the yoga sutras of travel: Part 12

abhyasa vairagyabhyam tanniodhah

Abhyasa=Practice
vairagyabhyam= non-attachment
tat= That, They
nirodhah= restrained, controlled

mental fluctuations are restrained by practice and non-attachment

When I set out to write this blog my idea was to do it daily with pure diligence I was really impressed that for the first ten days I managed to set aside the time and really commit to the process. I knew that once I stepped in to the AcroYoga Immersion (5 days of full on planning, teaching and processing) I would be more pressed to get things completed, but was convinced I would push through with ease . 
Here is my real journey:
Step One: Reality Check! Time, time I ran out of time. I tried to stay up late the last few days and found that I no longer have the same super human abilities I had in my twenties to ward off sleep, write papers and still make it to an early morning class. Instead I would finish the day of physical and mental activity, eat everything insight and fall asleep on the couch with Brian trying to drag me to bed before I put my back out again. 
Step Two: Go to BED!I do not process well with lack of sleep. I tried staring at the computer and hoped that my hands would find the keys. Instead I may have drooled a bit and temporarily forgotten my name. 
Step Three: Big Bowl of Latte. It doesn't actually wake me up, but I am a coffee lover who has finally surrendered to giving up on giving up on caffeine. 
Step Four: Catch up on the next Sutra... Non-attachment! Seriously, Is life trying to hold up the mirror for me?  

I take a deep breath and realize how often I set up goals for myself with no wiggle room. After listing all the things I expect myself to accomplish in an unreasonable amount of time, I sit with the moments of cranky self-talk. It is pretty funny to me how good I am at cutting everyone else slack, while simultaneously kicking my own ass. 

Teaching this week has not only been sharing my knowledge of AcroYoga, but is has been a huge reminder of practicing non-attachment to get quiet in my mind. Often our students are the ones who become our teachers, push us to our curious edges, and help us transform in ways we didn't know were possible.

In this particular teaching container I have come up against some particular hurdles. In the planning process the original point person for the event left the company I coordinate with and the new individuals taking over were not given all the info they need to do what they need to do. At the final hour there was a huge rush to book, confirm, register students and finalize plans. The new crew stepped in to do everything they could to support me each step of the way. We all had to release our expectations and find compassionate solutions at every step. Wow, our communication and respect for one another has moved into a world of love that I wish I had the skills to articulate. 

As the immersion itself continued two students in-particular really moved every part of my being. Lucie is from the Czech Republic. She speaks little to no English.  She was able to voice how beautiful she thought the practice was and how fearful she was of going upside-down.  Deb was born with out her left forearm. She has a partial arm bone and articulating shoulder joint but no left hand or forearm. There was a brief moment of internal panic; how can I support these students while keeping the immersion on track? I take another full inhale and exhale. 

These new needs are here and we will figure it out! My co-teacher Claudine and I kept the train moving and the content flowing. Brian and I would slip off to the side periodically and work out the next few moves with me holding one arm behind my back. I felt the difficulty and extra engagement deb would need to hit certain moves. I also trusted all of the wisdom I have collected inside and out from my past teachers and personal experience and found myself easily finding new and creative ways to base and fly with only three limbs. 

Lucie on the other hand needed one on one repetitive visuals and more hands on assists for her to see and feel her way into poses. She was a true champion that never let herself get frustrated. She would make eye contact and try again to do her best. 

All of the students stepped into such and amazing place of support for one another. There was never a moment of competition. All of the groups rallied around one another and found every way possible to work with every students needs. I have been with a lot of sweet groups, and yet the special synergy in this crew could be felt the moment you took a breath or caught a glance from anyone in the room. 

I certainly have a list of goals and ambitions to continue to work towards, but I am willing to make the time frame more manageable. I learned most from these students that asking for support while you are really trying your best can really empower not only yourself, but everyone around you. When I do my best and release the gripping attachment to how I expect situations to go I am never disappointed. 

The link below features Claudine and I flying and basing a few transitions on video with our left arm behind our backs to workout some 3 limb flows. https://plus.google.com/photos/111599549418578310621/albums/5984207670038128353?banner=pwa

Select photos from the rest of the immersion are below. 

Tomorrow B and I fly to Wellington!