Introducing the Bold Yoga Instructor We’ve Always Needed

Parenting Insights

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I often find myself questioning the demeanor of the yoga instructors at my local gym. They navigate the same bustling urban landscape that I do, jostling for space at busy intersections and hurrying to class after navigating the chaos of daily life. I can’t help but wonder how they maintain their serene, composed presence while I struggle to find my own inner peace.

What thoughts fill the mind of a yoga teacher as she calmly guides us through a sun salutation? What is she contemplating when she gently adjusts my posture during a downward dog? Is she truly as enlightened as her sweetly spoken “namaste” suggests?

A recent video sheds light on the inner dialogue of yoga instructors during class. “Yoga teachers, despite appearances, deal with the same frustrations as everyone else,” remarked my friend Lisa, a yoga instructor from California, when I asked if yogis truly exist on a higher spiritual plane.

“But we share the same struggles! How do you maintain such tranquility?” I inquired.

“I’ll be honest with the class about having a tough day. If you don’t dwell on it, people tend to be understanding—but you have to find your focus because they are paying for a class,” Lisa explained. This perspective resonates; while I might suspect my instructor isn’t perpetually happy, I wouldn’t want her to spend the entire session complaining. Lisa added, “More often than not, I leave feeling uplifted, and students share that they do too. It’s a reminder that it’s not just about me.”

Interesting. She seems quite grounded and insightful.

But then she confessed, “There was one student I just couldn’t stand.”

I knew it.

Some standout quotes from the video include:

• “If I see one more guy with a topknot—not a ponytail, but a topknot with a real scrunchie—and those Birkenstocks, like he’s a wandering monk or something! And then he’s the one who rejects me!”
• “Stretch your arms up as if you’re at the airport and someone’s about to pat you down for accidentally bringing apple butter!”
• “Let’s move into tree pose—just picture a tree that’s standing tall, not one that’s been burned or cut down.”
• “Stay in the moment because there’s no future left—government sold it to the highest bidder.”
• “Just breathe. Your existence is insignificant, and your children’s lives are equally meaningless.”

Originally published on July 23, 2005.

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In summary, the yoga instructor’s outer calm often belies the complexities of her thoughts and feelings. While they might appear to embody peace, they too are navigating life’s challenges. The balance between professionalism and personal authenticity is crucial in teaching and connecting with students.