Weekend Classes

Hannah and I had a great weekend of classes. On saturday Hannah talked about boundaries and the how the skillful use of them helps us expand. She spoke of the first act of autonomy for the baby is its pushing of the nipple away from its mouth to say no more milk. She has been learning cool stuff in her school about the development processes and how little acts like these lead to cognitive development. Her insight into human experience has grown exponentially because of this and she skillfully applies the ideas to the asana practice in her teaching. We worked toward Scorpion and had a good showing.

I taught yesterday on discipline, in honor of BKS Iyengar's birthday and his contribution to modern yoga. I emphasized the intitial act of opening to grace and how muscle energy is an expression of our drawing in to Grace with great love which only comes when we soften and recognize its pervading presence in our lives. In the Woodlands on Friday, John dedicated our practice to BKS but emphasized the hallmark of our method being this initial softening that happens before we effort. With this a whole new conceptualization of experience emerges, as we draw in to ourselves and effort in order to grow the Beauty that is already present, rather than trying to control ourselves. We look at the benficent light of grace and, seeing how beautiful it is, we praise it with our efforts and it grows. We worked toward dwi pada viparita dandansana with straight legs. Everyone did really well.

I think we are both really satisfied with the growth of our dedicated students at Seventh Street. The light in their eyes twinkles so bright and their practices are growing daily. It is such a pleasure to be a voice for the method that has called me to such greatness. I know that they are all hearing the call as well. The community is growing and occupying the seat of the teacher is such an honor. It is amazing how being in this seat calls me to even greater greatness. It calls me to an excellence that I cannot call myself to. I am so grateful for it.

Mark