Oh how I miss hugs! This picture was three years ago with Erich Schiffmann who is just an amazing teacher and kind soul. Hard to believe that was four years ago. When I met him it was his last workshop he would travel away for and I was at a point in my life that I wasn't sure which direction to take with my yoga training. He is known for his unique way of teaching 'freedom yoga' and I found myself trusting the best teacher ever... the one within ourselves. See I believe as a teacher I am not there to lecture or fix you; but instead to help inspire and shine a light on areas you may not have known or considered and let you draw your own conclusions. I think all teaching is better this way - to be honest.
So at the end of the weekend together I told him my about my experience with this workshop and that his freedom yoga allowed me to trust myself in my own practice therefore it helped me know the path to take in my education. I was going to trust myself. Then we hugged and my friend got this picture.
It can be so hard to trust our instincts because we are used to doing as told. Don't misunderstand, I am ok with hierarchy and learning from those who know more than I do. My experience with being told to 'just trust me' or 'I'm in charge' is often met with me shutting down more. I won't be asked to surrender my own power or truth just because someone wants me too; trust is earned.
What is more important is that responses like those mentioned above don't actually build trust. Some may respond by saying it is historical, traditional or just the way it is done. When I hear an answer like this it is clear the person doesn't know the answer and doesn't want to admit this. So instead they will resort to guilt; first for you daring to question and second for not submitting.
Furthermore I know I can point to those in history who questioned their authority, yet we will look at them today as the traditional example. The Buddha broke away from many paths and trusted something within him even when he was left isolated and alone. Furthermore he was trained in speaking in a language that few spoke so when he started teaching he decided to use the language that was more common; which was not what was done. Instead he met his student (or client) where they were at and taught from there. If you know the history of Jesus he was killed for his beliefs being different from other religious leaders of his time . Even those in yoga, like Iyengar, only studied with his master for a short time and then broke off to create what he trusted within himself.
There are plenty more examples of people like this. I will only say that each had a crossroad to either do as told or trust themselves. I say this because it happens to all of us in everyday life and even in places you may not think it should. But that doesn't mean we have to surrender and trust that if it feels wrong... it very well may be.
Learning to feel experiences is very much a part of my practice. I can start to slow down and identify where I start to notice fear, anger and sadness showing up in my body. This way when I am faced with being told something that I feel is harmful I can decide the best way to clearly act on it; remember that I am in charge of my response. As a teacher I like to empower people to embrace this and not simply advocate their bodies over to others; even medical professionals. Why? Because we get into trouble with blind faith and have to remember that those who are in a position of great strength are human; they will make mistakes and errors and often misuse their power.
I hope you will consider joining me online for a class and experience this way of learning yourself. If I haven't seen you in a while please consider rejoining me and if you haven't had any experience with me online you are welcome to come and watch; however I think you will see that what I teach is different and unique. It may be different than other classes you have taken from others and that it is ok for yoga to be instructed this way. Let's come together in a less dogmatic way - you be you and I will be me.
"Have a good day for no reason!"
---Paige