Roxy Yoga

It’s Actually Good To Power Through June 27, 2008

One of the biggest lessons yoga has taught me is how necessary it is to power through those tough moments. I was pretty sick last night, had a miserable night, couldn’t sleep, physically not well, and I thought, “No way can I teach yoga like this. I don’t want to give my students a terrible class. I feel like shit. I’ve had no sleep. I can’t eat. bla bla bla.” Then I realized that if I didn’t teach, who would? My classes might be small so far, but I don’t want to deny anyone yoga who wants it or needs it. How many people live their days not taking care of themselves at all and never find the time to take a class or spend even 5 minutes on themselves? So I showed up to teach despite how shitty I felt. My friend was there to take class with me. A newer student who has just returned to yoga after having a baby. Other smiling faces. Before I knew it, I was flowing along with them and for the whole class I forgot about how shitty I felt. Once again yoga pulled me out of a funk, moved my body and energy in ways I desperately needed even though I didn’t know it.

It also happened at yoga teacher training. After 6 hours of practice the first day I could barely move the second day, I was so weak, tired, emotionally drained, felt like crying half the time. I had never felt so sore from exercise in my life (maybe when I was 14 and tried to run track, I remember that hurt). I just showed up for day two even though every part of me didn’t want to and after 5 minutes on the mat I forgot (well, mostly) how sore I was and just let go.

I wonder how often we feel a little under the weather or there’s some other tiny, uncomfortable reason deterring us from something we really should and could do. How many times do we not go to a yoga class, work, not show up for something, not finish what we start, meet our goals, not take care of ourselves or do something that we know we really want to do?

Later, I’m still laying on my couch feeling pretty miserable, but I am glad I showed up to teach. I am glad my friends and fellow yogis showed up for me, shared their energy with me, and got me out of my head and misery. I would do well to remember this for future reference.