After I came back from retreat in April, I was full of plans and I got right to work. Plans for a second studio and for a 500 hour school were two of the big ones. I did the necessary prep work but those plans and several other are now in "summer fallow".
In June, four of my close family members died - my mom, brother-in-law, aunt and cousin. And of course, Anusara as a national organization apparently died.
The family thing is a whole subject unto itself. Just a week ago today I said goodbye to my brother-in-law who knew he was going to die that very day. I held his hand. He was clear as a bell - and we were able to truly be present with love and to say goodbye. He said good bye to people he loved all day. Amazing. He was not afraid. Amazing. I could go on and on (but I won't) because the other losses also brought me strong teachings and big gifts. I am blown open and amazed and grateful.
Regarding my Yoga work, I have mourned the mess of AY on High - have had some bad days for sure - but not so much anymore. Mostly I feel OK. I think that the students and teachers in Coeur d'Alene are holding steady and doing good ground work. And I am cultivating my remembrance of my Yoga roots by staying steady and deepening in to my own practice. I have added more chanting lately - and more harmonium.....because I ADORE it. It is good summer fallow practice for me to do something I adore just for that reason and not because I am going to incorporate it into my teaching. My practice is very squarely grounded in being my practice - my sadhana - and I am not letting my mind grab it and feed it to the hungry "Yoga teaching plans and projections" bear.
I am also working diligently on the teaching projects already in swing. For example......
We have an awesome group of teacher training students (T.T. Peeps :) this summer for the 100 hour training. I am excited - truly - as I am reminded of the key features that make for really good teaching. I love being reminded.......again and again and again! Repetition is the language of the Goddess for sure. So many people have asked me "are you teaching everything differently now?" I understand the curiosity. I thought I might in fact teach the Teacher Training differently. But - in fact - the answer is "I am teaching about the same". The method, which by any other name will work as well, is still working well... REMARKABLY well. I am blown away to remember just how well it does work - after all the hullabaloo of the past 6 months.
Yes - I will need to clarify how I say what we are doing - what we are teaching. And I will speak clearly about lineage. All of that will happen.......and will be supported by the rich soil of summer fallow.
Chris - my husband - spent probably 50 hours of his time (which is deep with experience, knowledge and just plain generosity) creating a virtual classroom component for Garden Street Yoga Immersions and Teacher Trainings and for the possible 500 hour school or other advanced trainings. I am VERY excited. This is designed to support students I know well and work with in person mostly - but who can stay more connected and do good work in between the in-the-classroom days. For example, right now the T.T. Peeps - who are all quite brilliant by the way - are engaged in web-supported, online classroom work between the June session at Garden Street and the August session at Garden Street. It is incredible to see lights go in when T.T. students do - for example - sequences and post them. They get feedback from me and their peers. They get a chance to percolate and consider what techniques, words, sequences, etc. work - and which really do NOT - when you are aiming to teach a class which will support people to become strong, open, and more able to tether their attention into their body.
Thanks for reading.
