words from our community ~ natalie levin

A story.
Two weeks ago or so, I had the honor and privilege of teaching a workshop at Yoga Home. The workshop consisted basically of about 2.2 seconds of gentle movement and the rest of it was restorative poses and meditation. A few days before I was supposed to teach this workshop, one of my neighbors came up to me on the street and said, “Natalie, you teach that yoga stuff, don’t you?” I replied that I do, indeed. He is a 63 year old man and he confided in me that his counselor had advised him that “mindfulness and meditation” would be helpful for him. I was so touched that he shared this intimate information with me. I told him that, ironically, I was teaching a workshop in a few days that would be perfect for him to try. I asked if he would like to be my guest.

I don’t know if he even knew what that meant. He said, “I can make a donation or something.” I asked him if I could email him the information. He replied that he doesn’t have a computer nor does he have a cell phone. I told him I would write the information on a piece of paper and leave it in his doorway. I remembered to do so, and did not actually expect this person to show up. The day of the workshop arrived. I was standing in the welcoming, beautiful lobby of Yoga Home and in walks my neighbor! I was so thrilled to see him there. The story I made up was that this was not in his usual comfort zone.

He was greeted so kindly and warmly by the people at the front desk. My co-dependent tendencies were quelled because I could feel the genuine welcome he was receiving as a totally brand new yoga student. In the yoga classroom, I felt so thankful to be able to have enough bolsters/blankets/blocks/straps and eye pillows to make sure all students had the means to create soft, gentle nests for themselves. My neighbor stayed for the entire two hour workshop and afterwards he told me how thrilled he was and how much he had enjoyed it. I was so surprised! I know that usually, for people who are new to yoga and stillness and meditation, sitting in silence can be quite uncomfortable. I was touched that he had not only stayed but that he was expressing appreciation. Wow.

About two weeks after this workshop I ran into my neighbor again in the street. He came to me and again, thanked me so much for that experience. He told me that he had been “using some of the techniques” that I had taught in the workshop and that it was helping him already! He expressed great interest in returning to Yoga Home to continue to study.

I share this story because….

A) I am honored to teach at Yoga Home and to have so much gorgeous, tender, loving support from everyone who works at the studio AS WELL AS THE STUDENTS. What a lovely community.

B) I invite myself to remember that I can never know the impact I might have on another human simply by being warm and open.

And C) How amazing it is that I am able to share these practices with others. I sometimes forget how helpful and healing the practices of stillness can be for people. I am so grateful for this reminder. Thank you, neighbor. And thank you to Cyndi Leroy Lee for your example and helping me to become a teacher. <3

Natalie Levin frequently teaches workshops at our studio… be sure to check the events schedule to see when she is here next!