What teaching yoga taught me...

As I pack up the remainder of my belongings and get ready to go back to the place where I love the most, I can't help but feel so much gratitude for all the lessons and experiences I've had here in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Not only did I get to know some of the most warm hearted people, but I also had the opportunity to gain experience doing what I love most, teaching yoga. And I realized that teaching yoga was actually one of biggest gifts that has been given to me...

So often during class I hear myself saying "high plank, low plank, up dog down dog...." along with other sanskrit names and as I would guide students from one pose to another I also hear myself saying things like "just got for it", "flow", "let your breath guide you", "love the journey" and "TRUST". I would always try to teach from a place of light and love, hoping students felt  inspired and loved before, during and after class. But what I realized the most was that by teaching yoga, I was actually teaching myself...I began to see the students as a mirror of myself. Students at all different levels of ability with the poses and all of them walking different experiences of life, I felt I could relate to a little piece of everyone. I would see smiles, sweat and tears on mats and see the most genuine and raw interactions between others, even some of the most epic high fives in the middle of class that would inspire me to be a better version of myself.

Over the last few months, I began to feel this inner fire (which I felt had been barely alive after leaving Alaska) begin to glow and step into a new power of my own. By having the desire to help students soar to new heights on and off their mats, I didn't know I would be doing the same for myself. I began to worry less and trust more. I began to let go of expectation and welcome the unknown. I began to give up things and welcome spontaneity. I began to release fear and welcome adventure. I began to change my "cant's" into "cans". Most of all, I began to learn to listen to my heart, my inner teacher, my intuition...all of the things I wish for students to experience on a daily basis!

I feel so loved, so grateful, so happy to have had such an amazing space to fully be myself, express my heart, and live my teachings. Even though listening to my inner teacher leads me somewhere new I wouldn't trade my experience here for anything. I feel like I am going forward with an open heart, open mind, and a welcoming attitude to whatever comes next in my life...and I want to welcome it all with LOVE!

So to those who have allowed me to be apart of their yoga experience, I thank you! You have actually given me the greatest blessing and gift of all...the gift of listening to my heart. So onward I go to Alaska...stay tuned!