My goal in this yoga world has always been to be the stepping stone.
A stepping stone for the one who says "I can't ever do yoga" or a stepping stone for the one who simply needs an hour of stillness.
Yeah, I'm going to push you, but not in only physical ways. Sure some of the poses we will do may be challenging. But I’ll tell you, THE most challenging thing you can do is be on YOUR mat. In your own body and in your own mind.
Everything; EVERYTHING in life stops us from tuning into ourselves even the slightest bit.
So yeah. It's probably going to suck that I'm asking you to be still. To control your movement by using your breath of which you're also controlling.
It'sp r o b a b l y going to suck that I'm explaining the pose, walking you through it a couple of times and then there is silence.
You're probably going to want me to talk.
To fill in the void.
But guess what?
This is where YOU come in. If you can't be okay with the silence, THAT'S where I need YOU work.
It isn’t that I’m not leading you. I'm watching. Of course, I'm going to make sure you aren't struggling. I'll even chime in to remind you to focus on your breathing and to make sure you aren't holding your breath. I’ll even step in sometimes and tell you where to focus your breath or your energy.
I'm going to throw things out like ‘Hinge’ pose, where I'm asking you to truly think about which body part is moving and when. This pose is great for your hamstrings, glutes and core. But do you know what's getting more of a workout? Your mind!
You have to remember to inhale and raise your arm, to exhale and lower it at the same time you raise your leg, to inhale again and lower your leg and raise your arm up above your head. Then after all of that, you have to remember to stop. That on that next exhale you're only lowering your arm before you begin this whole entire sequence of movement again.
Sure. Those muscles you're working are getting a great workout.
But your mind… That's what’s getting the brunt of it.
It's okay that you don't like slow yoga.
It's also okay if you want a faster pace.
That means you've progressed past the point of my instruction. That means it's time to push yourself more to experience the benefits of other styles and postures in yoga. To see what else there is that you like and don't like.
It could also mean that while you've mastered the types of poses I'm cueing, you haven't yet been able to in tune to your body. And although you can complete an entire Vinyasa flow sequence easily (which I commend you for), you may also need more work on slowing down and getting in tune with your body!
Please know though, in no way, shape or form did you just waste your time; For one, you learned something about yourself. You learned what you like – and what you don’t. You even spoke up and said what you preferred! That’s amazing! Do you know how many people keep silent on that kind of stuff?
You should also know that you didn’t waste my time either. That last hour we just spent together is so valuable to me. I’ll use it to better my teaching in the weeks, months and years to come. I’ll make changes and tweak things we did. I’ll even pull things that I really liked from our time together and bring them into a future class of mine.
In that short amount of time we spent together; we both learned things! Seriously, how rare is that? How amazing is it you can leave a situation having bettered yourself, and the person you just experienced it with?
Just remember, in the midst of all the chaos, to always check back with yourself. To give your mind that work out again, and to take the time your body so desperately needs in order you to listen to yourself.
