Opening to a New Teacher

It has been heart warming to receive an occasional e mail from my Northampton students. Many are expressing the challenge of losing a teacher that really works for them. It is flattering and I can very much relate to that feeling of transition. I am here for you and will be back to western, MA every few months to reconnect with you in a private session or workshop. However, it is that daily practice that may still be missing for you. I have a few suggestions and my own personal stories to tell around meeting this need.

Whenever my favorite local teacher had a personal transition and moved away, I was often devastated and felt “lost”. I believe it was my main teacher Gita, who resides in N. CA, who guided me that this is an opportunity to drop into my own personal practice until a new teacher shows herself/himself. I did this AND would also studio and teacher hop, often frustrated with the lack of spiritual content and need for yoga to be “athletic”. Sometimes teacher’s voices would get on my nerves, the music wasn’t right or the way the class was arranged felt awkward. My guess is you are all nodding “yes“ in agreement, as I write about my own personal experience of finding a new teacher.

In transitioning to Portland, my main intention has been to create community. My first attempt was to go to a local yoga studio that specializes in a style that could work for me. Ganesh (the hindu god with the elephant head who places and removes obstacles) put obstacles in my way from the get go. Many studios here operate on membership and since we were dropping in, we were not welcomed with open arms. The teacher was very uncomfortable with us dropping in and her first words to me before and after the class where not ones that invited us back, but instead turned us away…all about “rules“ and procedure. Big signs that this was not the right place for me.

Next, I tried a Kripalu class at the Greater Portland YMCA, where my husband is a member. The cost for being a guest was only $7! I was so surprised and felt it was a “gift“. I walked into the class and everyone was positioned in a semi circle facing the teacher, which I loved right off. We started the class by “centering”. That works for me. Then we did a series of sounding as we warmed up in yoga postures. It was a SO fun! We did what is termed the “Portland Y cheer“, which is basically a big “WAAAAAH!”. We wailed until we had no more “waaahing” to do. I cough every time, as my heart chakra opens up to release the victim inside that needs to yell and scream out the injustices of cancer. In most classes, we also stick out our tongues and shake our heads with a big sound. We sigh after every pose and also have a big long laughing session as we move in Bear Swing. Those who are reading, who have studied with me, know I love releasing through sound.

The daring teacher Danika, is also a natural comedian and cracks, sometimes, “inappropriate” jokes throughout the class. In the first class or so, I judged her for that, but after experiencing over and over again how well she maintains the integrity of the yoga, I got it. She is being human and expressing real human thoughts and emotions we all have. We pray and sing kirtan in every class and when she and I talk, she always responds from a yogic place. She lives the yoga as she plays in human form. She is a sweet heart, full of love and light and is truly enlightened.

This class, for me, is about not taking myself and the yoga so seriously. It is perfect for me right now. It is not only rehabilitating my left side in a gentle and therapeutic way, but also bringing me to a new level in my teaching…continuing to drop the ego of being the perfect yogini/Teacher…whatever that is…and having a great time doing yoga and experiencing life. After all the drama of breast cancer and the 5 year preventative journey ahead, I need to live my life in a light hearted way.

Expecting things to be a certain way is really about our old beliefs systems. Instead, we can create a new reality, in the moment, that encompasses all of it…childhood influences, societal influences and spiritual and personal growth. It’s about forgiving oneself for being human. It’s o.k. to have a skewed childhood that leaks no matter how hard we try to hide it or change it. When living on the earth plane, we need to manage and live within societal influences, as we choose to evolve and live in the light, shedding our old beliefs that no longer serve Self.

We all have our own yoga needs as we move down our own unique yogic path. I invite you to not only explore your own yoga practice, but to be open to the signs that guide you to your unique next teacher. As I did, watch your judgments. Check in with where they come from. Notice what feels good and right in your body, not in your mind and what you think you need.

It is also totally fine to maintain a long distance relationship with your teacher, as I do with Gita and my guru in Boulder, Baba G. It can be very healing to travel to them for a retreat or to practice with them when they come into town.

Reopening my Private Practice

I am using this transition as an opportunity to recreate myself and heal with ease. I am choosing not to jump into a regular teaching schedule here in Portland. I may do some subbing to help out for summer vacations and feel into the studios here. I am being clearly guided by Self to open up my private practice now. I have begun seeing clients in my new home studio. I also continue to give private sessions when I am back in western, MA.

Stay tuned for my upcoming trips for private sessions, workshops and CD release gatherings. Remember that I am always available for phone sessions as well.

Due to the recent turn of events in my healing process (“radical” mastectomy), the CD release has been delayed. My demo CD has been sent to Sounds True. Wish me luck that the CD is produced in an affordable way that reaches many. If Sounds True does not choose to produce it, then it will be available via pod cast this summer.

Your advance contributions to the project are still welcome in exchange for the final product. 10% of the profits will be donated to local nonprofit organizations that provide holistic breast cancer support.

I look forward to continuing our connection over the miles. I completely support you in finding a new local teacher and deepening your home practice in order to serve your daily yoga needs.
Keep the e mails coming. Feel free to use this blog as a forum.

I absolutely love receiving your notes and continuing our yoga connection through writing, energy, phone sessions and future in person private sessions and workshops. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Know and trust that I am still with you on the Universal plane.

Namaste. Jai Ma!

Prana
www.pranaheals.com