My sister’s husband, Dan asked me to come and teach Yoga at his “Cross Fit” centre.
Honestly I was a bit apprehensive. In my mind Cross Fit conjures up images of competitive, result hungry, highly ambitious, “Fit” individuals who enjoy pushing themselves to the limits and passing these limits, at all costs.
Prejudice? Maybe. I am also a qualified Personal Trainer. I worked for a couple of years at one of London’s largest, busiest gyms so I do have some personal experience with these centres. With this experience I also know that sometimes different approaches to movement do appeal to those who previously pushed themselves, so with that I decided that I would love to take on the challenge (?) of teaching an authentic Yoga practice at a Fitness Centre where the usual group class is a boot-camp style of training.
With a friendly phone call to the Fitness Centre’s owner we arranged that I would teach the following night a Free Yoga class and see what the response would be like.
A few FaceBook posts and tags, and 24 hours later I found myself waiting outside San Remo Functional Fitness Centre watching a group of very fit people run around the block, some carrying an exceedingly heavy Fitness Ball, apparently 45 KGS!!!!!
Slowly more spectators gathered. We introduced ourselves, I greeted some friends and our spectator circle of Yoga enthusiasts multiplied. Finally the fitness class ended and it was time to transform San Remo Functional Fitness Centre into a Yoga Shala for the next hour.
Nervously people laid out their mats, including the sweating, pumped Fitness members, children settled into their designated “creche” spots and while the rain created an atmosphere of tropical serenity slowly the Vibrational Healing sounds filled the space creating an environment for everybody to begin to relax and soften.
The cleansing breaths were enthusiastic, “Ahhhhhh” (Its Friday and we can chill out) rhythmic breath united this eclectic crowd of “gym junkies”, Mother’s, Wives, young artists, Surfers, Yoga veterans, individuals brought together to practice mindful movement. While most seemed to enjoy the resting down practices and Pranayama, one Woman’s small child seemed very confused: “Wake-up!!!” “Wake up everyone, Wake up…”
Without knowing it he was completely right. Yoga is about Waking up. Although we use postures and movement to bring meditative states, improving flexibility, strength and muscular endurance, ultimately we want to transform our mind. Obviously this side of Yoga is a long gradual path but it begins with the breath, the asana (postures) and the flow.
As the rain continued outside, Heat rose inside, smiles crossed faces, breathing slowed and quickened and slowed again, muscles lengthened, minds focused and fun was shared. After a wonderful, what felt like a very quick hour, the room was once again still. Warm, Alive bodies rested in Savasana – Corpse Pose, remaining present in the sensations and feelings of the Practice, while concentrating the Mind on the breath, letting go of any distractions, residual tension or judgment. We forgot where we were, we just felt the space which we had created and the unity between others.
