As a yogi, we find a teacher who helps us on our journey. At some point we guide others on theirs. It is a never ending cycle of us evolving and teaching some of what we know to others on the same path. We show up to our mat each day and work through the same poses. At some point our teacher was working through the same poses we are. Somewhere years down the road, we are teaching the exact same pose that we learned to our student. We aren’t teaching the way our teacher taught us, but we are teaching our experience with the practice.
Parampara
For me, I have always looked up to my teachers. I picked one and I stuck with them until I didn’t have a choice, like moving far away or them not offering classes. I have had two teachers since finding Ashtanga, and I strongly recommend sticking with a teacher that you believe in and feel right about.
Always choose a teacher that resonates with you. I knew my first teacher the minute she gave me an adjustment. I went to my first Led class and I knew instantly the minute she adjusted me in Marichyasana D. During the asana I felt safe, inspired, and had a knowing that she would be the one I would have guide me on my journey at that point.
The Importance of a Teacher
I believe in a student teacher relationship. Sure you can watch videos online about specific poses, even learn the practice. But you don’t feel what right feels like. You don’t experience the energy of a Mysore room. There is something about having a teacher say “Samasthiti”.
Your Practice is Always Changing
One day you will bind in Pasasana, the next day you will not. That’s the way the practice happens. Our bodies change, our minds change, therefore our practice changes. Day to day we must check in with our body and see how it feels. No matter what your practice feels like, it is your practice. The changes will be in your favor or not, and some days it will be so hard to even show up to the mat. Don’t leave the practice. Instead, continue to do what you can and show up no matter what. One day it will turn around and your body will love you for honoring how it feels.
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
