What do you want from a yoga instructor near you ? I have done yoga for over twelve years now and because I travel a lot and move around a lot, I have had various yoga teachers and I have also engaged in different kinds or different practices of yoga. I have learned a lot about myself and the expectations I have from yoga. I am not a brilliant yogi at all, just an average person who does yoga. And what I want from a yoga teacher is something genuine. I want a yoga practice, and it does not matter which kind of yoga I am doing, that is a heartfelt practice. I want a yoga teacher or instructor who genuinely loves sharing the practice of yoga with others. I want a yoga teacher who is interested in their students or participants and who is mindful and genuine and aware. A lot to ask? Not at all.

Yoga teacher training

Many a yoga studio will also offer yoga teacher training. This is not the kind of yoga that I go to as I do not want to become a yoga teacher. But a yoga teacher goes through yoga teaching training and needs to do a number of hours before they are even considered to be a yoga teacher. Teaching yoga itself is difficult. It is not just about being a brilliant yogi, in fact many of the best yoga teachers are older. Their experience counts for a lot. Not all yoga teachers can do a headstand but they can teach you how to do it. Not all yoga teachers can do the best downward dog. Their focus is on you and that you do these poses, and all the poses, safely and well and at your own level and capacity. And a good yoga teacher understands that everyone has their own level and capacity and they know how to teach, all at the same time.

Yoga practice

Yoga is a practice. This means that everyone, the beginners, the regular yogis like me, and the more advanced students and the yoga teachers, are all engaging in the practice. If you are doing yoga, you never stop practising. You can always learn more, even if it is about the mind. As we said, yoga is as much about the physical practice as it is about the mindful practice. A person doing yoga practices yoga. And so you want a teacher who practices yoga too. And you want a yoga teacher who is not about themselves and their brilliant poses but quite the contrary. You want a yoga teacher who is about you and concerned about you.

Yoga and meditation

Even if the meditation at the end of a yoga class is short, it should be excellent. Again, you want a yoga teacher who practices and offers a brilliant meditation. This might seem like a lot to expect from a yoga instructor near me but it is all actually extremely normal!