Just yoga looping life togather
Thursday 27 September 2007
Although I certainly can teach a physically strenuous class, the more I learn the more physically gentle and detail-driven my classes become. When I first began teaching most instructors with the largest classes and most faithful attendees were ones who pushed their students to their limit with their words and attitudes as well as the asanas.
And my personal practice is almost nothing like the classes I teach. I like finding my edge, trying variations, exploring the edges of my physical and mental limits, striving to become more minutely aware of what is happening inside and wondering why. I like the other, non-hatha practices as important and the bulk of my life. Asana makes connections and sets the reset button for stress but by itself does not solve problems although it can create the slack for ameliorating them.
The hatha classes I teach are so full of good humor and laughter lately. Something has changed. We are more comfortable with each other, and I want the classes to be larger to keep me busier. And the sessions have become gentler, as even the stronger students reveal their weaknesses and willingness to do what is right to create healing, their friends calling and asking for other times and places. Today looking across the room I was deeply struck by how deeply my students trust me, overwhelmed.
Ran straight to teach Pilates: still well-attended, and many questions this time; most of them take my yoga also, so we explored the differences and various benefits of the different modes, and they shared their experiences. They love the way they feel after both, different, and with this the challenge of the concentration in putting all the different elements together.