Most people think teaching yoga is calling the poses.
They also think it’s not a real job. That’s a topic for a different post.
I’ve been “calling poses” for over two years now.
For the last two weeks I’ve thought about how I call sun salutations.
Flat back inhale. Bow forward exhale.
Long spine breath in. Fold forward breath out.
Half way lift inhale.
Cuing the breath with the pose every time no mater how I try to change up the words.
The thought of not giving the breath cue was polarizing. My crutch. It felt safe, easy and comfortable.
It’s hard to stand up in front of others. Public speaking is the biggest fear for most people outside of death. I’m standing in front of room of people with the heat cranked to 98 degrees. They don’t necessarily look happy while moving through the practice.
Yet I’m telling them to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Meanwhile I’m safely in my comfort zone.
I’ve thought about not saying those breath cues. I’ve practiced it out loud.
When the rubber met the road I chickened out.
Yesterday I said fuck it. I did it. What a relief it was. So I did it again tonight.
You can read about the thing. Study the thing. Watch other people do the thing. Think about the thing. Practice the thing.
Until you actually do the thing it really doesn’t matter.
This isn’t about teaching or practicing yoga.
This shows up for everybody. The fear of failure. The fear of “what if”.
Often times we make this grand story up in our mind of what will happen. Usually it’s catastrophic. Worse than reality could ever be.
Flat back. Bow. Sweep up. Fold forward. High to low plank.
I’ll be slowly working this “skill” into my classes. Enjoying the silence, pauses and space.
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.
The way out is through.
It always has been.
This is where we grow