As I
prepare for the upcoming teacher training at Shree I’ve been reflecting on what
I value most in my most beloved teachers. I’ve distilled it down to five qualities
that are the top of the list:
Authenticity - I want to study with teachers who practice
what they preach, who truly live their yoga in all aspects of their lives, not
just for show in the front of a yoga class. They have a love of what they
do and desire to share it from their hearts with everyone they can.
Genuineness - Great yoga teachers know who they
are, and have a strong connection to something bigger than themselves. They
speak from their heart and their truth.
Groundedness - Great teachers stay connected to their own
higher guiding principles and respond rather than react to any situation.
Creativity - A great teacher is creative in planning
class themes and sequencing of asana (poses) that enhance those themes and weave them
together harmoniously, not just for the sake of just trying something new, but
from a deep love of the body and spirit and desire to help students bring these
two aspects of themselves closer. These practices help enhance life both on and
off the mat.
Intuition - A great teacher is attuned to his or her
students. It seems that they always know what you need to hear that day,
the way you need to be adjusted or left alone, the poses that will help you
feel in your body and ultimately your heart the quality they are trying to
evoke in the practice on any particular day.
Notice
“doing dramatic poses” or “having an amazing body” didn’t make this list. There
is a misconception that comes up each time we offer a training that you have to
be able to do “advanced” asana to be a good yoga teacher. I do believe
that Yoga teachers should be advanced yoga practitioners, which for some
does mean very deep asana, but for others means a strong meditation practice
and ability to share their experience, for some a deep knowledge of anatomy of
physical and subtle body, and others a love of scripture and gift of sharing the
mythology of yoga to name just a few. Yoga teachers come in all shapes,
sizes, ages, religions, lifestyles and life circumstances. Student of yoga want
teachers who look and feel like they do, not like they are airbrushed on the
cover of Yoga Journal or filtered on Instagram.
If any of
these aspects of yoga speak to you, our Teacher Training is for you. If
you read this list and felt an urge to grow and develop one or two of these qualities
in your own life, it means you are ready to take this step. Some of these
qualities emerge quite naturally as a result of diving so deep into your own
practice, but we also have real practical, methodical ways to work on these
things throughout the training and help them to develop and emerge.
Although
the shared goals of yoga are few, the paths are many. One of the most
amazing things about Teacher Training is that, in your desire to share a
practice that you love, you learn to embody all the qualities you admire
in your own teachers, and become your own inner guru. Join us to start your own
journey of transformation. Your students are waiting for you.
Upcoming information sessions:
Saturday, September 8 4:30 – 5:30 pm at
Chaya’s home for a cup of tea and chat. Email Chaya to reserve and
get the address: chaya@shreeyoga.com
Saturday,
September 22 1:00-1:30 pm at Shree
For all information, including dates and fees, and application click here
