Teacher Thoughts

That time of coming and going at work again.  I have said goodbye to students this week.  This has been an exceptional group, I will miss them so much.  As a teacher you want the best for all your students.  You want them to learn, to accomplish and to succeed.  Sometimes that does not happen.

Most of my class were newcomers today.  Some of them had never done any type of yoga, some are polished yogis.  The new comers are often fretful.  The ones who have had some sort of practice are surprised at my teaching style.  I teach yoga, breath work and meditation as a tool to help them in their recovery, it's not an exercise class.  We do move, we practice our asanas slow and gentle.

My philosophy is simple, if my students understood relaxation and knew how to relax they would not be using drugs and alcohol for relaxation.  Drugs and alcohol are numbing, breath work, asanas and meditation teach you to feel, to go inward and be in the present.  It is hard work, to become sober, to look at your self with truth and honesty, to accept responsibility for your choices and actions.
To remember who you are, who you once were and who you can be is earth shattering.  It takes time and energy.

The building I teach in is always full of energy, good and bad.  I walk in somedays and feel beaten before my classes ever start.  The sadness and fear can be palatable.  But there are also moments of joy and celebration, of confidence in finding one's self.  Sometimes a student will tell me they feel human again.  I can tell when the sparkle appears in their eyes, that life is improving.

Time will tell about this new group.  Will they embrace my classes? Who knows.  I teach what I know with as much love and kindness as I have in my soul.  The students choose whether to accept or reject it.  I am tired and drained tonight.  A much needed off day tomorrow.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams