How to find the right yoga teacher

It is pivotal to have the right teachers guiding you into the doorway of yoga. I have been blessed to have some amazing teachers in my journey who are kind, intelligent and unbiased. Everything I teach in my class, all the best things are an extension of these amazing people.

A Lot of questions come to the surface, especially in conversations wherein I acclaim my teaching for yoga. Yoga is one wellness science that has been misinterpreted by various people. Everyone has their own philosophy, perspective and the essence of yoga is incredibly distorted from school to school.

Well, if that’s the case, then how can you find the right teacher?

Let’s dive in.

Finding the right yoga teacher is a make or break element in your journey of learning yoga. The right teacher must be experienced to provide appropriate guidance you need to deepen your practices. Here are a few pointers:

1. Methodical Research on Yoga : There are several genres of yoga, it's important to find the genre that resonates with your desire. Invest in research to learn and understand the benefits and scope. The more you know, the better understanding you will have before stepping into a class.

2. Speak to friends and family who have experience in yoga. Although, what worked for them may not work for you. It’s important to get a perspective, and be aware of what your peers have benefited from certain classes. Has a family member’s health improved because of a certain yogic practice? Have you witnessed a lot of improvement from a friend because of yoga? Ask around, it will help you gain awareness.

3. Get to know the teacher: Approach teachers with clarifications, doubts, queries, etc. Understand why your teacher got into yoga, if he/she had a spiritual awakening or a strong purpose to teach. Check if their perspective and philosophy resonates with you.

4. Enlist your goals: Do you have specific physiological goals you would like to work towards? Are you approaching yoga as a way of improving your lifestyle? Are you approaching it as a therapeutic too? It’s important to be aware of this, as it will help you regain your clarity.

5. Make note of the qualifications: One of the most important requisites is to have learned from a teacher who has been certified from a well reputed and affiliated institute of yoga. Be well informed of the credibility of the institute. It’s so easy to get swayed away with falsely claimed yoga institutes or certifications with no authentic expertise. Yoga is a science to wellness, it's important you learn from a highly reputed institute.

Once you’ve done all the homework, schedule a call with your teacher. This is where you can discuss your expectations, goals, interests and see if it aligns with what your teacher can provide.

But what does it mean to be a good teacher?

That’s where the intangibles come in. You’ll figure this out by getting to know your teacher outside the classroom, and inside as well. Each person’s values of what it means to be good or qualified can be radically subjective.

There is always something to learn in each and every experience. Wish you the best in your newly found interest in yoga.