A Moody Monday for everyone I know, particularly me because I wish I could have been back in LA for Dan’s birthday at Cafe Gratitude. Two East Catholic Youths have to stick together –– plus Dan is the co-star/interview of Belle’s promotional video, after all –– but I took consolation in that I’ve finally thought of the perfect gift for him. (More will be revealed).
Lots of Alignment work in the am, including one extremely emotional exercise that even involved a full blown “acting out” trip to the North Beach post office and purchase of stamps. I bought these of course:
Somehow embedding video in email is MUCH more complex than I would have thought. Have emails going all over the world with techies about ways to make this work for PR and product sponsors.
Anyway, that afternoon I taught my new class/Jasmine’s old class at the Laughing Lotus at 4:30 yesterday and with the rain it was much more intimate.
After having led five classes of stellar students and a unified vibe of groovy participation, of course now that I’m officially on the schedule the Universe offered a challenge –– really, like Bashar says an echo from the past which is a chance for you to see if your world-view has truly shifted.
One student came in 12 minutes late for the 90 minute class (which I don’t really mind if they are quiet) but from the start was moving at a shockingly different pace. With the rain and all, we were moving really slowly in the beginning, just puttering around to explore slowly opening up. She began to keep pace for the first round of sun salutes, but then about 25 minutes into the class, just collapsed on to her mat in a fully expressed Corpse Pose Savasana, eye pillow and all.
This was NOT covered in yoga school and although obviously it’s fine for a student to take child’s pose whenever needed, someone more or less checking out of the class with a full 50 minutes left of it is … UNUSUAL.
We were still in the midst of our dynamic standing poses and there were actually moments where I wondered if my instructions might be too loud, ie that I might be disturbing her 50 minute nap while teaching the other students!
Now it is true that the “old Edward” (from way back in say, 2008) might have spoken to her, tried to ascertain what was going on, or frankly even told her it might be better if she left since she wasn’t willing/able to participate. But I could just see the inevitable controversy boiling up.
More importantly, I saw how I was devoting mental energy to the one rogue student when there were five who were fully engaged and participating and wanting to be taught.
The thing that helped me form my response –– which was benign non-response –– was that I was able to imagine that this spontaneous naptime is something my beloved friend S might do (and she’s done things like sing Amazing Grace at a soul-extinguishing Motor Vehicles office), something I would find charming and delightful, even inspiring when told over a dinner party.
So I just imagined that the yoga zombie napping away was really S and this was her re-telling:
“I was just so out of Alignment that I went into a yoga class and I found I didn’t even need the poses. I just wanted to be in the room and hear the music and the soothing instruction and take a nap. That was exactly the yoga I needed. Afterwards, I felt completely restored, resurrected even –– and isn’t that the point?”
So, for quite literally ONCE IN MY LIFE, I said nothing.
And for once in my life, I actually think being silent might have been the right choice.
(Shhhhhh).
Menu
