Yoga Practitioners and Yoga Warriors who Capture the Spirit of Yoga.

I have been in a bit of a yoga lapse the past several months. I had been teaching yoga for roughly 3 years and stopped so that I could focus more of my efforts and intentions on being a bodyworker. So I haven’t taught a class since December. In addition, I have been experiencing severe headaches from yoga practice, and they seem to be triggered any time my head goes lower than my heart. This means not only have inversions been a problem, but even simple standing forward bends or downward facing dog. As a result, even my home practice has dwindled the past few months and been replaced with Feldenkrais exercises, hiking, Zentherapy® Bodywork and sitting (Zazen).

Today I felt that it was time for me to begin again with yoga, so I went to a nearby class taught by a teacher named Marti Foster. Fortunately, the class was primarily a hip-opener, so we rarely went upside down. Though I do have a vague feeling now that there is too much blood in my head, overall I feel good physically. My hips are well-oiled and indeed more open.

I want to share a bit about the teacher I experienced today, because in her class I encountered more than just physical change. Her teaching touched my spirit. My soul felt the presence of a woman who embodies what she teaches.

Before the class began I heard her responding to a question about class levels…a level 2 class vs a level 3 class, for instance. Her response was that most people tend to think that the class level is an indication of physical practice (ie: doing headstands, handstands, etc). But she explained that a good example of a person who is a level 3 is someone who actually knows when not to push themselves physically.

The mantra we chanted before class was a call to the teachers within us. She said, “I do not want you to lean on me as your teacher. I am here to help assist you in finding the knowing of your own internal teacher.”

She referred to us as Yoga Practitioners. Not students. Practitioners. A subtle naming, that made a big difference to me.

At the end of class she shared a very personal experience. She had put out her intention to serve and help someone who had fought in Iraq. It turns out that within a week, she has been asked to do so. Today she will work with a man who has lost his legs and is back home now. I sensed that she is afraid. She will need to be strong for him. She will need to dig deep within herself and confront her own frustrations about the war in Iraq.

So here I pause, and give thanks to this teacher who inspired me today. And I put my own intention out to send healing light and strength to her, a yoga warrior, as she in turn reaches out to help another yoga warrior today.

Comments

[leah]

wow, what a wonderful class. it's true, that the teacher is there to help us find the teacher within us, what a beautiful way of putting it. the teacher can make such a difference in the experience of a yoga class.

[Karen Beth]

Through you, I send light to her too. What a wonderful, amazing person she must be.

Sounds like you had an amazing class. Will you go back again?

[Marilyn]

What a wonderful entry and this teacher sounds like a genuinely good person with the right intentions in her teaching. We need more like her.

[yogaglamgirl]

I know. She is incredible. You're right Marilyn, we definitely need more like her. and yes, KB, I definitely plan to go back. :)

[Linda]

yup....no longer teach my classes in "levels". Those labels no longer mean anything to me.

"advancement" in yoga comes from the heart and the mind.

[ombites (mary)]

What an inspiring post! You are so fortunate to practice with someone like her.

[Asia Nelson]

As a yoga instructor myself, hearing this kind of feedback about positive experiences with a good teacher makes me happy to my core. Whenever practitioners tell me about a benefit they've experienced from yoga I ask them if they'll write about it to me in an email that I can post on my blog or web site so others can find out what yoga is doing for them. The more we talk about it, the more genuine, truthful ways people can inform themselves about their health options. So thanks for posting this!!