Bob Dylan Teaching

"Well voices ought not to be measured by how pretty they are.  Instead, they matter ONLY if they convince you that they are telling the truth."

So, thats just it.  Slow down and make the poses truthful.  Be curious, watch and breathe.  Be razor sharp in your observation to unearth some stuff embedded deep inside and look NOT so pretty but instead look and BE truthful propped up with lots of blocks and blankets.

To slow down, notice and allow the poses to be more truthful is tough.  Practicing yoga becomes a journey and not just a simple, rote, calisthenic class.  This investigative style of practice has informed my teaching tremendously.  My words blossom to "nudge" students gently into new terrritory-------not control or force their limbs into picture-perfect forms.  As I witness my body, along with my students, unfold into asana architecture,  I am inspired by the beneficial yet mostly "imperfect" forms that have take shape.  

For this reason, I am stepping further and further away from the overcooked-vinyasa flow style of yoga practice.  To unmask my holdings, along with my students, I must hold and watch.  HOLD, BREATH, and FEEL…..Yoga is an art and there is certainly no "right" practice- only different paths/practices to allow conscious, TRUTHFUL, communication with the tight, strong, weak, loose secrets of our bodies.  I thank Rodney and Colleen for their teachings that opened this less frenetic yogic path up to me.  I feel more and more truthful each time I practice and the poses only matter if they are telling the truth.   - Sue O'Connell