Evolution on the Mat: Unlearning 3 Lessons That Transformed My Approach as a Yoga Teacher

Lesson #1

Using scientific names in class when giving instruction to look intelligent

As a relatively new teacher in the yoga community at that time, figuring out my role could be quite daunting. One piece of advice I received was to incorporate scientific terms into my instructions—terms like sternum, scapula, patella, tibia, to name a few. I embraced this advice and began integrating these terms into my teaching.

Certainly, while I did feel like the most knowledgeable and intelligent person in front of the students, I didn't pay much attention to whether those students genuinely understood the information.

Now, when i think back, it's quite amusing to recall that most students were already struggling to locate their ankles, knees, left and right arms during the class, all while i was blabbering to my heart content.

What i practice today: Learn to communicate in a language that aligns with the students' level of understanding.

Lesson #2

Never reveal your weakness to the students

I hadn't really put this advice into much use to be honest. Because i have not figure out any good reason to do that.

What I do know is that I appreciate it when students feel comfortable enough to come forward and share their weaknesses and thoughts with me. Just because I am their yoga teacher doesn't mean I have everything figured out. I do seek advice on various subjects from students when necessary.

One student was struggling to attend class due to personal reasons. She often wonders how I could keep myself motivated for years and still maintain a smile in the early morning. To her, probably I didn't appear to be having to deal with the realities of life. But to me, none of my students should be dealing with my 'mood-of-the- day' and my mood swings.

However, I took that chance to share with her how much I still struggle to wake up in the morning, how I drag myself to my yoga mat, and the household problems I am juggling, just like herself. I am just not carrying them with me through the rest of my days,

'Thank you so much for sharing these. I feel less terrible knowing that I am not the only one going through such struggles.' she said.

What I practice today: We are all human, so be one. The power to be vulnerable is the power to connect with another human being.

Lesson #3

Make students increase dependency on you for their practice.

'This is how they can't do without you.'

While this might sustain my income, it doesn't contribute to my sense of fulfilment. I've tried and tested it, and it simply doesn't resonate with me.

It hasn't facilitated my growth as a yoga teacher, and, more importantly, it doesn't empower students to take responsibility for their own challenges and practice habits. The only way to benefit from their own yoga practice fully, is to first being able to take accountabilty of their own mess--- which require the quality of independency.

Independent students get to learn more, explore more new perspective and eventually being a happier person in their own lives.

What I practice today: There is no ceiling to growth. Every step is setting them up to be an independent practitioner.