Reasons to Roam: #3 ALCHEMY
Hi everyone! Kate here, chiming in after a powerful weekend of learning in the Svalja 300 Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training (with Miriam guiding teachings on Karma & the Yogic Path of Freedom)
A benefit of learning in community is shared experience. When people can come together in a co-creative and connected fashion, the process of learning, memory, and impact can be deepened.
The alchemy of who is present, who is guiding, and being guided is as vital as the content itself.
One of the things I am most passionate about is education, (as a life-long student and as an educator).
We must choose in this time and place to deepen the value of learning, and importantly the willingness to learn, share knowledge, and be in community. Which is why I cannot wait to experience our trip to Roatan with this group of seekers, adventurers, and those curious to share and connect over a week of ... all the things!
You can check out Miriam’s previous two blog posts about the “what” of the learning/doing - and our awesome itinerary. But today I am reflecting on the who - the alchemy of the who, and a little bit of mystery of the who will be co-creating this experience with at this time, in this special place.
Both Miriam and I have a background in creating and leading high performing educational communities. Miriam founded and led a school in Roatan for 12 years (Which we will visit!) and I led and developed the Duluth Playhouse Children’s Theatre for a decade.
The powerful transformation, growth and catalyst nature of those communities is not belonging to the leader - but to the synergy of those in a process of co-creation. For me, it was the participants, committed students, families, and the beautiful trusting relationships formed, all contributing and evolving the community - and the result was excellence.
I can humbly say - I was as mentored and transformed by my Playhouse students as they were by me over those tender, fierce, and hard working years.
For me, that work remains the most important of my life thus far - artistically fulfilling, in service to the greater good, and deeply connected with my Dharma and sense of purpose. I wouldn’t trade being in community with those young artists and families during that 10 years for anything.
In theatre - the specific and ephemeral creative process of something live, that lives and breathes artistically for just that moment, and then is gone - is so precious. It taught me to be present, mindful of the now, long before I came to guide yoga. Theatre instilled gratitude for the contributions of the ensemble to the fabric of any experience or performance.
In similar ways I have witnessed the alchemy of the yoga community - and the growing relationships rooted in practice, safe spaces, and shared learning.
Miriam, as a seasoned guide and astute leader & educator, gave her tremendous wisdom to a room over the weekend and I was so inspired (and personally heart-shook) by her gifts and the teachings. Like theatre visionary Peter Brook (The Empty Space) the art of learning in the yoga world has overlap with theatre - filling a space with a new holy magic, and the power of being in the moment. Who is in the room is as important as the content to be shared and learned. The reflections back from the learners in an experiential environment is what illuminates memory and knowledge, and gives us perspectives other than our own. That is exactly what the world needs, now - in this present moment.
In Roatan we have layered experiences and delights - the practice of yoga, the adventure of travel, diverse experiences to enliven - all will be shaped by the beings both new to each other and known to each other. This alchemy is a gift, this shared perspective and experience - a grace, and I am in a state of curiosity and wonder about what will be created within this ensemble of bright beings. Whatever we create it will be once in a lifetime, and never to be repeated in exactly the same way - existing in the present art of now.
We have two spots left if you would like to add your magic to our alchemy - it's showtime!
With love,
Kate (and Miriam)
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