I love teaching, but I love learning just as much. I have recently had the chance to take part in an incredibly inspiring workshop with Nico Luce I had first “met” on my yoga on line. I immediately gravitated to him. Yes, he can do all those impossible yoga poses beautifully and somehow make it look easy, but more importantly – he is a very knowledgeable teacher, especially when it comes to Yoga’s rich philosophy.
Besides our shared passion for yoga, we have another thing in common: we teach and write in English, but English is not our mother tongue. Nico has a cute accent and speaks English more eloquently than most native English speakers I know. Why? To be able to teach yoga in English, he told me, he approached each and every word with curiosity, studying its root diligently. This is how I’ve learnt from him, for example, that the word “courage” comes from the French word “cœur” - heart. And this piece of seemingly irrelevant information actually does help me to lead with my heart, before I lift myself into handstand successfully for the first time! I suppose there lies Nico’s other talent: He won’t coerce you into any pose, but rather invite you, entice you, gently and respectfully, until you simply cannot resist trying. And before you know it, you may find yourself extended in a handstand or some twisted arm balance. Perhaps this is why I see 60 plus year olds just as comfortable in his class as the fit twenty something year olds?
The workshop was called “The Power of choice” and the first class focused on the first, inevitable aspect: Acceptance. Not the acceptance of a bad situation in powerless resignation, but first accepting that “this is what it is”, before you consider whether you’re willing to make peace with the situation, choose to change it, or walk away from it. I’m getting teary thinking about the situations I’ve had to accept this year – losing someone dear to me, a health scare, standing up to my doctor and a path that would have taken me further away from myself, then finally, with some struggle, getting in touch again with my core values, my inner strength and conviction… oh it’s been a tough, challenging year and I have shed a lot of tears. But I agree with Nico’s suggestion that these challenges, although painful and unpleasant, can indeed be valuable teachings. I have learnt a lot.
Life is full of them – those teachings… some are more obviously beautiful, some take you on a darker path. And when you’re deep in the dark woods, lost and scared, it can feel very unjust and even desperate. I know I’ve felt that. At times I thought I’d never see the light, but it shone on me anyways, just when I was least expecting it. And then, when you are finally standing in the full-blown light, it is easier to look back with gratitude. Gratitude not only for those kind angels who held your hand and pulled you out of that dark place (which is never to be underestimated or taken for granted!), but gratitude even for those less obvious teachers who challenged you, hurt you and ultimately - made you question what it is that makes you you’re authentic you.
The workshop has only just begun and I’m standing in Tadasana – mountain pose. I’m a wobbly mountain today, but a grateful wobbly mountain. Before I extend my hands up to the sky in the first Sun Salute I think back on my teachers. My influential, tough loving acting teacher Judith, my many inspiring yoga teachers like Rod Stryker and Nico Luce (to name just a few), my loving friends who were not afraid to tell me some uncomfortable truths, my brother who has always been there for me, my family, my girls who teach me new things every day and then those less obvious teachers who I struggled with. I’m reaching up to the sky with an open heart then bow down in gratitude – to all of them. Here I am – alive, healthy and strong. And I am truly very grateful.
Besides our shared passion for yoga, we have another thing in common: we teach and write in English, but English is not our mother tongue. Nico has a cute accent and speaks English more eloquently than most native English speakers I know. Why? To be able to teach yoga in English, he told me, he approached each and every word with curiosity, studying its root diligently. This is how I’ve learnt from him, for example, that the word “courage” comes from the French word “cœur” - heart. And this piece of seemingly irrelevant information actually does help me to lead with my heart, before I lift myself into handstand successfully for the first time! I suppose there lies Nico’s other talent: He won’t coerce you into any pose, but rather invite you, entice you, gently and respectfully, until you simply cannot resist trying. And before you know it, you may find yourself extended in a handstand or some twisted arm balance. Perhaps this is why I see 60 plus year olds just as comfortable in his class as the fit twenty something year olds?
The workshop was called “The Power of choice” and the first class focused on the first, inevitable aspect: Acceptance. Not the acceptance of a bad situation in powerless resignation, but first accepting that “this is what it is”, before you consider whether you’re willing to make peace with the situation, choose to change it, or walk away from it. I’m getting teary thinking about the situations I’ve had to accept this year – losing someone dear to me, a health scare, standing up to my doctor and a path that would have taken me further away from myself, then finally, with some struggle, getting in touch again with my core values, my inner strength and conviction… oh it’s been a tough, challenging year and I have shed a lot of tears. But I agree with Nico’s suggestion that these challenges, although painful and unpleasant, can indeed be valuable teachings. I have learnt a lot.
Life is full of them – those teachings… some are more obviously beautiful, some take you on a darker path. And when you’re deep in the dark woods, lost and scared, it can feel very unjust and even desperate. I know I’ve felt that. At times I thought I’d never see the light, but it shone on me anyways, just when I was least expecting it. And then, when you are finally standing in the full-blown light, it is easier to look back with gratitude. Gratitude not only for those kind angels who held your hand and pulled you out of that dark place (which is never to be underestimated or taken for granted!), but gratitude even for those less obvious teachers who challenged you, hurt you and ultimately - made you question what it is that makes you you’re authentic you.
The workshop has only just begun and I’m standing in Tadasana – mountain pose. I’m a wobbly mountain today, but a grateful wobbly mountain. Before I extend my hands up to the sky in the first Sun Salute I think back on my teachers. My influential, tough loving acting teacher Judith, my many inspiring yoga teachers like Rod Stryker and Nico Luce (to name just a few), my loving friends who were not afraid to tell me some uncomfortable truths, my brother who has always been there for me, my family, my girls who teach me new things every day and then those less obvious teachers who I struggled with. I’m reaching up to the sky with an open heart then bow down in gratitude – to all of them. Here I am – alive, healthy and strong. And I am truly very grateful.
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