This morning while the current group of Yoga Teacher Trainees gathered for breakfast downstairs I busied myself with writing. I love writing in the mornings, I usually impose a strict rule on myself not to write about yoga in an attempt to give life variety and texture, endeavouring to keep my inner creative child happy and content. However, this very Friday morning as the end of summer’s atmosphere clung to us like a blanket of stillness, a natural invitation seemed to propose a moment of deep reflection on the subject.
As our current course draws to a close and the soon to be teachers prepare to present their very own class, my pen seemed to intuitively know what was needed, hovering above the crinkly white sheets of paper spontaneously scribbling, ‘How to be a good yoga teacher’.
I looked down at the words and felt my yogi voice kicking up a bit of a fuss, reminding me that It was not philosophically correct to be labelling things as good and bad, as right and wrong but then I thought -
‘Oh Sod it!’ and here are my thoughts on how to be a good yoga teacher, I didn't think too much about this with the intellectual part of my mind, I rather just allowed the thoughts and words to flow from a connection to my heart and I hope it helps in some way on your journey…
The art of becoming a good teacher is all about details, it all lies in little details.
Have I welcomed my students warmly, did I allow the genuine friendliness of my smile to cast a net of safety over the space that we currently share. Have I set them up for the very first pose as if I was building a sturdy house to hold my family for many generations, are the foundation of the very first pose a true representation of what will come, steadiness of our entirety, the entirety of all that we are and that we do. Have I taken just a moment to project my soft gaze over the room, ensuring everyone is seated as comfortably as possible, am I taking my time to enjoy those initial instructions, am I always resisting the urge to become robotic in my cues, not only to protect the creative fire that burns brightly within me but also to keep stoking their flame of imagination and delight - am I allowing the words to come from a place deep within myself that is rooted in my very own practice, can I feel the words percolating up from my vijnanamaya dosa, my wisdom sheath, that sacred corner of my being that discerns carefully, with poise and intelligence. Can I unearth a way to connect with the hearts of my students, so much so that they are filled with confidence and conviction to make meaningful intentions, brave revelations and enlightened upgrades to their mental programming, reactions and habits.
Can I know, just know - exactly what each part of my class is for, what I my aim as an artist of yoga, am I currently
Grounding them
Moving them into a meditative state
Blossoming them
Peeling them
Awakening them
And am I not
Zoned out
Showing off my skills, trying to impress
Moving them to the point of exhaustion or boredom
Getting caught up in the negative self talk that might be playing out in my head
Am I intentional, am I teaching from my innermost core, have I truly decided and discerned why I myself love this practice so dearly, what it gives to me and what I can share from my own experience.
Can my knowledge of Self and Yoga be the mighty river that carries us to the shore - to land, to the place where we find liberation - paradise. Can I embody this compass that will help us sail to the promised land where treasure awaits, the treasure of you.
Namaste x
