It is amazing to me that the training only has four more weekends left. Where has the time gone?? I have experienced so much physically, mentally and dare I say spiritually. Yet in most ways life continues on a steady course pretty much as before.
What have I discovered? I’m surprised that the teaching of peers and “actual” students seems relatively natural. This isn’t to say that I can instruct, provide breath cues, present analogies/metaphors, observe the students posture and provide physical adjustment. But I have found is that I’m not rattled by being in the front of the room.. where are the butterflies? Could this training actually lead to some activity beyond personal growth?
We did lots of adjustments on each other for various poses. Not sure what I’ll actually remember about any of them except hands, feet and an occasional head can be used to encourage the direction of expansion in a pose. It was interesting how resistance continues to get in the way of my asanas. Just the mention of Parivrtta Trikonasana caused an uncontrollable groan.. actually wasn’t so bad, especially when my fellow student “guided” me. Such small tactile encouragement gave me a better understanding of alignment (at least in the moment).
We also discussed the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindi scripture, that provides a framework for discovering the Divine within. This is my second time reading this text and it’s beginning to seem somewhat familiar. At least I’m not having to look up each and every sanskrit word every time. I suppose the thing I appreciate most is that a text written in sometime between 5th century BCE and 1st century CE proclaims that “Those who are devotees of other gods and who worship them with faith actually worship only Me.” I’ve never been able to deny the validity of other religions… goals are the same and each arose in a world where cultures were separated. How could the search for God not be pursued by all humankind and the discovery be of a universal divinity?
During the discussion of our group, there was definitely resistance to the concept of religion. I guess I’ve always looked at organized religion as a community of “good” people who coalesce around common rituals, but that probably works best in the Episcopal church that doesn’t promote “hell and brimstone.” There is a great deal of acceptance of individual theology. Mine basically revolves around the “Golden Rule” and is fully compatible with the yama and niyamas of yoga. Never been much for prayer or Bible reading outside of the church’s walls but am beginning to get a handle on meditation.. Of course it’s assigned and I’m typically a good “student.” Who knows what will continue when I’m totally on my own.
Namate
