It's wild to think that we, more often then not, create our own limitations and most of the time we do not realize we are doing just that. These limitations can affect our everyday life.
To keep this short and sweet, I'm specifically going to share a story about the limitations we set in our movement practice.
This past week I taught, for the first time, in person since almost a year ago. The feeling I had walking into the yoga room was a feeling of excitement but also a little bit of nerves which I must admit I have not felt in many years.
To set up the story, you should know that I am the sub in a new space and I do not know anyone. It really took me back to when I first starting teaching yoga. The one unfortunate thing about being a sub, is that some students do not come to class because it is not their regular teacher and some that show up and don't know there is a sub are sometimes a little, well um.... agitated. Don't get me wrong though, there are many who are excited to try a new teacher and approach the class with a beautiful openness and I am so grateful.
So a little past the middle of class, I transitioned the students into a very funky variation of pyramid pose and all of a sudden I hear in a very abrupt tone, "What's the point of this?" Although I was taken aback, I immediately answered why we were practicing the posture. I gave a reason that was purely about the physical why. As I continued to teach the class, I felt my whole being shift as if I was questioning everything I was teaching because of that question.
A few minutes passed and as I continued to watch this student I realized, man oh man the intention of our practice is really challenging her.
In the beginning of practice I shared a quote, "Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours." by Richard Bach
I explained that the class will be about acknowledging the difference between our self made limitations and one that may actually exist. As I spoke a bit more about our intention I also mentioned how I would be shifting us into challenging or unexpected transitions and possibly some unique postures.
And sure enough I did. The moment I moved this student out of her comfort zone, she pulled back. She wouldn't get into the posture I was teaching even though she had an extremely well versed practice, which poses the question, what was her own limitation? And her verbal reaction is apart of her journey just like my journey was to process a moment that questioned my teaching. A moment that made me feel like I failed as a teacher. A moment to acknowledge that that was her projection of how she was feeling and my class intention was really making a difference.
As a teacher I aim to support my students in the evolution of their body and whole beings. And sometimes that means moving them out of their comfort zone. It's not always pretty or easy but it is important. So remember my friends, to look within, what limitation have you maybe set for yourself and what can you do to take a step out of that limitation.
My biggest limitation I have set for my self in my yoga practice is flip grip for king pigeon, and sure enough once I understood that I had limited myself, I got into the posture with less struggle. The same holds true with my own perception that words do not form for me as easily. And look at me know, a whole story later :)
Until Next Time,
MaryAnngeline