Adhikara
Teaching on the theme of adhikara, studentship. On how important it is to not compare your yoga practice and your own life to any one else's and instead focus on your own unique journey. That was the advice John Friend once gave me when I told him how challenged I was feeling by something related to my teaching. How I was struggling and comparing with other teachers and he said "Maria, just focus on your adhikara. Focus on your own studentship, on your own growth, no one else's." Lately I have been revisiting that advice and I find that each time I remember it, it reactivates a quiet strength from within that is ever flowing.
Taught a rockin' class today at Still. So great. So many devoted yogis where there, old friends, new friends, my boyfriend 
He said it was the best class I've ever taught! My goodness!
He said it was the best class I've ever taught! My goodness!Theme:
Adhikara
Focused on Muscular Energy, in particular Shoulder Loop
Highlights:
The sequence:
We stared with several surya namaskars.
Proceeded with a few standing poses.
Virasana and virasana variations.
Pigeon #1 and #2 with thigh stretches.
Forearm balance
Navasana
Purvottanasana
Bridge
Urdhva
Uttana Padasana (first time teaching it ever! Thanks Christina Sell!)
Parsvottanasana
Parvrrta Trikonasana
Uttanasana
Janu Sirsasana
Baddha Konasana
sukhasana with Shambavi Mudra
Savasana
Something to work on:
I think because my energy and my nature is softer, it is powerful when I step into my strength. When I challenge students a little bit more it goes well with my nurturing presence and it brings me to a more balanced place. Today I was teaching a harder class and yet the theme was so supportive, my voice was soft (most times!) and I kept offering child's pose as an option. So all that created a nice atmosphere of challenge and surrender. A student said that it was the best class he's been to in a long time. Hot damn. Now, we'll see because (this is funny) whenever I think I "got it", whenever I think I got a handle on something, on teaching, on a relationship, something new happens and I have to start all over again!
Which is good to remember the most important attribute of the student: humility, openness, pure intention to align with the divine.
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