Elevated Lifestyle Magazine Fall 2020 Issue Featuring Kate Bock

Tell us about spending quarantine in India. What was that like?

Although it was not planned, lockdown in India ended up being an incredible experience, one that will stay with me forever. Really for all of us. We are in unprecedented times. I was at Isha Yoga center in South India when quarantine began, and had been in a program of silence. I was studying at Sadhguru’s ashram, a well-known Mystic, who is known around the world. I had come to the South of India to Go to a friend’s wedding and to go to a known celebration in India called Mahashivaratri. After that I had decided to stay. For practices in yoga, and little did I know the world would progress. I was in silence for about 18 days, just days after that the world went into a lockdown. I came out of silence to face a new society. I was grateful for the experience where I was, as there was 2,500 of us within the the ashram each respecting the 6 foot distance, while going about the day, doing yoga practice, going to the temples within the ashram, many walks down to Adi Yogi within the ashram, peacocks surrounding the space, eating. Really deeply profound experience. To have this time to really go on this journey within, while maintaining the awareness of how Isha provided for the surrounding community with food and wellbeing of the community.

Over the last few years I have been to India many times. Traveling into the Himalayas, studying Yoga in Rishikesh, traveling to the great city of Kashi - Varanasi, through Rajasthan, and into the south of India over the last few years.

What are everyday mindfulness techniques you can share?

Take time in the morning to connect to your breath, a small meditation to start with. I love setting intentions.

Be grateful for life. Being aware of connection to self. I love honoring the elements. Food and wellbeing is important of course as well.