Yoga Guru
Our roaming Yoga Guru takes us on a journey of spiritual adventure and explores the connection with breathing, body and mind.
Latest Article
The Yogic Bond...
By John Dunbar 29 August 2008 07:11:00
The Yogic Bond
So what is your first memory? Is it something soft, something cuddly?
Now, what is your first yogic memory? When you reflect back on your first yoga experience what comes to mind? Well, mine is of the gentle voice of my first yoga teacher, Claude. I remember being worried about the class, wanting to go to the back, where no one would notice my lack of experience. I wanted to turn around and silently slip out of the class because of my mindset that I was not flexible. However, Claude took all of that fear away. From the very first Om to the final chant she calmed my fears and brought peace to my troubled mind. Claude brought yoga into my life and every time I do yoga I thank her for that. I have incorporated some of her posture choices and teaching methods into my own practice. That first yoga class was many years ago and to this day we are still close friends.
Recently here at Anantara, Golden Triangle I had the wonderful opportunity of witnessing this bond forming between teacher and student (guest) again. One of my teacher training students, Khun Kwan, was teaching her first solo class. Before the class began she was very nervous and kept saying, "Please, please, please I don't want any guests to come!". And then, of course, as Murphy's Law would always have it; a guest arrived. Rebecca Cole, a New York City designer, strolled through the door asking where the yoga class was. I just laughed and winked at Kwan and sat down on my mat to enjoy the show.
When Kwan asked Rebecca if she had ever done yoga before, Rebecca, with all of her N.Y.C. wit, proudly announced that this was in fact her first class. That didn't help Kwan's demeanor, but she soldiered on to teach a very beautiful class. I was so proud of her. After the class, Rebecca went up to Kwan and told her how wonderful the class was and how good she felt. That is all Kwan needed to hear. A look of total relief came over her face, to be replaced with overwhelming joy! I think Rebecca told her three more times how special the class had been. Later, when we joined each other for breakfast, she commented again on how calming Kwan's voice had been.
Rebecca returned everyday for yoga during her week visit, and sometimes twice a day. She became a yogic convert overnight. I don't know if Kwan will ever know the power of what she did for Rebecca and how she brought something as beautiful as yoga into her life. It was on the day the two said goodbye after Kwan taught another of her gentle classes that I realized how special this bond was between the two. Kwan walked up to Rebecca and with tears in her eyes asked if she could hug her! Northern Thais rarely show any sign of affection; therefore, this really surprised me. It was very moving to witness this closeness between teacher and student; between these two individuals that came from cultures half way around the world from each other. Yoga had bridged the gap.