SCHOOL DAZE

Oh my!  What have I done????

Over a period of 2-3 weeks, I picked up the brochure numerous times, read it, and put it down again on top of the stack of other brochures.  One day  I stuck one in my purse and took it home.  The next day I brought it back.  One day I told my husband about my inkling and he asked why I was hesitating.  He was encouraging.  Still, I hesitated.  I took home another brochure.  I left it on my desk so I'd see it every day.  Finally, finally I listened to the small, still voice that was whispering "Yes, do it."

I finally picked up the Yoga Teacher training brochure and committed.  I've registered for Karen and Elizabeth's 200-hour course which will start in January and go through July.  Oh my...

Why was I hesitating?  Well, there was this:  Who am I to think I could actually teach yoga to anyone???  I can't do all the poses; I'm not deeply steeped in the yogic philosophy; I know almost nothing about human anatomy; I've got some aches and pains and some days I feel like a beginner even after practicing for over 10 years.

Then there was that huge time commitment at a time in my life when I'm actively avoiding ongoing commitments.  I'm retired!  I don't have to do anything!  But there it was --one weekend a month for six months I'll be in class Thursday from 5:30-8:30, Friday and Saturday 10:00-6:00, and Sunday 9:00-5:30.  It all culminates with a 5 day intensive retreat in July.  That is a lot!  Plus I gotta think there will be homework.

Another smaller, yet real concern was my age.  I'll be 68 years old next week.  Isn't a bit late to be starting something new?  I imagined everyone else in the class being young, fit, and vivacious, with body hugging cute outfits and yoga butts -- not like me in my hoodie cuz I tend to be chilly, prone to migraines, plantar facititis, a glitchy hip, a crooked scoliosis-leaning spine, and a wee touch of occasional anxiety.  Plus, I have not taken formal study in anything in many, many years.  I didn't want to be the slow learner.

What brought me around?  Curiosity.  Challenge.  Passion.  Vision.  Community.

I may not know much about yoga philosophy and human anatomy, but I really want to learn about both!  I'm excited about this most of all.  I like the challenge of delving into a course of study and I can already feel the 'first day of school' anticipation I used to feel as a kid.  I was one of those who loved school and the possibilities of worlds to discover contained in every textbook and syllabus.

I'm passionate about yoga.  That doesn't mean I am an obsessive practitioner, but I am an evangelist for the benefits to mind, body, and spirit of the practice and I'm always grateful for having incorporated it into my life.  I tout the practice to others at every opportunity.  Yoga is a metaphor for life...it's all right there on the mat if you are open to it.

I want to deepen my own practice with this study, foremost, but occasionally I have fantasies of teaching informally in settings for kids and older people.  I volunteer in my granddaughter's 3rd grade classroom and I can imagine introducing simple breathing and asana there; also at my other granddaughter's preschool.  At the other end of the age spectrum, I have a vision of taking simple yoga practices into Adult Family Homes.  My mother lived in one of these and I loved visiting with her and residents there, but saw the isolation from activities that are more available in other more institutional "senior living" settings. I think it would be fun and beneficial for them to have a "yoga day".

I don't know if any of that will come to pass.  I'm taking it one step at a time.  For now I'm looking forward to joining Karen and Elizabeth, to meeting the other students, and to forming our little community of learners -- risking, laughing, learning, and growing together.

(And NO, I'm not too old!  I'm a strong advocate for stamping out ageism and this is my way of acknowledging that while I might have some hesitancy, that won't stop me!  I'm ready to rock this yoga teacher thing!)©

Namaste, donnajurene