Teacher: Student Paradox
Yesterday, after teaching my beginner’s yoga and meditation class I had the most heartfelt connection and moment. A student walking up to me with sentimental tears in their eyes telling me how grateful that they were for my teaching, followed later by a long and thoughtful/ kind message.
I have so many feelings about this. ( surprise, surprise) ha!
When I started this journey as a teacher I truly had one goal in mind, and that was to positively impact and share the richness of this practice that I found. I never sought super packed classes, my goal was to deeply and positively impact at least one person in the way that I have felt transformed by my practice and help others reach that “Golden Being state” in which profound peace, confidence, humility, insight, compassion, and deep love for all things is present. It is a feeling so luminous and challenging to describe with words, but you will know when you reach it because after one of those moments things begin positively shifting in your life in unexpected ways.
Secondly, your meditation and yoga practice will meet you as deeply as you meet yourself and show up for yourself. If you choose to have only an asana (posture) based practice without incorporating breath alignment, visualization, chakra work, or meditation. Your experience will be profoundly different from those that incorporate the deeper and more subtle aspects of this rich practice.
I wish I had a dollar for every time I told someone I was a yoga teacher, and their first response was “ I’m not flexible, I could never do yoga” There is wisdom and depth to be found in being able to access challenging asanas or postures, however, there is so much more depth than mere flexibility for those that are seeking it. Also, if you wanted to learn a foreign language you wouldn’t just be like “ oh well I want to learn Spanish, I don’t speak it I guess I never will” If you truly wanted to learn the first step is to humbly meet yourself where you are and finding a teacher that can cultivate that safe space to explore.
I also truly believe that everyone will find what they need in their practice if they show up with pure and authentic intentions. Everyone’s practice will embody and highlight different aspects needing to be revealed and healed, and while it can be similar, it is also so unique and deeply personal.
Enter the Teacher: Student Paradox
Something that has captured my heart/ spirit is the paradox of how powerful and nourishing a student/ teacher dynamic can be. The truth is that as a teacher I am learning from my students, through those interactions where we both humbly and authentically show up we can both learn and grow in a safe place with respect and love, and compassion. I believe that these moments on the mat can ripple out into the most beautiful and positive ways in the world.
Even though I have been teaching and practicing for years in many ways I still humbly consider myself a beginner. Each time stepping onto the mat I am met with more depth, understanding, ideas to explore. It is a profound journey and I feel so honored to embark on it with my students/teachers.
