That’s not yoga.

A yoga teacher is often expected to understand to a certain extent an ancient 5,000 year old philosophical practice. Be spiritual and also understand the religious debate and aspects of religion historically. But also understand modern fitness, anatomy and physiology. Often a yoga teacher is expected to or does know elements of western and eastern ideas of anatomy, health and wellness and often approached as if a personal trainer. Yoga teachers will broaden their training to personal training, nutrition coaches and beyond to try and keep up with the demand and pressures of these expectations. Along with these historical, religious, spiritual, philosophical, and international knowledge…a yoga teacher also dabbles in a multiple languages. A yoga teacher works to learn and continuously improve ancient Sanskrit as well as anatomical terms with roots in Latin and Greek while at the same time being challenged by our own kind…do you even know that pose in Sanskrit? Do you even know the antagonist to that muscle? A yoga teacher, depending on location must work towards helping the mind and the body and being in touch with both without touching at all at times. Though it is out of scope, a yoga teacher is often approached for help with nutrition, injury and mental health and must know how to navigate holding space without carrying the weight of professions we are not equipped for, prepared for or legally able to fulfill. The yoga teacher walks a fine line between upholding serious boundaries but also holding space for deeper connection. All of this in as little as 200 hours. This leaves yoga teachers feeling like they never know enough, must constantly train and learn - spending more energy, time and money on trainings. The ethics of a yoga teacher encourages acts of service meaning we also feel obligation and necessity to be of service and help without expecting anything in return. The yoga teacher is sometimes attacked by its own kind asking if they are truly practicing or teaching yoga and debating what yoga truly is. Are you practicing or performing? A constant battle to explain yourself not only to all the outside perspectives: is yoga religious etc. But then also within the community of yoga itself - the rights the wrongs, the is and isn’t. Of course people only become defensive and attack because they feel scared and threatened themselves. Perhaps because of all of the above expectations. Lastly, the yoga teacher doesn’t make a lot of money…at all and is expected to deliver free classes and content constantly. And here is the kicker…MOST yoga teachers have another career or job AS WELL. So here is to yoga teachers…thanks to all that you do, however you do it. Keep shining the light and persevering through all darkness.