Monday, January 9, 2012

I don't know

SO much.

Or, there is SO much to try/read/learn/practice/know. It's incredible, really. Lately, I've been thinking about how many of the things I've enjoyed doing in my life: singing, writing, yoga (heck, GOLF, even!) require lots of practice, study, and self-inquiry. I'm kind of a junkie.

I'm reading a book (finally) recommended to me by a fellow yogini, and it is just great. It is practical, historical, and key to moving my practice and teaching to the next level. I'm pretty sure I'm not one of those yogis whose hallmark will be doing lots of WOW! poses -- that's just not me. Though who knows, practice and all is coming -- but I digress. Rather, I like the idea of introducing students to and using in my own yoga practice on and off the mat the depth and breadth of riches that yoga has to offer. There is history, culture, poetry, anatomy, music and more to be explored. It is, in fact, what makes yoga such a colorful, wonderful thing.

Sometimes I feel lucky to not have the strongest, most flexible practice. Not being an athletic juggernaut on the mat in part allowed me to be open to the other elements of yoga: it's philosophy, language, music, ritual and more. And each time I pick up a new text about it, I am reminded just how much of a beginner I am, of how little I know. It's so freeing to approach life this way -- just being in the moment, empty and open to all that is.

4 comments:

Marianne said...

And as a student who is also not an "athletic juggernaut on the mat," I think this is one of your greatest strengths as a teacher.

Bee Bosnak (Beeyond Yoga) said...

I love this, Elizabeth!

You can only teach what you know. If you waited to teach till you knew everything about yoga, you probably never would.

I love teaching yoga to beginners. Although I find great power in kicking up to a handstand or a fancy arm balance, my practice gets me right back down to earth when I can't forward fold/bend without bending my knees (hell.. still my chest is not on my thighs). We are all different and everyday is unique, that's the art of living.

Enjoy every beginning because you will never have it again.

Judiesjuice said...

I would love to know the name of the book! I've been practicing yoga for well over a decade and now that I am teaching, I am well aware that this practice is a life long journey and education. Love your post Elizabeth!

adan said...

"how much of a beginner I am..It's so freeing to approach life this way" -

yea, me too!

hey, another me too, which book is that you're reading? ;-)