Yoga with Steven Metz

The past few days seem to have slipped right by, without me having a few spare seconds to sit down and write. Ahh. It feels like a relief to sit down and take into account what has kept me so busy this week.

Throughout Tuesday night, I tossed and turned and sweated out of anxiety over my meeting with Steven Metz on Wednesday. I was going to have to teach a half-hour class to a man who has taught for almost twenty years and who has celebrity clients, and I was a wreck. I woke up on Wednesday morning and went to an exceptionally relaxing yoga class (with Billy Gill at Yogaworks, whom I highly recommend). Within five minutes of leaving class, I was a nervous mess all over again. I rushed home, showered, created a Pandora station for "Bhagavan Das" (aka, yogi music), and read through my notebook from teacher training, which I haven't touched in years. Nevermind that I have been teaching for three years; I was convinced that everything I know about yoga was going to evaporate once I met Steven.

Once I met up with Steven, we headed into the studio, where he stood on his mat and announced, "I'm ready." My mind blanked; "So.. should I teach as though I'm teaching a private class, or should I pretend I'm teaching a class class?" Steven told me to teach as I would a class, so I took a deep breath and started off, "Hi everyone, and welcome. My name is Chelsea. Do we have anyone who is new to yoga?"

I then proceeded to guide Steven through the beginning of a moderate-level practice, according to what I learned back at Amazing Yoga in Pittsburgh. After a few minutes, Steven stopped. "I have a training after this, and I don't want my muscles to be tired out. Just keep speaking through your flow, and I'm going to listen." And with that, he sat down, closed his eyes, and waited for me to keep speaking. At this point, I had a mild panic attack, wondering how to teach a class to an empty class, without any bodies to guide, adjust, or provide modifications for. I began walking around the white studio, the familiar feel of a sturdy wood floor under my feet, and started pretending there were people in my yoga class. I passed by Veeren, by Helen, by Richard, by people whom I had instructed before and who inspired me, and as I imagined their bodies in motion, I was able to speak with confidence and with clarity. And guess what? I got the job!

"I can tell you've been teaching for a while. Your flow is a lot slower than the classes we teach here [cue jaw hitting the floor], but you're solid, and I would feel fine letting you sub a class. Come in on Saturday and take my class, so you can get an idea of the type of style I teach, and then if you feel like it's a good fit, you can start working the desk and subbing, we can do a trade. And if people really like you and start wanting you to have your own class, then I'll be able to pay you as a teacher."

I was elated. I was overjoyed. As of this afternoon, following my first class with Steven - which was, without a doubt, the most difficult yoga class I have ever experienced, on par with my teacher training - I was even exhausted. Yet I happily agreed. In exchange for substitute teaching and checking people in at the studio, I will be able to practice yoga essentially for free, with someone who has a vast wealth of knowledge to share. I count this as a big win. :)

As a side thought, there are a few things I would like to add to the wishlist:
*Itunes giftcard (to buy the songs "Meerabai", "Kashi Vishvanath", "Kate Hain Din", cd named "Dasi", and some Don Frankenreiter music, which I think I would like, based on Pandora)
*Tickets to the Jack Johnson concert on October 8th
*Plane tickets home to be at my grandparents' 50th Wedding Anniversary on October 16th
*A vacation :)

(I'll catch everyone up on the other happenings from this week tomorrow. I need me some shut eye, folks. Thanks for your patience, and sweet dreams.)