Being a student, Being a teacher
Went last night to hear my friend, certified teacher Jessica Jennings give a talk on teaching Pre-Natal yoga and on "do's and don't" for our pregnant students.
The most important thing is to "make space" for the baby, which as she reminded us is the First Principle of our five Universal Principles of Alignment. So it dovetails nicely for all students- that the most important thing we can do for our practice is to create space inside, whether we are pregnant or not.
Another wonderful "a-ha" moment (which I got when I did Jess's Pre-Natal training a few months ago) was that even though it might seem that pregnant women have their thigh's back because of their excessive lumbar curve, most of the time the femurs are forward; a common tendency. It behooves us as teachers to make sure that even though someone might have a lordotic lumbar curve, their thigh bones might still be protruding forward. Really fascinating stuff to the anatomy geek and to the healer in me!
I am at my happiest when I am taking notes and learning.
I am at my happiest when I am teaching and sharing.
Speaking off, I'll be going for my second year in a row to Berkeley this coming weekend. I'm off to study with the sublime Sianna my favorite of all topics ever related to yoga: therapeutics. So looking forward to this! Last year it was a weekend in heaven hearing one of my favorite teachers talk about anatomy and asana with her poetic and gifted voice. My friend Mackie and I will be driving there and it will sure be an adventure!
Have been teaching the past few classes on connecting to our highest, to the best part of us. Softening into that place which is always there, no matter how challenging our days might be or our interaction with someone might be. This came in part after my visit home over the Thanksgiving holidays where several of my family members generously commented on my body's shape and on my behind (ie: Your ass is fat!) For reals. And it took all I had inside of me to breathe and asked them not to say that. And still see the good in them and how much they love me!
It reminded me of a conversation I was having with Jessica last night after her talk. She told me that she forgot to tell the group what not to say to a pregnant woman. That is: "You look so huge! You are so big!" Although it might seem obvious to us all, people make comments like that all the time. Rather say: "You look beautiful, how do you feel?"
May we continue to soften into that place that is non-reactive. That part of us that is our highest, that responds from the wisest part in us. May we tap into that place and from that place think, speak, act and be.
Anusara Poster Project Pose: We are now in the Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana series.
Thank you for the reminders. This can apply to so many comments, because what seems funny or inconsequential to me, can have a negative affect on someone else (similar to the "huge" comment for prenatal students).
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