Garden of Daisies

Learning more, from more teachers

October 15th, 2005

Yesterday Matt’s mom taught us, while Matt practiced with us. This was enjoyable on a couple of levels.

Firstly, part of what I love so much about learning under Paul and Rachelle, is that they split the time in half, each taking turns teaching, and practicing. So we get to see them in their own practice, as well as seeing them as teachers. This helps to enforce the importance of practice as a continual part of life, and to remind us that our teachers have been through most of what we’ve been through on the mat. …so it’s good to get a chance, now and again, to practice alongside Matt as well.

It was also amazing to see his mom as a teacher. Matt is a second-generation yogi. His parents were among Guruji’s first students, back (as his mom says) when “yoga was almost a cult kind of thing”.

I noticed her first about a week ago. Of course, when practicing, it’s ideal to keep your focus on your practice…but I couldn’t help but notice this woman, with white hair, flowing through the poses with more grace than I’d ever seen anyone but Paul, Rachelle, and Matt do before. At the time I didn’t have a clue who she was…but I wanted to know immediately. It was a couple of days before I ended up in a conversation after practice when it came out that she was staying with Matt (whom she hadn’t seen in a number of years) for most of his time in Toronto, to help him out (as running a Shala alone is quite a task).

I’ve always wanted to be rockclimbing in my 70s, or to live by a lake, and have a little sculling boat, and row every morning as the sun rises…I’m not really attracted to the idea of getting old, but if I do I want to be one of those people that you can never really figure out how old they are exactly (all things considered).

That’s what this woman is like. Her white hair implies she’s quite old, but only because I live in a place where everyone dies their hair until they hit at least sixty, and she doesn’t seem like the type to bother with that. Her face looks young, and her eyes are bright.

As a yoga instructor she had this amazing ability, as well, to adjust me by just laying her hands on me. Somehow she didn’t have to push me into anything, or say what she wanted me to change, just by placing her hands on my ribs, I knew she wanted me focusing on my breath…etc (very odd feeling).

Once again, I’m amazed at what a positive experiance it has been to work with other teachers, and what new perspectives it is giving me. I can’t wait to travel to Mysore myself…what a powerful experiance that would have to be.

This yoga is really fascinating stuff.

On the topic, of teaching yoga, and what it means (especially in today’s world of yoga as a fad), check out Paul’s blog (on Teusday Oct 11th)..very insightful.

Entry Filed under: Yoga