taking it on.....or August was for teaching.....

August was for teaching...

My introduction to the city's premier fitness club came in May with a weekend seminar. As I entered the yoga studio my heart was light, for this was a beautiful space. The warm hardwood floors, the prop room full of equipment, and a stereo system with speakers high above the mirrored walls - these spoke to me about attention to detail and invited me to practice.

I gave my business card to the director and left thinking "well that was fun." Two days later, I was in negotiations to begin teaching at the club! I left thinking "well they must really need teachers!"

On May 22, my first class began at 5:45 p.m. Students strolled in for the next ten minutes. What was billed as a restorative class was going to be a little more than just supported poses on the floor. I had been to class with three of the club's current teachers, and in those classes I realized that this club was a little more fitness oriented than mind/body practice oriented. The students seemed to want a work-out even in the restorative format. I saw someone come out of final relaxation and do ab crunches. I was astounded -but said nothing.

My self-doubt grew as I attempted to teach a Level 1/2 class the next week. During the first month, I questioned whether or not I was "fit" enough to be teaching there. I questioned whether or not the students were getting any yoga. I knew they were getting a work-out, but were they getting any yoga? Doubts, and more doubts....discussed endlessly with myself, my journal, my friends, and most of all -my teachers.

By the second month I had settled in - at one point, I taught seven hours in a single week. I was really enjoying the experience - letting a spontaneous teaching flow from me in the more advanced classes. I was starting to dread the decision I knew I had to make. Here was my dilemma: I was already teaching at a local rec center, but this fitness club maintained a "no compete" policy. I was able to circumvent this rule, but only through August. Once the summer (and the rec center session) was over, I was going to have to choose.

I chose the rec center. I told the directors of both locations what I had decided. One was happy, and one was not. My last class at the fitness club was August 21st. This was 90 days of teaching experience that I will cherish forever.

My last class was a restorative (read gentle), and it turned out so good -smooth, (bitter)sweet, and poignant. We used bolsters and blocks and straps and blankets. I shared yoga, I played well-suited music, and I spoke of the inevitability of change (the change of seasons is a reminder that change comes -even if we do not want it to). Hopefully everyone felt as good as I did when class was over. It is said that sometimes the teaching is as much for the teacher as for the student.

Namaste.