Those that can't, teach... or not as the case may be!

This past week has been mad busy. We have been teaching sections of the Primary Series in preparation for our final exams next week. On top of this we also had our Pranayama practical & theory exam as well as our study of Patanjali’s Sutras. I myself have been trying to memorise the opening and closing prayers. They are so beautiful and despite some teachers claiming they should be chanted and not be sung, I actually prefer to chant with a melody. The meaning of the prayer is so beautiful, I like to hear to soft musical tone of a voice as I think it complements it.

Opening Prayer

Closing Prayer

In the evenings our apartment has changed into a teachers’ military camp, where we practice our sections and the others follow the drill. I have been practicing Ashtanga on and off for 4 years now and despite my confidence of the sequence I am feeling somewhat lost…

Tensions are high here, emotions are raw and our patience is being pushed as we are making our bodies do things that we hadn't thought able. As a primary teacher with a semi regular practice I had supposed that with additional practice, asana theory, Sanscript counting and drishti and bandha concentration, I would pick things up with ease. Hmmmmm. No. Watch the clip again. That really is me! There is so much to think of. Things became harder this morning when a complete beginner dropped into class as I was teaching. I tried to remember what my teacher back home does; attempting postures side by side, offering the props and using the names like ‘downward dog’ and ‘upward dog’.

In conclusion, will I make a good teacher? The first question I should ask myself is, ‘What makes a good yoga teacher?’ Is it strength of your individual asana practice or your ability to share the practice so that it is enjoyable and accessible to everyone, helping others to strengthen their practice in a safe and correct manor? Then there’s also the meditative side of Ashtanga; the feeling when you roll up your mat after a 10 minute Savasana and you float away on a cloud of candy-floss.

My final exams are Thursday (Theory), Friday (Teaching) and Saturday (Mysore – personal practice), so only time will tell. If I do get the diploma I am not a teacher! My practice will continue to evolve as will my teaching. I will fumble through the world of ever growing number of Yoga Teachers, making mistakes and learning from them.

At least those mistakes will be made on the sunny island of Grand Cayman - 22 x 8 miles!