Tamiyo Kusakari is a very well known retired ballet dancer in Japan … If you are not into ballet, you may still have seen her in a movie called “Shall We Dance ?” – a romantic comedy with subtitles I am sure worth checking out if you like topics of dance.
Awhile ago I saw her documentary and there was a footage of her practice – where an older white haired coach was giving a very pin-pointed and motivational cues and instructions. Then this documentary showing her practicing her 32 spins, known as the most challenging ballet dance technique. There she was in front of a Japanese coach who was someone quite a bit older, resembling a grandmother who keenly observed and gave her advice. She herself appeared a little too into her senior years to show by doing. But she knew as she once danced at the apex when her body allowed her to. She gave cues and helpful tips BASED on her observations and that was rather revealing for me. Up until then, I had thought teaching a yoga class was about ME doing the yoga sequence and ME showing and demonstrating in the front and ME yoga-ing along with the students – only difference being that I needed to call out cues, explain or instruct as I engaged in MY OWN yoga practice. I am sure you know that if you are DOING IT, you are not really seeing your students.
The documentary made me realize that … when leading or teaching a yoga class, the teacher is the OBSERVER and an Analyst, there to access the condition of that student, give appropriate assists as needed but it’s always observing carefully and lovingly (not judging) and seeing how best to support the student in achieving their balance and wholeness. Reminded what Judith Lasater said is the most important aspect of being a good teacher – that you are there to hold a mirror so that the students can gain better vision of themselves. It’s about the student’s practice; not me doing my practice and sharing that with them. It’s all about the student in a student-centric class not about me in front of students being ego-centric or showing off (or being humbled as the case may be, ha, ha:) or caring about projecting an “image” – it’s all about the student and their transformation; you the teacher, an observer and a guide and aide to serve the student on his/her journey of transformation… and not my own.
SO that in mind, my approach has changed. My intention might also be undergoing a change – It’s a reminder that yoga is BIG vast teachings and to fit that vastness into just one box called “fitness” to burn calories or stretch like pretzels at the gym is a bit too much of a shame – it’s a waste of enlightened human experience if you place yoga in just that box. Yoga offers so much more than the body-only tuneup element. There are so many benefits beyond the physical when we invite that kind of practice into our lives. To be open, flexible and … kind so a true transformation may take place where you reach a better version of Self – to be lighter and freer unburdened by outside validation and past trauma or anxieties over the future but living in the moment, validated by the wisdom within.
The documentary follows Ms. Kusakari (& Her super supportive husband, the famed film director, Masayuki Suo) as she prepares for her final stage as a ballet dancer. She decides to retire completely from the stage in her 40’s, probably realizing her physical limitations. She had nailed the 32 spins many many times before on stage and off; practicing and practicing to perfection. BUT there’s a practice her husband documents, where she falls from the spins much to her own shock … and from that day … she is humbled and never attempts the 32 spins. In her mind, there’s the shock – I used to be able to do it with practice; I used to be able to stay balanced; I used to be … past past laurels. A Prima Donna with intense pride that she has, she faces the reality in the present moment.
It was a practice of … letting go… letting go of attachments, not clinging to one’s own vision and identity of who you are. To realize that letting go is not the same as grieving a loss because … the act is not marked by a loss. Rather, by letting go, one makes more space and learns that there’s then gaining something else in the process. Letting go of what she was capable of before physically and challenging herself in another way, to grow and evolve in another way, letting go of what she was capable of in her 20’s and 30’s as she moves on in her lifespan. It’s so lovely to see someone who ages with grace, humility and … pride.
*** Interesting
