Have you ever walked out of a yoga class and thought to yourself, “Wow, what an incredible teacher!” Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of attending the classes of many different teachers, and often wondered what makes a good yoga teacher.
In this blog post, I’ll dive into a few stories of some of the classes that I attended – bringing attention to the essential attributes that made these teachers truly great.
So What Actually Makes a Good Yoga Teacher?
1. Authentic Passion for Yoga
One of the first teachers who left a mark on my journey was Maya – a radiant soul with an infectious passion for yoga. Her eyes sparkled with genuine love for the practice, and her classes were a testament to her unwavering devotion. I remember a sunrise session on a misty morning, where Maya’s enthusiasm lit up the serene surroundings. Her authentic passion was palpable as she guided us through a fluid vinyasa sequence.
Every movement flowed effortlessly, mirroring her genuine connection to the practice. Maya’s classes felt like an invitation to explore our own passion for yoga and to cultivate a deeper connection with our bodies and breath. In one class, Maya shared a beautiful story of personal transformation. It was clear that yoga was not just a practice to her, but a way of life. I learned that a good yoga teacher is one who wears their passion for yoga on their sleeve – openly sharing how it has impacted their lives.
2. Emotional Intelligence
I once attended a meditation session led by my dear friend, Sarah. In the middle of the session, I became completely overwhelmed by emotions and started crying uncontrollably. Sarah created a space of acceptance – allowing me to release what no longer served me. Her skilful guidance taught me about acknowledging and embracing my inner emotional landscape, which has become a valuable lesson I carry into my own teaching.
During this session, Sarah’s words and presence seemed to hold an innate understanding of all the hardships we can face throughout our lives. She taught me about stored emotions in the body and how yoga has the ability to release trauma and hurt that has built up over the years. She helped me to understand that emotions do not have to be a suppressed, but rather embraced.
This has enabled me to navigate life’s challenges with much more grace and resilience. I learned that a good yoga teacher has the ability to make their students feel safe, no matter what they might be feeling – creating a sense of nurture and compassion.
3. Cultivation of Positive Energy
During a challenging period in my life, I attended a class led by Michael. His warm smile and encouraging words created a sanctuary where I could momentarily escape life’s chaos.
Michael’s classes were infused with an infectious positivity that was truly uplifting. His ability to infuse even the most challenging poses with a sense of joy and playfulness created an atmosphere of light-hearted exploration. Michael often encouraged us to find the sweetness in each posture. In the beginning I thought, “What the heck is the sweetness in each posture?” However, the more I attended his classes, the more I understood what he meant.
If you allow yourself to just be in your body and feel the presence of those around you, you become deeply connected to the sensations of your body.
The more connected to my body I felt, the more joy I derived from my practice. Michael had this way of getting us out of our heads and into our bodies, which created a space of immense positive energy. You could just feel the good vibes of everyone and it was all thanks to Michael who truly embodied the joy and lightness that he was teaching.
I believe that he was able to cultivate such a space because he focused on gratitude. In every pose, he brought our attention to what we can be grateful for. And you know what I learned? It’s impossible to be in your head, thinking about useless and mundane things, while you’re focusing on everything that makes your life worth living.
4. Inclusivity and Accessibility
Lisa’s class opened my eyes to the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in yoga. Her approach to teaching emphasized modifications for students of all abilities – ensuring that everyone felt welcomed and supported.
She had this ability to seamlessly integrate props – ensuring that everyone understood that they were no less capable simply because they needed a bit of help. Lisa was commited to making yoga available to all body types and abilities – and her class became a space where judgment was replaced with compassion.
Each student was met exactly where they were in their practice, which made each of us feel seen and understood. Through her thoughtful guidance, I realized that a good yoga teacher is one who creates an inclusive environment – allowing every student to experience the benefits of yoga regardless of their physical abilities or limitations.
5. Balancing Discipline and Playfulness
One of my absolute favourite teachers was Carlos. When you walked into his class, you knew that you would walk out of there with a belly aching from laughter. He found the sweet spot between discipline and playfulness.
His light-hearted approach encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace a childlike curiosity. Carlos himself exuded a child-like spirit, which encouraged each of us to get in touch with the innocent parts of ourselves who simply want to play and have fun. His infectious laughter created an atmosphere of camaraderie – reminding me that while discipline is essential, cultivating a playful and adventurous spirit is equally valuable in fostering a well-rounded yoga practice.
What made Carlos a truly great teacher was the fact that he didn’t take himself or any of us too seriously. He did, however, take yoga seriously. He took us through flows where he would emphasise the importance of doing the poses correctly, while simultaneously laughing at himself when he struggled to get into a pose. This taught me that, although we should respect yoga and how the asanas are meant to be practiced, we should focus on having fun.
6. Inspiring a Lifelong Love for Yoga
There is one specific teacher who instilled a deep and enduring love for yoga in me. Zoe had this authority about her presence. It felt like Zoe and yoga were one and the same thing. She had an immense wealth of knowledge about the history and philosophy of yoga, and treated yoga as a lifelong companion. She would take the teachings of yoga and talk to us about how these principles applied to our everyday life.
I recall one story where she spoke about detachment. She explained that in yoga, just as in life, we get attached to specific outcomes. Perhaps we go to a yoga class hoping to finally nail that flying crow, only to leave feeling disappointed after we fell on our face for the hundredth time. She made it clear that the only reason we feel disappointed in ourselves, others, or life, is because we expect so much. Instead, she encouraged us to approach every moment as though we are an explorer – waiting to see what it might reveal.
Zoe was well-known for organizing workshops and events that delved into the deeper dimensions of yoga – from meditation and pranayama to the exploration of yogic texts. Her dedication to lifelong learning and growth inspired me to continue expanding my own knowledge and understanding of yoga. Through Zoe’s guidance, I learned that a good yoga teacher is not only a facilitator of physical practice, but also a guide on the journey of self-discovery and personal evolution. Her teachings ignited a spark within me that has allowed me to look at life through a different lens.
In Summary
As I reflect on these exceptional teachers who have guided me on my yoga journey, I am reminded that the qualities that define a good yoga teacher transcend physical postures. They encompass authenticity, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, positivity, inclusivity, playfulness, and a commitment to lifelong learning. These teachers have become more than instructors.
They have left an imprint on my heart and soul, which I take with me where ever I go. With gratitude, I step forward on my own path as a yoga teacher – carrying their teachings as a source of strength and inspiration. Their wisdom serves as a reminder that being a good yoga teacher is not about perfection; it’s about creating a space where students can explore, grow, and discover their own inner light—a journey I am honoured to undertake.