Yoga and the Art of Sweaty Palms

Lately, I’ve been spending some of my extra time ‘subbing’ at Vital Yoga (thanks to my recent graduation from Teacher Training).  Almost every week, I practice with Micah (studio owner) during her beautiful 8 o’clock Saturday morning class.  Micah sets the bar for teachers in my book…  usually 40-60 people strong, she has an unequaled way of connecting with every student.  On top of which, she weaves the most amazing dharmas into each posture for the duration of ninety minutes.  

I recall practicing with a ‘sub’ during my beloved Saturday am class in February.  I remember feeling terrible for this sub - knowing that she was undertaking a ‘stand in’ roll for Micah - how could she possibly sit in the seat of an understudy?  For Micah?  And in the end, she did a wonderful job…  I distinctly recall adoring her honesty when she expressed the big shoes she had to fill.

It’s amazing to me how clearly I recall these thoughts from that February morning.  It’s most amazing to me now…  because, today, I received a call with a request to sub Saturday morning’s class.  I listened to the message, and immediately though - whoa, not it!  And then my heart started to race a little.  And then my palms started to sweat a little.  (Cute, I know.)  And then, I knew I had to do it.  It’s this same nervous excitement that I had for delivering Pop’s Eulogy.  It was easily the scariest and best thing I’ve ever done.

I remember a conversation Pop’s and I had a couple months before he passed away…

Pops: Lizzy Baby, tell me, do you do a lot of public speaking?

Me:   Ummm.  [Buying time.  Thinking on my feet.]  Well, I present meetings with clients?  [Question mark to illustrate the uncertainty of my answer.]

Pops: About how many people?

Me: Ummm.  [C’mon, Liz, give the man a number.]  Anywhere from 2-8 people?  [Hoping this number would please him.]

This parlayed into a story about his most recent public speaking engagement.  

I can’t help thinking that Pops is still having his way with me…  pushing me to the next challenge.  First it was his Eulogy.  And now, it’s filling the shoes of my adored yoga instructor.  Lucky for him, I’m up for it!