I had a bit of a laugh reading this article, even though it sounds ridiculous it's amazing how many people do think like that. I remember when I first started Bikram yoga I never thought of my teachers having a life or wondered what they did outside the room, instead all I knew about them was what I saw during the time I was at the studio. As I went more and more and got to know them, it was like a lightbulb moment when I realised they were normal people, with their own lives outside the room and their own challenges in life, yet every day they're in the studio with a smile on their face helping the hundreds of people coming in for class.
During a class it's very normal to get frustrated or even angry as when practiced properly, the postures are challenging and the muscles start to release emotions and any pent up stress as they learn how to relax. At times there's no one else to take that frustration out on except for the one person telling you what to do, how to do it and when to do it. Instead of letting it go, or realising that you're actually annoyed with yourself, sometimes it becomes about the teachers. The thoughts that creep in when they're correcting people, or repeating the same things or telling you to 'do it the right way'.
"I hate my yoga teacher.
Anyone could be that skinny if all they had to do all day was workout and shop at Whole Foods.
...Why did I spend an extra $15 to listen to some immature twenty-something
tell me about the meaning of life?"
As a yoga teacher the amount of eye rolling, sighing and even talking back I've experience and also seen in classes makes me laugh all the time. I've learnt not to get offended and take it personally as it's a very real struggle trying to changes ones body and more importantly ones mindset. I've even had those as a students myself on the mat, especially when I've had a hard day and I just want to get the class 'over and done with'.
People by nature don't like been told what to do, especially adults. Combine been told what to do, when you're already struggling with postures and breathing just makes it that much harder. It can turn people from being sensible, logical and calm into over opinionated, angry and irrational human beings. As a teacher we are all accustomed to it and there's nothing else we can do about it other than give you the space and time to work it out and hopefully let it all go.
A good teacher will always teach the right way, and correct you even if you don't want it. We're there to offer help and guidance even if you don't think you need it. We create a safe space and environment for you to try new things, fix your broken body and heal your mind. Our time isn't just the time we spend in the room, but also before class getting the studio ready, been there when students come in, and spending time afterwards answering questions and cleaning up the studio. A Bikram class lasts 90 mins, a teacher is usually there for 2.5 - 3 hours for each class. We don't do it because it pays well, but because we love our jobs and it's our passion. Personally after all the benefits I've received as a practitioner, I just wanted to share it with the whole world and what better way than to help others realise that too!
People by nature don't like been told what to do, especially adults. Combine been told what to do, when you're already struggling with postures and breathing just makes it that much harder. It can turn people from being sensible, logical and calm into over opinionated, angry and irrational human beings. As a teacher we are all accustomed to it and there's nothing else we can do about it other than give you the space and time to work it out and hopefully let it all go.
A good teacher will always teach the right way, and correct you even if you don't want it. We're there to offer help and guidance even if you don't think you need it. We create a safe space and environment for you to try new things, fix your broken body and heal your mind. Our time isn't just the time we spend in the room, but also before class getting the studio ready, been there when students come in, and spending time afterwards answering questions and cleaning up the studio. A Bikram class lasts 90 mins, a teacher is usually there for 2.5 - 3 hours for each class. We don't do it because it pays well, but because we love our jobs and it's our passion. Personally after all the benefits I've received as a practitioner, I just wanted to share it with the whole world and what better way than to help others realise that too!
"As I left the studio at 9 pm,
my yoga teacher was walking into the laundry room to finish washing and folding towels.
Her class ended an hour ago…"
The satisfaction seeing bodies change in the room or seeing a students eyes light up when they did something they previously thought impossible, that makes each class and day worth it no matter how tired we are. In Japan the teachers thank their students when class is over for their hard work and time they've put in because a good teacher knows it's not about ourselves, rather it's all about the students. We don't need to advertise or glorify ourselves and what we do because it's about giving rather than taking. Who knows, one day your thought might just change...
"And I forgot to mention: I love my yoga teacher."
