Passion Knows No Boundaries
I reached out to the international yoga community for the first time recently. I needed help with the few plus-sized students in my new beginners class. I sensed that they were frustrated with their limited mobility and wanted modifications for which they were too reluctant or didn't know how to ask. So I launched a search in cyberspace and found Lanita, a plus-sized yoga teacher in America. Fed up of forcing her body into poses meant for the svelte, she modified them to fit her body's unique contours. Today, she's teaching these same poses to groups of very grateful plus-sized women.
I was intrigued and inspired, so I wrote to her, explaining my situation and asking for pointers. She replied almost immediately. After thanking me for my interest and admitting that it would be challenging to offer me help from such a great distance, she wrote the following:
'I am starting you with a handout that I use in some of my workshops. I am sorry that we have no pictures with it, but you should be able to figure out the pose by playing with them yourself. Let me know if this helps. Use walls for standing poses as much as possible until they get stronger physically.
If there are enough teachers in your area that would be interested and able to put the fares together, I would love to come and spend time with you sharing what I know!'
I was touched. Touched that a complete stranger would so willingly share the contents of her workshop with another complete stranger.
"Yeah, only mat sallehs will do that. You won't find a local teacher doing that," another yoga teacher commented when I marvelled over it.
Smack me on the forehead and call me naive, but I don't believe that. I believe that no matter what the colour of your skin or background, if you are truly passionate about something, the most natural instinct would be to share that passion with the rest of the world.
So thank you, Lanita for sending your passion to my Inbox!
P/S: If you'd like to get in touch with Lanita, you can reach her at agentleway@cox.net
I reached out to the international yoga community for the first time recently. I needed help with the few plus-sized students in my new beginners class. I sensed that they were frustrated with their limited mobility and wanted modifications for which they were too reluctant or didn't know how to ask. So I launched a search in cyberspace and found Lanita, a plus-sized yoga teacher in America. Fed up of forcing her body into poses meant for the svelte, she modified them to fit her body's unique contours. Today, she's teaching these same poses to groups of very grateful plus-sized women.
I was intrigued and inspired, so I wrote to her, explaining my situation and asking for pointers. She replied almost immediately. After thanking me for my interest and admitting that it would be challenging to offer me help from such a great distance, she wrote the following:
'I am starting you with a handout that I use in some of my workshops. I am sorry that we have no pictures with it, but you should be able to figure out the pose by playing with them yourself. Let me know if this helps. Use walls for standing poses as much as possible until they get stronger physically.
If there are enough teachers in your area that would be interested and able to put the fares together, I would love to come and spend time with you sharing what I know!'
I was touched. Touched that a complete stranger would so willingly share the contents of her workshop with another complete stranger.
"Yeah, only mat sallehs will do that. You won't find a local teacher doing that," another yoga teacher commented when I marvelled over it.
Smack me on the forehead and call me naive, but I don't believe that. I believe that no matter what the colour of your skin or background, if you are truly passionate about something, the most natural instinct would be to share that passion with the rest of the world.
So thank you, Lanita for sending your passion to my Inbox!
P/S: If you'd like to get in touch with Lanita, you can reach her at agentleway@cox.net
posted by starlight | 5:12 AM
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