I have a habit of complaining about my resort yoga experiences -- those times when on vacation I decide to take a yoga class at the hotel or resort where we are staying. They have mostly been disappointing experiences.
I recently returned from a trip to the Southeast visiting friends and family in Georgia and South Carolina. We spent 5 days at a beachfront resort on Hilton Head -- a lovely barrier island about 2 hours from Charleston, primarily developed to appeal to golfers and beach goers. It's a little "Stepford-y" for me -- too planned and too perfect. Still, the place we stayed was lovely and the beach and warm Atlantic waters were heavenly.
One morning, I rallied at 7:30 a.m. for the Yoga at the Beach class, with low expectations. Walking to the meeting place, I was sure: A) I'd be the only person to show up, cuz really who gets up so early and out the door at that hour while vacationing? B) If there were other people there, they'd be 20 years old and wearing skimpy bikinis to show off their rockin' yoga bods; C) The instructor would be the usual yoga robot, auto-piloting her way through the class with little enthusiasm.
I always get into trouble when I pre-judge. A) There were 24 people at the class; B) Most were in the 40-70 ish category and almost all wore yoga pants or shorts and baggy T-shirts, like me (zero bikinis); C) The teacher was great!
And now that I am nearing the end of my 200 hour yoga teacher training, I know what makes a great teacher. LOL Well, I know how better to discern some things. Still clueless about others, no doubt. I loved how open and authentic she was and genuinely friendly and happy to see us. She led us through a "beginner" class, assuring us that there would be a way for everyone to participate, no matter the level we were on. One pose followed the next logically with attention to sequencing smoothly and safely and she offered modifications for the more challenging poses. Her instruction was clear and precise and she actually seemed to be enjoying teaching. The only critique I had was that she was hard to hear -- over the sound of the waves, the wind, and the calling gulls. Rough duty!
I like her so much that when I found out she was the activities director and also taught the pool aerobics class, I went the next day. What a kick! Again, she was fun, funny, enthusiastic, and seemed to love her job. There were about 20 of us -- this time in the age range of 50-80 I'd say, and we all had a blast splashing about together.
In yoga philosophy, the true purpose of yoga is to be present in each moment, as the observer not attached to the experiences that come and go in life, to sit firmly in the seat of the true self unbound by human constructs. But there is also the idea that we carry around a big bag of very human life experiences that shape how we view the world; these experiences, thoughts, feelings, etc. cause obstacles to our remaining in the seat of the true self as that observer. These obstacles, as described in the Yoga Sutras are called our Kleshas.
The Kleshas that cause us to stumble along the path (very simply defined) are:
Avidya (ignorance) meaning having a cloudy perception of what is real based on pre-conceived ideas
Asmita (false identity or ego) meaning who we believe ourselves to be often shadows and shapes how we respond to life circumstances
Raga (attachment) meaning our tendency to grasp at repeating positive experiences
Dvesha (aversion) meaning our tendency to avoid repeating any negative experiences
Abhinisvesha (fear) meaning ultimately the fear of annihilation or death and how this limits us
So, what's the lesson here? Ahhh.....as always what we learn in yoga is that there is only this moment. There is no past. All those negative resort yoga experiences are over and done and only still exist as a function of memory -- not real in the moment -- so pre-judging was a form of avoiding a negative experience, or at least steeling myself for another one. My Dvesha (aversion) Klesha was up and active. Likewise, assuming that only positive experiences await now that I've had one, is clinging to a future that also does not exist and any grasping I do to ensure I can repeat that positive yoga experience is for naught. The Raga (attachment) Klesha is already whispering in my ear.
When we are aware of our thoughts, emotions, and motivations and how they can influence and limit us, we can stop, breathe, find our calm center at the seat of true self and move forward into a present moment that is free from emotional drama.
Easy, right?!? Of course not....which is why we call yoga a practice. Keep it up!
Namaste, donnajurene
Photo: Early arrivals for Yoga at the Beach class
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