New and Old

I would say that there is a huge difference between teaching to strangers and to familiar faces.

When teaching to strangers you have minimal emotional connection. I still care about each student who walks into the Yoga space but it is a fresh interaction.  The class comes together to practice.  After, the students leave in separate directions.  It is simple and exciting.

I love teaching to a new group of people, when they have no expectations or experience with Yoga. Guiding students through unfamiliar territory is thrilling.  Currently, I have one new student who is over 6"5.  Watching him move on his short mat is amazing because he is trying so hard to work through his asanas movement.  Sometimes during three legged dog pose his foot ends up on someone else's mat "territory". You can tell how hard he is working to find his inner peace and it is wonderful to see students willing to share their space.

It is hard for an experienced practitioner to return to his or her first stages of Yoga.  Understanding, new Yogis need for good direction and cues is valuable. The ability to give good direction comes from witnessing new Yogis move into postures, breath and be present, for the first time.  The physical cues from students are invaluable to an instructor and practitioner. It is so easy to forget how you first felt in downdog.  As an instructor you never know a visually impaired student is going to walk into your Yoga class. Information comes to you in every class.

Finally, some strangers become your best friends, your lovers, and maybe even your enemies.  Yoga has the power to move your life in different directions.  While practicing with a Yoga community transformations occur.  Without noticing deep emotions are released and relaxation surfaces. Strangers can quickly change into the familiar face category and a relationship begins to grow. As an instructor it is amazing to witness the changes within your students' practice and enjoy the friendly interactions.

The transformations help the group energy find a steady rhythm through breathing, meditating, and moving. Everyone finds a new comfort level over time. Teaching Yoga is amazing and I love to teach new and old faces.

Share your Yoga insight.

yours gingerly,

Whitney : )