PUSHTI: April 2024, Power of Touch
Sahanā vAvatu Saha Nau Bhunaktu Saha Vīryam Karavāvahai
Tejasvi Nav-Adhītam-Astu Mā Vidvishāvahai
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih.
Accept us both together. Protect us both together. May our knowledge and strength increase. May we not resent one another.
1996 I walked into Jivamukti Yoga School for the first time, 2nd Ave, East Village, NYC on Saturday at 2pm for David Life’s class. Hungover and ears ringing from my band’s gig the night before, I took off my armor of 501s, engineer boots, and leather MC jacket and put on a pair of checkered Umbro short shorts from 1986 and entered – late, to a sold-out class with my fire-engine-red hair and sat down in the center row of a dark room with harmonium and a collective Ommmmm swirling in the ether. WTF. Later, I was assisted in bound extended side angle (Utthita Parsva Konasana), whereas my wrists were grabbed and pulled together – one arm behind my back and the other underneath my front thigh – so I could bind my hands together. I had no clue I was able to do such a thing. Long story short, it was a shock, unexpected. It was a declaration – it was a revelation. His move felt courageous, gutsy, and strangely knowing and compassionate. Laying on my back in final relaxation (shavasana), I received a neck and skull massage, and a voice arose in my awareness: “You will do this someday,” and I cried.
Over time came the insight that my life (and many others) was largely impoverished of a healthy, intentioned touch – a basic human need, and receiving it was revolutionary. Having been trained by Jivamukti co-founders Sharon Gannon & David Life and later teaching at the NYC schools and leading the teacher trainings, I have come to know the potency of touch, and a skilled yoga assist is one of the foremost incredible and powerful experiences for student and teacher. Besides daily meditation, it is unparalleled in bringing a great loving kindness and acceptance of one’s self. Love is the teacher.
Touch heals. That’s a fact. A non-verbal language of deep communication. To develop the necessary trust, as teachers, we invoke the above Vedic teacher/student prayer (a Shantih Mantra), so that we align with the highest intention of serving another’s deepest desire for truth, freedom, and happiness – so that the best, most ethical environment is created before we place our hands on a student to assist an asana. As students, we can allow a receptivity to take part in this symbiotic dance. Without elevating our intention, ego gets involved, making way for confusion and ulterior motives.
A culture of peace is not possible without touch. A peacefully intended touch dissolves our armor and cultivates trust. Allowing touch in yoga class may invite controversy in our time. But staying away altogether because of the potential issues and triggers is never a solution. Besides, you can always opt out with a gentle “no thanks.” Yoga is still for you. Ultimately, we have an opportunity to elevate one another.
In Yoga we dwell,
Jeffrey
April 2024