Seanne Corn workshop- inital interpretations

This may turn into a few "to be continued" blogs on the weekend workshop I was priveleged to attend this weekend; "The Art of Vinyasa Flow" at Yogaphoria in New Hope, PA. What I feel I gained from the series of workshops still spills through my mind and heart. I've learned so much about myself, how to improve my teaching, and how to open myself to love. Knowing that what has happened in the past few decades has shaped who I am, how I treat the beings around me, and hopefully share my passion for the practice of yoga and what it does for the practioner.
Let me first say this; as a teacher, one thing that still resonates with me from this past weekend is that at class, during, and at the end, it's not about me. It's about the student and what they gained from the practice. People come to yoga for many reasons; to get in shape, to get away from the rigors of daily life; to try something new; and yes, even some to look 'good'. I for one came to yoga as a means to help relax my racing mind and body and begin to cure the incessent insomnia I had experienced for so many, too many years.
May I also ask you this, what do you consider to be your first yogic experience? Was it physical asana? Trying to meditate? Or simply something in your life that opened you up to a different spiritual realm? I cannot say that I have one specific moment, rather my life as I remember it seems to have brought me here. Seanne Corn spoke to the idea that all we have done and continue to do shape who we are and where we are manifesting. I go back to when my parents were both growing up on farms. As a way of life they in turn had a small farm, and still do yet smaller now. My formative years were spent working in the garden, begrudgingly help my mother can every edible item possible, helping my dad stack hay, and the ineviteble yet hilarious "Andrea, get your boots on the cows are out!" Honestly, are cows really smart enough to outwit my father on an electric fence on an average of four times a year? Lest I also remind anyone who forgot that my first job was at my great uncles produce farm at the age of 11, now Trauger's Farm market while I cursed my parents under my sweaty breath for not being able to do gymnastics. My reason for mentioning this is that whether my family realized it or not, we grew up rather holistically. I now feel blessed for all the hard work and learning how to live without pesticides. I feel that I have a healthy body and mind and I am truly thankful and blessed for that.
Now, how does this relate to yoga? Take it to your mat. When I step on my mat to practice it's quite similar to stepping in my garden to pick a sweet, juicy tomato! Something which took work and care to produce yet the end result being simple happiness and pleasure. Stepping onto my mat, knowing that I am allowing myself to be vulnerable and face any fears I have is worth the work. Warming the body through sun salutions being crucial. Moving into the standing sequences to allow the natural tensions and drama of everyday life to surface, noticing without judgement, allowing my body to detoxify, and working to twists, inversions, and finally forward folds to help the nervous system flush away or balance out the tensions and restore the mind, body, and soul to an open mind and heart. Feeling calm and loving. Allowing myself to love and be loved.
Each time you step onto your mat, you are manifesting yourself to be you. Allowing your true nature of love and happiness to shine. Creating compassion towards others, even those who create struggles for you helps facilitate empathy for their own experiences. Again, repeating that whatever has happened and is happening in your life, this is your destiny, to shape who you are and will become. Yoga being a facilitator, and in my opinion a strong one, to help you be a loving soul and share that love with all other beings. Yoga is the union.

*** Later I'd like to address the physical aspect of this weekend. I am still waiting for the sweat to dry off my mat! :-)