Yoga Teachers: They're Just Like You!

Image via newyorkyoga.com

Last week in one of my classes, while demonstrating a difficult pose and doing it with the class, I tried to come back into the pose while talking about it, and I failed. My muscles were tired, I didn't have the correct alignment, and I wasn't focused, so I tried to push up into it, and nothing happened. I laughed, said "lets try that again," and proceeded to do it correctly in order to try and show the class what I was talking about. I was completely fine with messing up in  front of a room full of people (I've done it many times before and will do it many times again), but right after I messed up, one of the students close to me in the front row said, "Wow! I'm glad to see that you get tired too!," and this comment really stuck with me.

"Are you kidding?" I thought!? Um, yes, obviously I get tired, too. I get really tired. I often get so tired that I have to stop functioning and go to bed immediately. And yes, my muscles give out in class all the time--I'm not susceptible to muscle failure just because I'm a teacher--you know that, right?

I've heard many stories from my fellow teachers about falling in front of their classes (I've done it), tripping on a student, saying something crazy without even realizing it, or completely forgetting sequences half-way through the class and having to ask the students what to do next. It's not always easy teaching yoga, and as teachers, we're bound to make lots of mistakes. 

---

Similarly, in my Yoga & Body Image workshop last weekend, someone said that it really helps them with their body image issues and negative self-talk when a teacher tells the class that they can't do a certain pose, or that they're working on it, but don't have it yet, as it makes the student feel less judgmental towards themselves if they realize that the teacher can't do certain poses, either.  Therefore, I think that "messing up" or failing to do a pose correctly every once in a while would have the same effect. 

Image via eatpraynamaste.com

So, here's the kicker:  teachers of any kind--and also coaches, therapists, group leaders, successful managers, and "role models"--they're just like you. We're all human, we all make mistakes, and none of us have superhuman powers. It can be really helpful for us to remember this, as we all have people in our lives who we put on a pedestal or can't see clearly, because we come to them looking for knowledge and guidance and they are often able to give it to us. I have my own teachers that I idealize (or idolize?) and in the past, have projected my own ideas of perfection onto them, while knowing that really, it's much healthier for me, and much more realistic for them, if I can see them as normal, flawed (albiet wonderful) human beings. 

One of the things that we often talk about in Teacher Trainings is how many times, students will label their teachers in their minds--sometimes without even realizing it. Just as people do with other types of teachers in their lives, it's easy to think that the person who is leading you has all the answers, or never messes up, or, in the case of yoga, can do every pose perfectly. But really, when you think about it, we all know that's not true. 

So, I have two messages that I want to leave you with today:
 
1. For my fellow teachers out there, it's okay to share your "flaws," your inabilities, and your own struggles with your classes. As long as you aren't forgetting about the flow or energy of the class and/or doing it all the time (which could become distracting!), it's wonderfully humanizing and freeing to tell your students that you can't do something. In fact, I think you should, as it often gives people perspective and allows them to lighten up on themselves (i.e., "If the teacher can't do it, it's okay that I'm not there yet!"). 

2. For my fellow students, remember that your teachers are just like you! They mess up, they get tired, they fall on their faces, they hurt people's feelings accidentally, they get angry, upset, and moody, and they, too, fall apart every once in a while. Just like you, they're trying their best--but if you put them on a pedestal, you'll eventually have to watch them come down off of that pedestal, and that can often be harder than just seeing them as they are.

Are you with me? I hope this makes sense and allows you to ease up the pressure on yourself this week. Sometimes we all need a little reminder that we're not striving for perfection (as it's unttainable!)--we're all just doing the best we can with every given moment. So lighten up!!!

Namaste,
Mary Catherine

---