The role of a teacher
Teaching is not an imposition of the teacher’s will over that of the pupil, not at all. Teaching starts with freedom and ends with freedom.
Vanda Scaravelli
For all yoga teachers out there that might resonate with some of the ideas but also for all students, without whose presence and availability the teacher's role will be meaningless.
Over the course of my years in school, highschool and later university, I had several teachers and educators that were far from being any role model. Very few of them were actually really capable of stepping into a teacher’s role fully and really serving as a guide, willing to share knowledge and see the seeds of it growing in our young minds with detachment yet contentment. Even fewer were able to inspire us to go forward in life as a higher and better human being. Funny enough, most of the people I have learned the most from in my life or that inspired me on a deeper profound level were not actually teachers, as a profession. However, they were simply expressing and sharing a few simple yet extremely important things that made the whole difference between a job or a profession and what I would call it a vocation, true calling: openness, curiosity towards the other person, comprehensive mastery and knowledge of a topic that also corresponds to their own values and principles and also availability to share this knowledge and, last but not least, the capacity to allow the student to choose freely their perspective. So how will this apply in the Yoga world, in relation to having a student-teacher role? What is it exactly that makes a Yoga teacher a good one, even a great one?
I have been pondering on this question quite a lot honestly, since I believe the answer is not so clear and straightforward. A Yoga teacher is usually leading a group of students through a comprehensive and accessible sequence of asanas, meditation or breathing practices and relaxation. The teacher is mainly responsible for demonstrating the postures and guiding the students in the most sustainable way possible. Of course, there are guidance, tips and useful info whenever we complete the 200-hr, 300-hr or 500-hr teacher training, but I would dare say, being a teacher comes more from one's own experience, one's own heart than the words written in a book.
The long-term inspiration and impact on a spiritual level often springs from a lot of passion and craft in conducting a great class available for everyone. One can be an extremely intuitive, skilled and versatile teacher and yet lacking a very extensive practice or recognition. And the opposite, there are many famous teachers with a lot of presence on social media and hundreds or thousands of hours of training knowledge and yet it could happen that something impedes them to resonate very well with some of the students. Cultivating a sense of sensitivity to people's energy and mood is something that cannot be taught overnight, just like being capable to ignite instantly the interest and attention of everyone.
It goes without saying that as teachers, one cannot expect that all participants in the class will connect immediately with you and often the problem lies deeper in the psychological realm. Maybe the person does not feel that their needs are met in that particular class, whether it has to do with the particular style of yoga, the pace of teaching, the level of engagement in the class for corrections, cues, tips on alignment and so on. Some people want to receive more guidance and attention, some prefer to practice in their own space and keep a certain distance. Some pay attention very well to the voice and general expression of the teacher and these small but significant details can play a major role in their decision to return to the class or not. Some prefer a more motherly type of figure (no matter the gender), one that can support them in their growth and development as students, step by step, showing them variations and options suitable for their own bodies and expression for them to see in time concrete results and progress. Others are more there in the class for the sake of experience and simply to allow themselves to be in the moment and feeling a sense of freedom and presence that maybe their daily lives don't allow them enough to feel. In that case, you as a teacher become more of a witness then a facilitator of their practice and it still a very beautiful process. Either way, I strongly advise to ask students about their preference and consent for correcting them, in the beginning of the class, to avoid stepping over boundaries and help maintaining a safe space.
Maybe it will be easier to think about what a yoga teacher is NOT and try to dismantle some of the common myths.
A Yoga teacher is not supposed to be a therapist or a healer, unless of course the person has a proper formation and certification for that. There will be many cases of different manifestations of emotions or feelings that can appear on the surface during a yoga class, in particular I would add during Yin Yoga classes or sometimes Restorative, because the slow pace of the class and maintaining the poses for long periods of time allow more space and presence, allow oneself time to stay with those feelings and emotions and that might be new, uncomfortable or even painful for many of us. It would be great to remember also that not everyone had the same experiences, background, childhood or possible trauma and therefore, the reactions or response of the students to certain practices might be different. Also for people having mental disorders, it is not actually advisable to go for certain Yoga practices without consulting first their doctor or therapist.
A Yoga teacher is not a physiotherapist, unless proper certifications and formations proves the contrary. If there are people experiencing severe pain in the physical body, anything from broken disc, scoliosis to arthritis, injuries and swolling of any kind in the joints or bones, it is a must to seek treatment and guidance from their doctor or physiotherapist, before attempting to join any Yoga classes. Remember that Yoga teachers are not medical professionals therefore it is not in our power to pinpoint or diagnose an injury or a condition, the most we can do is offer some guidance and recommendations for further help and advice. Moreover, it is super crucial to remember that sustaining a Yoga practice with an injured body can only lead to more and more injury and pain and stress on the tissues and the joints until irreparable damage and this is something that we should definitely avoid. Of course, for less serious pain or conditions, for example tensions in the shoulder or neck from bad posture at work or stiff legs from too much standing, using proper guidance and supports (blocks, pillows, bolsters and so on), we could help integrate the practice more efficiently to the bodies and conditions of students that experience this and still make it possible.
There are always solutions or options to make any Yoga class more accessible, for any human body. That can mean challenges getting into a pose that can be adjusted with modifications or props. It is highly advisable to always ask our students in the beginning of the class for any pain or injuries to avoid any unwanted, inadequate situations or miscommunication, to ensure that our students can practice in a safe space for their bodies and conditions (yes, this is something in our power as Yoga teachers) and also get to know exactly who our students are. Ultimately, we teach for the others and not for us, but we do become richer and more knowledgeable through all these experiences.
A Yoga teacher is also not a God figure, know-it-all, super entity always in charge, who the students should listen to and follow blindly. Personally, I have heard about many occasions where people gave up a lot of their own lives to follow a certain group, a cult or a guru without actually considering all aspects of this decision and it often lead to an imbalance in the relation teacher-student, where one had control over the other. I truly believe as students we should be aware and accept the humaness and therefore, limitations of the person in front of us teaching (yes, the teacher is still a person with all their flaws!). Coming forward with a lot of seriousness or extensive preaching using Sanskrit words for instance, or abstract or vague concepts might not be always directly beneficial to someone for example, that comes to the classes because they want to improve their back posture. Being able to communicate with compassion and from the same level and space as our student will help foster a space of mutual trust and cooperation. It could be of course, that the teacher posesses quite some knowledge on some topics and of course, the willingness to share this knowledge with others can be a brave act, but otherwise the relation between a student and a teacher is not something hierarchical or forced, I view it as a natural, organic bond between two individuals willing to learn from each other in the end, sharing a safe space of practice and presence and joy. Being a teacher is not an Ego-boost social role or mask that we embrace to emphasize our superiority in any way; it is a beautiful yet challenging path of knowledge and discovery that we are permanently willing to share with others. A good teacher doesn’t seek learning results to feel validated, but simply teaches patiently at the highest level of the student’s current understanding at any given time. A good teacher is genuinely interested in their students, they are there WITH and FOR the students.
Language here plays a vital role as well. The ability to choose carefully our words and expressions, go beyond our biaises and without any intention to separate or single-out anyone in class and instead, recognizing everyone's presence and abilities. Ultimately, language helps in getting our message across, helps bridging differences between people and therefore, plays an important role also during a Yoga class to make sure everyone is feeling welcome and cared for, in spite of race, gender, sexual orientation or social-economic differences. The words that we choose to use in a Yoga class ideally should be an invitation for CONNECTION and PRESENCE, in an otherwise disconnected world.
Moreover, a good teacher educates and empowers the students. Rather than just teaching them certain poses, they help students understand the learning processes involved, like a true mentor. It is amazing when a teacher recognizes a student’s potential and is invested in seeing them grow and blooming :) So ultimately, teachers without students would not be able to fulfill their role; each needs each other in a relation of mutual understanding, sharing and experiencing the benefits of Yoga, even outside the practice itself into the everyday life. Also, being a teacher and a student are not opposites, but complementary concepts, therefore one should feel free to continue to seek out and attend training and education opportunities to stay up-to-date, forever curious and with an open heart and that does not decrease the quality and experience of the teaching process, on the contrary :) It will only help one's teaching methods become even fresher, more diversified and overall interesting for all types of students.
Patience is also an important quality, in my opinion, whenever teaching is involved. Remembering that everyone has their own pace and their own way of understanding, evolving and getting the hang of what Yoga is for them and how it can help them on their journey.
In a nutshell, the role of a Yoga teacher is to instruct, strengthen, recharge, help students connect to their own inner teacher. A successful teacher will be there present to guide, to facilitate the journey of practice and understanding of the students, knowing when to step back or to respect and acknowledge everyone's boundaries but also possibilities. It is a role that one should embrace whole-heartedly but with forever an open mind. With commitment and passion that perhaps might contagiate the students. With a positive attitude and humbleness yet pure content of the evolution of one's own students. Maybe even inspire the students to tap into their inner strength and potential and become better human beings, both on and off the Yoga mat.
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