Wednesday, May 13, 2009

tanked

So... pranayam class didn't go so well. I think I wasn't in the right state of mind to teach; I'd been focusing all day on writing code, and my head was still spinning with data and algorithms. So in the class, I just taught mechanics. Didn't go into benefits of specific pranayams or benefits of breath work in general. I skipped my whole planned spiel about "the first thing you did in this world was inhale, and one of the last things you're going to do is exhale, so if you want an advanced yoga practice you need to work on pranayam."

A few things I know I could improve on in the future: Teaching five different pranayams in an hour is too much. Four is plenty. Also, I need quiet time to myself before I teach, to get into the right state of mind. There's not much benefit in taking class from a teacher whose head is still reeling from his other job. Also, I need to require pre-registration and pre-payment in the future.

"If Yoga isn't pushing you outside your comfort zone, it ain't really Yoga." I came across this line late last night on someone else's blog, when I was feeling lousy about giving a mediocre class, and I immediately felt better.

4 comments:

Pamela said...

Well, sorry it didn't meet your expectations, but you have high ones also. It seems you learned important lessons, and that will make the next one better.
And that quote applies to everything in life.

Squirrel said...

Yeah, I know. As hard as it is when things don't go the way I think they should, I know I'd like it even less if everything came easily.

Pamela said...

Who is that person in the new photo???

Squirrel said...

I don't know, but he sure looks concerned about the book he's reading!