In the bustling city where I live, I’ve always regarded the yoga instructors at my gym with a hint of skepticism. They navigate the same hectic streets and endure the same daily chaos as the rest of us, yet somehow manage to exude tranquility. I often find myself questioning how they maintain such a serene demeanor when my own patience is fraying at the seams.
What thoughts race through the mind of a yoga teacher as she guides us through sun salutations? What’s going on behind that calm exterior when she gently adjusts my posture during downward dog? Is she as enlightened as her sweetly-spoken “namaste” suggests?
A recent video sheds light on the reality of a yoga teacher’s inner dialogue throughout class. “Yoga instructors are just as human as anyone else,” shared my friend Lila, a yoga teacher based in California, when I probed her about the supposed spiritual superiority of yogis.
“Seriously, you live in the same challenging world as I do! How do you manage to stay so composed?” I pressed.
“I’ll openly acknowledge when I’m having a tough day. If I keep it brief, the class usually understands, but then it’s time to focus because they’re paying for my guidance,” Lila explained. This makes perfect sense; while I might suspect my yoga teacher isn’t always in a blissful state, I certainly wouldn’t want her to dwell on her frustrations during class. Lila added, “I often feel rejuvenated by the end of class, and hearing that someone else feels the same reminds me that it’s not about me.”
Intriguing! She does appear quite grounded and insightful. However, she couldn’t resist adding, “That being said, there was one student I really couldn’t stand.”
I knew it!
Some gems from the video include:
- “If I see another guy with a bun, and I mean an honest-to-goodness bun, secured with a scrunchie, alongside those Birkenstocks, it’s like he thinks he’s a wandering samurai! And he’s the one giving me the cold shoulder!”
- “Reach high into the air, as if you’re at the airport and someone just discovered 150 mls of apple butter in your bag.”
- “Transition into tree pose—if you can recall a tree standing tall and not one that’s been turned to ashes or clear-cut.”
- “Stay present because there’s no future left—the government sold it to the highest bidder.”
- “Just breathe. Your life is meaningless, and the lives of your children are worth nothing.”
This article was originally published on July 23, 2005.
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In summary, the reality of yoga instructors is often more relatable than we think. They face the same struggles as everyone else, striving to balance their own lives while helping us navigate ours. Their calmness isn’t a façade; it’s a practiced skill, honed through the ups and downs of life.
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