My Ideal Student
I have been blessed with so many beautiful, amazing, capable, supportive students over the years. Precious gifts come from each one of my long-term student relationships. I’ve watched the power of yoga transform their lives. I’ve watched how their yoga practice supports them through loss, illness, injury, and other tough life circumstances. They inspire me in ways I can’t quite explain. As I was practicing my gratitude for these wonderful students who support me, it made me think, why do these people stay with me for so long? What kind of student do I connect with the best? They all have some similar qualities.
First, my ideal student is naturally curious. She wants to learn about movement in her body. She is open to understanding her mind. She is intrigued by spiritual practice. Since the simplest definition of yoga is connection of mind, body, and spirit, one must be interested in those things.
Along those lines, I’m a good fit for anyone who is spiritually inclined or leaning that way. If you are interested in understanding the more esoteric side of yoga, then I’m your gal. You don’t have to buy in fully at first. In fact, many of my students come for the pain relief but stay for the spiritual boost my classes can give them.
Since my classes have the spiritual side, my ideal student has to appreciate a calm and steady practice. My classes are not vinyasa, not fast, not sweaty. We spend some time in mountain pose. We take time to relax and simply be. My ideal students see the value, and aren’t “bored” by quiet or stillness. (Boredom is a state of mind anyway, but more on that at another time.)
Less important, but still a helpful quality in my ideal student is one who internalizes the lessons and takes charge of her own practice, even when in a group setting. She pays attention to what works for her, and makes an effort to remember her personal variations of the poses including prop usage.
Finally, this might be the most important one, my ideal student must be open to changing her mind about her own body. She has to be willing to try to improve her strength, her balance, her mobility. She must believe she can get better even as she becomes older. The beauty of yoga is that we can recognize when things change within ourselves and skillfully adapt our practice to meet our new needs. Luckily, as long as we practice this last attribute does become easier.
If you or someone you know sounds ideal for practicing with me, could you be so kind as to connect? Simply fill out the “Let’s Connect” form on my homepage. I look forward to talking with you.