Even yogis get the blues. Life isn’t always rainbows and puppy dogs. And sometimes, even the most self-aware, roll-with-the-punches, find-the-silver-lining type people go through periods when their well is dry.
I remember vividly a point in my life where I would walk into my classes to teach feeling utterly empty wondering what on earth I was going to say to my students that day. It was surprising when someone would come over to thank me at the end of class, and even more so when people bestowed the ultimate compliment a teacher can receive- that something had touched and inspired them (Are you a yoga teacher too? Check this out)
What I found fascinating was that my own experience of teaching was so different than the one my students were expressing. To me, it felt like I had done and said everything I was teaching a thousand times in a thousand ways but for certain students, something resonated. Interestingly, when I felt lost in the midst of a spiritual wasteland, something was happening in the dynamic of my classes that held me and my students together very closely. I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but it did lead me to examine the idea is inspiration. How do you find it?
A few weeks ago during a Project One session, we had a discussion about confidence and inspiration. We gathered that the qualities of an inspired person were present in someone who is confident and vice versa. Both are magnetic, powerful, full of energy, magical, strong in stance and voice and radiate which makes anyone close to them feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves.
While closely examining and trying to differentiate between confidence and inspiration, we found that confidence very concrete and identifiable. It is something you can spot in a person and is most noticeable in action while it is being projected outward. Inspiration on the other hand, is more of an experience one feels internally and can be very personal. Inspiration as an invisible fuel to be absorbed. Those who are nourished by it when the muse strikes, seem to shine. If you want to witness this for yourself, go see an artistic performance given by a true master and pay attention to people’s eyes as they take it in. (Bonus points if you are seeing the Yin Yang connection here).
Types of Inspiration
Lotus-Flower Inspiration
One woman in our discussion said that she was ashamed to admit that most of her inspiration came from negative things. What moved her most was when a situation was no longer tolerable and she felt highly charged to find a new, creative solution or outlet. I call this brand of inspiration lotus flower inspiration, because that beautiful spiritual symbol that we all see often as yogis, actually grows from the muckiest of muck. Surrounded by very difficult elements, this a tiny thing persists despite the weight of water, mud, insects and other pond goodies to rise up and bloom. Sometimes the ugliest of challenges can inspire beautiful wonderful things.
Aspiration Inspiration
Another way type of inspiration can be found when you are sparked by someone doing something totally brilliant. For all of you Yogis out there, go to any master class and watch a teacher perform advanced inversions. You will be inspired to do the work needed as you aspire to learn as much as they know. Having something to aspire to, is often the inspiration that motivates you to put in the time and hard work to get there.
Boot Camp Inspiration
Anytime someone else sees your potential more clearly than you do and points it out to you, I would consider this Boot Camp inspiration. You may kick, scream and cry in attempt to deny your own deeper capacity (I sure have), but your coach/ mentor or very patient friend just won’t let you get away, you slippery devil.
This one often leads to big breakthroughs and major shifts of self identity. One of my favourite teaching moments is when this happens to one of my students. They deny that they are “good enough” to do something like a forearm balance to me and their partners who are helping them, right up until the second they are in it. This is probably the only time it is totally appropriate to say “I told you so”. :)
Relational Inspiration
Have you ever worked on a project with people who were just as interested and invested as you were?
Ideas start to bounce around, creative juices start to flow and you feel like you are part of a winning team. This is relational inspiration at it’s finest. You feel like you have entered the Chamber of Awesome and that all is possible because you have the best team on the planet (Shout out to Steve and the Project One team). Together you are free to explore and create things that you couldn’t conceive of before your relationship began.
What other types of inspiration are out there? Let me know in the comments below
PS Later this week, we will talk about what to do with inspiration once the muse strikes (i.e. how to keep it), so don’t forget to subscribe to this blog up there on the right so you don’t miss it!
