Gratituesday 4.27.21 - Releasing Expectation

In my yoga class, I tend to teach poses that are out of reach. And that goes for me, too. I was always a great teacher for beginners, because I mastered the beginner poses. Things shifted when I realized that I could teach things I couldn’t do. I was able to release that expectation of my teaching practice and challenge my students in new and different ways. Therefore when we do challenging arms balances or poses that require open hips, I encourage my students to release judgement and release expectation. Especially when we can “usually” do a pose and it’s not accessible to us today.

It should come as no surprise that it’s not always possible to practice what you preach. I am the daughter of two parents who support me a ton, but they were always (and continue to be) super critical. They say they’re not, but they are. And so am I. I have judgments and I have expectations.

There I said it.

I have a timeline that doesn’t match most people. I also have to say that my clients and couples appreciate my quick responses, but for the most part they don’t follow suit. Is that fair? No. However, it’s part of the process. We all have our own timing and own process. And while expectations may exist, they may not be clearly stated or even necessary. So the release continues.

But just like yoga, it’s a practice. Some days I let the judgement go and some days I cannot. The regular reminder and the act of releasing expectation certainly forces reflection. And when reflection happens, I let go of negativity and remember all of the good. Cue my weekly lists! Lots of positivity and lots of things still to do. Care to join me? Awesome, I’ll start. The comment section is always open for thoughts and questions, and there’s plenty of space to add your own gratitudes, victories and desires. Off we go!

Gratitudes

1. Sunny days

2. My yoga students that continue to show up

3. Hot coffee, tea and cocoa

4. An internet connection

5. Discounted hair cutting and color services in NYC

Victories

1. Success on doing side crow / parsvabakasana in yoga

2. 402 consecutive days of Spanish on Duolingo. However, I do feel very far away from being fluent or being able to offer doing wedding ceremonies in Spanish

3. Bringing containers to restaurants to pack my left overs

4. Putting on pants and a shirt and not staying in my yoga clothes after class

5. Continuing to pay down by mortgage

Desires

1. For Maxie to stop yelling in the middle of the night

2. Getting back on my regular cleaning schedule

3. Decluttering every room in my apartment

4. For the folks who are closing out my renovation to do what they say they are doing to do - and respond to emails

5. Booking the counseling and wedding couples I have pending