IMPOSSIBLY FLEXIBLE, ENVIOUSLY serene, benignly spiritual… such are the images of yoga teachers typically portrayed by the media. But how much can we really rely on these representations of yogis (for an accurate representation of our teachers)?
It is tempting to believe that yoga has transformed these individuals into perpetually relaxed, spiritually enlightened beings. Because hey, if it can do it for them, it can do it for us!
So, to clear up any confusion, we asked qualified yoga instructors what they thought were the most common misconception about teaching yoga as a career.
Su Stanbridge:
That yoga teachers are super slender bendy beings who don’t drink gin or get cross. The popular images of these beautiful super slender, blissful teachers are not necessarily helpful to those who might be in the early part of their yoga journey or thinking of trying yoga.
Karen Percival, Birch Tree Yoga:
The conception that as a yoga teacher we are spiritual gurus, who float through life wearing saffron robes, not needing money for bills, mortgages, food etc. That we live on fresh air, don’t eat meat; don’t drink alcohol and do not get irritated by life and the people who annoy us.
Rebecca Triggs:
People think to be a Yoga Teacher you have to be really strong, flexible and be able to do every Yoga Asanas there is. In reality, yoga teachers are all different and represent diversity and yoga is not just about asana.
Kamal Patel:
That we are doctors…I often get asked by students what they should do if they’re suffering from X, Y or Z and if I have any suggestions as to what the cause may be. I always ask if they have seen a medical practitioner and if so, what they advised as that is the best advice to follow. If they haven’t spoken to them, I advise the student to do so but, in the meantime, do nothing in class that causes any form of pain or discomfort and to listen to their body, even if it means missing a particular posture. Yoga teachers cannot substitute trained professional advice!
Ali Taylor, Rainbow Warrior Yoga Health & Wellbeing:
That we just turn up at the class and teach (not realising we’ve spent ages beforehand prepping the class).
Brian Cooper, co-founder of Yoga Alliance Professional:
That teaching yoga is not a “proper” career.
Ann Fitzgerald, Super-A Yoga & JumpGa Instructor
That teaching classes is all we do – we don’t have day jobs, run homes and families, juggle our lives around to fit in our own practice and preparation. That it’s easy to breathe, talk and demonstrate all at the same time, with one eye on the clock and the other on the students.
So, as a teacher, while it is wonderful to work with a huge variety of people, all with a multitude of pre-conceptions or misconceptions, we would do well to remember that we are all just human beings, all doing something that we love. As a student, remember that your teacher is only human, you are entitled to challenge them, ask them questions if you don’t understand, and show them gratitude if you want to.
Melissa Albarran/Ann Fitzgerald
