Deepen Their Yoga Practice
Our first yoga teacher training began in 2003. And since that time I have worked with hundreds of students who come for two basic reasons. They either want to teach or to deepen their yoga practice.
Be Inquisitive & Expand Your Options
Mainstream yoga focuses on the postures. However, the potential scope of yoga is far more encompassing. A individual yoga practice is essential to your success as a student and a teacher.
I suggest expanding your options and be open to learning about other yogic modalities. Personally, I feel drawn to personal yoga practice that is rooted in tradition and I offer students the full scope of methodologies.
After some exploration into the deeper, often ignored world of yoga, you might realize that what you really want is to be an ayurvedic practitioner and help people with nutrition and lifestyle rather than teach asana classes. You may find that you really resonate with bhakti yoga (the yoga of devotion), or want to emphasize meditation in your personal practice. Yoga has so much more to offer beyond the poses.
There are many possible ways you could ‘do yoga’ in the world.
Find and Learn From a Teacher You Resonate With
You can read my in depth thoughts on the ethos of being a teacher, but I thought I would share some of the most essential aspects here as well. Not all teachers are equally knowledgeable. Some teachers will leave a much greater impression than others.
The teacher is there to guide the student on a journey from misperception to seeing themselves and life more fully. They provide a living, embodied example of yogic principles and are also knowledgeable about the particular methodologies that best suit each student (including asana). Of course the student is responsible for doing work, the teacher simply provides guidance.
In assessing a teacher see that they have a seasoned understanding of the various methods and also demonstrate a regard for the greater welfare as opposed to just themselves. Personally, having a teacher who is deeply attuned to the spiritual aspects of yoga is essential. I consider this to be essential for a student who wants to deepen their yoga practice.