I always learn so much from John. Ever since I started to study with him back in 2003, he is the most generous teacher in terms of sharing. He is always like a little boy, filled with excitement and enthusiasm over yoga. Always in a good mood when he teaches, always smiling and kind. Every demo he has someone do, he completely honors the student. I was so impressed with how focused he was during the teaching of over 100 poses and how he would give modifications to literally each one of the poses. We were all practicing a challenging class while still honoring our limits. 

There were very few demos but they were so inspiring. Scott L did a crazy backbending sequence: Ustrasana, to Eka Hasta Ustrasana, to drop back from Ustrasana to Kapotasana. My friend Uma did a beautiful Headstand drop-over into Eka Pada Viparita Dandasana 2 back into Chakrasana. It is so inspiring to see what the body is capable of! At one moment John asked the certified teachers in the room to gather at the center. I think there were about 14 of us. I kept breathing into my heart as I had a feeling that we were going to be asked to do something CRAZY. And boy I was right. We all gathered at the center: Hagar, Tony, Michael, Scott, Stacy, and others. There were two photographers taking pictures, just to add to the slight pressure. The demo occurred during the armbalancing part of the practice, and as fate would have it he asked us to do, literally, the hardest armbalance in my humble opinion: Visvamitrasana. Oy. I took a breath, literally started praying to my late grandfather Aio who was in my thoughts. I ended up doing the best Visvamitrasana I've ever done. Then I thought, "Good, I made it through this demo." But no, John asked us for more and then he said, "Eka Pada Koundinyasana #2 (fine!) into (oh God) Ganda Bherundasana (Nooo). I literally cannot do that pose. The horror. I tried to kick up but couldn't. This is the pose where you are on your chin, your hands beside your chest and you kick up like a scorpion, balancing. I turned to see my sister Hagar doing it beautifully (what a radiant light she is). I saw other teachers couldn't do it as well and I felt slightly better. Ego anyone? I left the demo feeling a little sad but also realizing that I need to practice this pose. In fact this coming Tuesday at the Practice we are going to be working on that pose and I asked Hagar to come and helps us get there! So there is always something new to be working on and challenging poses help expand our idea of who we think we are and what we are capable of. I look forward to trying something so difficult in a safe and supportive environment.

The practice ended and afterwards John had us all gather around. He then spoke about going to Israel in March and how he wants to share yoga with the world. He then had the Israeli teachers come up (Hagar!) and then in front of everyone certified a woman from Israel. I forget her name but I will never forget how moving it was to see her be celebrated like this; her husband and daughter were there supporting and applauding her. It was awesome.

Mackie and I drove back home and hit pretty strong traffic. I had to literally rush home, shower, then get back in the car, and drive to Black Dog for our first day of Teacher Training. We have 8 very sweet and grounded individuals. One of them is my friend Suzanne who I adore and my student Rachel who is so giving in her gratitude. We had our introductions and all of the teachers gave a little bit of teachings about yoga, about Patanajali, about what yoga is and what it isn't. I closed the evening with a very gentle and relaxing restorative practice. 

This Sunday I will be teaching again at the training. I am now part of two different trainings going on simultaneously! And come March, Hagar's, Tara's and my Immersion will begin. But by then thing would have calmed down considerably. It is incredibly exciting and thrilling to see how yoga has become my life and how it informs and sustains it. I hope that I can continue to be the best teacher for my students, continue to be present and be of service. 

I am going to go now to (surprise) a yoga workshop with an Iyengar teacher. Will write about it when I return.

Blessing to all my teachers, in particular John for his constant, generous sharing.

May we keep learning, assimilating and sharing our light!