First, deep thanks and praise for all of those lovely Flowing Glowers and Fine Shines that came out and got deep in the dark with us.
Also, gratitude and appreciations on Zoe, for inviting me into the maelstrom; to Sumukhi, who has such a powerful positivity, and yet a deep grounded spirit - oh, and let's not forget, DJ Manny, who knew just the vibes to throw, exactly what groove to pursue, and when to pop it out!!
I really love the art and action of collaboration - getting together and seeing what happens. Well, that sounds way too passive! What I mean is taking differing perspectives with a common respect and allowing what we can co-create to lead the way. Teaching is incredibly organic, it's about getting out of THE way, getting into what is happening, what isn't, what is needed, what can be pushed, what should be held. So, when you agree to collaborate, it's a great step into the unknown!
Again, that's the edge I love - on more than a few occasions in the past few months, I've collaborated or been in a collective of teachers where we didn't spend time planning and plotting - it's lovely for me, some folks can't dig it, I respect that we each have a process. I suppose I'm the improv kinda guy; I did go to States for Extemporaneous Speaking in High School!
So, no planning is more exciting and fresh for me, and I believe in that authenticity and truly being in the moment - not reviewing what you were supposed to be doing or forecasting how to get back to page 2 of your flow - but really seeing what's happening; that's where I love to be.
We got there last night - all I knew was the overall intent, the heart of my co-presenters, the playful, pumping nature of the DJ, and what a Tuesday, October 1st in Austin felt like. We came, we flowed, we conquered and we surrendered. I think we did a lovely job, I heard folks feeling good.
Also, gratitude and appreciations on Zoe, for inviting me into the maelstrom; to Sumukhi, who has such a powerful positivity, and yet a deep grounded spirit - oh, and let's not forget, DJ Manny, who knew just the vibes to throw, exactly what groove to pursue, and when to pop it out!!
I really love the art and action of collaboration - getting together and seeing what happens. Well, that sounds way too passive! What I mean is taking differing perspectives with a common respect and allowing what we can co-create to lead the way. Teaching is incredibly organic, it's about getting out of THE way, getting into what is happening, what isn't, what is needed, what can be pushed, what should be held. So, when you agree to collaborate, it's a great step into the unknown!
Again, that's the edge I love - on more than a few occasions in the past few months, I've collaborated or been in a collective of teachers where we didn't spend time planning and plotting - it's lovely for me, some folks can't dig it, I respect that we each have a process. I suppose I'm the improv kinda guy; I did go to States for Extemporaneous Speaking in High School!
So, no planning is more exciting and fresh for me, and I believe in that authenticity and truly being in the moment - not reviewing what you were supposed to be doing or forecasting how to get back to page 2 of your flow - but really seeing what's happening; that's where I love to be.
We got there last night - all I knew was the overall intent, the heart of my co-presenters, the playful, pumping nature of the DJ, and what a Tuesday, October 1st in Austin felt like. We came, we flowed, we conquered and we surrendered. I think we did a lovely job, I heard folks feeling good.
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
― William Arthur Ward
That brings me to the salt of the post - each of the folks I worked with last night was in their comfort zone. We had a destination, and a landscape, but no map or route. We taught our yoga, not in contrast, or against, but as one, together, in unity, for fun and with intention.
It works, but only if you are teaching YOUR yoga. YOUR yoga, the yoga you've flowed in and failed in. The yoga you've walked away from as well as devoted yourself to. Yoga you've been given, and guided through, and instructed in, and learned to didactically dissect... that's YOUR yoga.
I'm just on that thought because this morning I saw three things that all triggered that in me... one person promising to teach you her 'teacher's flow' just like you'd like it; another person arguing the dogmatic and fundamental approach to this yoga 'as it is, unquestioned, honored through the lineage', and yet another who was ruing the fact that they weren't 'physiologically able to do Bikram, but I love it so!'.
I'm not picking a fight, I'm stating an opinion. I'm trained in two lineages that are considered to be 'infallible' and need to be taught 'as-is' without change or question. I choose, in honor of what they have asked, to not teach in those lineages. I draw from them, I'm informed and inspired by them, but I honor the fact they must be taught as they are, I don't adhere to that, so I don't go there!
That is to say, I'm still finding my way,
I'm a mutt and while I'm a stray!
That's a poem!
I'm a mutt, and a stray, like I'm just incorporating what makes sense, what provides clarity and discernment, what is sustainable, and what I see in my own practice working. I offer it as perspective, not as dogma. I offer it humbly.
And, I give thanks and praise!
It works, but only if you are teaching YOUR yoga. YOUR yoga, the yoga you've flowed in and failed in. The yoga you've walked away from as well as devoted yourself to. Yoga you've been given, and guided through, and instructed in, and learned to didactically dissect... that's YOUR yoga.
I'm just on that thought because this morning I saw three things that all triggered that in me... one person promising to teach you her 'teacher's flow' just like you'd like it; another person arguing the dogmatic and fundamental approach to this yoga 'as it is, unquestioned, honored through the lineage', and yet another who was ruing the fact that they weren't 'physiologically able to do Bikram, but I love it so!'.
I'm not picking a fight, I'm stating an opinion. I'm trained in two lineages that are considered to be 'infallible' and need to be taught 'as-is' without change or question. I choose, in honor of what they have asked, to not teach in those lineages. I draw from them, I'm informed and inspired by them, but I honor the fact they must be taught as they are, I don't adhere to that, so I don't go there!
That is to say, I'm still finding my way,
I'm a mutt and while I'm a stray!
That's a poem!
I'm a mutt, and a stray, like I'm just incorporating what makes sense, what provides clarity and discernment, what is sustainable, and what I see in my own practice working. I offer it as perspective, not as dogma. I offer it humbly.
And, I give thanks and praise!
