Yoga Teachers of Colorado

A Teacher's Search for Karma
by Suzanne Matthews

Several years ago, I noticed that all of my students were upper middle class suburbanites. I was struck by the thought of all the people who desparately need the techniques we teach and can never afford to belong to a recreation center or attend a yoga studio. I was seeking a way to meet those most in need.

Barb DeCet told me of her experience working through Family Tree. I called Mary Brook, the volenteer coordinator, and found that all of their properties were in West Denver, Arvada, Wheatridge; far from my availability. A year later, Mary called me back and told me that Family Tree was opening a new facility in Englewood, House of Hope. I was the first volenteer.

House of Hope is a residential center for homeless families, where the Mother is the head of the household. I have many wonderful stories and experiences from meeting these amazing women and children. I will share the story of Enrique.

Enrique is an angry, attention deficit, six year old. He and his Mother, Brenda, entered House of Hope and the decibel level rose immediately to 10. If someone was sitting quietly, Enrique would run over and slug them. If a child had a toy, Enrique would take it away. Mealtimes were a war zone of screaming and throwing food.

One evening, when Brenda and Enrique were out, the residents and I had a yoga circle. We took turns doing poses, and I taught some breathing techniques. When Enrique arrived, the first move he made was to crash into two of the children in the circle, causing them to fall into others. The room errupted into chaos as mothers yelled at Brenda to control her child, and children began yelling and fighting. I asked Brenda, "May I touch your son?" She said yes. I quietly took Enrique by the shoulders and walked him down the hall toward the toy room. He looked up at me and said, "Are you going to hit me?"

My heart went out to this poor wounded child. "Of course not. I would never hurt you. I have something I must show you." We entered the toy room and I asked him if he knew what a crocodile was. He said he did. We both lay down on our stomachs, folded our arms, and buried our heads. I told him to breathe, very quietly, very sneakily, because we were in dangerous waters and we were sneaking up on our food. The we lifted our heads and snapped our arms like the jaws of a crocodile, then buried our faces again. I told him that the Crocodile was his power animal, and that whenever he went into that pose, he became very strong.

For the next six weeks, every Saturday and Sunday evening, Enrique met me at the door. I taught him one pose every day and then, he would show me the other ones he knew. The residents were amazed at the calm I could find in this child; that isn't quite correct, rather the calm he could find in himself.

Brenda and Enrique ended up moving back to Arizona where they have family. I like to think that he remembers the Crocodile and calls upon him from time to time.

I spend from 2 - 6 hours weekly at House of Hope. They are the best hours in my week. Blessings to Family Tree.

You may contact YTOC by
phone: Erin Mathiason, 303.907.2087
mail: YTOC, P.O.Box 6849, Denver, CO 80206