One of the hardest feats for Anusara teachers is to weave a theme from beginning to end of class, that ties to the highest reasons for practicing yoga; namely Cit (Consciousness) and Ananada (Bliss).  If the theme is too heavy or not fully integrated, it can feel as if we are hitting the students over the head with it. If it's too light or not really there, classes can feel like a workout. To weave the theme with the right amount of presence and yet masterfully create a fun and physical practice, is quite an accomplishment.

One of the most helpful suggestions is to tie in whatever I am saying (the personal), to the big picture (the universal). As soon as I do that, I am plugged into the highest teachings of yoga. I feel that I can walk into any room, even if nervous, and know that I will be supported. Keric and I will be giving the students suggestions on how to do this. Hopefully as we continue to teach today and the rest of our days, we will feel supported by the highest.

It reminds me of something I recently read, which ties back to the writings of the Roman orator Cicero. Cicero contended that in the olden days, scribes would write down by hand Homer's Iliad into a walnut shell. Thus, soldiers could walk into battle holding the entire poem (all 17,000 verses) inside their pockets. And they had it there handy for inspiration. Supposedly Alexander the Great carried it when he marched into India. This is where- interestingly enough- the phrase, "in a nutshell" emerges from. The idea being that large amount of information can be reduced to its essence in just a few words, and captured inside a nutshell.

Anusara teachers are like these soldiers, marching unto unfamiliar grounds (new classes, with new students), carrying within them verses of knowledge reminding us of our non-dual Tantrik philosophy of intrinsic goodness. We might come to class and have a theme of one word, say "Fullness." But within we are holding years and years of studying, reading, researching, meditating, contemplation, and yoga that supports all that we say in class, all that we do. And all of it living inside the nutshell of our hearts.