Thoughts on class today
Been riffing on the theme of the Rasas this week and truly trying to live what I teach. That is: welcome every emotion, notice the emotion, notice it's texture. I have become some sort of explorer on my emotional landscape and this week have genuinely been noticing like an excited witness whatever shows up on my palette.
And right now I am happy and joyful because we had a beautiful class today at Black Dog.
I had two new students, they had done only one class previously, and they were a mother and a daughter team.
Although I get a bit anxious when there are newbies in my class, these two dames were rock stars. From the moment I opened with the theme they were smiling, looking at me with wide, sweet eyes, they were into it.
And bless beginners: they really don't know what they can't do! So they were doing everything, even really hard poses! I told them to embrace that openness, what Zen Buddhists call "the beginner's mind." I really honored them and hope they come back.
I have to say it helps so much to have students be open and receptive as you are teaching your class. It makes me feel less nervous about the sharing, not only in the opening but during the class as I weave the theme.
One more note about today's class- we ventured into full eka pada rajakapotasana territory and although most students couldn't do this wonderfully difficult pose, the lovely Chris did it for the first time and we were all clapping and excited for her! Yeah!
It always blows my mind when someone can do a pose that they didn't know they could do, when they align with nature and try with their all. Then the magic happens.
What a great class!
Thanks Maria! Couldn't have done it without you. Can't imagine going through any week without your bright words of wisdom and your perpetual inspiration that anything is possible
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