Kick ass, take names

Over the past few weeks/months my yoga teaching homework has been to connect with the room, i.e. the students or 'bodies' as we so fondly refer to them in teacher speak. In order to actually 'teach' a class, apposed to standing up there spewing out verbatim dialogue, you need to connect. The easiest way to do this is to say a students name. And what better way to get a name out there is to give a correction. 

The next big step for a rookie teacher - step off the order of the dialogue - give a correction (still using dialogue speak) & get back on it again. It's very scary at first. Especially as I learned the dialogue by word association, linking the last word in a sentence to the next. It takes practice. (never stop learning!!) The first time I tried it I got my correction in fine & a name but then totally lost what came next in the dialogue. Totally fluffed it and said something completely weird to finish. "Get 'em out" I heard Michon's voice ring in my ears. Any which way I could!! 

I've started with the postures I'm very comfortable with & those that once the students are set up correctly & in there, there is room to jiggle the words. For me it's usually the inversions. Haha, if I start to fluff the students can't see my panic stricken face! Also when they are upside down I can sneak a look at my name cheat sheet. At check in the students I don't know I try to learn their names. By writing them down no less, with a quick note of how to identify them. Like white headband, blue Lulu top, red mat etc. you get the idea. I always write down first timers, say their name once at the start to check where they are, then leave them be. Not good to be barking out newbies name first class. Then I congratulate each by name at the end for surviving. Padahasana is a good one for me to check in who's who in the first set, glancing at my sheet putting names to bodies. Unless someone needs help setting up after things kick off then that comes first. 

I'm getting there slowly. My BYJ 5:45am's rock for names. Students filter in slowly so I have time to 'stalk' them and get a good look at who is who. I know most of them anyway from practicing with them for the past two years. Scarborough is a little more challenging as once they check in they're gone. The waiting areas are either upstairs or round the corner, out of sight. I teach the busy classes there so often people fly through & I don't even see them properly if I've got half an eye on the computer or writing a sale down. Answer to that, get my butt down there to practice more often. Get familiar with people by standing by them & mingling before/after class.

Home Coming!

It's been seven full days since I flew back into Australia. It seems, like always, to have flown by, feels like I was never in UK. Jet lagged kicked my butt on Sunday and Monday. I actually woke up at 12:30am Monday and could not get back to sleep after only three hours of being in bed. So that was the start of my day which lasted a full 20 hours of being awake. That got me back in the time zone & on track pretty quick. It was tough, I was literally falling asleep at my desk at 2:30pm, images on my computer screen were dancing!

As I was awake, fully fed and watered I headed to 5:45am yoga. I had a great class. I've only been gone two weeks and there were new faces there. The early classes are usually full of the usual regulars, we're quite a team. It was nice to see some newbies join us. I nearly had to wait for a shower as well! I've had the place to myself for months.

It was so nice getting back in my home studio. No stinky carpet, nice air flow, heat coming from the ceiling rather than being blasted from all angles. No weird drafts. I cruised through, no drama's, after being awake so long it felt like technically it was for me, an afternoon class. After my struggles in the UK it reminded me I can do this but I shall not forget my struggles as I'm sure they will be back ten fold in September.

I took this week easy, my last chance I'm guessing for about five months to take an elective day off. I practiced Thursday 5:45am. It didn't go as smoothly, my balance was off a bit but my focus was there and not once did I want to sit down or take a drink. 

The feeling of coming back to your comfort zone is awesome. It's nice to go away but home is a lovely place to be.

On my way home

Two weeks have flown by. I've had a great time here in the UK. I've just managed to see a most of my friends. It's impossible on trips this short to get round everyone & still have a 'holiday'. I'm very grateful for all those that have made the journey up north to see me and those whose have played out on a school night to catch up. I'm a little sad I missed out on spending more time with a certain few who should have been top of the list but I didn't fit into their schedule. But I won't go into that.

I have achieved a few of my main aims for this trip. I bonded with my two year old nephew. He'll probably have forgotten who I am by the time he see's me again. I've spent some quality time with my parents, one on one. We've had some nice day trips out together. This sounds like an obvious thing to do but when I'm here I get pulled and pushed in so many directions simple days out like this get over looked. 

Practicing at two different studios was awesome. Such a learning curve for me. I learned a lot about my mental strength when I'm physically challenged and out my comfort zone. After a great class in Chiswick on Monday, Thursday's Leicester class went off the boil slightly despite being in the cooler, cheat's spot. The progress I made on Monday wasn't matched. That's the way it rolls in Bikram, every day is different. 

My bags are packed, I'm skimming the weight allowance despite having a whopping 30kg thanks to Emirates. It's all been split over two holdalls as it just wouldn't fit in one. Mainly because I'm hiking my diving kit back to sell for much needed funds. I've had to abandon the winter boots I aimed to bring back and two other pairs of shoes. These can be posted.

I'm not as ahead in my dialogue as I wanted to be. I seem to have been working on Awkward part 2 and 3 for three weeks now. I ideally wanted them down and Eagle under my belt by now. I have retained the Half Moon series and feel good I am comfortable with these. Thirteen weeks till I get on the flight to LA so I shouldn't be too stressed. If I step up my game and get two down a week I'll have the whole series down in this time. Realistically = the standing series.

We'll be welcoming back the Spring Trainees next week. Congratulations to you all, I can't wait to here all about it and where I can do my laundry, food shopping and get a decent massage! I heard today Binny made it to the demo team for graduation. So impressive. There is no way I'd make that cut, I can accept that one already!! Looking forward to seeing the footage.

I have no idea when I'll be here again. Probably for the next wedding. I'll be riding a tight budget for the next year so this will be the biggest influence. This makes me sad as it's always nice to know when I'll be returning. Maybe I'll get some classes to fill in for next time? I'm looking forward to seeing my man. Skype hasn't worked out so well coz of the time difference. I will miss the dish washer and laundry service!!

Ta tar for now, see you all on the other side of the world!