a challenging private client's breakthrough
A few months ago, one of my closest friend left town and he gave me one of his private clients. He said that she was a bit challenging. Hmm. So when I first spoke to this client over the phone, about four months ago, she asked if she could pay me less than my friend, since "I was not as qualified as him." Oi. And that was my first introduction to her. I stood up for myself, we worked it out and started to see her regularly.
We would meet every week and she would tell me that she has been doing yoga for a while, sometimes she would say, "oh, I've never done it like that; that's not how so- and so taught it to me..." And she would be very serious and intimidating. I continued to be loving and patient, always giving her the best that I got. She also -poor thing- has arthritis and very poor circulation. Her legs are swollen, reddish and she can't feel her toes. Also she has a condition where she bruises easily so I literally can't apply almost any pressure to her when I'm adjusting her.
We meet yesterday for our session and we're doing restorative yoga. I can see that she needs to rest and relax. I had her in Legs up the wall for about two minutes and then we switched to sitting with some props for a moment. I asked her to sit and breathe. I noticed her ujjayi wasn't really there, especially on her inhale. Very humbly- because I know that she's been doing yoga for so long and because sometimes she snaps at me- I asked her if I could re-teach her ujjayi. She -to her credit- said "yes" and realized that she really hadn't been doing ujjayi in all this time. I saw a noticeable shift in her visage and body as she started to do ujjayi pranayama. Her face calmed, her breath became deeper, her eyes closed, her skin softened. After a minute or so she opened her eyes and said, " I can feel my toes. For the first time in a very long time, I can feel my toes."
I had tears in my eyes and wanted to hug her but I knew I couldn't for she would bruise and probably wouldn't like it. I said "good for you" and we both continued to breathe together for a little bit longer. After the session I heard her say, "see you next week Maria." And I walked knowing that what I am doing with my life -although challenging and frustrating some times- is really priceless.
Maria-
I often talk find that when clients/students have a "rough" quality, which is a signal of aggravated vata, that the abrasiveness that creates in the behavioral realm is super challenging. Once I started to see the pattern and identify it simply as the guna "rough" I could feel what they feel on the inside. It's usually found in VP or PV constitutions with a VP aggravation. Amazing how connecting and opening the inner body changes everything. good for you!
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What a great way of looking at the student, without taking it personal. Thank you for your insight dear friend. Much love to you.
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It is priceless, sweet-one.
and you are so beautiful and warm and kind.
Good for both of you.
Such basics leading to profound change. simplicity is a wise elegance. luvs
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What a lovely story, MariaCristina! Thank you so much for sharing... and yes, you are doing something wonderful and meaningful (and priceless) with your life.
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Wow. Just wow.
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Amazing story. I think there's something about feeling like your teacher just accepts you as you are that helps you to let go. You seem so warm and loving - I'm sure that just does her so much good.
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