Why do so many yogis/yoginis want to teach?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#10

[QUOTE=kht124;69907]I have been doing yoga since the age of 16, intermitttently of course. Never wanted to teach…until now. For me, its all about making money; sadly. I am dead broke and in college. Yoga is something I enjoy doing and I wouldn’t mind doing yoga for pay, even if that means I’ll have to teach. The wage for being a yoga instructor, from what I know, is pretty good. Plus, if I get a job as a yoga instructor at a fitness club, I can stop paying that monthly membership without turning obese.[/QUOTE]

Why teach yoga? You are in college, you can consider tutoring high school kids.

#11

[QUOTE=Hubert;69922]Because when children get a new toy, they like to boast about them.[/QUOTE]

Oh. I like this.

#12

@JSK
How could one be a teacher without first being a student?

#13

By the same token in which a poor student becomes a poor teacher.

#14

I occasionally kick around the idea of doing a teacher training course - but I have absolutely no interest in teaching. I just find that I want to learn more and I have had little success in the past finding a teacher who either has the knowledge base or wants to share their knowledge so I feel I need to pursue information on my own.

As with everything - there are poor teachers and good teachers and plenty in between.

I find I’m sorta with Pawel on this also…if I did teacher training, it would be for me - not others. Selfish? Not necessarily. Perhaps just honest in where I am.

#15

I recently met a young 24 year old who wants to teach at my studio. On first blush, it seemed that she couldn’t be a student for a half hour (turned out she’s been practicing her whole life as her mother is a teacher). I agreed to put her on my sub list and invited her to our monthly group practice. Often we take turns leading, and I called on her to lead. She blew us all away. Not only with her confidence and knowledge, but with how she went much deeper than the asana and grounded us with breath and patience.

You never know sometimes. I’m finding a place for this teacher, without a doubt.

#16

teaching is appealing to many people who simply want to talk about and share their ideas and opinions; it’s also the only way to make money doing what you love.

simply put, it’s the modern form of ascetecism imho: since homelessness is illegal, and begging for food is frowned upon, many monks must teach and write books in order to remain monks in the west. that’s 1c of my 2c.

the other 1c is boring so i won’t bother you with it.

-dale

#17

I think it is not important the quantity, but quality. I mean, the person who teaches yoga may have been student too little time, but having the ability to teach because of his ability to learn quickly. If this person has given his all to learn in so little time. Obviously not all those who are students may little time have the ability to be a teacher … Is relative.

#18

haha, high school kids around my area get tutored for free. I could tutor college freshmen but wouldn’t enjoy it.

Though I want to be a yoga instructor, I don’t think I’ll do it right now though. I don’t even have time to workout, let alone, teach. Maybe in the future or during the summer. I would love to teach yoga one day though.

#19

[QUOTE=JSK;69943]By the same token, a poor student becomes a poor teacher.[/QUOTE]

Though great students do not inherently make great teachers:-)

#20

Could it be possible that some people may become “teachers” instead of “students” because they yoga is a societal fad and do not truly understand it, or see the importance of learning?:confused:

#21

Fun and Passion.

#22

In the land of the blind, one eye is king.

#23

“I mean, the person who teaches yoga may have been student too little time, but having the ability to teach because of his ability to learn quickly.”

Those who think this about themselves, are most probably not those who really learn quickly.

#24

[QUOTE=Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā;69997]In the land of the blind, one eye is king.[/QUOTE]

So, that makes me King? Sweet.

#25

Some find it a “glamorous” thing to do.

#26

[QUOTE=JSK;69860][B]Why do so many yogis/yoginis want to teach?[/B]
[/QUOTE]

Most likely the minds filter, ego.

#27

Because teaching is a great way of learning.

Surely every student is a teacher and every teacher is a student??

#28

I’ve been thinking about this question for a while. As an educator of special needs students, I’m already comfortable leading a class and planning, modifiying, tossing the whole lesson out the window and coming up with a new plan right on the spot if that is what is needed that day. I will be a yoga instructor one day for the same reason I’m an educator. Helping others find a new path is a talent. If you are good at it, you know it. Luckily I love what I do, so I would never look to teaching yoga as my source of income, but rather as a gift.

That’s MY reason - why others want to do it, I couldn’t guess.

(and as for the ‘gift’ comment – my favorite yogini is also an educator. She teaches 3 classes a week - free - for that very purpose - as a gift. She is an AMAZING teacher with an amazing spirit. She’s my true role model.

#29

[QUOTE=ryanlikealion;70185]Because teaching is a great way of learning.

Surely every student is a teacher and every teacher is a student??[/QUOTE]

A very nice statement :slight_smile: