The reality of yoga class that no one talks about | Om Yoga Magazine

Doing my own thing, doing it alone, means facing price discomfort. I always want to give value for my money, but my time and expertise should also be valued. Self-employment is extremely unstable: no holiday or sick pay, and also a crisis in the cost of living. The enormous amount of administration, including cancellations, bookings, marketing and logistics, means that I spend more time behind my laptop than on my mat. Luckily I really like administration, and I have marketing qualifications – that really helps.

People see you differently when you are a yoga teacher, even though you know you are fully rooted in the practice. They often expect you to teach for free, not have bad habits, and know everything about anatomy. The pressure to embody their idea, their projection, is palpable, but I reject it slowly, quietly, because no one can meet it. People think you practice asana for hours a day. Frankly, it’s very easy to let your own practice slip away. Going to class is starting to feel like a busman’s vacation. I turned to Pilates – mat and reformer – as my hobby now because I don’t have to think about teaching. It takes a lot of effort to keep my own yoga practice alive. Now I often prefer Bhakti Yoga – the yoga of devotion: chanting, kirtan, mantra – to taking an asana class. My physical body needs more rest.

So, what would I tell my past self as I entered teacher training bright-eyed and hopeful? What would I say to someone who has just signed up for teacher training? Not too much actually. I would give them a hug and tell them they are brave for starting. They will learn that the heart is more important than the headstand. That attitude trumps age when it comes to holding space. To give philosophy a chance, you must persevere, because your entire worldview is about to expand. Grab your mala beads and get ready.