The Truth About Yoga Teachers
That smoke behind the sage isn’t fooling anyone. Who is your yoga teacher? And really, do we even want to know about the peace-preaching, all-loving saint before us who is only helping us have a better day?
Let’s first acknowledge all the great ancestors who came before us and bestowed upon us their knowledge, wisdom and ancient teachings. We thank you and appreciate you. This isn’t meant to discredit anyone’s teachings or their perspective of yoga.
But what differentiates a yoga teacher from a yogi really? A teacher from a student? Who is accountable for the gurus, teachings and this disciplined way of living?
I mean who is to say a life of a yogi is the most altruistic way of living? And if not, why do we keep coming back to yoga as it rises in popularity each year?
Let’s get into it.
First, I’m Sierra Madre, a teacher of yoga for the last 13, almost 14 years. I’ve had my own yoga studio, started my yoga wear line, @Satya_thelable, organic skin care @satya_talo, and started a very successful yoga school, @soulschoolyoga hosting yoga retreats and trainings.
I started my career teaching 1-1 to high-end executives who were seeking peace in Toronto, I was their dose of spirituality for the day. I slowly built my clientele, started my yoga studio, and slowly started teaching my students what I knew, so they could also become yoga teachers.
But what is that makes a teacher worthy and trustworthy enough to be teaching us the secrets to life?
Isn’t that what a yoga teacher’s ultimate goal is? To show the path they have walked, that led them to peace, and eternal joy aka enlightenment, and then turn around and bring the rest of humanity?
Teaching yoga has taught me so many life lessons in such an integrative and healing way that I feel compelled to share these teachings. To not would feel like having a garden full of food in my backyard and watching everyone look around starving.
Build longer tables, not taller fences.
Yet I still question myself often if I’m doing a good enough job. Have I worked hard enough on myself to be a neutral soundboard? Am I a strong enough leader to make the right decisions when everyone’s emotions are involved? Can I learn to cope with other people’s disappointment in me without taking it personally?
The answer to all of these questions has to be yes, every day and every time. But that is why you are the teacher. You’ve learnt discomfort is not Marichyasana D, it’s sitting with 20 students on week three of a 200-hour yoga teacher training, when their bodies hurt and they are exhausted, and confused and processing so much purging in everybody they have, and you feel how they are second-guessing their decision.
In that moment, when you feel it too, you remember your experience and how you came out the other side and it helped you get this far in life with a fair bit of happiness and peace in your pocket.
You become their rock, like a parent who can’t stop the child’s cut from bleeding, but can give love and presence while they process their pain.
You are their mother, father, sister, brother, and grandparents all wrapped up into one divine soul and when the calling to hold becomes greater than the calling to be held, that is when you become a teacher.
This is truth of every teacher, to hold someone in their discomfort while the navigation their way to enlightenment, wisdom, truth.
Somethings that have helped keep me grounded as a yoga teacher:
Being a devoted student
This has taught me so much humility. Not only does it make discussions more collaborative, but it removes the responsibility of having to be right or become too righteous.
Sitting in circles
Seeing everyone is your teacher. A yoga teacher must remain open to learning and considering new perspectives without losing the bhakti, and devotion to the practices that require decades of commitment to fully grasp.
Keep learning
When you become stagnant in your body you become soft. When you become stagnant in your mind you become simple. When you become stagnant in your practice you become dead.
But the truth is, I’m still a 34 year old woman, who just moved my life to Mexico. A girl who feels like she is starting all over again. Some mornings I wake up confused or sad. I still drink coffee and smoke herbs. I like to have sex and eat whatever I want. I feel uncertain about the world and scared for my future children as I question so many things about life. I am human just like you. Im existing one day at a time and trying to find purpose and joy every day.
But I keep practicing and believe in the power of my practice to guide me.
That’s the truth.
