Just Do It written on Tuesday, Aug. 2

Day 2  Just Do It!

I woke up at 6:30 for community yoga at 7.  It was a gentle, sweet class that allowed me to wake up fully to this new day.  We will continue today to talk about teaching--looking at what it means to be a teacher.   Later in the morning, at our full yoga session, we studied the Piezetzner Rabbi, also known as the Warsaw Ghetto Rabbi, also known as Kalonymus Kalman Shapira who’s teachings were buried underground in order that at least the teachings would survive the war.  

I have studied the Piezetner Rebbi before--his teachings on the weekly torah portions and on the power of community are powerful.  In our session today we studied part of his Introduction to Chovot HaTalmidim--Obligations of the Students.  He teaches that we have to teach to the individual--that we are each unique human begins and what “works” for one student, might not work for another.  Along with recognizing the needs, skills, talents, etc of our students we have to also teach to their abilities--there is a balance act between pushing too much and not enough.  We shared about finding the sparks of holiness that exists within each person, but often rest dormant, unseen and unrecognized.  A good teacher can help bring those sparks/rays of light, the goodness and wholeness that is within each of us to come forth and shine out into the world.  

After study we had a full yoga practice and afterwards we discussed themes from the class that we might want to teach.  We each had our own beautiful way of expressing what we received from class.  The themes and teachings the class brought out for me included: 

1. Gratitude
2. Embracing the power with in us and letting it shine forth out into the world!!
3. We have untapped strength and potential waiting to be released and shared with the world
4. We are part of a great tradition--part of a lineage that holds us and keeps us.
5. Steady On! (love that Shawn Colvin song) 
6. One needs to be still in order to Receive. 

All this in only the first 2 hours of the program!  There was a lot of teaching, learning, good sharing and yoga practice today.  I think tomorrow I will try to use some of my free time to be in silence.  I treasure silence (as some of you might imagine) AND it also helps to fully receive and be witness to this beautiful, blessed life. 

With Love.