This kind of cool thing keeps happening to me. It seems that no matter where I go or what I do (e.g., a Kiss concert, practicing yoga outdoors, or visiting the Wienermobile), I am filled with little nuggets of yoga inspiration. It happened again while sitting in a dark theater watching a live performance of The King and I. Yes, the musical talents of Oscar and Hammerstein provided me with a warm fuzzy yoga moment that I just have to share. As I listened to Anna sing “Getting to Know You” to her students, I found myself relating to her bright and easy feeling and felt my heart begin to swell up in my chest (you know that yummy feeling that just kind of takes over when someone or something hits an emotional cord deep inside you). Read some of the lyrics to the song below, and I think you’ll understand why I had such a cathartic reaction.

Selected lyrics from “Getting to Know You,”

by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein

It’s a very ancient saying,

But a true and honest thought

That if you become a teacher,

By your pupils you’ll be taught.

As a teacher I’ve been learning

(You’ll forgive me if I boast)

And I’ve now become an expert,

On the subject I like the most.

Getting to know you!

Getting to like you, getting to hope you like me

 

Suddenly I’m bright and easy

Because of all the beautiful and new

Things I’m learning about you

Day by day!

Yep, I have to admit that as a yoga teacher, I have found pure delight in getting to know my students. And, if I do say, I have been blessed with some pretty amazing yogis and yoginis as students! I’m grateful to them for helping me to learn and grow as a yoga teacher and for lifting me up with their kind words and affirmations. It has definitely been a two-way street in the giving and sharing of the yoga, and I am thankful for the opportunity to guide them on their yoga journey.

I’m feeling bright and easy after every class I teach, knowing what a privilege it is to be able to teach yoga, so much so that I may just have to break out in song…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aVbJhg23Ao[/youtube]

BTW, I must give a shout-out to the Huron Playhouse for the kick-butt performance of The King and I. The Huron Playhouse puts on a series of shows each summer, and if you ever get a chance to attend one of their summer performances, I highly recommend it.