LiamLicks: 8/30/09

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Yoga; war, then peace

I wrote 2 months ago about my first yoga class at the Hillside Library

and of Liam's dream of going with me. I did complete the 6- session class and Liam is still dreaming of going. The class's ambiance

is serene, spiritual, dark; focusing on breathing, stretching, releasing pain, relaxation. There are candles surrounding our gentle teacher who is at the center of the circle. I keep one eye open so I do not embarrass myself by pointing in the wrong direction. I attended all classes. The class sessions are 6 weeks and then one re-registers for the next class of 6 weeks. I had missed the first registration in June due to a conflicting appointment and sent a surrogate, my sister, to sign me up. One is permitted to sign up one person who cannot be present for the registration. My sister said it was quite chaotic, disorganized, dog eat dog (sorry Liam), and aggressive. There was no respect given to place in line or adherence to the sign in sheet. This group would become the class who met for six weeks in July and August to seek spiritual peace, freedom from pain, a higher level of understanding of self. However, at the registration they were a pushing shoving mob, angling for better position to get one of the 25 spots. The June registration was such a melee

that new rules were invoked for this August registration as well as a new venue and new time-all to establish a smooth dignified calm sign-up, more in keeping with the principles of Yoga.
As our current Yoga session edged towards its conclusion the Events Coordinator would come into our class, (mercifully before we began our meditation,) and exhort us to follow the new procedures and adhere to the tenets of fair play. After each week's warning/announcement, a vague unease wafted about the darkened room; our tenuous unity and trust being threatened by a storm of insidious worries about the upcoming registration. My meditating mat mates knew we might be future adversaries for the next session's registration.
The time did come- Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 10:AM. Needless to say, I had some anxiety over this registration.

What if I arrived and a huge crowd was already there?

Liam understands, he thinks of how the line should look

He also knows how a few friends can become a pack and start wrestling

I decide to leave at 9:40 AM-this would get me there at 9:45 AM. No traffic when doing the hypotenuse through side streets.I arrive and see other cars pulling in. There is just a small group waiting outside. I estimate about 10

Good.

When I open my car door, several other car doors open. Oh I see. They are hiding in their cars waiting til it got close then all the "car hiders" will run to the entrance. Oh no, I am not getting lost in the car hider group. I jump out, walk fast, but with a nonchalant look (I think) and do not make eye contact with the other walkers as that might cause me to feel compelled to wait for one of them. Enough time for socializing once I get my place. I cross the street, the others are held back by a speeding car, which I outrace.

I now am at the entrance. It is 9:50 AM. The line is evolving into a circle of talking

This could be trouble. Then I see her. The snorer is approaching to my right. This is the classmate who sleeps throughout the class and attains deep REM by the end. I am surprised she is upright, focused and yes, going right past me to the front. I know this trick. Pretend you see a close friend, stage a reunion and all will forget you crashed the line. I decide to let it go. I was # 10, now I am # 11. A woman next to me, (in a line there should be no next to me situation, ) is chatting about preserving her tomatoes for the winter to another lady who is inching up imperceptibly. Tomato lady notices me and says "Did you attend the last class?, I do not remember you"
Innocent remark. Probably. Nevertheless, I instantly feel that I must be so unnoticeable, so unworthy, an outsider, a small bug. I feel a small defensive anger welling. I discard the principles of Yoga and reply. "I did not notice you either." Ouch! Immediately felt small for my retort. However, another sly event is playing out; the snorer has become #3 by stealthily hugging and greeting all the front of the line people. Her tenacity is hard to ignore. She is aware and awake. I think of that movie "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers"-someone has taken over her body for the sign-up. The sleeper/snorer will return for the first class.. Is this the person who cannot stay awake in class? Perhaps it is a plot-Tomato lady and Snorer are working the line as a team.

The Yoga registrar then opens the Library door, which has been locked- registration forms are passed to those of us waiting. We are not yet allowed in, but we have the ticket in. Yay. She has enough for the 25 students. If I get one I am assured of a spot. I do. The crowd relaxes. We have a few extras for the late comers and they are awarded to them like runner up bronze medals from the elite gold medalists-those who arrived first.
The door is finally open and surprisingly the group moves slowly and efficiently without pushing. We have our forms, serving as our passes; we made it! All felt safe and could afford to play nice.

We move forward, one by one, to be sworn in. We have to show our driver's license, hand in our completed form. As the group finishes, the tension evaporates, the Yoga mat mates greet each other warmly. Hugs and smiles. People make eye contact again. Those who had run solo from their cars without a backward glance now walk in groups to their cars. Yoga principles prevail. We become the people we try to be in Yoga- free of anger pain fear, thinking restore, relax, renew.

Dog eat dog outside