Z's First Mysore Class

Zora attended her first mysore class this morning. Just the fact that Zora (25 months tomorrow--or 2 years 1 month for those of you who don't like to count in months) was welcomed with open arms into Nancy's class adds to why I love Nancy Gilgoff so much! That's right, mysore with Nancy means that we're on Maui right now! Alex and I have attended a few of Nancy's workshops in various locations, and have always loved practicing with her. I truly feel blessed to know her and to have had my practice touched by her. It felt really special to practice at her shala.

When we let Nancy know we'd be in Maui, we told her that we both wanted a chance to practice at her shala, so we were planning on taking turns (one staying home with Zora while one went to the shala). Nancy said that her shala had seen many children and that Zora was more than welcome to join us. My home practice has been pretty much non-existent since Zora was born. I typically need to get out of the house if I want to do a full practice, so I didn't have high expectations, though I was willing to try. Alex and I decided that today I'd be "in charge" of Zora, meaning that I would practice, but if it was obviously not working out, I would stop my practice and take her out to play. Next time it will be Alex's turn.

When we arrived at the shala (after a wrong turn, but a very nice man with a wave tattoo on his shoulder set us straight--even though he insisted that he knew of no such yoga studio!), Nancy wasn't there yet, but several of her students were. They were all very friendly with Zora, and we set my mat up in the corner of the room and put out a few toys and books for her. Next Nancy's assistant Casie arrived, and gave us, and especially Zora, a very warm welcome. Then Nancy arrived, and it was really wonderful to see her again, and to get to introduce her an Zora to each other.

Zora "adjusting" me in baddha konasana at home

Zora and I played outside while the class did some meditation and then the opening prayer (which Zora totally recognized and wanted to go in and join them!). When they were all done, Nancy invited us back in, and I began my practice. For the first few minutes, Zora just sat and stared--dumbfounded! If you have never been in a mysore class, you should try it sometime. The energy is amazing. Zora has seen Alex practice quite a bit, and me somewhat, but she has never been in a room full of practitioners. The breath alone is a powerful force. Zora was also intrigued by Nancy and Casie who were walking around the room giving people adjustments. While I was in utthita parshvakonasana, Zora put her two hands on my hips and said "I'm holding you, Mama". It was the first adjustment I've received from her, aside from when she climbs on top of me during a posture. She also sat on my lap during navasana, which made the posture pretty much impossible. She told me "I want to sit in your boat", which is funny because navasana is the boat posture.

This was the first time I met Casie, and I immediately trusted her and felt comfortable with her adjustments. She has different adjustments from Nancy, but the energy is very similar, in that they are both very nurturing. Casie really won me over though, in the way she interacted with Zora. She was so sweet with her, and kept playing with Zora and talking with her (all the while, still going around the room and giving adjustments). I felt nervous a few times that Zora's chatter might be bothering some of the other practitioners, but Casie kept assuring me that it was fine. Zora is typically quite careful when on the back of my mat, and will ask "Are you jumping back, mama?", so she can get out of the way. Today though, Zora started doing her own jump-backs! She started off jumping back and landing on her knees (which seems like it would be painful, but she was fine), then Casie showed her how to land on her feet. It was really sweet!

After class, several of the students remarked how cute Zora was (who wouldn't think that?), and how fun it was having her in class. Nancy also mentioned how important she thinks it is to have kids in class from time to time so that the practitioners don't take themselves too seriously. As a parent, it feels really wonderful to have places where my daughter is welcome. We don't live in a very child-centered or parent-supported culture, so it's easy to feel like an inconvenience to others. I am grateful to have had this experience today.

My plan had been to make it through the sun salutations, and perhaps most of the standing postures, if things were going well with Zora. In the end, I made it all the way to supta kurmasana, before I knew it was time to start the closing (I did the short closing). I really can't believe I made it that far! Now, if I can only figure out how to get Nancy and Casie to our house every morning to adjust me and play with Zora--that would make for a really great home-practice!