Sunday morning I woke up completely exhausted. A full day of asana is quite intense. Okay, maybe it wasn't a full day, but teaching 1 short class on Saturday and taking 4 others did a number on my hip flexors and my hamstrings. I guess that's what a shit load of adho mukha svanasana does.
The yoga training was quite an experience. Full of challenges and successes. When we finally took Shy's class Sunday evening, I was wiped. Most of the teacher trainers were in the back row and many of us observed rather than doing asana for most of the class. For the first time I did stay for meditation since we were doing a little potluck party afterwards. It was a great way to breathe and center. Shy gave us one final exercise at the party. It was similar to the "spreading sunshine" exercise I do that I learned from the folks at Moving in the Spirit in Atlanta years ago. However, in this case, Shy wanted us to talk to each person in the program privately and tell them what we thought about them. To be honest, I am not a fan of that structure. I tend to keep things more positive, so I went the "sunshine" way and told people what I appreciated about them.
It saddened me that for many people I spoke with I started by saying that we really don't know each other. In those last two days we really began to open up, truly support each other and share. Of the people who attended the evening potluck, there was only one person with whom I did not really get along. So I just avoided her all together. However, I did speak to everyone else - well, except for the significant others and the guys that were there that I didn't know at all. Luckily the guys in question were musicians, so there was lovely musical accompaniment for our intimate conversations.
In this time of struggling friendships and lack of community, I was very moved by all of my connections that evening. Most people commented on my enthusiasm, positive energy, sense of humor, ease in giving difficult feedback or constructive criticism. Other mentioned my creativity in class planning and nurturing quality. And everyone that took my Saturday assessment class gave me positive comments. I regretted the class I taught because it was not the best way to showcase my skills with teaching asana and alignment. However, I taught for students in the room. With all of the negativity around me these last few months, it truly surprised me that I was being recognized for the person I want to be. And perhaps it's closer to the person that I am.
The biggest news that I taught my first public 90 minute yoga class last night. Moksha Life Center was recommended to me by Lauren Gunderson. I contacted them a few weeks ago and Gwen asked me to sub, but I was unable. So, while it scared me to death, I taught last night. I was a bit tired from a long day in the city. There was a massage intern from NHI giving free chair massages, so I sat down and he worked his magic. So much so, that I started to overheat and get light headed. I was dehydrated, so with these new toxins floating around, it didn't help. But I found teaching relatively easy. I let my body decide on the poses and guided alignment both with my voice and with light touch. I asked for feedback after the class and both of the students said they really liked it. That it was relaxing. I left with a check in hand and a smile on my face.
Besides the ginger snaps that I bought earlier in the day from Miette at the Ferry Building, teaching yoga was a nice birthday gift.
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