Today, August 4th, 2010, I taught my first ‘official’ yoga class- to strangers- who don’t know the sequence- who have never set foot inside a yoga studio.   My dear friend set it up at her office and I had three students.  They struggled through the poses.  I modified as best as I could and took a few tricky ones out (crow and floor bow).  My ipod didn’t work, so we had no music.  

Here is the email I got a few hours later:

Hi,

Just wanted to send you a Thank You for setting up the Yoga Class. It was my first time doing yoga and I was a little anxious about whether or not I was flexible enough to try it. I am glad I went to the class! I am feeling great this afternoon, definitely less stressed and my back is not tense and feeling very relaxed – ahhhh 🙂 . Please pass along my thanks to your friend she was great at moving us first timers through.

Thanks!

I am in tears.  This is EXACTLY what is supposed to happen.  Sharing yoga with as many people as I can.  Especially new people, who struggle with their weight, and over-eating and stress.  The people (like me) who need it the most.  This makes it all worthwhile.

I love this path.  I love feeling my body getting stronger, my mind expanding and my heart opening with every class.  Even the days when I feel like crap and I spend most of class in childs pose.

I am proud of myself for following this healthy path.  Signing up for teacher training, even if I was the largest person in the room, again…  Just keep showing up.  Keep moving.  Keep getting finding more peace with every hour of practice.

I will be back tomorrow, yoga mat, and we will spend some quality time together once again.

Namaste