Perfect Timing

On Tuesday I mentioned going to my first Kundalini class at a new-to-me studio in Toronto.
It'd been a while since I'd been to any class at all. The buzz it left me with was enough to bring me back the next day for an Ashtanga class. With Havovi.
I have adored every yoga teacher who has ever crossed my path. Every one of them has been supportive, kind, warm, and in love with yoga.
Now and then I meet a teacher who rattles me at a time when a good rattling is what I'm looking for. Havovi is one of these.
The class was perfect. Hard enough to sweat a river. Not so hard that I wanted to escape or collapse in a heap. It found an edge that made me want to laugh. I had to work at not laughing.
And over and over, looking right at me (I'll bet everyone felt she was staring at them), she said, "Ashtanga has an incorrect reputation for being competitive. This is your practice, and the practice is about your breath. First and foremost, breathe. The rest will take care of itself. Whatever you can do, do. Whatever you cannot do, accept."
I may be paraphrasing slightly. A mild delirium had spread by now through my body and brain.
I'm not sure what happened. Perhaps I placed myself in her care by being in her class. Perhaps I was just ready. Perhaps she's crazily intuitive and a shaman as much as a yoga teacher. Who knows? But her words about breath and about acceptance found their way to some place that my self-talk hasn't reached lately during home practice. Something good opened up inside my chest. Something that makes me feel better about myself. I don't know any more than that, except that whatever it is hasn't closed yet.
I think I'm ready to be a student again.
Thanks to yoga for being there when I want to chart my own course and for being there when I'm ready for beautiful teachers. Thanks, thanks to Havovi at Bliss Yoga Studio in Toronto.
Thanks to you for the conversation,
kristin
Dr. Kristin Shepherd is a chiropractor, actor, and speaker (About All Things Wonderful) in North Bay, Ontario. Join her on the web, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on iTunes.



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Comments
So far I have HAD to be a student. I love the vibe of my studio. I love my teachers. And I KNOW that I absolutely do not have the discipline (yet) to make myself get on my mat at home. Maybe it's because I haven't had a chance to make myself a dedicated yoga space. Maybe it's just the way I am. But I'm good with that. My teachers are some of my absolute best friends and I love them. :-)
Posted by: Christi | May 26, 2011 11:27 AM
Don't rule out the effects of that Kundalini practice. I went on Saturday and then took my regular vinyasa class the following Tuesday and WOW! My energy was focused, I felt strong, powerful, and a few inches off the ground. I can't stay it was the Kundalini for sure, but I've definitely reached a new edge. Welcome back to the studio!
Posted by: Nenette | May 26, 2011 12:23 PM
I would love to have a teacher, for inspiration and for someone to ride my butt and keep me on track. I love doing yoga right outside our RV but the weather has been too cold in the mornings and I have to be at work at 8, but it's warming up and I'll be outside soon, but I'd love to have someone to yoga with.....
Posted by: Cathy Cobb | May 26, 2011 4:05 PM
i think you said it best :-)
"Thanks to yoga for being there when I want to chart my own course and for being there when I'm ready for beautiful teachers"
we make so many commitments to ourselves, and forget, that that commitment was itself a change from something previous
so we change again, as needed - why not?
we can always yet change again
as havovi pointed out, "This is your practice" ;-)
Posted by: adan lerma | May 28, 2011 9:52 PM
Wasn't the Kundalini Practice so much......fun? Kundalini Yoga is one of the most challenging styles I practice. So difficult to do it correctly, but so rewarding over time. Good luck in your practice. Namaste.
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