Garurasana and Chicago

Things are moving along swimmingly. My teaching continues to improve with some fits and starts. I’m more comfortable with the formal dialogue and it’s flowing…sometimes better than others but I’m seeing improvement. When I say improvement I mean that I’m able to more incorporate the Paddy style with the exact words of the dialogue. I get such great feedback on my classes and nipping bad habits in the bud is important. I want to be able to teach straight dialogue anywhere…at any studio…the Paddy way.

Timing is the thing. Anyone that’s taken my class knows a couple of things. One, I always start and end on time. In fact I like to include the final 5 minutes for Savasana in the 90 minutes. Now, I’m running about 3 minutes over and class inevitably starts a few minutes late. Two, I really keep things moving. I feel that I’m slowed down a bit lately, because I’m trying to fit every single word and instruction in. You just have to break it up and that is what I’m working on; Making sure I get as much in as possible for two sets. Mastering this dialogue with the Paddyness is challenging but fun. It’s an art. I truly experienced the art of it first hand at training. Only a handful of visiting teachers resonated with me and took me to the post Bikram nirvana. You learn so much from many teachers…some move you, some don’t but you always learn something. I want to move and inspire my students. I want them to look in the mirror and actually be able to correct themselves…listening to my words. I want them to see that through this yoga they can change their lives and the lives of others. You never stop learning as a teacher. Especially a yoga teacher. We see people at their most vulnerable and we are there to strengthen and uplift them and show them that they are the ones that strengthen an uplift.

I’ve settled into Max’s apartment nicely. Great little place. Apartment living. His bedroom wall is the wall to the stair well. I hear, the door, people going down the stairs, the elevator almost every time it goes, people’s alarm clocks, when they use the bathroom and shower, what shows they are watching and/or some video games…real loud!!! I don’t really care. I chuckle at it all. I’m so lucky to be doing what I’m doing that it’s all just part of the ride. The morning buses are standing room only and slow moving sometimes. Seeing humanity this up close and personal is trippy. We just don’t live that way in Omaha. I’ll tell ya, I’ve gotten my use out of the 30 day transit pass…man, that thing is valuable.

This is my last week in Chicago. I’ve taught 4 of the 8 classes for this week. I will be leaving here Saturday for Cincinnati to teach at Bikram Yoga Cincinnati. I’m really excited to meet Chelsea, see my good friend Jason and take their classes. I hope Jason will take my class and give me lots of feedback. I know that Chelsea will and I’m looking forward to progressing further with my teaching as well as my practice. I’m leaving Chicago with so much gratitude for such a fabulous January! 24 classes in 26 days! I will miss my BYRN family. Who knew I’d fall so in love with that place and those people?

I said my farewell today to H&M and got a fabulous little white number for $10…gonna love that in the summer! I’m going to miss going to the Miracle Mile every day to teach yoga. The studio is 3 blocks from Michigan and it’s a nice little walk. Soundtrack provided by Pandora.

Garurasana the pose that came to mind as I prepared to write this blog tonight. Eagle pose. Posture of compression. Wringing out your body. Concentration, focus, balance, squeezing, breathing. Great for your circulatory system, reproductive organs. It’s great for arthritis and for all 14 major joints. A toxin flusher. I think Garurasana epitomizes my life right now.

Look at your arms, identify which is right and which is left. Don’t mix them up.