Dear Oprah,

As of late, I have been at the call of studios around town to teach when they need someone.

I need to make money. But more than anything, I won't do anything to make money if it doesn't make me feel good too.

I'm a teacher. I teach. And I sub. I substitute for the teacher that has fallen ill or for other circumstances.

There was a day, not too long ago, that I taught four classes at the place I call home, Liberation Yoga in Hollywood. A student had come out of class and told me that I was like a hero, coming to save the day when teachers couldn't make it to class. Ironically, this student happened to be in almost every one of the classes I subbed for the next two weeks. I only met her a handful of times. She came to gentle classes, level one classes. She could barely 'do' half of the poses I constructed for class but to have her in class was such a wonder. She shared with me that she had triumphed over Cancer a couple of times and that she was just here to feel the weight and strength and support of the floor beneath her and the people around her.

It's funny, because I always talk about Liberation as a place of support, feeling the ground beneath you and the energy around you to stay true to the intention of your practice. But, this isn't a student that comes to my regular classes. And yet, she feels what I talk about. She feels what we all feel when we come into this beautiful place. Liberation is something really special in Los Angeles. There are many wonderful studios in LA. I practice and teach at many of them, but when I come to Liberation, I am home. And when I teach there, I feel the freedom and liberation as a student and teacher. To meet this woman and know that she feels the same way, made me feel a wonderful kinship and confirmation that I was not alone in my community.

I look forward to seeing this woman and hope she comes to my class and the classes that I sub. When she is around, I feel her there. She is a light that is unlike any other.

I have a couple students that regularly come to my class and feel the same way about. When they are not there, it is noticed. When they are there, the energy changes, in a good way. And it doesn't matter what kind of day they are coming from, to have them there is goodness and bliss.

This one particular student that I speak/write of, inspired Lady Yoga. Lady Yoga is a superhero. She allows us as people to tap into our inner super hero when things get rough. When things get difficult, we can come to yoga, our practice to feel strong and replenish our storage of peace, space and goodness to share with others.

Sometimes, we are stressed and stress gets the better of us, even yoga teachers...especially yoga teachers.

So, when this student told me that I was there to save the day when other teachers couldn't make it to class, she inspired my new persona, Lady Yoga, Superhero.

I heard the news today.

She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastasized lung cancer. The same thing that took my dad just nine months ago. The funny thing is, this woman has more life and zeal in her than my dad ever did. My dad didn't give up, but he had nothing left after years of battling cancer. My dad will always be my muse for yoga and inspiration in life, but this woman, has turned my inspiration over and allowed me to be...a super hero.

I've been on call. I've lost alot this year.

But I haven't lost my gift to teach.

This student, who is losing her life is giving so much to everyone around her.

Life abundant.

And for that I am forever grateful. I hope I will see her at Liberation. I hope she allows me into the life she has left.

She has allowed me into her life.

And she has been the greatest teacher and inspiration.

I feel her in my teaching. Like I feel my dad.

I'm so happy to have so many students that make my teaching better because they are there to share there light.

None of us teachers would be able to give if it weren't for the students that give so much back to us.

So, call me any time. I'll be there.

Namaste,

Lady Yoga