The Inspired Yoga Teacher: Space Keepers for Growth & Healing
As a yoga teacher in the modern world, our role goes far beyond guiding students through sequences and poses. We have the opportunity to directly touch the lives of others — to help them grow, heal and transform. But in order to be a space keeper for growth and healing, we must be willing to consistently look deeply inside ourselves. Here are some ways to stay inspired and engaged on the path toward empowerment, personal growth and transformations.
Self-Study | Svadhyaya: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra says: “Study thy self, discover the divine” II.44
Self-study ( Svadhyaya) is a crucial component, it helps us recognize our true nature. Through this recognition, we become a powerful container for: love, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, gentleness and trust. We are better able to see the ego at work and choose to come back to a heart-centered way of living.
Cultivate a Loving Presence within Ourselves: Practice self-compassion, self-acceptance and being our own best friend
Continuing Education: Embrace the role of a perpetual learner. Attend workshops, seminars, and retreats to expand knowledge, deepen our understanding of yoga philosophy, anatomy, and meditation practices. Engage with like-minded yoga communities to exchange ideas and broaden our perspectives. Seek, follow and study with teachers whom we admire.
Learn to Establish Healthy Boundaries: Notice, examine and come to know our individual triggers. Being triggered indicates that our personal boundaries have been tested or crossed. Embrace the notion that, “No” is a complete sentence. We can even imagine placing a period at the end of the word no, this can be helpful particularly if we struggle to establish healthy boundaries.
Mindful Presence: Practice having a mindful presence in daily life. Start each class by grounding, connecting to the heart, remembering the commitment to being compassionately present. Be attentive to the needs, diversity, pronouns, modifications and adjustments that maybe warranted during classes.
Trust and Embrace Failures, Setback and Such: There is a natural flow to life. We can observe this truth, simply by observing nature. There is birth, death and rebirth. Our society is hyper-focused upon the birth part of life, and we often neglect the “death.” But there is wisdom and medicine for us in this phase too. When life doesn’t go the way we wish, or a yoga class goes awry - it’s a natural opportunity for growth — we can learn from the happenings, gain wisdom and harness an even greater inner strength.
Ensure that Our Support System is Nurturing: Be steadfast with energetic alignments — ensure that the spaces where classes are being held aligns with the morals, ethics and values that are significant to us — Strive to always honor ourselves.
Cultivate the The 3 P’s (Patience, Perseverance and Presence): Remembering the 3 P’s can help us especially during times of struggle. We can learn from the tiny seed that faithfully pushes through the earth, ever reaching for the sun despite any and all elements it comes against. We are similar, we are flowers of humanity.
Slow down, Notice and Enjoy Life’s Simple Pleasures: When asked what brings us the most pleasure in life, our responses are often the simplest of things. Inviting ourselves to enjoy, become more aquatinted with students, connect through eye-contact and to be present for those who have come to breathe and flow. These are moments that will nourish ourselves as well as our students.
Non-Judgmental Acceptance: In classes remember to foster an environment of non-judgment and acceptance. Create a safe haven where students can explore their bodies, minds, and emotions without fear of criticism. Embrace diversity, honoring each student's journey, body type, and limitations. Maintain an open-mind that supports inclusivity and compassion.
Cultivate Empowerment over Dependency: Remain curious and look for ways to empower students. The more empowered someone becomes, the greater difference to the world they will make.
Often times students ask their yoga teacher, “What do you think?” This is a moment where the teacher can give the the student a chance to step into their own power. The teacher can give the question back to the student simply by asking, “What do you think about _______?” Many students are quick to give their sense of agency (power) over to a teacher. Be a leader who helps to empower the world.
Practice Embodying the Yamas and Niyamas: The principles of yoga can serve as a guiding light in modern times. Ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), aparigraha (non-attachment) to name a few — When we choose to honor and do our best to uphold the moral and ethical principles of yoga, we are truly embodying yoga.
In conclusion, we can become a living example of what it means to cultivate and become a space keeper for growth, healing and transformations. The journey towards becoming a more awake and conscious yoga teacher is an ongoing process, requiring dedication, self-reflection, a willingness to choose love and a commitment to growth. Finally, choosing to live an awake life also means prioritizing self-care and finding balance in our own lives where we nurture our mind, body, and spirit, both on and off the mat. With vigilance we practice self-compassion, setting boundaries, and creating time for rest and rejuvenation. Embracing this journey can be incredibly gratifying, especially watching students flourish.
