A Yoga Theme on Pain

Your Why:       Why do you teach yoga?

Theme:            Pain is a way to pay attention. 

HOVS:             Self-acceptance and transformation.

Anecdote:

(Always use your own Anecdote about an experience with pain)

In my first yoga training a healer told me, “There is something here,” and she pointed to my shoulder. For years, I nursed my broken shoulder like a broken wing. And then one day, I realized that it wasn’t enough to accept it. I had to let it go. Our bodies keep the score. They keep and hold all of life’s pain and wonder until we deal with it head on.

 Contemplation

How has pain changed your life? How has it created transformation? Has it helped you stop and listen? Andrew Luck recently left the NFL due to pain. Change that is sustained is transformative. Change that is not sustained, is frustrating. How does self-acceptance figure into your healing?

 Golden Nuggets:

• Stay tuned!

• Are you listening?

• The body keeps the score.

• Be okay with the good and the bad.

• Do the work.

• The key to the next room, is in the room you’re in now.

• Discomfort is the teacher.

• Self-acceptance means putting yourself first.

• Transformation is waiting for you.

• Doubt means you’re listening.

• Thank your mind for sharing.

• Thank your body for sharing.

VP: Never be afraid to be you, but if you need some work, then don’t be afraid to do it either.

Quotes:

“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” Amy Bloom.

 “When one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.” Lau Tzu

“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream, and how you handle disappointment along the way.” Robert Kiyosaki

“When you walk up to the door of opportunity, don’t knock. Kick that bitch in.” Dwayne Johnson.

Adapted from Theme Weaver: A Companion Workbook to Plan Yoga Classes