The Power of Human Connection in Yoga

I’ve been doing yoga for a few years, but this year I’ve been going to regular classes.

My relationship with yoga is changing. I’ve started doing pilates, and that seems to have built the muscles I’ve needed to really enjoy my yoga practice. It’s been wonderful for my confidence during yoga sessions, because holding yoga poses, feeling your body stand in it’s full strength, is the ultimate power. A pure, sacred power. It’s a wonderful feeling.

This morning, at my hot yoga class, I used my new mat for the first time. Beautiful, soft purple, and a gift from my family for my birthday. I’m inspired by beautiful things, so I having my new mat with me was always going to be a lovely experience.

What I didn’t expect, though, was how lovely today’s class would be. The Yoga teacher, who I find extremely impressive on a regular day, went above and beyond the experience she delivers at her usual yoga classes.

At the end of class, as I lay in a relaxing pose called savasana (which is just a fancy way of saying, ‘lay on your back and chill for a bit) the teacher took hold of my ankles, lifted my legs, and pulled them towards her.

It was intimate. Her body was wedged between my legs, so she could grip hard enough to pull in a way that would stretch my body to the degree it needed. She could feel the sweat on my body: I could feel the sweat on hers.

Putting all my trust in my teacher, I relaxed and allowed her to follow her instincts.

Meanwhile, I surrendered and let go.

So many limiting beliefs fell away during that moment. One of them being: no one would ever want to touch my gross, sweaty body without judging. But here she was. An almost stranger saying to me: I accept all of you, as you are. Sweat and all.

It fills my heart with such tenderness, the knowledge that slowly, through experiences like this, I am learning to trust people again.

That people can be so beautiful with the generous gifts they offer.

That our connection can be so deep and profound.