shakti
This week, I taught Kali Natha Yoga’s Shakti Worship 1 Asana Series to one of my classes, we practiced it extra slowly, deeply and deliberately. My classes sometimes spontaneously take on the format of a posture clinic because many of these students are new to yoga (this is my favorite thing about them). Often, they seem to really benefit from the reinforcement of careful pacing, extra verbal instruction, and made-to-order modifications. I love that they have really stuck with the first round of classes, and we are now entering into our 6th week, so things are deepening as they each begin to relax into their respective practices.
This night, Shakti Worship 1 was led in about 30 minutes, a la “posture clinic” style, with lots of extra time for breaths in between each of the movements. Throughout these breathing rests, I coached them to become aware of sensations created by the previous movement. During those rests I spoke to them about shakti, explaining it as much as I could, and giving little examples.
We ended sitting, and without interruption we repeated Shakti Worship 1, with a little bit faster pace and texture. I led them relatively wordlessly, cueing intensely, with minimal instruction and strictly sticking to the asana by the numbers (just shortening the repetitions on a few things). As they sat in the last movement (#29) “feeling the space of Shakti“, I let them soak. Silently, I took attendance, rummaged for my tsing-sha cymbals, dimmed the lights and waited before finally instructing them to take savasana – corpse pose.
During a relatively brief relaxation, I spoke to them about shakti again, this time remembering to share with them the “drink as you pour” teaching that is often spoken of by my teacher. They are therapists, social workers, school teachers and staff at an agency that provides care and community services. They are those whose job it is to give of themselves each day. Giving is their livelihood.
After class, the most marvelous thing happened!
There is something truly transporting about giving myself over to the rhythm of some favored musical pulse. It seems to be even better when the sound is loud enough to fill the room, for then, the music possesses The Power. An enveloping sound scape can crowd out the worries that threaten to claim my tender thoughts. (This is why I recommend headphones for 20/20, so the students can connect to the interior of the shared experience). Breath connects to movement, music fuels the practice and can incite its grand crescendo.