LeslieUpchurch.com

Ego blocks our best work.  

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Most of my discoveries come in Bikram Yoga class - the new practice in my life.  It informs my teaching and my performing.  This past Tuesday I hurt my back picking up a very small student - they were under 2 years old.  I usually pick up my students - ages 4 and under - and have them sit on my lap to play good bye on the piano.  The notes are 5 1 5 1 - good bye their name.  It is in different keys because it is linked to the final song that I sing in class.

When I went to Birkam Yoga just after getting hurt, I could not do everything.  The next evening - Weds. - I went to class with absolutely no expectations.  I had the most fun in class I have ever had.  I knew I did not have to do anything in particular.  This is always true, but somehow I always look at it differently.  I am always thinking about how I look, how high my leg is, if I can balance, etc.

When I teach I sometimes miss the mark because I am trying to teach too much.  I am trying to show what i can do.  That is deadly.  This week I was feeling really nervous about teaching feeling I had not done well in a previous day.  Then, in walked two adorable students in their Halloween costumes.  They were dressed as a lion and a butterfly.  These two students are twin siblings.  It started my lesson so well to use their inspiration.  

I also watched the video by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love.  She discusses the artistic and genius.  It is great to realize that our creativity is something that is not us, but outside of us.  I have in the past visualized music "up there" coming down through the top of my head and out my mouth, when I was singing.  It helped.  I will continue to do this visualization more.

Music is out there and we are a part of this.  We channel it to and with each other.