I love My Weeble

One of the things that keeps me doing the on-the-mat yoga practice is the people who practice with me. I’ve got some wonderful “regulars” who bring all kinds of enthusiasm and energy and laughter to my classes, and they are a big reason I do this.

I have many favorites, but chief among them is my Weeble. This man has been practicing yoga with me for the better part of a year and a half. He introduced himself when he first came to my class, he asked for help and guidance, and he just radiated personable and friendly. He is a good soul.

In the time I’ve had with him, I’ve watched him really transform his body; he’s learned to equalize the strength and cardio work that he does with stretching and balancing, and he’s learned to become far more aware of where his body is in space than he was when he started. His approachable and easygoing nature (and his own willingness) have allowed me to use him as a model to the class on occasion - his form is such that he’s an excellent example to follow. I can ask him to put himself out of alignment and then to self-correct so that other participants can see in an actual body what I’m asking them to do in words. Weeble has made suggestions for my teaching that have made my classes better and I can go to him knowing that I’m going to get candid and thoughtful feedback. He is quick to laugh and will try just about anything - he’s not afraid to fall over or to look a little silly while he’s learning something new. He’s been a steadfast supporter of my work in YNG, and has offered to be my “guinea pig” for any new adjustments or tricks I might learn. He is, in short, a perfect participant/partner in a yoga class; he sets a great example and has a wonderful and positive attitude.

More than that, Weeble is my friend. We don’t see much of each other outside of the health club, but we stay in touch via email. We’ve discovered that we have a lot in common - not the least of which being a slightly more than inappropriate sense of humor. We nearly fell over when we found ourselves in the same McDonald’s during the last YNG weekend; it’s such an un-yogi place to eat, but there we were, he with his son, me with my family (and in my yoga clothes - I was on my lunch break from YNG), laughing about whether or not french fries were going to mess with my prana. We are comfortable with each other. He is a good soul.

There are a lot of people who make my on-the-mat practice a real joy, and this man is one of them. I’m grateful to my practice for bringing people like my Weeble into my life.