Yoga - What a Lousy Class - Was it the Teacher Or Me?
The first inclination is to say it was the teacher.
And, maybe it was.
Teachers have off days, just like the rest of us.
Maybe the teacher had a plan for the class and because of the level of the students who showed up, or the weather, or a bad date the night before, a personal injury or even a mood, well, things just didn't come together.
When, and if, that happens, a good teacher is more disappointed than anyone else.
Remember, that one person is up there in front of everyone offering herself or himself as an example of, at least, a somewhat evolved yogi.
But, what if it was you? The peace and tranquility were not to be found even in the opening meditation, even when you sat on a folded blanket.
Even when you recrossed your legs to find their most comfortable position.
Your back and shoulders, even your breath just did not, could not find repose.
Your energy scattered, your center fragmented.
It crossed your mind to just roll up the mat and call it quits.
Unless you've never been in this class with this teacher before, you are out of kilter.
You are just plain old having-a-bad-day.
This is where the teacher is supposed to coax, talk, soothe you back into that flow that makes your practice such a special time.
Right? Wrong.
It is not up to the teacher to get you where you want to be.
The teacher is your guide.
You are in charge of your practice just as you are in charge of your life.
Sure, you want that energy, strength, centering calm that so often fills each pose and carries you onward.
It is a big letdown, even infuriating, when you come to the end of class and your first thought is, thank goodness that's over.
You're right, it is lousy.
However, I recommend that you permit those 60 or 90 minutes to just be a representation of you in less than a stellar condition.
That elusive peace and tranquility, even strength can be found in what's called contentment.
It's a state of mind rather than an intention.
It means finding happiness or satisfaction in what is.
Hopefully you have signed up for a class series.
Contentment can take awhile to find.
Look for it or let it find you.
You'll be glad you did.
And, maybe it was.
Teachers have off days, just like the rest of us.
Maybe the teacher had a plan for the class and because of the level of the students who showed up, or the weather, or a bad date the night before, a personal injury or even a mood, well, things just didn't come together.
When, and if, that happens, a good teacher is more disappointed than anyone else.
Remember, that one person is up there in front of everyone offering herself or himself as an example of, at least, a somewhat evolved yogi.
But, what if it was you? The peace and tranquility were not to be found even in the opening meditation, even when you sat on a folded blanket.
Even when you recrossed your legs to find their most comfortable position.
Your back and shoulders, even your breath just did not, could not find repose.
Your energy scattered, your center fragmented.
It crossed your mind to just roll up the mat and call it quits.
Unless you've never been in this class with this teacher before, you are out of kilter.
You are just plain old having-a-bad-day.
This is where the teacher is supposed to coax, talk, soothe you back into that flow that makes your practice such a special time.
Right? Wrong.
It is not up to the teacher to get you where you want to be.
The teacher is your guide.
You are in charge of your practice just as you are in charge of your life.
Sure, you want that energy, strength, centering calm that so often fills each pose and carries you onward.
It is a big letdown, even infuriating, when you come to the end of class and your first thought is, thank goodness that's over.
You're right, it is lousy.
However, I recommend that you permit those 60 or 90 minutes to just be a representation of you in less than a stellar condition.
That elusive peace and tranquility, even strength can be found in what's called contentment.
It's a state of mind rather than an intention.
It means finding happiness or satisfaction in what is.
Hopefully you have signed up for a class series.
Contentment can take awhile to find.
Look for it or let it find you.
You'll be glad you did.
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