Tomorrow I will teach my last classes at the Lily Pad at 7am and 8:15am. It is with a heavy heart that I leave these classes and this city. I started classes at the Lily Pad 5 years ago in 2008. I was fresh out of yoga school. I was so passionate about yoga's ability to heal and transform lives that I walked right into the Lily Pad one afternoon and asked the owner if I could teach a yoga class on Sunday morning. I was scared to death! It seemed that no one else was teaching there except for one class on Saturday morning. (Later I found out Gill, the owner's wife: Caroline). We sparked a deal that I would clean the Lily Pad top to bottom every Sunday in order to teach the class. I made some very simple flyers for "Sunday Morning Yoga" and hung them up at the 1369 and surrounding private businesses.
I was amazed the day of my first class when one, two, four, ten people showed up. It was perhaps one of the most joyful moments in my life. And now I will spill the beans: I've always done things the hard way. My childhood was not a supportive place allowing me to thrive, in fact, I got my GED and went to college but I never graduated college. I was fighting and struggling through my adolescent and teen years...those years were dark. I don't know what it's like to celebrate those hallmark events that everyone else has. Graduation? Don't know! Prom? what? I DO know what it feels like to find your calling; to know and feel in your bones that you were meant for something and it was meant for you. To have so much passion that nothing can get in your way, on your way, to making your dreams a reality. This I do know.
The more I taught yoga, the more I saw lives changing in front of my eyes and what's more, testimonials came pouring in. What I saw wasn't me changing lives or yoga changing lives but the strength of all of us to connect within and find that spark, that light, that true authenticity that is just waiting to be called out. Yoga sets the stage for connection but it is YOU who are courageous, willing, and determined to live your authentic life. I am just so honored to have witnessed your becoming; your blossoming into Jivan Mukti (liberation).
As I move away I will no doubt find new students and continue the path of setting the stage for authenticity and joy. You will burn on in my mind. I will see your faces in my new students as we begin our first class, I will hold back a tear. You will burn on in my heart. I don't see this as goodbye because what we've created is infinite. What we've created is stone, is strong, is solid and can never be taken away.
Peace be with you always and may I see you in a future retreat or unexpected moment.
Love,
Natalie
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