May You Feel Supported

The cover photo of this post is what the middle of the space where I teach looks like on any given Saturday. For one of the classes I teach, I am lucky to have the shortest commute because I teach across the street from my house, so I grab my mat and cushion and then load up about five yoga blankets, six blocks and a bunch of belts, and then about half a dozen massage balls make an appearance too. I bring all that across the street to teach this class. The blankets are used during the opening meditation to elevate the hips, and then under knees or hips or the head in whatever poses we are doing. The blocks work to “bring the floor closer” as the yoga cliche goes, but also to do some more intricate postural work, like squeezing the block between the thighs in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) to feel the connection between the pelvis and the thighs. The belts for tight shoulders, the massage balls for hands and feet. And all these props I carry around are there to provide support for our bodies. 

And now I’m about to start teaching at the yoga studio (Yoga Garden Pittsboro), where all the props are right there, thankfully. I will be teaching a Thursday evening class called Meditative Deep Stretch.

Nine times out of 10, my personal intention for teaching classes is to give support. To be there for whatever is needed. To hold space. Isn’t this what we need these days and always? Especially these past 20 months though. Our nervous systems need support, our physical bodies too. Our voices and ideas need supportive communities. Parents need support - from employers, extended families, communities. The marginalized groups need support of societal systems at large. In my small way, I endeavor to contribute to supporting my small community of yoga practitioners, who come to class seeking solace, comfort, community and inner quiet. 

May you feel supported and held!