Heart Full

Starting off the new year, with my unfortunate gym membership debacle I was on the look-out in a big way for the best value yoga studio. Enter Laughing Lotus. I couldn’t get enough of the classes there during my one-week unlimited try out, it was conveniently located to home and office, and it could very well be the most friendly yoga studio in Manhattan, even the its’ incense infused scent lingering in the hall is friendly. When they posted their special $128 / mo of unlimited classes (mats, filtered water and cookies included), I couldn’t turn it down.

Nearly three weeks later, I’m still loving my classes here. The vibe, the larger than life colors, and the unbelievably friendly students have placed their mark permanently in my comfort zone. But what I have missed, are adjustments. I haven’t quite put my finger on it yet, but the teachers here seem adjustment disinclined. Not to say, they never touch you, they just hardly do. On the rare occasion that they do, I find myself wishing that they wouldn’t, for example in savasana I can hear the instructor roving doing a half-massage half reiki assist, and she made her way ALMOST to me, but not quite. Leaving me, deliciously disappointed.

Adjustments are a very tricky skill for a teacher to master. Students of all variety come to class, and each one has a different kind of preference. In teacher training, we were taught to have a firm, and authoritative touch, so that the student understands clearly our direction, and prevents that gooey uncertain touch. But I know some of my own personal acquaintances have expressed that they prefer a very light adjustments. this leaves teachers in a conundrum, and one not easily solved. So it’s understandable why a studio would instead prefer detailed verbalizations of poses, so as not to have to deal with unwanted consequences. Yet, I feel a practice is almost incomplete without one. Sure, ideally I should be able to find my own way to open. But sometimes I need a little help. And it’s not just my mind that can’t get around to the openings, it’s my body. This past week, I finally gave in and went to get a massage. Yoga, has helped me live pain free for so successfully that I had a hard time coming around to the idea of a massage. I figured I should just do yoga more! So I dedicated myself to practicing and I resorted to self-massages, and my fiance pressing and poking me to reach unanswered corners. But massage is part of a self healing practice, the energy from the human touch and its ability to heal isn’t something we should fight.

Adjustments, when done right can open your mind and body to new possibilities. As a NYer I’m use to rushing through the city, trying to find the quickest drama free route . I walk blind to everyone, and everything , trying my darndest to not make the dreaded eye contact. I could user a little time to take it slow, and rediscover all the ways, in which touching is more powerful than speaking.