I really do!

I’ve been lucky enough to go to Salt Lake City twice a year for the past 6 years.

I’m there during the winter (30F) and summer (95+F).

But, it’s a dry heat!

On this last trip, I stayed a little longer than usual.  I got to teach several yoga classes.  I sauntered through the aisles at a trade show instead speed walking, attended multiple seminars and ventured out!   I even took the train.

I think I like Salt Lake because it takes me out of my comfort zone.  Mormonism isn’t historically diverse.  Some of the more dogmatic beliefs can be seen as, well, backwards.  Especially to a San Franciscan.  Years before, SLC was a nothing more than a connection airport.  My experiences were similar to traveling through parts of the Middle East—I was treated as inferior because of my gender and skin colour, and even considered suspect as a woman traveling alone.

I thought Utah sucked.

We do this every day.  We embrace someone else’s opinion as our own.  We listen to gossip.  We treat others poorly or unfairly based on a history that should be acknowledged but left in the past.  How often do we judge an entire group or place based on a single experience?

The amount of baggage we all carry makes it impossible to move forward.

As my yoga life moves into a different stage, I’ve paid more attention certain things.  In my practice, I’ve been more honest with myself about where I have limits and where I have laziness.  In my teaching, I’ve started looking more closely at the students’ experience.  I’m still trying to figure out how to help students get real about their own limits and laziness.

A lot of people tune out in the middle of class—start picking at their toes, staring out the window, adjusting the outfit, staring at other people, going to the bathroom, getting water.  The list goes on and on….  These students are, typically, the most vocal after class.  As I mentioned in an older post, people love or hate me.  There’s no in between.  I used to be shocked by bad comments from students with no focus or humility on their mats.  Now, I almost expect it.

Lucky for me, the number of students who understand and appreciate what I do out-weigh the “toe pickers”.

And, I (heart) my students too!