Cover for Arturo's latest meditation CD“When you see a student needs help, ask yourself one question: does she need space or support?” ~ Arturo Peal, Teacher
During my last teaching session this weekend in my therapeutic yoga teacher training, I had a student, Rebecca, who was having a tough time getting comfortable on her side. I placed more padding under her hip and that didn’t help. I called Arturo over and rather than just telling me what to do, he asked me a question to help me find my way – the mark of an exceptional teacher. “Does she need space or support?” he asked me. The support under Rebecca’s hip didn’t help, so she what she needed was space so her hip could relax. “And how can you give her space?” Arturo asked me. “Prop under the rib cage and under the knee so the hip floats,” I replied. He smiled his big, beautiful smile, and moved on. It was the proudest moment of my weekend. Maybe even the proudest moment of my teaching.
After the class, Arturo told me he had learned this question of space and support from Judith Lasater, a brilliant P.T. and yoga teacher who is deeply associated with therapeutic yoga. Arturo took a number of anatomy workshops with her as part of his holistic wellness training. Arturo has deep and varied credential as a certified yoga therapist and anatomy instructor, and also has a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a certified Craniosacral Therapist, and earned a 4th degree black belt in Aikido, “the Way of harmonious spirit”. He’s been teaching and working with students in all of these areas for 30+ years, and his accumulated, assimilated, deep wisdom shows in his manner and in all of his instruction. I highly recommend taking a workshop, retreat, or class with him whenever you have the chance.
I’ve thought a lot about the quote above by Arturo over the past few days. The best parts of yoga I find are in their application way off the mat – as we’re walking through our day, interacting with others, and building lives and relationships. Whenever we see someone with any kind of need, whether that’s an adjustment in a yoga posture, a problem at work, a problem in a relationship, or in dealing with an emotion like anger, trauma, sadness, loss, frustration, or anxiety, there is always an answer to the question, “do they need support or space?” Does someone need a hug or do they need to be left alone? Do they need advice or do they just need someone to listen silently?
Every challenge we face needs either support or space – the key to transformative care, teaching, and healing that helps students on the deepest levels is to know which to apply when.
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
4 thoughts on “Beginning: Help Someone in Need with Space or Support”
I sensed a really nice warm soft feeling after reading this blog. How easy, just stop and thinking about what the other person needs – and fill that need if you can.
Yes, it is necessary to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Reading this post also gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Your sentiments are noble and your ideas are helpful.
I think a lot of students could potentially benefit from a guru like you.
By teaching yoga, you are going to make a positive difference to the lives of so many people out there. Wish you all the best on your yogic journey.
Christa Avampato 
I sensed a really nice warm soft feeling after reading this blog. How easy, just stop and thinking about what the other person needs – and fill that need if you can.
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So true! It really is about just observing.
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Christa,
Thank You.
Yes, it is necessary to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Reading this post also gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Your sentiments are noble and your ideas are helpful.
I think a lot of students could potentially benefit from a guru like you.
By teaching yoga, you are going to make a positive difference to the lives of so many people out there. Wish you all the best on your yogic journey.
Cheers.
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Thanks so much, Archan. This is an exciting time!
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