Home practice is … nice… BUT practicing with the like minded is nicer. Humans are after all, tribal in nature. I thought Nancy’s Monday night Yin and Restorative class had been so magical, when she was there, I made it a point to assist her or take her class at this beautiful local studio. Subbing for her gave me great joy as it meant she trusted me and I always rise to the occasion no matter what, when I am trusted. But most of all, thanks to her, I trust myself and I believe in myself.
For me, at this time, I am not teaching yoga to become famous or have some need to stand out. In fact, I wondered why I gravitate to teaching when my life would be so much easier if I didn’t. I would do so much better to just go back to doing what I do really well already rather than reinventing myself by turning this unexplained passion into “work”. If it’s a hobby, Why didn’t I take up running or go back to tennis or volleyball (Varsity setter in high school – yey, for setters – we set-up and facilitate the success of spikers) why? I still might do all the above when I find the time but Yoga will be my foundation until I take my last breath. No, I don’t have a burning desire to be on the cover of yoga journal magazine. I don’t even want my name profiled on the studio or club’s website, really(but of course, students have the right to know.) I just want to help and serve people so they feel better and achieve their optimal health – why? I think when they do, I also feel better – it’s kind of like motherhood. Another kind of MOTHERHOOD. Besides, students are your best teachers. Yoga is uplifting taught by the right teacher and I guess just being appreciated more must be what I am hooked on. What’s wrong with me? Nothing. I think we all have that need.
So I thought I was just subbing 2-3 classes at most but realized that I subbed over 12 classes in the last few weeks and the styles have been very varied – family yoga, yin yoga, yin/restorative, vinyasa- all levels, vinyasa 2-3, hatha and the latest, Yoga for Athletes… What’s that you ask? Well, had to throw out my ashtanga-ish sequence for a lunar sequence switch as I too assumed all these muscle-bound athletic men would show up to this yogi’s class – and how wrong I was. A very diverse “athletic” group in the evening – Anyway, SO for all the variety I come across, I quickly felt compelled to freshen my playlist…to cover all those classes. Can’t just hit the “refresh” button on this. I have to put it together – thank goodness for Apple products that make it so easy for such tasks.
Tonight a lovely student asked for the names of the songs on my playlist so despite the fact that I fidgeted with the stereo system and pulled out a knob by mistake – whoops – a calming yogic moment – then fumbled with the volume control(so many knobs! yes, it was a comedy…), apparently someone was listening to the BGM – it is nice to know that there’s someone who appreciates the music selection since I actually work to put it together – SO I must say, she has such good taste:) as I try to make them varied but still with some running theme.
So few know this – I once dreamed of becoming a DJ at KALX college radio station(Go Bears!)…when I was there. So it’s nice to come up with a playlist – so fun.
