I often find myself questioning the mindset of yoga instructors at my local gym. They navigate the same bustling city streets as I do, battling for precious sidewalk space at the crosswalk, and racing to class after a hectic day in a whirlwind world. So how do they maintain such a tranquil demeanor while I can barely keep my cool?
What thoughts run through a yoga teacher’s mind as she gracefully guides us through sun salutations? What is she contemplating while gently adjusting my posture in downward dog? Is she truly as enlightened as her soothing “namaste” suggests?
A recent video sheds light on the real thoughts that may be bubbling beneath the surface during class. My friend Lisa, a yoga instructor in California, shared her candid perspective: “Yoga teachers are just as flawed as anyone else,” she remarked when I asked about the supposed spiritual superiority of yogis.
“But you navigate the same challenges I do! How can you seem so serene?” I pressed.
“Honestly, I’ll tell my class when I’m having a tough day. Most people appreciate the honesty, but then you have to shift into that teaching mindset because they’re there to learn,” Lisa explained. This makes perfect sense—while I might doubt my instructor’s perpetual positivity, I don’t want to hear her continuously complain throughout class. Lisa added, “By the end of class, I often feel rejuvenated, and many students will express that they do too. It’s a reminder that it’s not always about me.”
Interesting perspective, right? But she then revealed, “That said, there was one student I really couldn’t stand.”
I knew it!
Here are some of the memorable lines from the video:
- “If I see one more guy with a bun—I mean a full-on bun, not a ponytail—held up with a scrunchie, and those Birkenstocks like he’s some sort of wandering monk, I might explode!”
- “Reach up to the sky… as if you’re at the airport and someone just flagged you for carrying too much apple butter in your bag.”
- “Let’s move into tree pose, but try to remember a tree that’s standing tall, not one that’s been cut down or burnt to ashes.”
- “Stay present because the future has been sold off to the highest bidder.”
- “Just breathe. Your life has no meaning, and your children’s lives are just as inconsequential.”
This article was originally published on July 23, 2005.
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In conclusion, yoga instructors can be relatable and human, sharing their struggles while guiding us through our practices. They, too, have their moments of frustration, but they ultimately find joy and connection through their teachings.