Noticing, listening and learning.

I have been waking up to the fact that very few people want to change. They want to tell me what’s wrong or bothering them but any suggestion of a possible solution meets with resistance. The path of recovery for me has given me a deep bench of tools to heal and live a fuller life without constant drama and anxiety. Just being comfortable in my own skin is such a huge relief.

In my endeavors to share that knowledge I am learning that folks are just scared of change. We know that we have to go in to get out of our discomfort. That’s too much for many to grasp. I hear a lot of things like, “I’m okay” or, “I don’t have time”. I have stopped talking about “trauma release” in the same way. A person has to be in a very prolonged and specific discomfort to ask for or seek help.

To begin, I try to just get folks to feel into their bodies. I’m always so surprised by how out of touch students are with their own bodies!! So a basic yoga class with intuitive movement offered in a gentle non regimented manner really helps get the ball rolling. 

This past spring I was so frustrated with not knowing where my audience was that I took on two clients who wanted help with their home chores. I just really needed to earn some money! In working with them on a weekly basis I began to share some of my own experiences with stress, anxiety and depression. I started to introduce some of my tools, walking outside in a natural setting, gentle stretching, learning to “notice”, gentle calming breathing techniques etc. I shared books that help guide me, links to other teachers.

One day it dawned on me that was doing exactly what I had been trained for!! I was teaching the women to cope better with their issues. 

So, what I’m learning is that I don’t need to be in a “yoga” studio or on instagram to find students. It’s not about me being noticed. I just keep doing my thing. The students that want to do the work appear. When and where I least expect it. If I’m living my yoga they come. It’s not flashy or fancy or in a specific place. It’s wherever they are and on their terms more than mine.