To teach is to share, to pass on knowledge, and to become vulnerable in front of the student. It requires courage and a humble confidence, and I have been honored to teach dentistry and TMJ-management concepts at the Pankey Institute for the past 8 years.
Along my journey, I have become fascinated with the interplay between the teeth, the jaws, and the rest of the body – this curiosity led me to discover connections during massage, yoga, body work, and more – I would wonder, why does my bite change after a vigorous asana practice, when I have completely relaxed into Savasana? And, if my bite changes after yoga, does that happen for others??? And, as a dentist, is that significant or what!
Ever on the quest to draw new meaning from everyday experiences, I took a deeper dive into yoga, and recently completed the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program at Peachtree Yoga Center in Sandy Springs. My goals were to deepen my own practice and to further my understanding of the mystery behind this ancient and beautiful practice – I emerged with a renewed passion for teaching, and an openness to allowing the gentle spirit of a yoga teacher to shape how I bring myself to my daily work in dentistry and in teaching others. And, most exhilarating: a desire to continue the journey of connecting my specific area of expertise with everyday experiences for my patients.
photo credit to smlp.co.uk