy at our ashram returned home completely missing his back paw and his leg is now limp. India is not necessarily an easy place- but it us however real and in your face.

I have learned so much in the past few weeks about a multitude of topics. The most fascinating and still unravelling is tattered threads of Indias rich past and history- nearly wiped out during the 3 centuries of British rule and the intriguing and laborious duty of uncovering and re-establishing their rich heritage.

I have been dancing 5-7 hours a day and intensively studying classical Indian Temple dance – Odissi- history, music theory, and technique. This devotional dance dates back to 1 B.c. – that’s over 2000 years ago!!! Such a beautiful and intricate practice.

May each of you be enriching your lives in some way today and enjoying your personal freedom, health, and happiness.

Namaste,

-=ali*

Looking out onto the Green green sea. Jungle dreams grow into reality. Monkey pillow-talk joins our own as we ready for our departure from this magical island. 3 weeks breezed by with barely a moments notice. Warm tropical breeze, the transformational give and take of the tides, the jabber of the boat men as they vie to double their rate. Personal interaction is the main form of entertainment-along with sharing delicious food, giant waves, and a good dance.

Coconut shakes, fruit shakes, my new personal favorite lemon mint mango shake mmmmmm pumpkin salad, pumpkin curry, fried pumpkin cashew, mmmmm Asian pumpkin. It is so super yum! You can find it in the states usually sold as kombucha squash – it’s a short squat green pumpkin and oh so good!

The ways to relax are bountiful and endless. Your biggest decisions are to lay on this beach or that one and which of your favorite treats you choose to indulge in on this day at this time. Exhausting!! All this doing nothing!! Lololololol.

Well, I suppose that’s not all true. I did manage to teach a really successful hoop workshop in such an epic space. We were on a platform on the side of the mountain, in the jungle, overlooking the ocean for three days. All of my students were so awesome, great learners, and really rocked the hoop!! We also did a special fire circle where each of them were given the opportunity to fire hoop for the first time ever. A special time was had by all.

I was also awarded the opportunity to perform with SPARK Circus and help raise money for their mission of bringing joy and circus to the refugee camps.

Each time I go back farther and deeper into the jungle. Her intricacies and creatures constantly surprise me. The way the milipedes legs peruse the dirt Rockette style, the symphony of frogs and all the different instruments they play, the natural cycles carefully balanced between which blossoms are in bloom and the exact moment each new and different butterfly bursts from it’s caccoon. All in such perfect timing. Cosmic divine. Synchronicity. And so much love.

Looking out onto the Green green sea. Jungle dreams grow into reality. Monkey pillow-talk joins our own as we ready for our departure from this magical island. 3 weeks breezed by with barely a moments notice. Warm tropical breeze, the transformational give and take of the tides, the jabber of the boat men as they vie to double their rate. Personal interaction is the main form of entertainment-along with sharing delicious food, giant waves, and a good dance.

Coconut shakes, fruit shakes, my new personal favorite lemon mint mango shake mmmmmm pumpkin salad, pumpkin curry, fried pumpkin cashew, mmmmm Asian pumpkin. It is so super yum! You can find it in the states usually sold as kombucha squash – it’s a short squat green pumpkin and oh so good!

The ways to relax are bountiful and endless. Your biggest decisions are to lay on this beach or that one and which of your favorite treats you choose to indulge in on this day at this time. Exhausting!! All this doing nothing!! Lololololol.

Well, I suppose that’s not all true. I did manage to teach a really successful hoop workshop in such an epic space. We were on a platform on the side of the mountain, in the jungle, overlooking the ocean for three days. All of my students were so awesome, great learners, and really rocked the hoop!! We also did a special fire circle where each of them were given the opportunity to fire hoop for the first time ever. A special time was had by all.

I was also awarded the opportunity to perform with SPARK Circus and help raise money for their mission of bringing joy and circus to the refugee camps.

Each time I go back farther and deeper into the jungle. Her intricacies and creatures constantly surprise me. The way the milipedes legs peruse the dirt Rockette style, the symphony of frogs and all the different instruments they play, the natural cycles carefully balanced between which blossoms are in bloom and the exact moment each new and different butterfly bursts from it’s caccoon. All in such perfect timing. Cosmic divine. Synchronicity. And so much love.

Flying over a sea of clouds I’m thankful that repetition has given me the upper hand. This luxurious 1.5 hour flight sure beats the hell out of the torcherous 10 Hr bus ride/3hr ferry ride situation I took last year this time. Spoiled by lifes blessings I grab my shades, some sunblock, and my flip-flops as I sail my way into an 80 degree winter day. Excited to take the ferry across this beauteous ocean I will keep my eyes peeled for the sea gypsies and be content with my own gypsy blood that I am following my own true path.

Deep in the jungle on the mountain on the ocean I will carve out my home for the next few weeks with my man by myside. Excited for self-growth and exploration and the undoubted evolution that is to follow.

Sawadee ba Mai!! Happy New Year from just above a sea of clouds.

Love the gypsy princess faerie mermaid unicorn.

-=ali*

The adventure continues with a slight change of plans
hitting up Tokyo in place of Hong Kong will be in Thailand by
tomorrow!!! On the flight after much airport insanity excited to
unwind and sleep xo goodnight beauties I can’t wait to dream up
tomorrows reality. Much love and inspiration! X

Wow. Back to New York City which is an adventure all amongst itself. Upon my return I attended a faerie wedding in the most beautiful of places (pictured above). I had an epic photoshoot with Pixievision Productions, spent some downtime in North Carolina with my Hoop Family, I found a new and amazing home in Brooklyn and as of last night it’s back to the grindstone gigging.

I really appreciate how underwelmimg taking a gig is these days. No anxiety, no bullshit, no overworking. I learned how to work the appropriate set time-how to give just enough of myself, how to stay close on the managers heels to get paid on time. It’s also a good way for me to see bars and clubs even though I’m not a bar fly. A way to drink for no
Money and paid practice time to refine hooping in small spaces.

All and all re-entry is happening. Slowly slipping back into my own shoes and refilling space but also making the necessary adjustments for growth and nurturing moments.

Thank you NYC for always being the magick that I hoped you be.

Xo

-=ali*

As you near the end of time in one place all the things you love about it rush onto you like a fresh breeze. You instantaneously start tapping back into the feelings, sensations, and perceptions we all so quickly come to take for granted.

Im leaving Ubud, I ve left before, but was not going so far away.
Ubud I will miss you and all of your secret ways.

Your warm and sweet ancestral love, incense wafting out of every window and door.
Ubud I will miss you. I will miss your dragonflies galore.
I will miss the lil dance of the taxi drivers call and the unbelievable taste of the nasi campur.

Weve been so spoiled every morning -breakfast brought to our door. Fruit tower, banana pancake,pineapple pancake, omelet, scramble, local plate, you could never ask for more!

Ubud I will miss you and all your ceremony! THe holy water flicked by flowers onto every single thing. The celebration of knowledge, of love, and of history. The gamelon floating and hanging thick in the air, with every moment hammering the story of a thousand years.

Offerings made everyday, dogs following along the way, motorbike buzz, and rhumbutan love, and flowering passoinfruit vines, Ubud my dear, your vision is clear, your liveliness frozen in time. And Bats! Ill miss the bats. They are large and loud and clattering around but i still love their presence so. The geckos! My favorite house pet ever. We even had a hip hop gecko at one place he was so cute, saying Geck-Geck-Geck-Geck-OOOOOOO. they are big , bigger and small. .. .your lil friend hangingout by the light on the wall xo

So many lil magickal wonders loom in every nook and every crack-what a place to discover and be rediscovered back, ubud, already, you are like a long lost friend.

Ubud you breed flowers, bells, coconuts and reeds!
I am parting, it is true, but it is not nearly the end of this, only onward, gayly forward, merely shifting continents.