trial by fire

Last night I had a pretty unique and cool opportunity presented to me.  I was sitting downstairs at work (I work at a health club, just for reference) and around 5:00 my boss called down and asked if I thought I could teach a yoga class at 6:15.  I reminded him that I'm only halfway through teacher training and he said to think about it for a few minutes.  Apparently the regular teacher had an accident and was unable to come in at the last minute.  I realized that I needed to build a bridge and just get over all my fears and do this.  I have no idea where I'll be able to teach in Dallas and I doubt I'll be so lucky to find somewhere to teach in the brief time that we're here between my program finishing and moving.  Plus, I need all the experience I can get to find my teaching voice and learning to lead a class.  

Adam and I were already planning to go to a class together after work anyway so I had my mat and some clothes to change into.  He hurried back downtown because thanks to AT&T, I was unable to catch him before he took the train all the way home.  I bought him a pair of shorts to practice in and we headed up there together at 6:15.  I wasn't sure at first if I wanted Adam to be there or not but in retrospect, I'm so glad he was there.  

I just followed my instincts and used what I've been taught so far and I made it through about 55 minutes of class.  It was basically the longest public speaking "presentation" that I've ever done... I think.  I can think of probably 25-30 things that I need to continue to work on but I'm only halfway through the program.  5 weeks ago, I would never have imagined that I could do what I did after such a short time.  It's definitely a testament to my teachers, I learn and have learned so much more from them than I thought I would have.  I have another post brewing in my mind about some of the instructors that lead our program and the impressions that they've left on me.  

But the practice teaching we do together every Sunday is what prepared me and gave me the courage to do what I did last night.  I am keenly aware that I was so lucky to have the opportunity to work out some of my personal kinks and conquer some huge fears!  I am so grateful that my colleagues had the faith in me to do it and the support I got from everyone before and after was much more than I expected.  I'm lucky that I have a husband who will turn around and head back into a rush hour commute to be there to support me.  I know he was nervous for me too but when I got nervous in class I could go be around him to ground myself again.  

As our group exercise manager told me before class, anything I could do with them for 45-55 minutes would be better than having to cancel the class.  I am thankful that my 10 students allowed me to share my passion with them.  And I'll never have to be as nervous for my "first class ever" again.