Years ago, while I was in Lahore, Pakistan on business, I went shopping with a co-worker’s wife. We talked about everything from travel to work to food. As we left a local market, she asked, “What does an avocado taste like?”
I was at a loss. Words like green and creamy were more frustrating than descriptive. How could I relate the experience of taste without any shared references?
As a yoga teacher, I experience this in almost every class. Really! What’s a bandha? We all give wordy descriptions and vague locations but you really don’t know mulabandha until you know mulabandha.
When I started teaching, I practiced Primary Series all the time. Knew it by heart. But then, I had to guide others through it. It was like night and day. I instinctually knew where to put my foot, where my dristhi was, etc. But, guiding others through that without the shared reference of years of practice was something new and difficult.
Clarity in instruction is so important. In a teachers’ workshop, Jonny Kest told us that we need to be able to say the same thing several different ways to get the point across. He’s so right.
One huge complement I get from students is about the clear direction I give. People often say they didn’t get something until they heard me say that key phrase that made a difference for them. I love that. I love it even more when I get a look of total confusion from a student in class. “Put my what where?” That helps me stay focused and figure out another, clearer way to give direction. Explaining flow, bandhas, chakras, prana, etc is as difficult as understanding it.
Telling teachers what doesn’t work is just as helpful as telling us what does work. It helps us become better teachers.
When I started practicing, there was no music in the studio. Ashtanga, in general, is practiced in silence. You follow the sound of your own (or your neighbour’s) pranayama. A few vinyasa teachers would put in their favourite CD, hit play and teach the class. Certain songs by Dum Dum Project still make me cringe.
I have to admit, one teacher’s habit of playing Madonna’s entire album, Ray of Light, did help me learn the opening chant for my traditional Ashtanga practice. It took about a year to get the pop music arrangement out of my head.
The on-going debate about music or no music is still pretty strong in the world of yoga. Some say it’s distracting, others can hardly practice without it. Many teachers are proud of their playlists. To be known for “good music” makes yoga teachers happy.
I recently read a study about the prevalence of ADD/ADHD amoung adults in urban areas. The study detailed how many people today need white noise in order to focus and concentrate on any task at hand. By white noise I’m not referring to the mathematical definition but sort of a focused noise pollution. Like the sound of the television as you drift off to sleep.
As an Ashtangi, I’ve come to terms with playing music in my classes. Students like it. And, I spend hours making sure the music I choose enhances the yogic experience.
Some love it, some hate it. Whether it’s Massive Attack, Nirvana, Deva Premal, Snatam Kaur or the sounds of traffic outside, doesn’t matter. Your pranayama, that strong and steady breath, guides the moving meditation in your practice.
Ultimately, the music comes from within.
This remix by Pogo, is a fun white noise. For something even more fun, click here.
Saturday mornings were always dedicated to cartoons. This was long before cable, no Cartoon Channel. If something came on that you didn’t like, you turned the knob (yes…I said KNOB).
When the cartoons were over, you just kept turning until something showed up. That’s how I found Lilias, Yoga and You! San Francisco in the 70’s had it’s share of exotic people. But there was something mesmerizing about this woman with a thick, long braid down her back that ran parallel to the stripe on her bodysuit. She had a sweet voice that was sort of “mom”, sort of “teacher” but cool! I’d push the Barbie’s aside and try to move along with her.
Even today, I get a little star struck when I’m in the same room with her. She is one of my clearest and most wonderful childhood memories. I can’t help but giggle and blush when I see her.
Was watching the show my first yoga experience? Sort of, but not really. I can’t say with accuracy that I was drawn to yoga as a child, etc, etc, etc…but I can say that yoga and Lilias Folan brought a little more joy to my Saturday mornings after the cartoons were over.
