how I became a yoga teacher

When I first started going to yoga 15 or so years ago it wasn't terribly popular; there was 1 sort of known studio downtown and because it was close to my office building, I thought why not go try it out?  I liked the idea of it, but felt intimidated by all the seasoned yogis who had their noses on their knees in a seated forward bend while I was lucky if I could grab hold of my calves!

It was years later in a small studio where I live that I had the good fortune to meet the owner and teacher, Darlene Maclachlan, now one of my dearest friends.  It took only a couple of classes with her to realize that I had been missing out on one of the most important aspects of yoga - me!  I had been so focused on everyone else and what they could do that I couldn't - I wasn't focused on my practice.  I couldn't (or refused to) recognize or acknowledge my own capabilities, limitations and opportunities for growth.  I was so stuck in the past (I used to be able to...) or looking to the future (someday I hope I can...) that I wasn't able to truly embrace the experience - the experience I was having then, in that moment, even (and especially) if that moment was a struggle.

When a teacher training program was launched at the studio, I did nothing.  I didn't think I could be a teacher - I had always been petrified of being in front of a group of people.  And yet it showed up in the back of my mind repeatedly over the course of a few months.  Still I did nothing and had assumed the session was full, when one day she told me that there was 1 space left she couldn't fill.  I was paying attention - that space was mine.

That was almost 1 year ago.  Since then, I've become a registered yoga teacher and have had the pleasure of teaching a brilliant group on a regular basis (oh, and getting comfortable in front a group too!).  Though I'm still getting the hang of teaching, I notice I am much more present and much more comfortable every single practice.  I can pay attention - in the moment - not only to me and how I feel, but what I see in my students - I am totally present.  I teach for them and I love it.  I learn from my experiences, from their experiences and all of that helps me (I hope) be a better teacher, a better student, a better spouse, a better friend...a better me.

I ventured down the teacher training path thinking if nothing else, I'd benefit from a better practice. Little did I know it would take me from "going to do yoga at the studio" to helping to teach me to live yoga every day on and off the mat and allowing me the privilege to guide others in their practice and exploration of what yoga means for them.

Namaste