The Yin and Yang of Yoga Practice

I decided to stop for a yoga class in Temecula on my way to Carlsbad last Sunday. I dropped in at the Living Yoga Center (http://www.living-yoga.com/) and took Vicki's class, a Level I-II flow. I set my intention in Supta Badha Konasana: To venture to my edge personally and physically. An easy and sensible asana sequence followed and as I sank deeper into each pose, I opened up. I pressed my shoulders apart in Triangle, engaged my core in Half Moon and melted into Balasana - arms extended, plams flat on the mat. I was so elated - I felt a glimmer of my previous yogini self. Even merging into traffic on I15 South did nothing to deter my hopeful mood.

After spending a day and 1/2 visiting with an old friend and working on my tan, I traveled north to Los Angeles. Anxious to return to the mat and test my shoulder once again, I stumbled upon a yoga class at the Westside YMCA. Valucha greeted me, asked a few questions and then cranked the music until it vibrated the small mirrored room. She performed a series of poses while the rest of us sat on our mats attempting to quiet ourselves. A few minutes passed and Valucha returned to us. She spoke directly to me and wanted me to know that if I didn't like her teaching style I could leave at any time. I assured her I wouldn't and would stay the course. I have to admit this was a bit strange. She had a beautiful flow about her, an accent with a sweet cadence and a class full of returning yoginis and yogis - why would she invite me to leave before we even began our practice?


I know I am not always confident when teaching and I realize my style or even my voice are not for everyone. I don't take it personally. I just hope they forge ahead and try another style or class. Different teachings is the single thing I find so interesting about the practice of yoga. That 'ah-hah' moment of self-discovery, of what works for you at that given moment. It is so intriguing.


Will I return to Valucha's class? Probably not, it wasn't really for me. But I did learn more about myself and my own yoga practice, and I will always be grateful that I stayed the course and didn't accept her invitiation to leave.