Just Did It

I cannot believe I finally did it--I taught my first yoga class. And no, it wasn't "that bad." It wasn't that great, but it wasn't that bad, and 97% of it was JUST DOING IT. Right? My theme was the play between fear and faith, how to protect yourself while remaining open. How DO you do that? If we stay in a place of fear, whether it is teaching yoga, looking down a steep ski run, meeting a potential mate, whatever--we tend to be closed because we are keeping ourselves safe. To remain in that contracted, safe place provides very little (if any) opportunity for growth. Conversely, if we have no filters on our experiences and who we let into our lives, we open ourselves up to injury, physical or emotional or even spiritual. And you know what they say, "That which doesn't kill us, maims us." It is healthy to honor our limitations and fears and also selectively open ourselves up to be able to receive the benefits of transformation. And this applies to our yoga practice. Stand on your head? Drop back into a backbend? It seems nuts sometimes, attempting those poses, jumping into a mogul-studded slope, diving into a new realtionship. But that interplay of strength and flexibility is the tool that enables us to both honor our fears and embrace the faith that we will be ok. And tapping into and cultivating physical strength and flexibility when you are on your mat directly translates into the same qualities when you are off your mat.
Peggy came to class and sat right in front and it was really really nice to have a familiar face on my first class. My sequencing was ok but I didn't do very many adjustments, I just stayed up front and got a feel for what it is like to lead people through a yoga practice. And I must admit, I am very happy I did it. The studio in town, Telluride Yoga Center has just opened a second studio, so I may add some classes there, hopefully apres- ski.
I'm not feeling so great today, fighting off a cold, so I am just hanging out at home, resting and drinking tea and watching it snow outside. I will get some photos today to show you what my place is like.