Teaching

75 entries in 2019 · oldest first

2019
Fresh off the plane, I strapped in for a bit of yoga. ⁣

These days, the yoga industrial complex is ripe with controversy and scandal— ranging from inappropriate student teacher interactions, to prop usage, to glorified Ponzi schemes. Of course, there’s a great deal of “this is Yoga” and “that’s not yoga” running around, too.
None of this, i am reminded, is yoga. ⁣

Yoga doesn't fear controversy nor does it fear innovation, because yoga is a state of being, not a static commodity to be bought or sold. ⁣

The esoterica of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya’s learnedness is sexy— especially for the appropriative sort— after all, he learned yoga from his guru in a cave, purportedly mastering thousands of asana under his teachers watchful eye. The intensity of the idea of that experience sometimes takes away from the fact that he also held degrees in all six vedic darshans (think: Indian philosophies). ⁣


He wrote books and taught teachers— including the teachers of my teachers— BKS Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and AG Mohan. I dare say he was an innovator. He also was firmly rooted in capital Y Yoga. ⁣


This is the lineage from which i come.
Not 5 hours into my stay in Goa, I made a point of finding my Iyengar teacher, Ian. Not unlike Rolf, he keeps no great internet presence— but I knew where to look. ⁣

Rolf and Ian shared a teaching space behind a cafe called Artjuna the first time I came to Goa. Ian still teaches here, but not today. ⁣

No, today one of his colleagues is holding a weekend workshop. The esteemed HS Arun, not unlike his teacher Iyengar, is an innovator in the use of props— particularly the chair. ⁣

I could not feel more lucky. It is not the journey to India that makes the yoga here so rich— it is the relationships. Ian and Rolf are dear friends, and Arun and Ian are too. I snuck into the back, grateful to be at the feet of my teachers- and glad to be inspired in the multitude of ways in which we can use this human experience to help people find the essence of Yoga. ⁣
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Values Over Rules⁣

When I first started teaching Ashtanga Yoga in the Mysore style, I took a trusted counselors advice and established boundaries around my student - teacher relationships that were as close to water tight as i could get. I wanted a total lack of porousness to ensure I was acting from an ethical and honest place. ⁣

Like many things, this served me well until it didn’t. My first apprentice’s Shala turns two this year— and I am oh so very proud of her. As i understand it, my highest aim as a teacher is to watch my student grow until one day they eclipse me. And well, ol’ girl is giving me one heckuva run for my money!⁣

As @livelyogini has grown, she has inspired a higher excellence in me, just as I have hoped to do for her. The symbiosis of the relationship is one of my greatest personal and professional joys. ⁣

Part of that includes a necessary shift in hierarchical overtones— she is my dear friend and trusted counsel now. In the grand scheme of things, it means that rules have to change as paradigms shift— and because none of this is Permanent, it is highly anticipatable that rules absolutely will. ⁣

No, rules don’t last forever. ⁣

But values might. Like love, compassion, valor, integrity, and friendliness. But hierarchies? They’re meant to crumble. ⁣

In @dcashtanga ’s most recent newsletter (are you signed up??) i shared a bit about how flowers have a capacity to hear bees, and how yoga relates. The truth is, some days youre the flower and some days you’re the bee— and we’re all just participating in making honey. ⁣

@ashtanganation is one heckuva hive— ⁣

Amrita Bindu Upanishad⁣

18. After studying the Vedas (that is recorded knowledge) the intelligent person who is solely intent on acquiring knowledge and realization should discard the Vedas altogether, like the man who discards husk to obtain rice?⁣

19. The milk is always white even though cows are of diverse colures. The intelligent person regards Jnana (learning) as the milk and the many branched Vedas as the cows.⁣

20. Like butter hidden in milk, pure consciousness resides in every being. That ought to be constantly churned out by the churning rod of the mind
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This comes highly recommended for anyone who has been exposed to ashtanga and would like to deepen their relationship and/or expand their toolkit. Jen is an excellent teacher. Not sure about the format? as a recent student via internet, my mind has thoroughly changed about its capacity — there is so much potential. Sign up, and tell her I sent ya.
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In some of the weirder corners of the yoga world, practice is said to create Amrita bindu— a sweet nectar that collects to bring about immortality. ⁣

According to tantric texts, it develops in the bindu chakra, found just under the cowlick. When awakened, this elixir of youth begins to drip down our throats. ⁣

As the great swedish chantuese @robynkonichiwa might say “come get your honey.” As we enter into 2019, I am filled with a great deal of excitement. It is time for growth— it is time for the Amrita to flow. ⁣

You know what they say... no mud, no lotus? Don’t you feel like 2018 has prepared us (well) to blossom?⁣

@dcashtanga shifts to the @eatonworkshop this March. ⁣

High potency practice, individualized. Wanna know more? Comment below ⤵️
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“Old is Gold,” Maria said approvingly of my decision to rent a scooter from the same gentleman as the last few years.

My land lady, in her gruffly-sing-song voice repeated herself "Old is gold,” as we eyed two uneven stacks of plastic chairs. Both were low enough to sit upon, though one was a good foot taller than the other.
Maria, being a solid foot shorter than me, took the lower stack, hefting her weight without concern.. Fearful I would break my stack (and consequently my ass and ego), I removed a single chair from the top and set it next to hers.

Here we are six years later.
The thing i love most about being both a student and a teacher in the ashtanga yoga tradition is the very same thing i love most about the human experience — developing relationship.

She shoulda told me to move the chair.
Join me and @dcashtanga at the @eatonworkshop starting March 4th.
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What are you willing to put your neck on the line for? Is it justice for all? Are you a Social Justice Warrior?⁣

It’s Black History Month in the states, and I see and hear very few white people celebrating/ commemorating/ commenting on the past of our black brothers and sisters. ⁣in the Ashtanga Yoga world, I have seen very few of my seniors taking up the sword for feminism, queer rights, or the empowerment of the disenfranchised. Heck, who has spoken up for sexual assault victims in our own community? ⁣

Why not? ⁣

Regular yoga practice begins to tear down the boundaries between “you” and “me” and “them” and “us”. It also emboldens and empowers the practitioner to make choices that lead to less long term suffering— as deeply entrenched as some of our own pain pain inducing habits and patterns are — and how precious the illusions seem. ⁣

Combine the two, the feeling of oneness between creatures and the desire for liberation from bondage and pain, and you almost can’t help but become an ally to those who are marginalized in a society in which you have sway. In fact, to not use your voice to elevate is an act of rite cowardice. ⁣

I love the term Social Justice Warrior. Take a look at this excerpt from the Bhagavad Gita and tell me if you can see why: ⁣

O Arjuna, the Atma that dwells in the body of all (beings) is eternally indestructible. Therefore, you should not mourn for any body. (2.30)⁣

Considering also your duty as a warrior you should not waver. Because there is nothing more auspicious for a warrior than a righteous war. (2.31)⁣

Only the fortunate warriors, O Arjuna, get such an opportunity for an unsought war that is like an open door to heaven. (2.32)⁣

If you will not fight this righteous war, then you will fail in your duty, lose your reputation, and incur sin. (2.33)⁣

People will talk about your disgrace forever. To the honored, dishonor is worse than death. (2.34)⁣ —

Join me at the @eatonworkshop this March for led classes and Mysore with @dcashtanga — hit me up for more info.
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If you ain’t growin’, you dyin’
It’s the last week of residency for @dcashtanga at @yogadragons — a place we are truly proud to have In our blood.
We shift to @eatonworkshop on March 4.
My teaching schedule this week:
**Mysore at @dcashtanga Wed-Fri
Wednesday & Thursday:
@eatonworkshop at 1:30
Friday:
@balancegym At 12.
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Maha Shivaratri and Meaning Divination⁣

Once a year, in late Winter, there is a Hindu celebration called Maha Shivaratri — which means "the Great Night of Shiva." For a number of years, I was fortunate enough to be in Mysore, India for this ostensibly solemn celebration. Shiva is a yogic icon, being considered “the Lord of Yoga.”⁣

For secular practitioners of yoga like me, the celebration is one for reflecting upon the infinite yet narrow intersection between destruction and regeneration— to wit, overcoming darkness and ignorance. Siva personifies that here. ⁣


Unlike most Hindu festivals which occur during the day, this one is held at night. You spend the event remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, non-injury to others, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.⁣

Whilst the vigils went all night long, what i remember when going from temple to temple was the look of sugar-wired excitement in the children’s eyes, getting to run around all night long. ⁣

Yes, as a secular observant of a sacred celebration, my memory banks were hard-codes with the pure joy and trouble and fun and exhaustion. ⁣

—-⁣
During the Vigil Night of Shiva, Mahashivaratri, ⁣
we are brought to the moment of interval ⁣
between destruction and regeneration; ⁣
it symbolizes the night ⁣
when we must contemplate on that which ⁣
watches the growth out of the decay. ⁣
During Mahashivaratri we have to be alone ⁣
with our sword, the Shiva in us. ⁣
We have to look behind and before, ⁣
to see what evil needs eradicating from our heart, ⁣
what growth of virtue we need to encourage.⁣
Shiva is not only outside of us but within us. ⁣
To unite ourselves with the One Self ⁣
is to recognize the Shiva in us.⁣

—The Theosophical Movement, Volume 72[⁣
—-⁣

On the dawn of Maha Shivaratri, @dcashtanga has our first day at the @eatonworkshop —⁣
Mon-Fri: 7-10a⁣
Mon-Thur: 5:30-7p. ⁣
Doors are 1/2 hour ahead. ⁣

Schedule:⁣
Mon 12:45-1:30 Ashtanga Lite @balancegym⁣
Tue 12:00-1:00 Flow/Vinyasa - Eaton
Wed 1:30-2:30. Flow/Vinyasa - Eaton ⁣
Thu 1:30-2:30 Flow/Vinyasa - Eaton
Fri 12-1 Atheltes Yoga - Balance
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There has to be a way to invite joy into the mundane. To encourage patience and persistence. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
If not, life would be one misery to the next, with only ever fleeting moments of bliss in between. It simply cannot be that. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
If there wasn't a way to mine ecstasy from the ordinary, what a cruel joke this human experience would be. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Anyone who is paying attention can see that the universe has a sense of humor-- and the joke might be dark, but it's not cruel. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Get out there and create. No one is going to have fun for you. ⁣

*** ⁣
Join me for backbends-- two parts: first 90 minutes of applied anatomy and then 90 minutes of play. Saturday, March 23rd 12-3:30 at @eatonworkshop -- Send me a note on here to sign up. It's gonna be super fun.
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“Look around and see if you can find a single genuinely happy person—fearless, free from inse­curities, anxieties, tensions, worries. You would be lucky if you found one in a hundred thousand. This should lead you to be suspicious of the programming and the beliefs that you and they hold in common. But you have also been programmed not to sus­pect, not to doubt, just to trust the assumptions that have been put into you by your tradition, your cul­ture, your society, your religion. And if you are not happy, you have been trained to blame yourself, not your programming, not your cultural and inherited ideas and beliefs. What makes it even worse is the fact that most people are so brainwashed that they do not even realize how unhappy they are—like the man in a dream who has no idea he is dreaming. ⁣

What are the false beliefs that block you from happiness?“ ⁣

— The Way to Love: The Last Meditations of Anthony de Mello (a Jesuit priest)⁣

—⁣
My teaching schedule is updated on the site (link in bio) and I’m teaching a backbends workshop this Saturday at @eatonworkshop In conjunction with @dcashtanga 12/23, 12-3:30 in two parts— anatomy first and practice second. ⁣

Come for either or both. Message me to sign up.
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spring sprang sprung!

Go forward long enough and you're gonna find yourself back where you started anyway-- might as well get into it. ---
A) backbend workshop at the Eaton Workshop this Saturday. Are you signed up? Message me for a spot. Anatomy 12-1:30, practice 2-3:30.
B) sending out a free class with the newetter. are you signed up?
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Calling all of the Fire Eaters! The hungry ones!

I have a few spots left for my backbending classes. Anatomy is 12-1:30, practice is 2-3:30! Come for one or both!

The anatomy will make your smarter and more useful to others and yourself.

The Asana playground will let you explore, create, imagine, PUSH and PLAY.

Get! Into! It!

The practice is going to be wild fun.

https://www.secure-booker.com/eatonwellness/ClassSchedule/ClassSchedule.aspx
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in imagerookieind Forgot to stop tracking my
@CharityMiles for @WFP after my
walking commute today, so 1 get
"credit" for getting to another great
lunchtime yoga class with
@michaeljoelhall at @balancegym too
THE WORLD
FOOD
PROGRAMME
3.6mi.
CHARITY MILES + BROOKS
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oh, it’s pretty. i don’t assign pretty. why do you think I might offer this? for which posture might this be therapeutic? guys: great job, @mikeybs345
in imagemikeybs345
Crossed-armed Camel, thanks
MJH
@MICHAELJOELHAL
oh, it's pretty
great job, @mikeybs345
i don't assign pretty. why
guys : do you think I mighe ofzer
this? for which posture
might this be therapeutic?
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Yoga for Self Inquiry — honing your sacred vision— a workshop... for getting under the surface and exploring the depths of your self. ⁣

We’ll talk philosophy, meditate, journal, and vision board. Best of all: we’ll be in community. ⁣

Friday, May 24 at 7pm — @eaton.dc — eventbrite link in bio.

What do you want to manifest?
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@michaeldumlao find your light. stand in it. You are exemplary.
in imageMichael Dumlao
8 hrs •
•••
Something I shared on the panel tonight: "In my experience,
the stereotypes of being gay - the permission for extroverted
flamboyance and extraness - cancel out the stereotypes of
being Asian - being introverted, passive and meek. Similarly
the stereotypes of being Asian - being hardworking and
focused - cancel out the other stereotypes of being gay -
being flippant and insubstantial. Whereas Asians are
perceived as the workhorse, never the show horse, the
gaysian can be both. When I was just Asian I was invisible.
But when I was both proudly gay and Asian, I compelled
them to never ignore me."
Apparently this resonated with some people :
@michaeldumlao
find your light. stand in
it. You are exemplary.
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Coming?
in imageEalun
eaton.dc
Coming?
Liked by marisapazik and 26 others
eaton.dc The Mysore style of Ashtanga yoga is taught
one-on-one in a group setting. There is truly no better way
to learn how to practice.
For beginners and experts alike, @michaeljoelhall of
@dcashtanga will be teaching a special one-hour class
taught consecutively over two days next week.
Tap 'get tickets' to reserve your spot via Eventbrite.
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link in (her) bio Go listen!!
@yogawhitney
in imageyogawhitney
Yoga Heights
Go listen!!
@yogawhitney
link in (her) bio
yogawhitney Hey guys- I did a little interview about the
new Mysore program I'm teaching @yogaheightsdc in
Takoma Park. If you want to get to know more about me
and my approach, check it out. The link to the interview is
in the bio. Have a wonderful weekend!
#dcyoga #asana #ashtanga #balance #flexibility
#practiceyoga #yogaforeverybody #yogapractice
#yogainspiration #yogastudent #yogateacher #yogi
#dcfitness #ashtangayoga #vinyasa #mysorestyle #yoga
#yogagram #yogalife#yogateacher #yogalove#yogapose
#yogadaily#yogaeveryday
.....
...hanadheiancalatamnanloi d.
•A--HinAA-
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yes @michellevisage
in imageyes emichellevisage
michellevisage
2,161 likes
michellevisage Seduction promo pic 1989. Makeup by
@debimazar styled by @maripolarama
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h/t @chrisnhamp
@bendelacreme (Chris is a great Ashtanga yoga teacher and Bendela is a dope queen. follow both!)
in imagechrisnhamp 10h
Explain to me
again why we
invite these
corporations to
march in our Pride
parades?
1. AT&T donated $2,755,000 to 193 anti-gay
politicians.
2. UPS donated $2,366,122 to 159 anti-gay
politicians.
3. Comcast donated $2,116,500 to 154 anti-
gay politicians.
4. Home Depot donated $1,825,500 to 111
anti-gay politicians.
5. General Electric donated $1,380,500 to
97 anti-gay politicians.
6. FedEx donated $1,261,500 to 75 anti-gay
politicians.
7. UBS donated $1,094,750 to 72 anti-gay
politicians.
h/t @chrisnhamp
Cbendelacreme
(Chris is a great Ashtanga
yoga teacher and Bendela is
a dope queen. follow both!)
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the timing of this... wow.
looking forward to spending some of October with my dear mentor at @suenodevida_ecu 7 years??
in imagethe timing of this... wow.
looking forward to spending
some of October with my dear
mentor at @suenodevida ecu
Kristen Krash
My colleague,, sometimes student, sometimes
teacher, and always dearest friend, Michael Joel Hall
is so imbued with the process of Ashtanga yoga and
his times in India with his mentors at Mysore and Goa,
1 am in full support, total respect, and a little awe of
his his dedication to his practice. As I slowly inch
toward the first rung on the Iyengar yoga teaching
ladder, I find that Michael and I continue to have so
much to share with each other from our different but
often converging paths. Yesterday, a simple car-share
meet up devolved in to a convo and mini session on
the benfits ofnpowerful seated twistings to correct
imbalances in the pelvis and ribs. Honestly, what
someone is in to, as long as he or she is in to it
sincerely, whole-heartedly, and walking the talk of the
chosen discipline, whatever it is, DO IT. And while I
tease Michael a bit about putting all his verbs in
present participle and dropping pronouns like his
teacher Shararth (there is no Michael, there is only
Zool:), as an adhimatra (intense) practitioner myself, !
get it. You can check out his Mysore program at Kali
yoga in Columbia Heights and be on the look out for
some joined forces workshops we are cooking up
between us. Respect, camaraderie, friendship, and
most importantly, the work--let's do it.
Cover photos • 3 Jul 2012 •
] years??
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Today I was lucky enough to get @dcashtanga ‘s own @mikestefani (@flowyogacenter ‘s evening Mysore guy!) to help me with some stuff I’ve been working on. We've done some of this together, and I needed a buddy to help me out, so we coached each other a little. ⁣

You might recognize some of it from what @yogawhitney (director of takoma @yogaheightsdc ‘s ashtanga program!!) and i were going through together. ⁣

Lots of fun, great care and patience, and boy it feels good. Maybe we should do another workshop?⁣

anyway, practice practice practice.
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Stolen, and presented without comment.
in imageDO MOLE
CCALLE
Conor Michael Casey
2 hours ago
Heres
your
so called
fitness journey
Stolen, and presented
without comment.
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in imageYour memories on Facebook
Michael, we care about you and the memories that
you share here. We thought that you'd like to look
back on this post from 7 years ago.
f
Michael Joel Hall
27 July 2012 at 12:21
I'm thankful for my teachers in all of their forms for
awakening me to the insight of the happiness of pure Being.
A place without the poison of conditioned existence, the
poisons of prejudice and hate. I'm thankful for my teachers,
who provided the antidote (like a jungle physician). That
antidote: be yourself. No hate. No prejudice. Just joy. Just
love. Vande Gurunam.
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love you Claire.
in imageclairetart1

dcashtanga
Q
love you Claire.
2 likes
clairetart1 | miss @michaeljoelhall so much. A Actually it's
a combination of nostalgia & missing him. Nostalgia
because it was so natural to climb on my mat and know he
was observing my practice adjusting as he watched.
Missing him because I haven't found a new teacher-
student connection yet as I found in him or my other past
teachers in my journey. @betsypoos first handstand,
@wkcharles & @lizarch (inversions/martial art goddesses),
@spirituallyfly for guiding me to find my teaching voice and
style. These are REAL teachers not gimmick or tad | love
you all and I'm grateful that my practice has been fortunate
enough to have each of you at one point or another.
#yoqa @dcashtanga
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in imagewill you boycott?
YES
NO
SUBSCRIBE
Out
CVS Is Reportedly a Major Donorto
Trump's 2020 Campaign
CVSIphamay
According to the Wall Street Journal, the national
pharmacy chain gave a significant sum to the
president's reelection bid.
BY NICO LANG
AUGUST 15 2019 3:27 PM EDT
у
f
If you canceled your Equinox membership over
revelations one of its executives hosted a Trump
fundraiser, you may want to reconsider your next CVS
visit.
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Fun fact: a *lot* of yoga teachers are on Medicaid due to the nature of their employment opportunities. Seriously: Some of your favorite teachers at your FAVORITE yoga studios.

So as not to publicly shame the studios with teachers on Medicare, I’ve redacted the studio names. But:

For a 1 hour class: a teacher with ~5 years experience receives between $35-$55 a class— this entails an hour long commute, two hours of class prep minimum, and the class itself. $8.75-$13.75 an hour.

For a teacher with 20 years experience? $55-$85 — that’s $13.75-21.25 an hour, with a maximum class cap per day of 4 (very, very high due to a maximum earning potential based on ability to commute and score gigs).

Are these livable wages? Discuss.
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As some of you know, I'm headed to the cloud forest of Ecuador, outside of Quito. If you were ask me why, I'd tell you to "plant some trees. "

The trees and the planet are trending right now, aren't they? Maybe because the whole world is burning and things are about to get really fucked. Thats likely. But, thats not why I'm headed down there.

Yes, I'll tell you I'm going to Ecuador to plant some trees... but the truth is, I'm going down to do whatever the hell it is Kristen is doing.

For a good long time now, I've been in the business of earnestly learning from her. It's been a good choice on my end to value her knowledge... I truly don't know what I'd be if I hadn't made that choice long ago.

You can get in on this, too.

Here's the deal: you don't have to go plant trees-- for $18 a month, you'll help Kristen plant a lot of trees. And you'll get some yoga videos. Good karma stuff all around. She called the Pateron level "Karma Yogi" for a reason, and it makes me smile.

On top of the good vibes and some chocolate, you'll also get some yoga and recipe videos. Like this one. I teach ashtavakrasana very similarly to KK-- it would make sense, of course. She taught me how to teach it.

Go sign up. Get some yoga videos. Save the planet.

Tell people you're saving the planet. You're helping. And you will be.

Or don't tell anyone and just do it for yoga videos... your money will still fund the trees.

Or, be like me, and donate and tell everyone and still try and get some clout and maybe you'll never watch the videos but you'll at least in some small way be able to give back and you're gonna do it because it honors your teachers.

<3
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