Teacher Feature: Susan
In 2006 Susan started coming to Greenville Yoga. We were just a year old then. In 2007 she began a consistent Ashtanga Yoga practice with our dear Emma (who lives in Hawaii now). Susan had a dance background so the flow of Ashtanga Yoga made sense in her body.
As Susan’s practice has evolved, so has her life. She was single when she began two decades ago. Now she is a married mama of three! We don’t know how she does it all and stays so calm. As with all seasons, this is a season of shifts. Susan will be stepping down from her evening classes to be present for her kiddos. While this is bittersweet for us all, Susan and I have some ideas in the works. Look for some class series or weekend classes coming soon, as well as finding her on the sub list. She is aiming to be with us through August. Be sure to come practice with her Tuesdays, 6pm before we shift into our fall schedule.
I got to sit down and interview her yesterday. Below is from our conversation.
Over the years yoga has shifted to give me peace with myself and self-acceptance. I am working on this every day. It has been a combination of talk therapy and yoga that have given me the space to feel at home within myself.
The evolution of my yoga has been due to a hip challenge and consistent pain the last few years. I had to step back from asana (the physical part of yoga) and work with the other aspects, knowing yoga is so much more! I used to fit myself into the mold of the practice. Now I work with a practice that fits me. I do things like meditation, yoga Nidra, washing the dishes asana, living mindfully. I had to work through the idea that I am not a failure for having an injury. Instead I am moving in the direction of tools and community. Even though my practice has shifted how it looks, it is still part of my life.
I’m always honored and relieved when I walk into Greenville Yoga to guide students who trust me to share an hour of time together. We cultivate warmth, safety, laughter, challenge, listening and practice meeting ourselves where we are one breath at a time. I offer a buffet of choices and empower each student to choose a practice that will support, nourish and empower them to hopefully fall more in love with themselves each time they step onto their mats.
As Susan and I were about to hang up, she said these sweet words, “Over the years I am grateful to be part of such a kind, caring community.” Susan- we are the ones who are grateful for you!
