In the beginning...

In the beginning, we are very concerned about correctly pronouncing the mantra or prayer. We may be “doing it exactly right,” yet it may lack the most essential ingredient, devotion. The real power comes from the heart.

Devi, Nischala Joy (2010-03-25). The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman's Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras, Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

And so here goes my foray into teaching yoga. I'm naturally an over-thinker who likes to work out every single detail in advance. This is useful in some aspects of my life - like when my friends want me to act as their own personal travel agent - but in teaching yoga it was an impediment. The first time I taught a training class,  I had everything prepped out, down to the number of breaths per pose, gradually working class up to a pre-determined peak of asana and pranayama and then slowly unwinding from the peak down through a reverse pattern of poses to savasana. Great, right?

I got about 3 minutes in and my mind went totally blank.

It all worked out in the end, and I learned that being "authentic" is more important than being "prepared". Having a plan is only part of the process - and it's not the most important part by far.