The other evening I met a good friend of my husband who was an Orthodox Jewish Man. Instinctively, I reached my hand out to shake his and he kindly asked if he can refuse the shake. Immediately, I realized "What was I thinking? He can't touch me, it's his religion!!" I apologized and continued the conversation. I went home feeling embarassed and stupid for not remembering and thinking how offensive I must of come off to him. A few hours after I settled in at home, I started to think (and yes there was smoke :) ) Instead of feeling guilty I began to think how much he missed out. I'm usually a "hugger" not even a hand shaker that would have been horrible and completely a mess if I did that....isn't that a shame or is it better? The past almost 10 years of my life I have been studying the power of touch and I have seen so much healing happen from my two little hands.
I've spent time with women (3 to be exact) who were trying so hard to get pregnant and a little thai massage and some reiki later and they could relax and let God do his work and they were blessed with healthy babies. So where I am confused is why does this man's God (who is the same by the way) tell him something different and was "his" God right?
I'm reading a yoga book from Swamiji when he visited us this summer. In the book it says as yoga teachers we shouldn't touch. We are invading people's personal space and practice....interesting. Don't we all want a little attention? When I started to take yoga classes I looked forward to the adjustments especially in Savasana. So what do you think? To touch....or not to touch? That is my question. I would love feedback on this one!!
I just discovered your site, and have really enjoyed your postings! This one, especially, resonated with me, because I personally struggle with giving adjustments during my classes. With my regular students, I've established a relationship and know their preferences, but I am hesitant to adjust someone I don't know very well, because I know there are a lot of people out there who just don't like to be touched or feel as though it is invading their yoga practice. I do not hesitate, though, to physically adjust someone if they are doing a pose incorrectly in a way that can be harmful to them. Whether they like to be touched or not, to allow incorrect practice from a student would lessen the integrity of my teaching.
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