Teaching People, Not Poses

Truth be told, I was the least flexible in my yoga teacher training programme. I had no knowledge of Anatomy & Physiology and couldn’t even do a headstand. Hating on myself and about to leave the programme, one of the trainers came up to me and told me that the people who struggle in their bodies, end up being the best yoga teachers. Then he showed me how to progress in my practice in a down-to-earth practical way.

The people who struggle in their bodies, end up being the best yoga teachers.

Over the 20 years of me teaching yoga, I have been to many classes where the teacher smacks her lips in disappointment if someone doesn’t meet their expectations of flexibility, is afraid to attempt a pose, or has a body shape or structure that doesn’t fit the stereotype. Yoga today seems to carry a toxic, judgemental, all-or-nothing vibe and many people come to me expressing their frustration. Don’t even get me started on body shaming!!

Yoga classes in studios and gyms can be intimidating. A recent article in Coconuts cited yoga as the least inclusive of all available exercise and yogis are one of the most judgemental types of health professionals around! As a yoga teacher for 20 years, I have witnessed this and while I often get disenchanted by the industry, it fuels me to carry on. The yoga I knew growing up was inclusive of grandparents and grandchildren all in the same class. All ages and abilities practising together with joy, comfort and ease.

The problem is not so much the teachers, but the way yoga trainings are conducted. So many yoga teachers can perform amazing poses and lead great sequences, but when it comes to relating to people, that is where they fall short.

Having the right guidance from my teacher showed me the importance of compassion and accessibility. I was able to find my journey towards headstand without being pressured or minimised. As a teacher trainer for 13 years, I make it a point to show teachers that they don’t teach poses, they teach people.

I make it a point to show teachers that they don’t teach poses, they teach people.

This is the foundation for which I train teachers. Adapt, adjust, accommodate. Learn how to structure a class where you have options for everyone in the room. Know how to give your students the agency and control over their bodies while allowing them to grow and blossom.

Yoga teachers have a responsibility to uplift and inspire with awareness. Yoga teachers need to be able to meet each student where they are at and facilitate a process for them to discover their bodies and minds on their own terms and how to progress in the practice. This is a true teacher.

For more information about Hersha’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training starting September 2022, please click here.