When I left school after the culmination of my freshman year, I knew I would be back in the classroom, soon enough. Except, rather than lecture halls and laptops, I would spend most of my days sitting cross legged on a yoga mat. A lot went into my decision to pursue yoga teacher training that summer, but throughout the days of learning anatomy and memorizing Sanskrit phrases, I would wonder how becoming a certified yoga teacher would affect my future personal life. In honor of International Day of Yoga yesterday, I'm looking back at my year as a yoga teacher.
One year after starting teaching, and I taught way less yoga than I ever imagined. I am completely at peace with the fact I simply do not enjoy teaching. Some might see this teacher training as a waste of time and money, but I enrolled knowing the certification was just a side bonus. I have taught classes and given private lessons for friends, here and there since, and while I am grateful that I can, I would rather not.
Unexpectedly, my personal practice blossomed this year. It was a slap in the face to return to the school in August and realize yoga could not be my priority anymore. After several mediocre classes and an irritating schlep to and from an unfamiliar studio, I realized I could rely on myself. I quit traveling and delved into my personal practice. I know my body, and I now can do things I only dreamt of mastering a year ago. I consider my body my student; the fact that I can now get into forearm stand is a testament to my teaching ability and work ethic.
The most important realization of the year: yoga can only do so much. I returned to school for a difficult semester and felt depleted. I was almost angry at my inability to stay stress-free and centered; I was a yoga teacher, after all! Struggling with school and life, I started to expect more than a zone-out from my practice: I expected straight As, a clean dorm room, and a date to my date party. This is a metaphor for life: when we believe in something, or someone, so much it becomes their fault when things don't go our way.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the choices I made when it came to my journey. If you are considering doing a teacher training, jump at the chance. Do it even if you think your practice isn’t good enough. Do it even if you know you might never teach. If you have the time, funding, drive, go for it. Find a studio, find a teacher with experience, and let the magic happen. I will forever be grateful for my experience, certification, and personal growth.
