Here is a question for yoga teachers—if you enter a room of ten students, five of whom are advanced and able to do pretty much what you ask of them, and five are tight and none to nimble—which group are you attracted to and who gets your attention.
Teaching yoga is a very interesting profession for a number of reasons. For one, you don’t have to do much to become a yoga teacher. Pony up a few thousand dollars (give or take, depending upon the school) and you are free to ply your trade.
For another, you don’t need to know much. It might be good to know what you are doing but it isn’t always a prerequisite to getting a job. Personality, looks and confidence can be as compelling a reason for hiring as knowledge. It would be nice to think that in the long run talent wins out but it isn’t always the case.
It is a great job. How many jobs can you fulfill while padding around barefoot in some semblance of pajamas. While it isn’t all that lucrative for the vast majority of teachers it sure is fun.
But who do you love? Why do you teach? Are you in search of those who need help or do you cater to those who can do the practice easily?
I started learning about body mechanics because I didn’t feel comfortable being unable to answer students questions about pain and injury. Over the course of time my classes became much less advanced and geared towards those who couldn’t do as much as those who could.
For me it makes the job much more interesting. I tend to cater to the lower end of the abilities in a given class while offering plenty of work as well as some variations for those who want to work harder.
I love all of the students who come to my class, it is near on impossible not to, but I want to help those most in need.
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