Different = AWESOME

I heard it again this week -- that phrase that I have come to re-define.

Every once in a while, especially when I sub a class, I hear this line as one comes out of a pose:  "Well, that was different."  There was a time when I would feel crushed, feel that I had failed; that feeling of being 'different' would overwhelm me and my teaching.

But, since finding the cute little cartoon on Facebook (the one with the Unicorn, captioned "different is awesome"), my reaction/response has shifted.  I think I am really coming to believe in the title of this post (at least when it applies to my teaching).

I was subbing this week when I heard the phrase, and I quickly responded "as in AWESOME".  I went on to explain the origin of my shift towards the definition of 'different' to the students in class.  They chuckled.

I just looked up the definition of 'awesome' - interesting that this is what it says:  extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension or fear.  And, there is the answer -- different is sometimes scary, daunting, without comfort zone -- it is awesome.  Wow!

Never ceases to amaze me when I re-frame something (a move, a phrase, a thought) and my whole attitude towards it changes.

I am going to Spokane tomorrow, to visit family AND to do a workshop with my long-time teacher, Adam Ballenger -- a great believer in AWESOME.  The young man who somewhere, somehow taught me how to work with different and embrace its awesome-ness when I practice yoga.  Looking forward to seeing him, meeting some new yoga friends, and visiting family.

But, first, I must write about Wisdom Warriors.  It's been different.  Desiree is traveling -- off to Europe, I think -- for six weeks.  In her stead is Mary, whose teaching style is different (think awesome).  Oh, I'd be lying if I didn't say that the first week, I wished for Desiree, for the familiar.  The second week, a shift.  For one, we did a bunch of more manageable poses (for me), and - two - I am becoming familiar with Mary's style.  What does that tell me?  Different takes some getting used to, even if it is awesome.

We did tons of backbending and shoulder opening stuff.  My right shoulder, which has been bothering me the past weeks (months?) took a day off.  I did not push it, however, choosing to keep right arm on my hip at times when others were extending theirs up to the ceiling.  I also resisted 'wild thing' on the right side.  In the back of my mind was the thought:  'I don't want a sore right shoulder when I practice this coming weekend.', so, I took it easy on that arm.  We'll see if my theory pans out.

It was fun.  It was more relaxed than the first week.  We laughed and talked a bit.  And, I have to give Mary credit -- who would want to step into Desiree Rumbaugh's shoes (for six weeks, no less), and risk the wrath of many 50+ year old WisdomWarriors.  Good on, Mary!

Today?  Teaching Gentle Yoga at Yoga for Life at 12:30, then Temecula's Wisdom Warriors will meet at Living Yoga Center.

I just finished reading Karen Sprute-Francovich's blog.  She is an amazing writer and perhaps I'll see her this weekend.  She ended hers with this poem -- perfect.

You see, I want a lot. 
Perhaps I want everything:
the darkness that comes with every infinite fall
and the shivering blaze of every step up.

So many live on and want nothing,
and are raised to the rank of prince 
by the slippery ease of their light judgemnts. 

But what you love to see are faces 
that do work and feel thirst.

You love most of all those who need you
as they need a crowbar or a hoe. 

You have not grown old, and it is not too late
to dive into your increasing depths
where life calmly gives out its own secret.

Rainer Maria Rilke / from The Book of the Hours
(Translated by Robert Bly)