To Teach

To Teach #1

I generally try to write these very short stories several weeks even months ahead so as not to feel pressured or give the impression of a deadline oriented story. I actually have lots of unfinished stories on the go most of the time. For me it allows what’s happening at that moment inside to come out. In these trying and difficult times I’ve decided to finish a story about my teacher that I started a while back. Teaching yoga is not where you can make lots of money it’s a true calling. A small sliver of my experience with my teacher is encapsulated below.

Since I started writing this things have changed. Rachel no longer owns or teaches at her own school. She has joined forces with another school where she now teaches and as I said earlier, teaching yoga is not an easy way to make a living – just about impossible during these times.

My wife and I were travelling home during this crazy time and we were concerned if we would even make it all the way home. To say the least it was somewhat of a stressful trip home.

As I continue to write this we are currently in a 14 day self quarantine in our home.

Teacher

As I travel though this experience I am constantly amazed by how it changes and surprises me. I’m always learning from all those who are in my life – my wife, kids, grandchild, parents, family, friends, and my teacher – I love them all – I am truly blessed. The last seven years have been incredibly transformative. I now have a granddaughter, two of my six kids recently got married, another recently got engaged and soon I will be blessed with another grandchild. All these family transformations have richly enhanced my life.

Along with these family transformations I also took up yoga – this was not a coincidence. You could learn yoga from a book or online but that in no way compares to being taught by an experienced in your face teacher. I have been very very lucky because I’ve had some of the best teachers in the world. Rachel who has been there from the beginning still teaches me to this day – it’s a relationship I treasure.

My Dad taught me to lead by example. How do you lead someone to a place that is not easy to describe. A place where the student may not be looking for. A place that may not happen even if you try. I have been taught the asanas in the primary series. These are physical aspects of Ashtanga that build up strength and flexibility and that may be all that you are looking for; however, there is more than just the physical benefits.

Ashtanga means eight limbs and without going into each limb; the limbs from five to eight, in essence, represent a state of mind or lack thereof. A journey to the calming of the space between your ears.

For me peace began to be more evident as I had learned the primary series. I was not initially looking for anything else; however, as yoga worked its way into my being I discovered a sense of peace. I would not have discovered this on my own it was sort of by osmosis through my teacher.

I’ll try to explain it this way.

Have you ever been somewhere where you feel your surroundings. A sensation that there is more than what you see. A vibe, a power, an unseen feeling. I was in Alaska driving alone from Anchorage to Seward on the Turnagain Arm. Along the drive I pulled over and got out of the car, whatever possessed me to do this I’ll never know, I started walking towards the mountains that were on the horizon. As I got further away from the car I started to feel the power of nature. The further I got from the car the stronger it felt and the smaller I felt. Nature was large and getting larger and I could feel the awesome power of nature as I began to feel very very small. It felt like I was being surrounded and enveloped by some unseen force. I kinda felt scared.

I can compare this to a totally opposite feeling I routinely get when I go to practice usually about ten minutes before opening. One of the things I discovered going in then was the vibe that emanated from my teacher. She was in the closing part of her practice either in seated meditation or savasana. The room feels calm, quiet, and peaceful. The peace and quiet is emanating from my teacher into the room. I would enter the room quietly lay down my mat start my practice and soak in the peace. I love to start my practice this way. It’s like a head start on what my practice has become. I don’t feel scared here I feel welcomed, peaceful, I belong here.

Over time in various communications I have had with Rachel about her own goals of practice, it leads me to believe in a deeper experience than what I have currently achieved. This path is something I had not considered and to be honest not sure if I want to pursue. The physical pursuit was my initial goal however that has bent into a softer approach. I have arrived at a place where practice is not nessesarily a physical challenge anymore it’s just something I spend time doing to achieve peace. Don’t get me wrong it’s still work and I sweat but it’s not my goal anymore. I don’t need to “conquer” that difficult asana.

My practice is about peace, life, love. And as I think about those three words I’m thankful that my life is surrounded with all of those essences and that this is what came to light as I learned yoga.

I don’t think there is a bigger compliment I could make.

Thank you my teacher.