Yoga as a Family Affair

One of the aspects of my role as yoga teacher that delights me most is seeing families practice together.  The families are varied... I have twin 30 year old sisters in my Friday morning class.  I have a son (military officer, awesome yogi with a very consistent practice) who brought his mom to my 101 class on her 72 birthday... they now practice together twice a week.  I have a mother who has started bringing her young adult son to class, finding a new way to connect to him.  I have cousins who regularly meet up to take a session together.  I have countless husbands and wives in my classes, who often show their connection by holding hands in savasana.  On Sunday, I even have a family of four - husband, wife, and two gorgeous little girls who are about 6 and 8 - take my 101 class together.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing these families doing this activity together -- breathing, stretching, building strength, often laughing, and then ultimately laying down in savasana together.  It's such an amazing site, witnessing these families, whether immediate or extended, large or small, do this together.

I've said before how much I love practicing yoga with my honey.  (And my mom, for that matter!)  Looking forward, I can't wait to have a regular family class be a part of our routine.  I think especially for those families who don't have a traditional religious/faith practice in a formal setting.  I grew up in a protestant household, going to church as a family every Sunday.  While that's not a part of my life now, I certainly see the need for and appreciate the benefits of a weekly family focused activity like this.  Yoga is not a religion, nor does it go against someone's religious believes.  But it can make your family unit part of a larger community, build discipline and hopefully a bit of inner peace and strength.  Much in the way of trying to have family dinners every night, I think a weekly yoga practice will be a nice component of our family as it grows down the line.

My family of four is heading off for Europe for about six weeks, and I'll miss their incredible energy in the room.  As they left this past week, the older daughter asked for some poses she could do on the long flight overseas.  We tried out a modified thread the needle sitting down, a bit of crescent work, and the youngest daughter even said they could do tree/vrksasana while in line for the bathroom!  Absolutely love it!  What a family.

Confession of a Yoga Teacher

I'm going to admit something that does not really 'fit' with the role and archetype of a yoga instructor.  But here it goes... I need to get this off my chest.

I love Diet Coke.

There, I said it.

Yes, I know it's horrible for me.  Yes, I've seen it dissolve nails and pennies, and can therefore infer what it is doing to my insides.  But eff it.  I think it's delicious.  Do I drink it all the time?  God no.  I know it's not the best thing I could be putting in my body.  But do I enjoy one once or twice a month?  Bet your butt I do.

I'll even admit to being something of a Diet Coke snob.  Because not all Diet Cokes are created equal, see.  The best Diet Coke comes from a soda fountain and served over ice.  Second to that, direct from a can, served ICE cold.  Third is out of an old timey glass bottle.  (This often implies that you are in a foreign country, so the formula may be slightly off... but what the heck, you're on vacation.)  Fourth, as in I won't even bother, is out of one of those plastic bottles.  Those make it taste just wrong.  The carbonation is off, and they frankly never stay cold.

I know, I know.  I should not be ranking something that is undoubtedly bad for me.  But here's why I felt the need to confess this:

Yoga teachers are just people.

Yep!  Jusssst people.  With quirks and bad habits and all!

Sure, I know so many incredible teachers that really seem to walk the walk and talk the talk, if you know what I mean.  Vegan, Prius driving (or better yet, bicycle riding!), alcohol abstaining, three hours of personal yoga practice a day taking, 200 watt inner glow radiating beings.  I know some of these special yogis, and they are awesome!  But the majority of us, I dare to guess, have that one deep dark secret -- that totally seems to go against the lifestyle we promote and subscribe to.

But here's why I'm okay with that... I'm a firm believer in all things in moderation.  And I think some people are scared off from taking their first yoga class - even if they have a bubbling interest deep down low --  because they think they'll have to reject all of their vices and bad habits.  Nope!  Own 'em.  We're all human, and we all get to make our choices.

The nice thing is, a regular yoga practice has a funny little tendency to help people naturally shed those habits and vices that don't necessarily add  to their lives.  Which is why I only reach for a Diet Coke once or twice a month.  That used to be a near daily occurance, so come on... give me credit.  Good habits develop naturally in this industry and community.

But that doesn't undo the fact that I will probably always love an ice cold, perfectly carbonated Diet Coke.

Never too late to start!

I had an awesome new guy in my Yoga 101 class on Sunday.  His name was Gary, and we chatted before the class began.  He told me that this was his fifth yoga class ever.  He did great.  A little stiff in some poses, but hey, that's all of us.  He moved, he breathed, he practiced his yoga.  After the class, we chatted and he asked for a little one-on-one attention for his down dog/adho mukha savasana.  No problem!  We moved him into the pose, I offered a few suggestions here and there, and he found a bit of an sthira sukam asanam in the pose - calmness and steadiness.

After, he stood up, put his hand conspiratorially on my arm, and said with a smile, "I am SO glad to have found yoga at 60.  I found yoga, and pedicures!  They're the best!"

Damn right, Gary!  Life is good.