Spread the Love

When I started my first apprenticeship my teacher gave me a list of things to think about before beginning to give adjustments to students. All were good, however, one really stuck with me:

10. I like to try to adjust everyone in class at least once. Many people can go all day without having another human being touch them. Spread the love.

And if it weren't for yoga, I think I'd fall into that category more often than I'd like to believe (though I do get a lot of love from Sophie and Henry, my cats). For me, it's not just the adjustments (though those usually feel fabulous), it's forming bonds with my teachers, fellow students, and my own students and taking the time to listen, to share a huge, a smile, or a handshake, or to just place a hand on a shoulder. They're simple gestures but, at least for me, they truly make my day. If I'm having a bad day a simple hug, smile, or touch can drastically lift my spirits and if things are going well, it makes my day even better and maybe on my good days, it's my responsibility to make the extra effort to smile at someone, hug someone or provide a gentle touch.

According to a Polish weekly magazine, Polityka, "We need touch just as we need sunlight, water, and food...[When someone touches us,] our brain can perceive it, appreciate it, and change it into a smile, a better mood, or some other friendly gesture."

What got me thinking about the power of the human touch was a lady in one of my classes. When she first started coming to my class, I didn't know her well and I think I hesitated some with her mostly because I knew all of the other women well. But then one day, a few weeks ago, after class, she came up to me to thank me and gave me a hug. I couldn't help but smile. I felt like, in that moment, we forged a bond. And then last night after class I witnessed a beautiful thing. After sharing a hug with me, she made her rounds to the rest of the students and, again, I couldn't help but to smile. Granted all of these women are friends but how often do they actually take the time to give one another a hug? Not often enough and last night I felt like their bonds grew even deeper and, though my role is small, I think yoga and the human touch are working their 'magic' on this group of women.

So, spread the love. Share a hug, a smile, a handshake, a touch. A simple gesture can make all the difference in not only someone else's life, but also your own.