Day 36 of Challenge (60/60), Class#37 ~ World Champions!

It’s finally here the day of the World Champions, Jospeh Encinia and Yukari Miwa, at our studio! I definitely think it was fate that the seminar and teaching was on the same weekend as my birthday! I woke up very excited to get to the studio early for a good spot in the room. I knew it would be packed and I wanted to avoid the whole claustrophobia thing that happens to me if I am in the middle of the room with no sight of myself in the mirror surrounded by a ton of people.

I made sure to pack a snack and take extra clothes because I was staying for the demonstration and Q & A afterward. I also had a plan to make sure I made some type of contact whether intentional or not with the champions… I figured just touching them would pass on their championship juices!

When I got to the studio it was just buzzing with the 10am class ending and everyone arriving to take the class and seminar with Joseph and Yukari. I went in and got a good spot in the front right corner next to the mirror. I was also right next to Lisa T.  Jospeh and Yukari were already both in the room practicing some poses and they just glowed with this incredible light and energy. It just made you happy to be around the both of them.

Everyone in the locker room was so excited to take class and just be in the presence of a champion. Most of the teachers were there and so many of my yoga friends. It was like a fun reunion for sure. At the beginning of class, Joseph announced that he and Yukari were going to tag team and teach the class in both English and Japanese. What a treat. I have to say when she went through the second set in Japanese, the posture did seem to go faster. For some reason during the floor series, I was overcome with some emotion that made me cry a little class. I can’t really explain what it was because I wasn’t sad or upset about anything. I think I was just overcome with the energy in the room and being present in that moment learning something that I absolutely love. I am glad it happened to me because it makes me realize I am exactly where I am supposed to be when I take class.

The class went by so fast because it was bilingual and just the whole experience of it all. Yukari and Joseph have great senses of humor and really made the class so much fun with joking and lightheartedness. It just was such a treat and I am grateful that our studio brought them in for the weekend. During the class, Joseph announced that the Advanced Posture Clinic was not just for teachers and competitors and that it was open to everyone. He encouraged everyone to come and at least just sit down in the back and watch what happens. At that moment, I thought I have to go to this class. In a million years I never thought I would be in an Advanced Class. Never say never is definitely something that is becoming a repetitive theme in my life.

After class we had a break before the demo and Q & A session. I took that opportunity grab a couple photos with the Champs. 

Me and Joseph Encinia (2011 World Male Champion)

   

Me and Yukari Miwa (2011 Female World Champion)

 

Both Yukari and Joseph were so approachable and easy to talk to. It was a pleasure and honor to take class and see them perform their demonstration. Their stories are both so inspiring. Before Joseph began his demo he said,” Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit of my soul with you today.” That just really struck a chord with me. For both Yukari and Joseph you can tell the yoga comes from a different place, it is a very spiritual place for them and it really comes across in how they treat others around them and their humility.