I dislike crowds. I’m sensitive to “personal space.” Arms length away from my neighbor is ideal. Energetically, that’s about the size of our aura. When people are crowding into me, energetically and physically, I feel crushed and agitated. This happens at malls, festivals, restaurants and overcrowded yoga classes. When I find myself in a class like that, in my heart, I know I should just leave, but I always end up staying because I’m there anyway and I don’t want to hurt the teacher. The teacher is beaming, but I’m suffering… claustrophobic and modifying my practice to stay within my “yoga mat island.” I’m practicing yoga in a “glass box” and have to consciously think about every move and what limb might reach into a neighbor’s space, the wall or radio. I dream of big flowing movements I’m not allowed to take, like swan dives and supine twists. I must keep my eyes open instead of dwelling within. Finally class ends, but the irritation continues. I have fitful dreams that night of taking a yoga class and crowds of people arrive and surround me. I run away in frustration, outside, where I can scream and BREATHE! And then I’m dwelling on it the next day. I’m grateful that the yoga classes I teach are moderate in size, with enough space for us all to move freely.
