Ann Harmon

[Ann Harmon]

I enjoyed reading your essay. I am working on recognizing everything as practice, but I too love my meditation practice. Thought to be honest, my commitment to it means that sometimes I’m checking the clock and meeting my commitment instead of just sitting there doing nothing. Thanks for your wise words. You are amazing.

[Ann Harmon]

Thanks Kelly. You gave me food for thought. I too feel many of your challenges. And I too loved your “Heightened humble awareness of (and comfort with) what you don’t know. That is something I will be working on. So beautifully put.

[Ann Harmon]

My gifts are
1. Thanks to yoga, I have found most students are open and receptive to what you have to teach. I have been taught that I am in a particular class for a reason and even if the teacher is not my cup of tea and I remain open to receive whatever the gift is. I attempt to convey that when I teach yoga and meditation.

2. I love to learn and love to share what I learn.

3. I particularly enjoy working with beginners, and am gentle with them and caring.

4. When my “imposter syndrome” sets in, I have learned to “act as if”. I act as if I am a gifted teacher and I keep the focus on giving a gift to my students. In the end I receive so much from their smiles and goodness, and openness to receive.

My challenges:

!. Self confidence. I feel as though I never know enough. And get a little flabbergasted when asked a question I don’t know the answer to.

2. I can rush a bit when nervous.

3. I can overdo the cues.

4. Silence is hard for me. My mind gets busy with silence, and it’s been good for me to sit in the silence to train myself to let go. That has been helpful in letting the silence be for others that i teach.

I would also like to say i very grateful you are all in this class with me. Your comments and questions have been wonderful. I was always one that didn’t care for question and answer periods, because often people share because they want to demonstrate how much they know. But I let those judgements go in this class and found that I loved the q&a as much as the straight teaching from Susan. I’ve learn a lot from you all and was happy to share this time with you.

[Ann Harmon]

Karen, that was so sad. ALS is a horrible disease. So sorry for your loss. So lovely how you handled it when the time came to tell your mother and the neighbors.

[Ann Harmon]

I really appreciated the clarity and beauty of Susan’s description of being there for others and stepping back to feel what needed to be felt.

I have experienced this as a yoga teacher. I always believed that a well planned class and knowing how each pose feels in my body to be important as I teach a yoga class. This is amplified in a Restorative Yoga workshop. I wanted my students to feel “restored” after class so I gave all my attention to diffusing a beautiful relaxing scent, lighting a candle, dimming lights etc. I carefully assisted them in setting up props for each pose and watched carefully as you can stay in a supported yoga pose for up to 20 minutes. I would observe any signs of discomfort, as students will sometimes stay in a position even though they are uncomfortable so they don’t disrupt the other students.
On occasion, there have been times where I had worries or even chaos in my life, but I gave myself time to feel my feelings before and after.

I also have experienced this as a parent, giving my children the space to tell me their problems and challenges, without throwing my stuff into the mix, or thinking I can fix it or make it better. I am speaking of my adult children. Sometimes it means crying together

[Ann Harmon]

Kate, what remarkable maturity as a high school student being so present as a director and when obstacles occurred you took the space to feel your feelings and then put on a brave, action oriented face to everyone so the play could go on. Very moving.

[Ann Harmon]

Kate, that was such a well thought out yet a very real and lovely example of “true” and “idiot” compassion. Thank you. I have experienced idiot compassion for sure. I have to keep coming back to the reality that I am powerless to fix most things, especially to other people and that it is much more valuable to make space and listen.

[Ann Harmon]

Anne, that was so beautiful to read. I feel as though I finally have an understanding of Idiot Compassion. How wonderful that you can be there for people, whether it your children, family or friends, and keep your “self”. Knowing you can feel some of their pain, but not dissolve it or fix it. It is being true to yourself and being there for others. Thank you.

[Ann Harmon]

It seems to me that “idiot” compassion is the idea of thinking you are being compassionate by avoiding conflict, or as Susan says being “nicey-nice” when situations call for you to set boundaries, stand up for yourself, or say something disagreeable. It can mean saying the courageous thing not the nice thing to avoid conflict. True compassion is knowing when to listen, when to say something, making space for someone to tell what they need to tell. Sometimes it means not saying anything at all, just being there.

[Ann Harmon]

David, your concern and care of your students is beautiful to read. I wish I had you as a teach in fifth grade. Your students are very lucky.

[Ann Harmon]

Thank you for your very thorough essay on the 4 “R”s. I will take a look at Davids longer video tonight to gain a greater understanding. Your experience of running a meditation center is useful in gaining a perspective on this matter and I appreciated it.
Ann

[Ann Harmon]

The four “r”s, Realize, Recognize, Respond, and Retraumatization are very barely descibed in this video. It is an intro to the class. I honestly feel that with my 20 years experience as a yoga teacher, I have been pretty skilled at these 4 “r”s. I check in with new students to see where they are coming from. And since there isn’t touching involved, as there is often with yoga, such as pose adjustments, I’m not as worried about re-traumatization.

I think if you practice the 4 Karmas, such as creating a peaceful environment, have an enriching quality to your leadership, and keep a sense of awareness of the students, that is the best way to approach possible trauma. Ive taught 100’s of yoga students of all types and I find that if you ask permission, to enter their space, to touch them, etc, everything is fine. Most of all be kind and respectful.

[Ann Harmon]

The four “r”s, Realize, Recognize, Respond, and Retraumatization are very barely descibed in this video. I honestly feel that with my 20 years experience as a yoga teacher, I have been pretty skilled at these 4 “r”s. I check in with new students to see where they are coming from. And since there isn’t touching involved, as there is often with yoga, such as pose adjustments, I’m not as worried about re-traumatization.

I think if you practice the 4 Karmas, such as creating a peaceful environment, have an enriching quality to your leadership, and keep a sense of awareness of the students, that is 90% of the time. Ive taught 100’s of yoga students fo all types and I find that if you ask permission, to enter their space, to quite them, etc, everything is fine.

[Ann Harmon]

That was a beautiful description of dealing with pain I could see that the only way out is through. You described that perfectly. And your description of fear is so right on for me. Thank you and I wish you well.

[Ann Harmon]

Betsy, I love the way you describe the shift that happens when you meditate. I relate to that. It sounds beautifully kind to you. Sometimes its easier to be kind to others than it is to ourselves. Thanks for the reminder,.

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