To top it all off, I have just returned from St. Louis where I had six days of amazing yogi camaraderie. My teacher hosted a group of national competitors (some slated to go to internationals) and Mary Jarvis, a teacher with 29 years of experience with Bikram yoga, for a week of intensive learning and preparation that I refer to as, "MJ and the All-Stars."
Being notified that I could attend was like getting a golden ticket to be backstage at The Oscars; if I liked movies, or TV, or whatever it is that The Oscars promotes. Watching the list of attendees grow I got more and more awestruck…and nervous. I wasn't sure if I could keep up. Nobody expected me to, not even me, but I still wanted to match everything they did, backbend for backbend, push-up for push-up.
I pictured myself on day one trying to pull off a casual, "Uh, you guys keep going. I forgot I left a Tofurkey in the oven…in Chicago." as I slipped out the door.
I am pleased to say that I only missed one round of push-ups the whole week and that was only because I was too busy talking to a new friend to notice that everyone was already in the next set. The scene could have easily been me as a 10 year-old kid at summer camp; too excited about all the new stuff and people to focus on the task at hand.
The beauty of the training was that, like the Bikram Beginning Series, it was equally challenging yet manageable for myself and the h.o.b.* yogis. Or at least I think so. Really, it was hard to tell through all the smiling.
So, now that I have attended the Yoga-Oscars I will proceed to the movie-set itself, the nationals. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing everyone again. Unlike movie stars, when you get to know the All-Stars as actual people the magic isn't ruined, it's deepened. I find it hard to believe that some of these people exist. They are like more patient, kinder, more flexible and stronger versions of humans -- the personality equivalent of tiger-scorpion. And like tiger-scorpion, I'll get there too, I just need time and yoga. A LOT of yoga.
* head-on-butt
what do you mean "white american" privileged? Weird choice of. You should elaborate...
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's weird at all. Literature is rife with the term. It refers to the fact that just being born an American means I have a lot of advantages over much of the world. Things like running water, flush toilets, access to education, libraries, a distinct lack of war-lords, etc, etc, etc. Being white in this system gives me another leg up. No, not all whites have it good, but the majority of us do. If I were completely honest, my family fled the holocaust so we're pretty recent here. But those white people who have been here for a while had it pretty good, comparatively speaking. Native Americans were massacred, Japanese were interned, Blacks had slavery and Jim Crow to contend with, again, etc, etc, etc.
DeleteTotally understand where you are coming from and I guess it's cool to keep it real and truthful. But as a black woman reading your blog...with excitement about yoga and all...reading "I'm not just "white American privileged" (and I know it's in quotes) I guess just left a sour taste as I was reading. Maybe I'm thinking to deep and all...and I know that we all know that whites "have had it good"...I guess announcing it just...didn't sit right. Maybe I'm not your audience...maybe I am..we are both women who apparently love yoga and life...hey it's free speech right. But just so you know...us oppressed people are reading your blog too...just keep that in mind..if you care about your diverse readers:) P.S. You do have a beautiful blog otherwise...keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI suppose Im still not understanding why my acknowledgement of my race and it's accompanied privileges would leave a sour taste in your mouth.
DeleteIn writing personal experiences, not everyone is going to relate to all aspects of me. It's not the details I find people relate to most. It's not my race, my love of cats, or even my love of yoga (Oddly enough, I have some readers that have never done yoga) that bring people here. It's their ability to relate to my frequent foibles, the falls, the embarrassment, the joy of just loving people. In short, we can all relate to being human.
If I try to cover any aspects of me I loose that connection. The best way to relate to people of every color, creed, nationality, or passion is to be yourself.
P.P.S. Your artwork...AWESOME!! I WANT ALL..lol. Like your new post...guess maybe reading your old blog from a different perception. Peace in the Middle east..and the U.S....and all over the world! Keep blogging!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! You can certainly have it if you want. There is a tab, 'stuff for sale.' Most prints are $15/20+shipping. Agreed, love to all and to all a good night.... wait, that's not right. Whatever. ;)
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