AN OPEN NOTE TO MY FAVORITE ALL OF MY STUDENTS:
It is with a sad heart that I have to end my teaching in Shrewsbury and Worcester. I'm exciting about the changes that lie ahead for the Nelson family as we prepare to take on a new town in a new state but I wish I could pack up each of my students and take them with me.
For many of you I have watched a huge transformation and that makes the teacher in me so excited and happy. I've watched clearly inflexible people reach a little further. I've seen people who are uncomfortable in their bodies learn to move and flex and grow and I've seen them stand straighter and smile brighter during practice. I've watched advanced students grow even more in their practice. And I've watched each and every one of you try new things in your practice. Truly inspiring!
The student in me has learned quite a bit as well. I've learned more about boundries, wording, pacing and even music selection. I believe I'll always have issues telling my left from my right and, on ocassion, my foot from my hand, but I'm just going to call those dumb ass eccentricities! I've learned about injuries and the prevention and protection of these from those of you who have specific injuries. And I've learned that there will always be more for me to learn and I look forward to doing so.
I need to express my sincere thanks to Patty for offering up the church gym and giving me that final push to become a teacher. And thanks to Gary (and Angela!) for taking a chance on a new instructor and giving me space to grow in Shrewsbury. You along with Dan and Kim, who pushed and inspired me the most, will always be the ones I think of when I think of my teaching beginning (that is so a term now).
Fortunately for me this is just the beginning and I have many more years of learning and teaching ahead of me. Many of you do too, and I wish you all the best of luck in reaching your yoga goals on and off the mat. I encourage you to contact me with any questions in the future, or to keep me updated on your own lives and the reaching of your yoga goals (I know some of you are still working toward crow and YOU CAN DO IT!!). Feel free to email me to get added to the email list so I can keep you updated on where I am and how my practice is going. And, if you're so inclined, you can stroke my ego write a little blurb for a testimonials page so I can get work in the next town!
Thanks to all of you! Remember to keep taking those deep breaths and, on the exhale, relax your shoulders.
Namaste,
~mandy, a very grateful yogini
