Most of my studio classes are quiet, the trilling of birds and whispering of leaves the only sounds beyond each deep breath. There is a magic tranquility that descends, and it is like all the angst of the world has been hushed.
And then there are the other classes. Where everyone is amped up, whether on caffeine or restless energy or the joy of the weather finally, finally! cooling down. There is the feeling of the first day of camp, the sweet release of a girl's trip. We had one of these classes recently.
One yogi had her elbow bandaged up, an unknown injury that didn't really need strapping but she couldn't bear the 'ugliness of the swelling', the fluid lump making her turn away in disgust. We pondered (tongue in cheek) about what kind of trauma she may have been storing in her elbow?
On the other side of the room, another yogi was sliding up the leg of her pants, displaying a long scratch on her leg. 'It's a sex injury' she said, to much hilarity, before clarifying it was from a dog making out with her leg. We all agreed she had nice legs, but the dog should have had better manners.
Another lifted up the side of her shorts, revealing a big bruise on her bottom and an even longer scratch, a gift from her dog trying to claw his way up and over her and out of the pool.
Another was dealing with the discomfort of cold sores and was grateful to have avoided a live TV gig. Another had her foot taped up, trying to give support to aching feet. We all admired the professional job she had done, and someone wondered if Botox injections in feet were a thing?
Timon Studler - Unsplash
I share this simply to say - show up. As you are, however you are*. Even with all of this, there was still more going right than wrong. It provided the opportunity for a big belly laugh, which is better than any breathing exercise I have ever been taught. The noise from the studio, just before everyone settled on their mats, would have scared the birds right out of the trees. It may not have sounded serene, or what we perceive as 'yogic' but there was such joy in the room, plus the odd giggle now and then as the remnants of conversation bubbled over. I know that it is the first time I have had the sentence 'It's a sex injury' rolling through my mind as I talk through a body scan. Somewhat distracting! But I'm sure everyone could hear the smile in my voice.
The word yoga translates as 'to yoke', 'to join', or 'union'. I like to think that the joining we do together, whether regularly or occasionally, is equally as important as any movement I can guide you through on the mat. The connection, the laughter, the sharing of experiences - what a gift at a time in our lives that may be fraught with challenges - be they hormonal, familial, or existential.
So, show up. Show me your damaged bits, tell me your weird stories. Respect how you are today, and work with what you have got. Serenity and silliness are not mutually exclusive. I find embracing the absurdity of my humanness a surefire way to get out of my head and into the moment.
Thankyou for being such lovely humans, and sharing your stories with me and each other.
Much love,
❤️
Amanda xx
* Unless you are sick with a cold or flu or some nasty bug :)