Last night I launched a 200hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training.
The beginning of a training is always so exciting for staff and students alike.
Everyone is eager and ready to dive deeply into the materials, methodologies, philosophy, and practices. And there is so much! So the question always is, "Where do we begin? What we teach first?"
And the answer is always simple, we begin by teaching Mountain. Why?
Because it is so basic, simple, and accessible yet it is the archetype, it holds an element of every other posture of yoga.
When a practitioner is patient, curious, and sensitive, mountain pose teaches so much. But many people write it off as too simple. Let's face it, mountain pose is not physically complex, arduous, flashy, or sexy. You probably will not find it on your Instagram feed, but there's elegance in its simplicity.
And almost paradoxically one can learn to master more challenging aspects of yoga by embracing and excelling at the simplicity of this pose.
Johann C. Schiller once said, "Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly ever acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.”
I have found this philosophy supportive in many other areas of my in life as well. Whether it is organizing my closet or my calendar, communicating with others, or sourcing my values - complex, quick, and flashy are not always better.
My offerings in this newsletter are all organized around information and inspiration for slowing down and simplifying.
Wishing you and your loved ones health, safety, & peace,
Michelle
