making peace

December seems a good time of year to make peace. Peace with ourselves, our lives, work, friends, family and the world at large. Tensions may run high this time of year making it a great challenge to be in a peaceful place.

Recently I was challenged while teaching yoga and learned how to make peace in a new way. One of my students made it very obvious that he did not like being in a yoga class, and he was there only because his wife encouraged him and he wanted to see the "series" through. The rest of the class was aware of this, which made the situation more awkward.

The energy around this situation was palpable. Like being trapped in a space with no room to breathe. I tried to empathize, encourage and talk to him so that I could help,  but none of those methods worked. In the end, he ended the series and we never spoke of it. It made me sad. I felt like it was odd that we couldn't even have a dialogue.

After a few days I realized that there was something he needed to happen in that class, that didn't happen. It was likely out of my control. It brought up questions about my teaching style and ability to deal with a difficult class situation. I got feedback from a couple of friends who teach yoga which was helpful and kind. 

Then I had a watershed moment. I realized that I am not the "doer." I could make peace with this story and not hang on to it. More importantly I realized that making peace with this situation allowed me to see how making peace in all situations can work and affect my own inner peace. I started noticing other areas in my life where I could stop hanging on. It was really liberating. I could breathe again.

Peace,

Yoga Jane

Comments

[Susan Riley]

Sometimes, it is all about control and whether or not we can control the situation. The problem is, we want to help make things better for someone. But, they need to want to make it to be better. If they do not, then nothing we do is going to change that. You could have turned the yoga studio into heaven-but if this man was not there in his heart and in his head, nothing you could do was going to change that. You provided the set up, Jane. He needed to provide the oomph, so to speak. So, I believe you are correct. One needs to let go of things over which we have no control and concentrate our finite amount of energy on things we can do something about. You can choose where to put your precious energy, even in a class that you teach-because really, you facilitate for those of us who want to learn-you don't make us do it. It's kinda like there is a wall-students on one side and yoga on the other. You sit on top of the wall and we can choose to use your help to get to the other side or not. He chose not. Not your issue. So, again, you are right to be able to drop that and move on. You are a wonderful teacher. Don't let people who cannot or will not open themselves to new experiences make you doubt that.
sending you light and love Susan

[Cheap Calendar Printing]

Making peace is the best thing to do as the year ends. Remember that it is the true essence of Christmas. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm loving this article. :)

- Kevin