How to become a GOOD yoga instructor.

After two years after the end of my first, glorious, life-changing teacher training with YogaLondon, here I am, writing down the steps that in my opinion will have to walk on if you are choosing to become one of us, one of us.

Before starting with my 5 yama of the Good-Yoga-Teacher path, let me clarify one thing.

Many people can do teacher trainings and become yoga instructor.
Oh yeah. You just need the ka-ching and free time...things we all have, right? ;)

Anyway, there are many out there, I meet them regularly, even in fancy yoga studios such as Triyoga. They are people that love yoga and think that is enough to make them good teachers.
I say: NO.

You can be an average teacher, you can also be a pretty BAD teacher if you don't work on yourself enough to get out the qualities that a seriously GOOD YOGA TEACHER has to have.

Sorry peeps, it's not an easy peasy job. It is not enough to be steady in Vrschikasana (yes, the damn Scorpion pose). It is not even enough to meditate every day, do the neti pot in the morning and reading the Bhagavad Gita before going to bed.

There are more subtle qualities that require to be there. And for some people it's easy (the natural inclination thingy) for some it's hard.
And, sorry, but for some others, it's impossible. I really wish these people some clarity of mind to recognise one day that maybe, perhaps, they choose the wrong career.

Point one: love yourself.

We hear this a lot in classes. Self-compassion, kindness towards ourselves. So easy to say, so hard to put it in practise. 

Everyone has different ways to show love. For some people self-love is staying in bed till late, for some other is waking up with the sunrise. Having or not having that piece of cake? Shaving my legs or leaving them free to be the legs I was born with?

It is finally just the difficult practise of LISTENING. Shut up and listen to yourself. And with yourself I mean that Atman, that deeper self, not the constructed Ego full of fears.
Ok, I know, this is a practise that take a lifetime to be mastered. But a GOOD yoga teacher has started cultivating it. And this is why he/she glows in the room. This is why when he/she teaches, the words that come out from his/her mouth go directly to our soul:
because he/she SPEAKS THE TRUTH. 

Point two: learn to love people.

Yes, it might sound weird, but you do have to love people, not only yoga, to become a good yoga teacher.

To love people means practise compassion. Means accepting differences. Means being an empathetic person. Means being able to listen, to support, to be there for someone. Anyone. Even people we don't really like so much.

In yogi words, it means to recognise that in everyone there is a sparkle of divine.

It means also: not being disgusted by other people's different body qualities or details. A rush on the arm, some feet in serious need of some care, a hairy and sweaty back.

None of these feelings will help you to become a good yoga instructor. If you are not able to open your eyes while you are teaching and walk out of your comfort zone (your mat) to the end of the class where that weird guy hides himself and performs the poses in wrong and unsafe ways, there is something you need to work on. 

Point three: do a teacher training. A good one. 

Ta-daan: we finally arrive to the point. It is important to choose a teacher training that teaches you the values of yoga. In depth. With clarity. 

I was lucky I choose well, out of intuition: YogaLondon. 

Wonderful teachers, covering very well the wide aspect of what Yoga means (philosophy, lifestyle, anatomy, teaching methods, ethos).

Point four: start teaching. And do it more. And more.

You will never become a teacher if you don't start teaching. I know it sounds silly, but so many qualified teachers are feeling so scared to take the step because they feel they are not enough/they are shy/they don't have enough time.
And even if you are teaching, then take further steps: teach workshops, organise your own retreat, do another trainings, keep on studying.

Point five: return to point one.

We are never arrived, always learning.

So, do another teacher training. 

Know yourself deeply.

Love people more.

and...

Enjoy the journey!!!