Optimisim

Ugh! Packing sucks =) I keep wondering if the TSA people are going to open my bag and say, “What the hell is this guy doing with a blender and a bunch of cutlery in his bag?" Then open my other bag and say, “What the…an electric tea maker, lots of incense, a stinky yoga mat!” I had to be careful how I packed. My empty Klean Kanteens could be misconstrued for something they aren’t, especially if placed the wrong way in the suitcase.

I’ve been saying goodbye to all the teachers whom I’ve practiced with and getting some last minute advice. I’ve gotten a lot of good suggestions. Anyone who’s going to training might be feeling the same way I feel – a combination of elation, disbelief, and anxiety (aka fear). I’ve been told this is normal and it’s what makes the first class so hard. Everyone is either nervous or they want to make a good first impression, either way it makes for a hot room with 300+ yogis full of nervous energy. To that end, I’ve been told to take it easy and just enjoy it, soak up every moment because this is a once in a lifetime experience. Even if you were to go back again, it will never be the same as your first experience. Try your best, work hard, but don’t be scared or be too hard on yourself if you have to take a knee or lie down. We all know what we’re getting into =) If we didn’t believe in what we’re doing we wouldn’t be doing it.

When things get tough, remember why you’re there. I’ve heard teachers will throw out this question. When I first heard it, I thought it was to cause doubt in the mind. I now know it’s to give confidence and remind us about the passion we all have for this practice. Last but not least, although we will hit walls and be broken down, the goal is to become a teacher, to be able to handle anything that comes at us in class – imagine teaching a double and each class is 40 or 50 people, all different personas, all with different reasons for practicing, all coming at you at one time. As a teacher we must lead and help our students, that is why training is tough, to teach us how to handle these situations. How many of us remember our first class in vivid detail? I know I was asking myself what on earth was I doing to myself and why don’t I just get up and leave. Although I still feel that way sometimes =) I doubt it’s the same level of intensity as my first class. I have a feeling I’m going to relive my first class a few times over in training to build empathy for new students. The staff and Bikram want us to succeed.

I’m off to Las Vegas tomorrow! I can’t believe it! It seems so unreal. I think it will really hit me when I get to orientation and meet my roommate. Today was kind of funny. I was coming back from class in the morning and had to get a new Metro card. The back of the card had one word – optimism. How cool is that? Then, on the subway, I saw a guy in a pink suit, with a pink hat, pink sunglasses, and a floor length, fuzzy, hot pink tiger coat. Granted, he may not know of Bikram, but I couldn’t help but think of two things right then and there – optimism and Bengali tiger strength =)

Peace everyone! I’ll see my fellow yogis on Sunday. I can’t wait to meet you all and practice with you! Everyone have a safe journey!