Just one more teacher training weekend, an anatomy test, a take-home exam, and a few class assists and I'll officially be a certified yoga teacher. I can't believe the end is really that near. It's sad to realize that I won't be seeing this great group of fellow trainees each month anymore, that this incredible phase of my life is coming to an end. And even though I've already started teaching the occasional private class and will soon be taking over two morning classes at the studio, it's hard to imagine my life as a yoga teacher.
I taught my first paid private yoga class on Sunday and found myself fumbling terribly despite my preparation and previous experience with this group of students. I gave the wrong name for poses, stumbled over instructions, forgot posture benefits and didn't give a single adjustment. I thought I had the teaching thing down, thought I was getting the hang of it. Apparently, that was not the case. I laughed off my mispronunciations and stumbling instructions with a self-deprecating, "Wow, I'm a little off today." But I felt like I was completely floundering.
Later that day, while ruminating on all the mistakes I had made, I realized that I'm always going to be learning and improving. Not just as a yoga teacher, but as a writer, a friend, a lover, a human being. Like so many times during my exploration of yoga, I began extrapolating what happened in that class to other areas of my life.
I will never "arrive" at some magical end-point, some moment when I'm complete and perfect. I won't always give the clearest instructions, write the most lyric sentences, or be the best person I can be in this world. I will flounder through life making mistakes. And through those mistakes I will change and grow. Sometimes I will fall on my face. But I will get up, brush my knees off, and try again.
(Photo credit: Moffet)
This piece was cross-posted at bookieboo.com, where I'll be journaling about my experience as I learn to teach yoga (and become a more dedicated yoga student in the process).
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Floundering to the End
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5 comments:
That's awesome that you're almost a certified instructor. Congratulations!! I've found that yoga enriches my life in so many ways, including my writing life.
Yoga, like life, is a practice. Some days we get it "right", others, not so much. Thank you for sharing your journey.
You are such a gifted writer and I can only imagine what a great yoga teacher you are!
Maybe one day I can take a class taught by you!
Are you planning on teaching yoga full time or just on the side?
Erika - You're so right. It's all about continuing the practice.
Rebecca - Thank you so much for the compliment. It would be awesome to teach you! Right now I'll just be teaching on the side. We'll see what opportunities arise in the future! :)
I just started reading this blog and I have to say I am impressed. I may be just a teen but I am still mature and I have to say I rather enjoy reading about people as they go throughout their daily lives and such. I have just started my blog and am hoping to do the same. This is great inspiration and I thank you for it.
Hello. I'm new to blogging and yours is one of the first I've seen. Since I am in the process of writing my life it's nice to see I'm not alone. My website is new too but coming along. Since I'm an artist and not a writer it's not so easy to do.
Keep having fun.
Matt Watts www.krallosvierd.com
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