An enduring discussion topic among yoga teachers is, “when do you practice?”
Currently, I lead 15-20 sessions per week. This includes studio classes, corporate gigs, special events and private client work―and the number varies because some clients are on an irregular schedule, and because I pick up a class or two to sub. I try to take someone else’s class twice or thrice a week. This is harder than you maybe imagine, because I teach (or commute) during common class times―when I’m actually free to practice, most places aren’t offering anything.
Because those practices are precious, I tend to register for classes with teachers I already know and love. Venturing out to a new space and/or with a new teacher feels risky. What if I don’t like their style? Or the space feels weird to me? Or it’s not the type of class I expected?
But. But! Besides the (obvious) chance of me being pleasantly surprised by a new experience, there is also the simple joy of hearing something familiar spoken by a new voice or in a new form. You think there are only so many ways to call a High Lunge, but folks have different phrases, or speak to particular body parts, or energy or breath. Some teachers use flowery metaphors and colorful analogies. Some phrases are cute and colloquial, some phrases are sparse and formal. I’m intrigued by a teacher’s choice of action verbs and what that lends to the experience. I don’t need help at this point remembering how to arrange my body into High Lunge, but I can still be curious about what you’re saying to me about the asana while I’m there.
[For a few months in the pandemic, I was hearing a heap of teachers using “coil” in relation to movement of the spine or the heart, and that was driving me bonkers. As in, “coil your heart open toward the sky.” I just… found that an inaccurate verb for any action your chest might perform.]
The real joy of practicing/not teaching is breathing. I can’t tell you what a relief, how pleasurable it feels to sit with an even cadence of inhales and exhales for sixty minutes, for seventy-five. When I’m teaching, I’m talking and moving and touching, and my breath, even though I have decades of public speaking under my belt, is irregular. Sometimes I have to gasp, I can’t escape periodic mouth breathing. My diaphragm works in sputters and spurts. But, ah! Practicing. Sealing my lips, approaching sama vritti, and moving my body to the metronome of the breath coming in and the breath coming out. Bliss. Soothing.
The next time your yoga teacher reminds you to breathe, or counts the breath for you, remember that she is desperately yearning to join you.
The Deets
A short month! Matt and I took a whole week off in August, and wow, did it feel wonderful. Proportionally, attendance went up from the previous month, and there were some hefty-sized classes in the last week. I think the summer slump has made its way to an end. August by the numbers:
- 55 classes
- 60.5 hours of teaching time
- 466 students in attendance
- 9 locations/platforms
Schedule Updates
Two changes for September! First, I’m delighted to add a third weekly class at SOMA Yoga Center. Come join me for Flow on Wednesdays, 5:45p (75 minutes) beginning September 13. I will retain my other two classes there as is: Tuesday, 12:00p Flow (50 minutes) and Saturday, 10:00a Heated Flow (60 minutes).
Second, I have happily joined the teaching roster at ASANA Charlestown. I’m currently subbing a couple classes here and there, but might pick up something regular in the near future. My thanks to Sara Basile and the rest of the managing team for welcoming me into the fold.
Your Words
A selection of sweet comments and funny feedback from students and peers, received or overheard.
- Another phenomenon class led by Jill. She is the best yoga teacher. Gives such clear instructions and always offers alternatives so all levels can participate. I always feel great when the class is done! How do you improve on perfection!
- Is there a difficulty level on these Heated classes?
- Your hands-on adjustments were soooo nice. Every time you came by, I was like “ohhh, this pose is so much better because she’s here.”
- Last time you did… something [gestures vaguely toward the head], and it felt really nice.
SomerJill 