Your Path - After You Become a Yoga Teacher

Many Yoga teacher interns have different reasonsbe an obsession of self-love or self-hate. Some of us
why they seek out an initial 200 hour Level 1 trainingwhole-heartedly value the opinions of others. This can
course. After teaching classes for a while, somebe a good thing, if the advice we receive is based on
experienced teachers are looking to teach studentsreality. The point being - in our lifetime, we will receive
who have much in common with them. For example:advice that is not in our best interest.
The teacher who is very fit is often looking to teachWith that said - some opinions you hear may be in the
students who are athletes.best interest of the person giving you the information.
In some cases, a doula, mid-wife, nurse, or a motherFor one reason, or another, some people give opinions,
may be drawn to pre-natal Yoga. Teachers withwhich tend to hold others back from making progress.
young families, and children of their own, may beWhile this is not always the case, we should always
seeking to teach Yoga for Kids. A Yoga teacher, whologically measure any advice.
is past the point of middle age, may be looking toThis is why training the mind is such an important part
teach students who have something in common withof Yoga. Very often, training the mind is skimmed over
him or her.during a Yoga teacher training. It seems the
Regardless of our personal reasons, each of uscenterpiece of many teacher intensives is asana
chooses a different path, and sometimes, that pathpractice. However, to have a healthy body, and not be
may be one of specialization. In our first Yogain control of one's mind, is self-defeating.
instructor training, we may have reflected upon theOnce the mind is trained, we must be able to look
fact that there is a divine plan for each of us.within ourselves to determine logical courses and to
There are instances when our Yogic path is basedfind our personal path in life. Very often, we hear the
upon finding a purpose, realization of a skill set, or ourwords, "What is Yoga?" - Yet, many people simply
personal code of ethics. In order for us to choose theanswer that, "Yoga is Union."
correct path, we have to look within ourselves, on aWhile this is partially true, Yoga is the application of
personal quest, to find a more fulfilling and focusedYogic principles for a better way of life and to practice
direction.the art of living.
At the same time, any direction we choose should not